Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Matt Greene

Urethane golf balls perform much better than surlyn, but they are expensive. So when Kirkland Signature golf balls came out, so many golfers had access to a great urethane golf ball performance, for the same price as cheaper surlyn balls. 

The Kirklands Signatures are quality balls sold at Costco, with great endurance, and perform similarly to much higher priced golf balls.

After playing them for a while, many people are asking — who makes Kirkland golf balls actually?

I took a deeper look and found something very interesting. It would be easy to assume that Kirkland golf balls are manufactured by Costco themselves, but this is not the case.

The Manufacturer of Kirkland Golf Balls

Most Kirkland products are subcontracted to third parties which is no surprise because golf ball technology and research would cost way too much to create a new ball from scratch. 

Kirkland Golf balls are manufactured by Qingdao SM Parker, which is a large company in China. 

Some people also report that Nassau Golf produce Kirkland the golf balls in Korea. I have actually played Nassau golf balls and they are high quality.  But it would appear the truth is that Qingdao manufactures Kirkland Sigs. The company is heavily involved in sports equipment manufacturing. They focus mainly on golf equipment, and Kirkland golf balls are their headline product.

Kirkland Performance+

The 3 piece golf ball is by far the most popular golf ball by Kirkland. It is officially known as Kirkland Performance+.

The pricing is way less than its competitors.

I played Pebble Beach with a Kirkland Signature golf ball. I am not joking, and I shot 74 on the first attempt. Check out the video below.

Costco is a budget wholesaler, so a pack of Kirkland golf balls costs much less than most manufactuers. Urethane golf balls are expensive and will range anywhere from $2 to $4 per golf ball, so at around a buck per ball, the Kirkland Signature is hard to beat on price. 

It is a low launch and high spin golf ball with 338 dimples. 

Review of Costco Golf Balls

Kirkland 3 piece golf balls or Kirkland Performance+ golf balls are always compared to the Titleist Pro-V1x, because it is the most used urethane ball on tour. This would be a mistake since this is a budget golf ball. That aside, the ball has no issues and for the average player, spending so little on a nice golf ball can enhance their enjoyment.

The Kirkland and Pro V1x are similar in a few ways. Check out Kirkland balls here

According to 'studies', the Kirkland golf balls are slightly shorter at higher swing speed at around 10 yards. I did not experience this in my time in the USA. I found the Kirkland equally as long.

They have a higher spin rate compared to the Titleist balls according to the studies, but I found the golf ball actually spins less than a Pro V1x on my shots. The Kirkland sits down near it's pitchmark rather than ripping back like a ProV1x does. My swing speed is a little faster than average.

But golfers with slightly slower speed will get more stop and drop with the Kirklands. Kirkland 3 piece golf balls could be a good choice for you if you find the ball bounding on after an approach to the green.

When I think of the people I played with in the USA, I think the Kirkland 3 piece golf balls are best for literally any level of golfer. Beginners to mid-level golfers who don't want to lose $4 golf balls will love the performance. And even as a low handicap, I loved these golf balls and would game them every round if I could get them in Asia. 

It's a low stress golf ball with great performance perfect for practice rounds, casual rounds and if you don't buy into the hype, it is a ball you can use iwth confidence in competitions. 

Kirkland 4 Piece Golf Ball

Kirkland launched a 4 piece golf ball in 2016.

Costco suggests that the 4 piece golf balls were of equal or higher quality than the golf balls on the market.

Acushnet Holdings who produce Titleist golf balls, filed a lawsuit against the Kirkland 4 piece golf balls. There were 10 patent violations in the case.

The 4 piece golf balls stoped being produced after the case was settled out of court.

Thereafter, in 2019, Costco announced a brand new 4-piece golf ball. It was sold at the same price, but quality seemed to be much worse this time. Golfers flooded the internet with pictures of cracking golf balls with damaged covers and tons of bad reviews. 

After this negative coverage and terrible reviews, Costco took the 4 piece golf balls off the market completely and offered easy returns to limit the damage. 

Does Costco Sell Golf Clubs?

Costco launched a line of golf clubs due to the high demand for budget golf equipment in light of the excellent reception of the 3 piece golf ball. 

Costco sell the Kirkland 3 piece wedge club which people do enjoy. The quality is good.

Costco also has a putter which gets rave reviews. 

Who Manufactures Kirkland Golf Clubs?

Qingdao SM Parker is only involved in the golf ball production. The golf clubs by Costco, are made by the Southern California Design company who are known for their quality and attention to detail.

Costco also sells box sets of Callaway golf clubs.

Are Costco Golf Balls the Same as Titleist?

Titleist is the leader in golf balls with all the coverage on Tour. The Kirkland golf balls are still budget golf balls and so can only be compared at surface level. 

Kirkland and Pro V1 have similar materials and endurance but the level of performance will always be lower in a budget golf ball. Does that apply to 95% of amateur golfers? No. Most golfers will not notice a difference between a Kirkland and a Pro V1. A scratch down to plus handicapper and professionals will notice a difference.

The Kirkland is a cheaper urethane covered golf ball with excellent performance, and can slot into my bag any time any day. 

What Golf Ball Is Comparable to Kirkland?

If I had to compare these golf balls to another brand, I would compare it to the Pro V1 and the Chrome Soft X. The compression of the Kirkland is higher than the general budget golf ball. 

I cannot compare the Kirkland to an Inesis Tour 900, Titleist AVX or a TaylorMade Tour Response. Those ball feel soft and squishy and I notice distance losses. The Kirkland does not experience as big of a distance loss and it feels firm so I would go with a Pro V1 and Chrome Soft X as it's equivalent.

The Bottom Line

Kirkland make an excellent 3 piece golf ball. Kirkland are ever expanding into more facets of the golf game and with the quality being as good as it is, we can expect even more advancements. They are some of the best golf balls for mid handicappers. 

Last Updated on February 2, 2024 by Matt Greene

The shaft in your golf clubs connects your swing to the golf ball so playing the correct flex shaft is very important.

Playing the wrong golf shaft flex can lead to bad habits in your swing that become difficult to fix in future. 

But playing the right flex for your swing promises you massive distance, straighter shots and longer carry.

This is a full guide on golf shaft flex including charts and expertise of club fitters, so you'll know everything there is to know about shafts by the end. 

What Is Golf Shaft Flex?

Flex in a golf shaft determines the amount the shaft bends during the swing and at impact. Depending on the manufacturer, shafts fall into categories such as extra stiff, stiff, regular, ladies, or senior flex.

Pros or low handicap golfers, tend to use stiffer shafts to adjust to the faster swing speeds and torque generated by stronger golfers to give the club head the best chance of being in the exact position it needs to be at the point of contact.

Players with much slower swing speeds, such as juniors, seniors or lady golfers, use a softer flex shaft like Ladies or Senior flex to allow the club head to hit the ball with a square face.

What is torque in a golf shaft?

Torque is a measurement of how much a shaft resists twisting during the golf swing. It is measured in degrees, which denotes how many degrees the shaft will twist under a given force.

Torque is important. Feel is just as important in a golf swing.  It's a complicated topic best solved by an expert fitter like Eric Chong from Impact Golf Malaysia. 

Golf Shaft Flex Letters

Have you ever seen the letters on a golf shaft and not understood what they mean? Here's a clear breakdown of what golf shaft letters mean:

• SR = Soft Regular in America/Europe
• R = Regular flex
• SR = Stiff Regular in Asia
• S = Stiff
• S+ = Stiff Plus
• X = Extra stiff
• TX = Tour Extra stiff

Specialty shafts:

• L = Ladies flex
• A = Senior flex
• W = Wedge flex

Golf Club Shaft Flex Chart

This is a really useful golf shaft stiffness chart that matches up swing speeds to the appropriate flex. This is a good guide but as always, if in doubt, see a professional club fitter for advice because your tempo and transition determines the kick point in your shaft as well as the weight and flex.

How the flex of the golf shaft impacts shot shape

The flexibility of the golf shaft affects your shots in the following ways:

1. The shaft flex influences the launch height and overall height of your shots.
2. The shaft influences how much spin you put on the ball.
3. The shaft flex influences the feel of the golf club whether it feels like an extension of your body or something totally foreign.

Golfers with high swing speed must use stiffer shafts because when a soft shaft bends under high swing speed it "lags" behind where it should be and the club head can't catch up with your hands. At the bottom of the swing, near impact, the club face could be pointing left or right and that causes inconsistent shot shapes.

On the other end of the scale, if you're a golfer with a slower swing speed using a stiff shaft, you may struggle to close the club face at impact, resulting in a dreaded slice. Compressing the golf ball is key to more distance and with the correct shaft, a better strike of the golf ball will increase your distance, lower your spin and improve direction.

What we want is to manage the spin rate of the ball which is generated relative to the swing speed of the golf swing. More speed can result in more spin, and more spin can result in a loss of distance as the ball balloons in the air. However, spin is needed to get the ball airborne, so slower swing speed golfers need a shaft which generates enough spin to help them out in this area.

As a general rule, you should use the same flex shafts in all of your clubs, with the exception of your wedges. Wedges tend to have stiffer shafts, known as "wedge flex". They're not overly stiff, but they do encourage accuracy in these precision clubs.

You can judge the right flex shaft for you based on feel, and some people swear that in the hands of an amateur, flex doesn't matter. I think that shaft flex is an essential timing element in the golf swing, and to get this part of the game right, I always recommend seeking the help of a professional club fitter.

Shaft Flex by Golf Swing Speeds

Working out the correct shaft flex for you is usually done by working out your swing speed and then seeing which shaft flex is right for the club head speed you're generating. All of these speeds are with a driver.

• Under 75 mph – Ladies flex  or Senior flex
• 75 to 95 mph – Regular flex
• 95 to 110 mph – Stiff flex
• 110 mph and up – Stiff or Extra Stiff

This is a basic guide to follow.

What Do Golf Shaft Flex Numbers Mean

Golf shaft brands like Project X use numbers on their golf shafts instead of letters to denote the flex of the shaft. For Project X shafts, the higher the number on the shaft, the stiffer the shaft. 

Project X Golf Shaft Flex Chart

• 7.0 - Tour extra stiff
• 6.5 - Extra stiff
• 6.0 - Stiff flex
• 5.5 - Regular flex
• 5.0 - Senior flex

Signs you need a stiffer shaft

As you get better at the game of golf, our develop a more confident swing, you may begin to think that you need a stiffer shaft in your clubs. There are a few signs that this might be the case which are;

• You're hooking the ball with your clubs
• You can't control the distance of your irons consistently
• The golf ball balloons in the air with driver, hybrids and fairway woods
• You can't feel the club head in your swing

When to switch from stiff to regular shaft

I often find that too many players use stiff flex shafts. There is nothing wrong using a regular flex shaft and in truth shaft flex has no relation to skill level in golf. I have played with and had my ass kicked by plenty of seniors who are using super light and whippy shafts.

Here are some signs that it's time to switch from a stiff to a regular shaft;

• You are hitting slices with your driver
• You can't get the ball of the ground with woods and long irons
• Ball flight is weak with mid and short irons
• No spin on approach shots

These are some of the tell tale signs of a shaft which is too stiff for you.

What Shaft Flex Should I Use For My Driver

If you’re between 97 and 104 mph with the driver, you need a stiff flex.

If you’re between 84 and 96 mph, regular is going to be best for you. This is the swing speed rage of most amateur golfers. 

Between 72 and 83 mph with the driver signifies you need to be hitting senior flex.

Swing speed for stiff shaft irons

7-iron swing speed chart shaft flex

KBS shaft chart

Project X Shaft Flex Chart

Original Project X Rifle Irons

Tapered

• Regular – 5.0
• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff  – 6.0
• Extra Stiff  – 6.5
• Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0

Parallel

• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

Original Project X Woods & Hybrids

• Regular Plus – 5.0
• Stiff – 5.5
• Stiff Plus – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5
• Extra Stiff Plus –7.0

Project X 95 Flighted Irons

• Regular – 5.0
• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff  – 6.0
• Extra Stiff  – 6.5
• Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0

PXi Irons

• Regular – 5.0
• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff Plus – 6.0 
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

Rifle Irons

Parallel

• Senior – 4.0
• Regular – 5.0
• Stiff – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 7.0

Tapered

• Senior Plus – 4.5
• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

PX LZ Steel Irons

• Regular – 5.0
• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff – 6.0
• Stiff Plus – 6.5

PX LZ Tour Graphite Irons

• Regular – 5.0
• Stiff – 6.0

PXv Tour Graphite Woods

• Stiff – 5.5
• Stiff Plus – 6.0
• Extra Stiff Flex – 6.5
• Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0

Project X Black Woods & Hybrids

• Stiff – 5.5
• Stiff Plus – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5
• Extra Stiff Plus – 7.0

HZRDUS Woods & Hybrids

• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

HZRDUS T1100 Woods

• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

EvenFlow Woods & Hybrids

(Available in Black and Blue)

• Regular Plus – 5.5
• Stiff – 6.0
• Extra Stiff – 6.5

Conclusion

Using the correct shaft flex for your game is essential. You don't want to add shots because of your equipment and a poorly fitted shaft could be the cause of those wild hooks and slices. See a pro club fitter and get the right shaft for you. 

Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Matt Greene

The 9 iron should be one of the go to golf clubs in your bag. It's going to be a key part of your game within 150 yards and hitting it well leads to lower scores, whatever your handicap is.

So what's the secret for how to hit a 9 iron?

The short irons in your set require a downward strike and you are going to need to have a swing that allows you to do this. Once you have this mastered, you will find hitting the other irons in your bag will get easier, especially the pitching wedge, 8 and 9 irons.

Your 9 iron can also be used for chip shots and bump and runs around the green. It's a really versatile club, so let's look into some of the basics around the 9 irons and how you can learn to hit it one, step by step.

What Is A 9 Iron? (9 iron meaning)

A 9 iron is a golf club that will fits in the gap between your pitching wedge and 8 iron. The loft of this club will depend on the brand and manufacturer, but usually the loft of 9 iron will be between 40 and 43 degrees. 

The 9 iron is one of your short irons, and will have a length of around 35.5 inches.

A 9 iron is designed to be hit from distances between 120 to 150 yards depending on ability. The average distance for a 9 iron is 126 yards. The loft on the club means the ball will launch high into the air and hopefully land softly on the green.

I will often use my 9 iron for chip shots around the green when I want the ball to roll out to the hole with less spin than my sand wedge.

How To Hit A 9 Iron 

It's up to you how you want to learn to hit a 9 iron. I always start by trying to hit three quarter shots with my clubs to get that feeling of a solid contact before trying to hit full or partial shots. When I'm at the driving range, I'll try to hit 30-40 balls with one club to groove a feeling before moving onto other irons or woods.

Here a few things to try at the driving range with your 9 iron.

1. Fundamentals - Grip, Stance and Ball Position 
2. The takeaway
3. Finish your backswing
4. Impact position and taking a divot
5. Finish your swing
6. Bonus tip - Use Forgiving Cavity Back or Hybrid Irons

Step 1: Fundamentals - Grip, Stance and Ball Position

Having good fundamentals and set up is essential when hitting any type of golf shot, including with a 9 iron.

9 iron grip

Your grip with a 9 iron should ideally be on the neutral side to promote a straighter ball flight, but I have seen every type of grip imaginable work, so find what suits you best and stick with it.

As it's a shorter club with more loft, the club face of a 9 iron is pretty easy to square up at impact. An exaggerated grip will allow you shape the ball if you have the skill, but high handicappers should try to hit the ball as straight as possible.

9 Iron Stance

Standing up to the ball for a 9 iron shot should be pretty relaxed. It's a shorter club and doesn't require the strong base you would need for a long iron or driver. Have you feet a bit narrower than shoulder width apart and it's ok to feel like your shoulders are aiming slightly left of the target.

9 iron Ball position

The ball position with your 9 iron should be in the middle of your stance.

It's ok to have the ball slightly back in your stance (about an inch from middle) if you're trying to hit a lower punchy shot with the 9 iron.

Step 2: The Takeaway 

Now we've got your fundamentals sorted with the 9 iron, let's start the swing. The takeaway of your golf swing is the first few feet behind the ball, where you start your motion.

The takeaway should start low and slow, allowing the face of the 9 iron to naturally rotate as you bring the club back. Resist the temptation to "pick" the club up steeply. You need to trust the loft of the 9 iron to get the ball into the air, don't try and scoop it.

If you start your takeaway with your hips turning and creating a good pivot, you will end up getting the 9 iron set in the right position without too much extra effort. 

Step 3: Finish Your Back Swing 

The takeaway sets the club on its path, now we've got to get it to the stop of swing.

With wedges and short irons, there's no real reason to have to take the club past parallel at the top of the swing. yes, Jon Daly does it, but that guy is a magician and can get everything synched up to get the club back to the ball square.

With a 9 iron shot, we are looking for accuracy and control. Imagine you're playing a slightly longer pitch shot, and watch how this swing produces an accurate shot with plenty of stopping power.

If you need more distance to get over a hazard for example, just club up and hit the 8 iron. 

Step 4: Impact Position & Taking a Divot

We all swing the club differently, but something we can all try to have in common with professionals is the impact position. With the 9 iron we want to compress the golf ball, which means hitting it at the low point of our swing.

It doesn't matter if it's the 9 iron, a 5 iron or a sand wedge, the first important tip is to be able to control where the iron contacts the ground and takes a divot. When you take a divot, you create solid contact and more consistent distances with your 9 iron. The difference between low and high handicap golfers comes down to pure iron strikes. 

The high handicap golfer struggles to take divots out of fear of messing up the fairway or fear of chunking the ball. You must banish the fear of hitting a fat shot and PRACTICE TAKING DIVOTS. 

How to hit a divot with your 9 iron

• Find a piece of grass anywhere that you don't mind messing up 
• Start by hitting the ground without a ball and take divots. You can swing and take a satisfying divot over and over as many times as necessary
• Use a wiffle ball and hit shots with the wiffle ball, focusing on the front of the ball - the part of the golf ball closest to the target. Try start your divot on the target side of the ball. 
• On the golf course: Take practice swings in the rough when no one is hitting. Before your shot, practice swings should take a shallow divot before your real shot. 

If you are can't control the low point where the divot starts, try put 60% of your weight on your front leg.  Keep that head from swaying and hit a divot. 

Step 5: Finish Your Swing

This might sound a bit silly, but the key to a quality swing with your 9 iron is to finish your swing. I see so many handicap golfers quit on their swings. It's a subconscious thing, but it's like they think they're going to hit a bad shot before they've even made contact with the ball!

Finishing your swing keeps the club moving and will help you to find the low point of your swing, meaning you're taking a divot and compressing the ball. Make a few deliberate practice swings and finish looking at the target. Then step up to the ball and repeat this feeling. This time, the ball will just happen to get in the way. Easy life.

Step 6 (Bonus tip): Use FORGIVING irons!

If you have trouble with your irons, I recommend finding forgiving irons in the guides here: for best irons for mid handicappers and the most forgiving irons on the market.

When Should I Hit A 9 Iron? 

As we've covered, the 9 iron is a shorter club used to attack the green. You will most likely use it for shots between 120 and 150 yards depending on your ability and swing speed.

Here are few situations where you might use the 9 iron.

Approach Shot

The approach shot into the green is the most common way to use a 9 iron.

The 9 iron is really well suited to an approach as it produces a ball flight which is high to help help the ball stop on the green.

If you're a player with a lot of swing speed, you might be able to get the ball to spin back on the green like the PGA tour pros do! But remember, the 9 iron is a finesse club, accuracy is better than raw distance.

Short Par 3

If you are playing a short par 3 in 9 iron range, (120 to 150 yards) then you will be able to use this club. An advantage here is that you will be placing the ball on a tee peg, meaning you have a perfect lie. Take aim and swing with confidence.

Chipping Around the Green 

As I've said before, the 9 iron is a great club to use for chipping. Most modern chipper clubs will have the same loft as your 9 iron, so why take up the space in your bag with another club?

The bump and run chip is great way to consistently get the ball to the hole. By using a lower loft club, we're reducing the risk of chunking the ball and aren't relying on a perfect strike like you would with a sand or lob wedge.

Place the ball back in your stance (inside your right foot) and use a chipping motion to propel the ball forward. You want to pick a landing spot which is about half way to the hole to allow the ball to roll out. Obviously this will change depending on the speed of the greens you're playing, so try this out when you play next.

Is a 9 iron hard to hit?

Your 9 iron should be one of the easiest irons to hit in your golf bag. It has plenty of loft and a shorter shaft so you should be able to make goof contact with the golf ball consistently.

9 iron distance?

The average player hits their 9 iron 126 yards. If you have a faster swing speed you could hit this club up to 150 yards.

Final Thoughts

The 9 iron should be a go to club for you and I hope that everything in this guide will help you to find a way to hit this club consistently. If you want more information on how to hit your irons check out my guides on the 8 iron, 7 iron, 6 iron and 5 iron. 

Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by Matt Greene

If you can match the golf ball compression to your swing, you can gain distance and increase or decrease spin, depending on your goal.

A golf ball's compression rating is a rating of the softness or hardness of the ball.

Generally, the lower the compression rating, the easier the ball compresses.

Knowing which golf ball compression matches your swing speed, tempo and club head speed will get you closer to your goal. Understanding the compression of modern golf balls is the first step in the process of finding that perfect ball.

Golf Ball Compression vs Swing Speed Chart

When we refer to swing speed, we are referring to the DRIVER swing speed specifically.

Driver swing speed is an easy benchmark because it is predictive of the swing you'll have throughout the bag.

There is one foolproof way to work out your driver swing speed so you can match it to the correct golf ball for you.

• Go to a Trackman or other radar-equipped driving range. You can hit many balls with your driver to establish your driver swing speed.  This is the most accurate swing speed measurement equipment in golf.

With this information, you can now make an informed decision to select the correct golf ball compression from the ball compression chart and squeeze maximum performance from your golf ball. Keep in mind that you can increase your swing speed with the correct shaft.

There are cheaper options available within each swing speed bracket and I've included a price guide below.

Kirkland Golf Ball Compression

Kirkland Signature golf balls have a compression rating of 94 which places them in the high compression category. As a 3 piece urethane covered golf ball, the Kirkland Signature characteristics are the same as a Srixon Z Star or a Titleist Pro V1. 

What does a golf ball compression rating mean?

The golf ball compression ratings range between a score of 30 and 120. The softest being 30, and the hardest being 120.

Low compression golf balls are softer balls.

Higher compression golf balls are harder balls. 

Do low compression or high compression go a further distance?

Compression and ball speed are related very closely.

• Generally, for FAST SWINGS OVER 105 MPH specifically, lower compression (softer) balls produce less ball speed and these fast swinging golfers lose distance with a low compression ball.
• "Soft balls are slow balls" is a confusing catch phrase thrown around the internet, so don't get confused.
• The biggest loss in distance using low compression golf balls is only for a higher swing speed (105 mph+) with the driver. 
• For slower players (below 85 mph driver swing speed), the differences in ball speed and distance discrepancies between high and low compression balls are so small that we can disregard the notion that 'soft is slow' in this instance.
• For golfers who have swing speeds over 85 mph, producing more spin in excess of 2,750 rpm with the driver, lower spin produced by the low compression golf ball can actually make up for the distance you might lose with that same 'soft' low compression ball.
• In other words, the low compression ball reduces backspin enough to negate the 'slow' ball speed so that you actually benefit from the low compression ball. 

As swing speed comes down, especially on iron shots, low-compression balls may be faster than firmer balls.

Soft balls make slow ball speeds but under the conditions above, the softer covers on high compression balls explain the differences in speed.

It's important to also remember that, soft balls do not spin.

The same design principles that make a ball soft also make a ball spin less.

The lowest spinning balls are low-compression balls throughout the bag; whether you look at the wedges, irons and even the driver. 

If you need straighter shots with your driver or to remove spin in your irons, soft (low compression) balls work great. If however, you need more spin on approach shots, the soft low compression balls are not for you.

How does compression affect spin on the ball?

Low compression balls otherwise known as soft balls, are lower spinning than firm balls. The reason is the way they are constructed, not the compression.

Spin is the result of putting a soft layer (soft cover) around a hard layer (high compression core) and that is why low compression balls spin less. Their core is soft with a hard outer cover.

The covers on low compression balls are often hard ionomer while high compression balls that create high backspin, have a urethane cover.

It is possible to make a lower spinning hard ball but the soft balls spin the least in general. 

How can low spin, low compression balls hold a green?

Most low compression golf balls have dimple patterns on the cover that create high trajectory shots. 

The ball is made to create a higher ball flight and steeper landing angle to negate the loss of backspin and that is how the ball will stop closer to its pitchmark. 

The soft inside core of softer balls means that soft or low compression balls usually produce lower spin.

Lower spin on a driver shot means a straighter ball flight, but a low spin iron shot can make it more difficult to stop the ball when you land on the green.

Any golf ball with a urethane cover (MULTI PLAYER TOUR BALL) will create more spin than a non-urethane cover (low compression 2 layer ball). By wrapping a high compression golf ball in a soft urethane cover, spin is created.

Does compression affect spin around the greens?

The main way that spin is produced on your short shots is from putting a soft layer around the hard layer - in other words, a urethane cover around the firm core of the ball.

Urethane golf balls will spin much more than ionomer/surlyn golf balls. This is universal and does not depend on a compression. If you want the most spin, you need golfball with 3 layers or more, and a urethane cover.

Callaway Super Soft, Srixon Soft Feel, and Wilson DUO will spin less around the green than a Tour ball like the Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft or Srixon Z-Star. The Tour ball has a urethane cover which is the softest layer of the ball, but underneath that, is a very firm layer. Onlymultiple layer balls with urethane covers spin significantly around the green. 

The balls with the biggest difference in urethane softness and the underlying layer firmness will spin the most. 

Which ball goes with which driver swing speed?

Faster swing speeds (above 100 mph)

Faster swings need higher compression golf balls.  A higher compression golf ball will perform the way a fast swing needs the ball to perform while a low compression ball will lose distance in this swing speed range. 

The options in this bracket will usually be a premium golf balls because high swing speeds are in the minority. A cheaper option in this category are the Kirkland Signatures.

Average swing speeds (85 – 100 mph)

If you are medium swing speed golfer, you have a choice when it comes to the ball you play.

Try out many golf balls depending on your driver spin rate and iron spin rate.

If you are a high spinning golfer, you may need a low compression ball to remove some of that spin. If you're a low spinning golfer, you do not need to lower spin even more, and you should go with feel. What feels best to you?

If you actually need more spin, choose a medium to high compression ball with a urethane cover. 

Slower swing speeds (below 85 mph)

Distance is at a premium for slower swinging golfers so well-priced low compression golf balls are the best option. The softer the ball the more pleasant the sound, the lower the spin rate and the longer you'll hit the ball. 

Do number of layers make a difference?

Players of different abilities will get more from balls with a specific number of layers.

If you're a high handicapper with a slower swing speed, a premium 5 piece golf ball isn't going to be suitable for you. 

Here's a quick break down of how to choose the right number of layers for you:

2-Piece Golf Balls: The perfect golf ball for all casual golfers especially those with slower swing speeds. These balls are often well-priced. A great example of a two piece ball is the Srixon Soft Feel. 

3-Piece Golf Balls: The Titleist Pro V1 is the gold standard of 3 piece golf balls and can be used by golfers with a variety of swing speeds and skill levels but I would reserve these balls for you when you lose fewer than 2 balls per round. Another good 3 piece ball is the Srixon Z star. 

4 And 5-Piece Golf Balls: Super premium balls specifically designed for experienced golfers to optimize distance and control. These balls perform best for skilled players.

How do high and low compression balls feel?

• High compression balls will feel firmer. The sound off the club face is very clicky.
• Lower compression balls feel softer on the club face and make a sound that is more pleasing.
• The compression is not the only factor in the feel of a golf ball.
• The cover makes a bigger difference. Urethane covered golf balls feel much softer and are usually found on 3 piece golf balls.
• Ionomer or surlyn cover golf balls are found on the 2 piece golf balls and feel much firmer and clicker.

Final thoughts

If I have learned one thing about golf balls in my 25 years of playing golf and watching other golfers, it's that more expensive doesn't always mean better.

Everyone who starts the game thinks they should be playing a Titleist Pro V1, Callway Chrome Soft or TaylorMade TP5, but it's just not the case. These balls can cost upward of $4 each and will they make that much difference to the game of most golfers? No.

I play the Volvik S4 as it matches my swing speed (115 mph) and my needs around the green (stop quickly). This high compression golf ball wouldn't suit many of my playing partners and they would get better performance from a cheaper two piece ball.

As with nearly everything in golf, play around with options then stick to what works.

If you have some experience playing golf now, try not to bounce around different balls. Find one which works and learn how it reacts to your game. Learn the ball and learn with the ball. It'll save you strokes, I promise.

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

The 5 iron is now the longest iron found in the golf bags of most players. The introduction of hybrids and lofted woods has removed 3 and 4 irons. Some players even choose to replace their 5 iron with a hybrid, but if that's not for you, you want to know how to hit a 5 iron well.

The 5 iron is a versatile club and can be a useful tool to get the ball in play off the tee if your longer clubs are misbehaving. It is one of the clubs you use from 175 yards and out. This is such an important distance for high handicappers as it is where you can slash some shots from you score by getting the ball near to or on the green.

If you're reading this article, you either struggle with your 5 iron, or just want to get better at hitting this club. There is something really satisfying about pulling a 5 iron from your bag and just ripping it. Making solid contact with a long iron doesn't need to be a struggle. As you will see on my YouTube channel, I often recommend that players use a club like a 5 iron to form the backbone of their bag.

Let's look at some of the things you can do to make the 5 iron one of your go to clubs.

Why can't I hit a 5 iron? Ways to improve

1. Learn to control the low point of your golf swing
2. Trust the loft and don't hit UP on the ball to elevate it
3. Pick a really small target
4. Improve your ball striking from different lies
5.  Use your 5 iron from a tee peg on the tee

How To Hit A 5 Iron better step by step

Tip #1: Control the low point of your golf swing

Golf ball position is a really simple fundamental to fix as it's something you do in every golf shot, from hitting the driver to chipping and putting. I know this because my ball position slowly creeps back in my stance toward my back foot over time and I have to be really disciplined in maintaining a good golf ball position every time I swing.

Most amateur golfers struggle to control where the low point of their swing is so they hit the ground before the ball a lot of the time. It's one of the biggest differences between high handicap and low handicap players and you can improve it easily.

Having a consistent ball position with your 5 iron is going to help you have a more consistent strike point and encourage a better connection. You can take a divot or you can clip the grass or just skim the grass without much contact it doesn't matter.

The most important thing when hitting your long irons like your 5 iron is that your iron club head strikes the ball at the bottom of the arc. In the picture above, the bottom of my arc with this 5 iron is inside my left heel. The camera angle is not 100% square but my ideal ball position is about 1-2 inches inside my left heel.

A ball position too far back creates a steep angle into the golf ball at impact and encourages a hook. A ball position that is too far forward encourages a slice.

How do you find your correct ball position?

Go to a driving range, get a bucket but do not hit any balls yet. Get your 5 iron.

First start by hitting the ground with your normal swing. Don't try hit an imaginary ball. Just swing your swing and try to clip the bottom of a daisy stem right out the ground. Notice and pay attention to where the club head is striking the turf in relation to your stance. You'll find that it strikes the ground in roughly the same spot over and over.

THIS is your correct bottom or low point of your golf swing with the 5 iron. Place the ball at the position at start of the divot and begin to hit balls again. by trying to nip the daisy stem out of the ground. I bet you'll start hitting the ball crisply. Remember the point is to get your club head to swing, while the ball gets in the way of your natural arc.

Drill that ball position

For the 5 iron (which is most likely your longest iron) I would broadly say that the ball needs to be slightly further forward in your stance so that you can get your weight forward. Again, this will mean different things to different players, but get to a driving range, and do the daisy cutting routine above. 

But once you know where your low point is, you must DRILL it into your body and your mind and your eyes. Once you're settled on the ball position you want, use alignment sticks to make a cross or a T-shape to know that every time you take a stance, you are in the correct position. 

Pro tip: Get a friend or playing partner to take a photo of your ball position from time to time to check where it is. Or get a tripod to film yourself. 

Tip #2: Trust the loft of the club to get the ball in the air

As the loft of the club face decreases, golfers do strange things to get the ball into the air. Some will put the ball by their front foot and then attempt to scoop the ball into the air using a very wristy swing and fall backwards onto their trail foot. This actually creates a big slice!

This isn't a very natural movement and could cause you to injure yourself. The 5 iron loft is around 21 to 24 degrees. The club has enough loft to get the ball in the air. You don't need to help it. In fact, you need to get to a good impact position where you actually compress the ball with your hands ahead of the club, like int he picture below.

You can improve this by using an impact bag. The lesson I did with Eric here will show you how to do it. 

I also see many high handicap golfers decelerate at the impact area. This isn't limited to the five iron, I have seen this happen throughout the bag. I believe that this is because golfers do not trust the loft of the club to get the ball into the air. They have probably also had bad experiences hitting the ball thin. A lot of golfers lack the confidence about their swing speed to trust they can hit the ball with enough power. This is mostly a fallacy.

All you need to make a committed swing with enough swing speed to get the ball airborne. It's just science. In years past, golf clubs were hard to hit but with modern technology and new features, getting the ball in the air has never been easier. You can swing it with enough speed to get a modern five iron in the air. The backspin on the shot and the loft of the club combined with the grooves on the face will elevate the ball and give you a ball flight which should allow you to stop the ball on the green.

How to make good contact with 5 iron

If you struggle to get your five iron in the air, go to the range and make some swings off a tee. You can tee it high to start. You can work the height of the tee down. Eventually, you want to be clipping the grass or taking a divot, hitting the ball before the ground. 

Swing hard not fast

Now there is a BIG different between hitting the ball hard and swinging fast. Some would argue that you can never have a swing speed which is too fast, but if you've ever seen a player whiff a shot after swinging out of their shoes, I'd argue that you can swing too fast.

What players confuse is speed and tempo. Have you ever seen a top professional hit the ball up close. It looks effortless, but they will be generating some serious swing speed and club head and ball speed. They are in control of their body and their swing and are able to hit the ball hard without making it look like they are. It's one of those secrets to get more distance with the longer irons.

Tiger Woods said "swing as hard as you can while guaranteeing a center strike on the clubface." I think too many golfers heard the "swing as hard as you can" bit and forgot about the perfect center strike part!

Tip #3: Pick a really small target to aim at

This is a concept I picked up from pro golfer Michelle Low in Malaysia. 

Your target must be as tiny as possible. The tip of the flag, the leaf on a tree or a window in a house in the distance. You must not be able to reach it of course - the target should be far enough away to create a magical game inside your mind. 

You hit to that impossible to reach target with a light heart because you know it's just a game. What you don't realize and I hope you will learn, is that by focusing on some impossible to reach target but trying anyway, you eliminate all the trouble in front of you. 

Michelle told me to focus intensely on the smallest thing possible like an individual leaf or branch or window of a distant building. This narrow focus shuts out background noise and allows you to concentrate on the target. If you are struggling with your 5 iron dispersion, try this and it will help unconsciously focus your mind. It means you're not thinking about golf swing positions and technical mumbo jumbo. Just pick a target, swing and allow the the golf ball to get in the way of your golf club.

There is so much potential for your 5 iron to be one of the most consistent clubs in your bag.

Tip #4: Improve your ball striking from different lies

I have made a few videos about this on my YouTube channel and I think it's one of the most important things amateur golfers can improve to slash their scores. Pro and better golfers can read the lie and make the adjustments to hit quality shots.  You might be able to hit a 5 iron from the matt at the driving range, but how many times have you come unstuck when faced with a fluffy lie with the ball below your feet?

Watch my YouTube video and be mindful of how the lie of the ball will affect the way your 5 iron will react. Then take this knowledge to the course or practice area and THINK before you hit your shot. It might be that the 5 iron isn't the right club for the lie you have or it could be that you must hit the 5 iron to punch the ball out from the trees.

Tip #5: Use your 5 iron from the tee

When things aren't going well with my driver or fairway wood, I will often pull the 5 iron to hit my tee shots with. The shorter shaft length and higher trajectory that the 5 iron creates pretty guarantees more accuracy but with less distance.

Depending on the weather conditions and ground conditions of the course you're playing, a 5 iron might actually be the perfect tee club. If it's really dry, you will get plenty of roll out from your long irons so your 185 yard carry turns into a monster 220 yard shot!

Hitting 5 iron from the tee build confidence. You're hitting off a tee peg and finding the fairway. You make better contact and learn how the ball will fly and this means that you can take these positive vibes with you when you next hit the 5 iron from the ground. 

Why do I hit my 5 6 and 7 irons the same distance?

This is such a common issue for amateur and recreational golfers. They hit their 5, 6, and 7 irons the same distance no matter how hard they try. As irons get longer, players struggle to strike the golf ball with them consistently and end up losing distance. Here's why you might hit these three clubs a similar distance: 

• You're scooping the ball in the air - I see so many players do this. They don't trust the loft of the club and try to "scoop" the ball into the air, hitting up with their irons. This generates lots of excess spin and kills distance. Try hitting down on the ball or moving it back in your stance. If in doubt, see a PGA pro for lessons! 
• You don't generate enough swing speed - If you have a slow swing speed, you might not be able to get the ball airborne quick enough with the long irons. Consider using hybrids if this is the case as they are designed for this exact problem. 
• You're playing the wrong type of clubs - Are you a high handicapper using muscleback blades? These clubs only really "work" when you strike them consistently out of the middle and compress the golf ball. Try some game improvement irons to see if this increases your distance with the long irons. 

Final thoughts and more info on how to hit irons

A 5 iron can be your go to club off the tee and can help you to get in play on the golf course. If you struggle with a lower lofted iron, try a cavity back game improvement iron or consider a hybrid with over 21 degrees of loft. This could be the key to unlocking lower scores. 

Here are some links to other articles I have written which will help you with your irons and other clubs. 

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene
*Read our review guidelines.

Review in short

Blended iron sets are becoming more popular in the game and these Cleveland Launcher UHX irons fill this space for mid-high handicapper perfectly. Hollow bodied long irons and cavity back mid irons provide an ideal combination of forgiveness and distance. With Cleveland you know that you're getting the best quality materials out at a great price, so why not give these a try? 

Why I play these irons 

I was looking for an easy launching set of irons at an affordable price. I don't want flashy clubs, I want clubs that are easy to hit and the Cleveland Launcher UHX irons tick all of the boxes for me. They are a combo set which gives me the best of both worlds, hollow bodied long irons and cavity backs in the mid to low clubs. This works perfectly for me. 

Looks

I really like the finish on these clubs. They just look classy and there's no hint of glare, even in the brightest sunshine. As these are a blended set, you'd expect there to be some different in the look of the 5 iron and the pitching wedge, but it's barely noticeable down by the ball. They have a compact look to them, but reading the specs, I was surprised to see that they are actually bigger than most irons out there. 

Having the loft stamped on the sole of the club is something that Cleveland have done for a long time but it was new to me. I really like the bold red numbers for the lofts which contrasts nicely with the bigger club number stamped in black.

Being game improvement clubs, the top-lines are actually really modest. It looks like Cleveland have added mass to the back of the clubs to make the top line thinner which is a bonus for me as I'm not really looks focused. 

Sound and feel

With the hollow body 5 and 7 irons, the sound is a deeper "thwack" than the rest of the set.  All of the clubs feel soft except the wedge which has a lot more feedback. You would expect this from Cleveland who are famous for their wedges.  On mid range shots and bump and runs, you don't get the feel you would from a blade, but hey, we're not pros! 

Performance

I gained around 5-10 yards with every club. Yes the lofts are stronger than my previous set, but I haven't seen a trade off in terms of accuracy. My dispersion has definitely improved. 

The Launcher UHX long irons feature an HT1770M steel face, a steel that’s rated ‘high strength.’ That makes it resilient enough for a variable thickness pattern. This pattern is thinner on the toe and perimeter but thickest near the heel, which makes the club faster across the face and longer on every shot.

Pros

Cons

Tech specs

Shaft options

• Dynamic Gold DST 98 (Steel)
• Miyazaki C Kua 60 (Graphite)

Price for the set

$914  4-AW (steel)

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Matt Greene

Owning your own golf cart would be pretty cool right? I've always been pretty envious of those guys I see at golf courses with a custom cart, mostly because they seem to go as fast as they like! This article will cover all of the basic questions around the size of golf carts, from how tall is a golf cart? to will a golf cart fit on a truck?

So if you're moving to a golf resort and want your own cart, or if you need one for mobility reasons, let's look at some golf cart dimensions and find the right golf cart for you.

What Are The Dimensions Of A Golf Cart?

The average golf cart dimensions are 4 feet wide by 8 feet long by 5.5 feet high.

These dimensions are common to smaller golf carts that are commonly found for sale.

For a larger golf cart that seats up to six people, the dimensions rise to 4 feet wide by 11.5 feet long, and 5.5 feet tall.

Depending on the make and model of the golf cart in question, there will be a large difference in dimensions. Below we've covered some of the most popular brands brands, Yamaha and E-Z-GO and Club Car.

EZ Go Golf Cart Dimensions

E-Z-Go was founded in 1954 and has its headquarters in Augusta, Georgia, the home of the Masters. They are a major rival to golf cart company Club Car who are also based in Augusta.

Below are the dimensions for three of the company's common golf cart models:

E-Z-GO Freedom TXT:

Golf cart length: 5 feet (or 60 inches)

Width of golf cart: 3.9 feet (or 47 inches)

Golf cart height: 3.6 feet / 46.5 inches (without canopy). 5.6 feet / 67.5 inches (with canopy)

E-Z-GO RXV:

Golf cart length: 5 feet (or 60 inches)

Width of golf cart: 3.9 feet (or 47 inches)

Golf cart height: 3.8 feet / 45.7 inches (without canopy). 5.7 feet / 68.5 inches (with canopy)

E-Z-GO Hauler Pro Electric:

Golf cart length: 9.5 feet (or 115 inches)

Width of golf cart: 4.1 feet (or 49.4 inches)

Golf cart height: 3.6 feet / 46.5 inches (without canopy). 5.8 feet / 70.5 inches (with canopy)

Club Car golf cart dimensions

Club Car are based in Augusta Georgia and make some of the best carts. If you've ridden in a golf cart, you have more than likely used a Club Car cart at some point.

Club Car Tempo Fleet (Electric)

Golf cart length: 91.5 in. (232 cm)

Golf cart width: 48 in. (166.4 cm)

Golf cart height: 68.5 in. (174 cm)

Club Car Onward 2

Golf cart length: 92 in.

Golf cart width: 49 in.

Golf cart height: 71 in.

Yamaha Golf Cart Dimensions

Yamaha is one of the most famous golf cart brands in the world. Here are three models from the Japanese company with their dimensions. 

Yamaha Umax Two

Length: 10 feet (or 119.3 inches)

Width: 4.1 feet (or 49.3 inches)

Height: 6 feet (or 71.8 inches)

Yamaha Drive 2 Fleet:

Length: 7.8 feet (or 93.6 inches)

Width: 3.9 feet (or 47.3 inches)

Height: 5.8 feet (or 70.2 inches)

Yamaha Concierge 6:

Length: 13.4 feet (or 161.4 inches)

Width: 3.9 feet (or 47.2 inches)

Height: 6.2 feet (or 75.2 inches)

Golf Cart Trailer Dimensions

When purchasing a golf cart it is important to know how you're going to transport it around.

Many people choose to do so using a trailer. Most trailers that are 5 feet wide by 9 or 10 feet long will fit most carts.

Smaller trailers such as 5×8's should work fine as well. A 4×6 trailer is certainly pushing it though.

Will A Golf Cart Fit In The Back Of A Truck?

A full-size pickup truck with a four-foot wid truck bed should allow a cart to fit nicely.

Should the cart be a little longer or the truck be a standard size pickup, the owner of the truck can leave the tailgate down to increase the length. 

It is important to use a ramp to help load the golf cart. You can use one large ramp or two separate for the tires. For more info on tires for golf carts, you can check out our article, best golf cart tires. 

On average, golf carts weigh between 900 and 1100 pounds. It's not the easiest item to lift up. 

Some are lighter than others depending on the material it was made with and if they include a battery or not.

Golf Cart Basket Dimensions

The average dimensions for an E-Z-GO cart basket are 18.12″ x 10.25″ x 17.56″.

With these dimensions, it should be easy to fit a cooler with 12-18 cans in the back while keeping them cold and refreshing during a round of golf.

Depending on the size of the cans or the cooler, a person should not have a problem fitting closer to 24.

A heater is another critical golf cart component for the winter months and we have researched the best available in our buyer review.

You can read it here, best golf cart heater.

Golf Cart Parking Dimensions

Depending on how often and how you are going to use your golf cart, it is important to know if it meets standard parking space dimensions.

In the United Kingdom, a standard size for a parking bay is recommended at 2.4 (7.9 feet) meters wide by 4.8 meters (16 feet) long. 

In the United States, the minimum standards for width on a parking space is around 8.5 to 9 feet. Most spaces will be between 16 to 20 feet deep. That is the standard DOT recommended depth for normal perpendicular parking.

According to E-Z-GO.com a standard EZ GO electric cart requires a parking space approximately 4 feet by 8 feet.

Final thoughts on golf car dimensions 

I hope that this article has given you the information you need be able to make an easier decision about purchasing a golf cart.

Having the right dimensions with the correct trailer or truck can work wonders when transporting your cart and take the stress away. After all, having you own cart should be about making life easier right? 

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Matt Greene
*Read our review guidelines.

Titleist Velocity golf ball

High launching ball to suit low ball flight players

Pros

Cons

Bridgestone e12 Contact

Softest feeling golf ball for distance

Pros

Cons

Volvik Crystal golf ball

Bright colours matched with extreme distance 

Pros

Cons

Callaway Superfast

Cheapest option for golfers on a budget

Pros

Cons

Vice Drive

Longest golf ball for slow swing speed

Pros

Cons

Final Thoughts on Best Distance golf balls

Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Matt Greene

I have been playing the game of golf for 25 years, and golf ball position is still something I'm yet to work out. Over time, I find that the ball will move forward or back in my stance with different clubs, and I just don't know why!

Along with grip and posture, ball position is considered to be one of golf's "fundamentals" and is essential to play consistent golf.

But like most things in the game, ball position can be complicated. There are different positions for every club in the bag, and these vary player to player in relation to a few factors like width of stance, grip and stock shot shape.

Confused? Don't worry - I'm here to help you out!

Let's look at the correct golf ball position for every club and get you playing better golf now.

Here's a printable chart for you to use. 

Golf Ball Position: The basics

When talking about golf ball position we are going to mention the front, middle, and back of your stance. Your stance is how you stand when playing a golf shot.

To keep things simple, in this article all positions are for right-handed players. If you're a lefty like Phil Mickelson, just flip things over so they make sense for you.

Here's what we mean when we talk about front, middle and back of your stance.

• Front - The golf ball is closer to your fornt or lead foot. This is the left foot for a right handed player.
• Middle - The golf ball is an equal distance from your front and back foot.
• Back - The golf ball is nearer to your trailing foot. Right foot for a right handed golfer.

With the basics out of the way, let's see how we can use these terms in relation to the clubs in your golf bag.

Golf Ball Position For Driver

The driver is the longest club in your bag, and for many golfers is the hardest club to hit.

Having the correct golf ball position longer clubs, especially the driver is essential for making clean contact.

We will most likely be hitting our driver from a tee, raising the ball into the air.

A tee gives us the best chance of getting the ball to fly further but we need to combine this with putting the ball forward in our stance. We want to hit up on the ball with our driver with an upward attack angle. To do this we have to make sure our swing arc allows us to hit the ball as the club is moving up, not down.

Using a wider stance and placing the ball just inside your front foot will encourage this upward strike and hopefully stop the dreaded slice from happening.

Golf Ball Position For 3 wood (and other fairway woods)

Like the driver, the 3 wood has a longer shaft and requires us to try and hit up on the ball. We will also be using a tee raise the ball up of the ground, so we should do the same as out driver and have the golf ball positioned forward in our stance.

As the number of the fairway wood increases (e.g. 5 wood or 7 wood), you can move the ball more towards the middle of your stance to offset for the shaft length getting shorter.

Golf ball position for hybrids

Hybrids, sometimes called rescues or utility golf clubs, are in between fairway woods and long irons when it comes to their length.

This means the correct golf ball position for hybrids is almost halfway between your front foot and middle of your stance.

Hybrids are different to fairway woods in that we want to hit down on the ball with them like you would with an iron. If moving the ball more towards the middle of your stance helps promote this downward strike, try it out. Keep a close eye on your ball flight, as moving the ball closer to the middle can cause a slice with a longer club for some golfers.

Golf Ball Position For Irons: 3-Iron to 9-iron

The average golfer will have between 5 and 7 different golf irons in their bag. Most modern iron sets start at a 5 iron and end with a 9 iron, and the ball position for every iron is slightly different.

The keep it simple, I just remember that – the longer the club, the further forward the ball needs to be in your stance.

When hitting a 5 iron, the bottom of your swing arc will be after the middle of your stance so play the ball slightly forward, closer to your front foot.

When hitting an 8 iron, your swing will bottom out pretty much at the centre of your stance so the ball needs to be almost in the middle.

You might see professional or expert golfers play the ball from behind the middle of their stance. This is usually to hit a specific shot like a low draw or punch shot and isn't advisable for the average player. It will more than likely cause you to duff or chunk the ball.

It's also worth noting that if the ball is too far forward in your stance, you can thin or blade the ball, which can be both painful and disastrous for your round.

Golf ball position for wedges

Most golfers will carry at least two specialist wedges in their bag and these short clubs have a big impact on your score. These are the shortest clubs and golf ball position is influenced by this.

When hitting approach shots with your wedges, we want to maximise spin, trajectory and control the distance the golf ball travels. To achieve these things, it's really important we play the ball from the correct position in our stance.

If I'm playing a full shot with a pitching wedge or gap wedge, I'll have the ball in the middle of my stance. This allows me to make a golf swing that creates a downward strike on the ball with a square club face.

Any shots that have a shorter swing, right down to chips have the ball more towards the back of my stance. If I'm playing a bump and run with a wedge, I might even have the ball in front of my back foot to take height off the ball flight.

This is what works for me, and it will change depending on your technique and how you feel over the ball, but I think these are good pointers for most players.

Golf ball position for putter

Putting is a dark art and an area of the game that no one practices enough.

Unlike irons, hybrids and woods, there is no definitive correct ball position for your putter.

The vast majority of players will set up with the ball in the middle of their stance. This is a great place to start as it will most likely be at the bottom of the arc of your putting stroke.

Some players find that having the ball forward, more towards their front foot encourages a cleaner "hit" with the clubface and gets the ball rolling on line, end on end without side spin.

Joe who writes for the site is a taller guy and he find that having a narrow stance with the ball more on his back foot stops him pushing the ball right with his putter.

Try taking a video of your putting to see what type of stoke you have and work from there.

How far to stand from golf ball?

Knowing how close or far you should stand to the gold ball is a big question for beginners. A simple trick I use when showing new players the basics of the game is to put the club head behind the ball, then move the grip of the club straight down. It should hit your knee on the way, which tells you that you're standing the correct distance from the ball.

If it hits your thigh, you're too close. If it hits nothing, you're too far away. This will become second nature once you play more golf, but try this out next time you're on the course or at the driving range to get a feel for what is comfortable for you.

Golf Ball Placement: Specific shots

As you play more golf, you're going to recognise that very rarely do you get to hit the ball from a perfect flat lie like at a driving range. On the golf course, often the ball will be above or below your feet, on either and up or down slope, and in a variety of different grass types. This doesn't even take into account hazards like bunkers and trees!

A seasoned golfer with decent ability has options and can use different types of shots to navigate even the most challenging holes or conditions. Golf ball position is essential in executing these unique shots.

Let's look at some different shots you might encounter and the proper way to position your golf ball in your stance when attempting them.

• Chip – The average mid handicap player is hitting 7 greens in regulation a round. Even the best players miss greens, so you will be forced to chip to get “up and down” to save a score. When hitting a standard chip shot, make sure your golf ball position is slightly back in your stance.
• Bump-n-Run – a “bump-n-run” is a type of chip shot designed to run along the ground. Ofter played with short irons like a 7 iron, the golf ball position for this shot is off your back foot.
• Greenside Bunker – to get out of a bunker near the green, you want to splash the ball out. Have the ball in the front-middle of your stance to properly execute and slap the sand with the sole of the golf club.
• Fairway Bunker – in a fairway bunker you want to pick ball off the top of the sand and avoid a fat shot. Your golf ball needs to be positioned forward from a regular shot. You almost want to feel like you're going to top it.
• Flop Shot – a flop shot is a floaty wedge shot that lands softly on the green. You open the face of your wedge and cut across the golf ball. To play this shot, your ball position should be forward in your stance.
• Stinger – Tiger Woods is MR STINGER. It's a low, straight shot that pierces the wind. To hit a stinger, you will need the golf ball back in your stance to reduce the spin on the ball.
• Punch – The punch is useful when playing in windy conditions and from under trees. The key here is keeping the ball low, so like a stinger, place the ball back in your stance.

Now let's be clear, just changing your golf ball position won't magically make you hit these shots, but it is a good start.

Final thoughts on golf ball position

Golf is hard, but it's so much fun. Things like golf ball position can unlock new parts of your game and allow you to hit difference shots at different targets.

Get out there and try a few different things to find what is suitable for you. 

Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Matt Greene

Golf club lofts are what determines how far the golf ball travels, how high it flies and how much spin it has. Each club is designed with a specific purpose and the club head design is matched to the loft to make that specific club do what it should.

In this guide, we will look at every golf club you could have in your bag to analyze the loft angles of each club. We'll take a look at the golf club lofts of drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and even putters. Yes putters have a tiny bit of loft and are not flat!

Golf Club Lofts Chart - Compare golf club lofts

This chart is a quick summary of every available club you could choose to play in your golf bag.

The PGA Tour pros play different lofts to us amateurs and their lofts are often much higher per club. Game improvement irons have some of the lowest lofts in golf. The big manufacturers make a variety of irons sets for different standards of players so your ideal loft could fall in the middle of the two options we've shown.

Listed below in the chart are the lofts for Pro lofts, Standard (Std) lofts, and GI (Game Improvement) lofts:

Did you notice how the loft goes UP in the woods and DOWN in the irons? That's because the woods are easier to hit with higher lofts while the irons have been produced in a way that makes them go higher than usual, so the manufacturers can reduce the loft enough to make the ball go HIGH and FARTHER!

Driver Loft - 9 to 13 Degrees

Drivers are the lowest lofted club found in a golf bag and have the longest shaft, with a standard length of around 45 inches. Generally a driver goes the furthest out of all the clubs. 

The standard loft angle of drivers is 9 to 13 degrees.

Drivers are usually hit off a golf tee, which places the golf ball off the ground. This allows a golfer to swing a driver with a slightly upward angle, increasing the loft angle of the driver beyond the number printed on the club head. 

When selecting the correct driver loft for your game, you need to consider a few things.

If you're a golfer with a slower swing speed or if you hit down on the ball with driver, you may benefit from higher lofted drivers (11-13°) These are sometimes called a "High Launch" option and are often paired with a more flexible golf shaft.

Faster swinging golfers who hit up on the ball with their driver can play a club with less loft, somewhere between 8-10 degrees. This should be paired with a golf ball for your faster swing speed.

Nowadays, driver lofts are adjustable with a tool included in the driver box. You can now be your own club fitter. You can use the tool provided with most modern drivers to adjust the loft of the club up or down by 1-3 degrees.

I would recommend making small adjustments or having the loft angle adjusted by a PGA pro or club fitter to make sure the settings are correct for your swing to maximize your ball flight for more carry distance. 

Fairway Wood Lofts

3-Wood Loft - 13.5 to 16 Degrees

The standard 3-wood loft is 15 degrees.

You can also find lower lofted 3 woods with 13.5 - 14.5 degrees of loft which are called "Tour Spoons" or Strong 3 woods. 

There are 3 woods that have 16 to 17 degrees of loft, and these are labeled High Launch or HL.

In reality, fairway woods with a loft angle between 16 and 17 degrees is a 4 wood but we don't use that term much.

What 3 wood loft is right for me?

The best 3-wood loft for your golf game will depend on what you're looking to get from a club of this length - 43 inches. 

Low handicap players will game a 3 wood with lower loft to maximize tee shot distance and also allow them to hit long approach shots into par 5s. Usually these golfers have faster swing speeds which is needed to elevate a low lofted 3 wood. 

High handicappers, players with low swing speed or seniors should play a higher loft 3 wood. The extra loft helps them to get the ball in the air, especially when using the club from the grass. 

Many fairway woods now come with adjustable loft so you can tweak the club to suit your game.

4-Wood Loft - 16 to 18 Degrees

17 degrees is the standard 4 wood loft.

4-woods are easier to hit than a 3 wood and is Golf Sidekick's top recommendation for all golfers - get a 4 wood not a 3 wood!

5-Wood Loft - 17 to 19 Degrees

5-Woods have 17-19 degrees of loft. 

In recent years, 5 woods were replaced by driving irons or hybrids but they are making a comeback thanks to their popularity with players on the PGA tour.

Rory McIlroy for example will play a 5 wood on courses where he needs to hit high shots which stop quickly on long par 4's and par 5's. He will then switch this club out for a driving iron when conditions are fast and firm, like on links courses.

7-Wood Loft - 21 to 23 Degrees

7-woods have a standard loft of 21 degrees. They replace a 3 iron or 4 iron.

7-woods are becoming more and more popular with golfers of all skill levels.

They are often easier to hit than long irons like the 3 and 4 iron and are very forgiving from a variety of lies.

They offer a much higher ball flight than an iron with the same loft because of the hollow body and center of gravity which is further back in the club. I put one in my bag recently to replace my 2 iron and I love it.

PGA Tour players like Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson are just a couple of elite who will game a 7 wood in tournaments.

9-Wood Loft - 23.5 to 25 Degrees

Standard loft of a 9 wood is 24 degrees.

The 9 wood is very rare so if you find one, you should hold onto it for dear life!

11-Wood Loft - 26 to 28 Degrees

11-woods have a loft of 27 degrees. 

An 11 wood is very rare, but you can probably find a few cheap versions on Amazon or used clubs on eBay. They are very easy to hit and if you struggle to get your 6 or 7 iron airborne, the 11 wood is a great investment. If you find one, take it - because you won't see another for a while!

Fairway wood lofts chart

Iron Lofts

In modern times, there is no 'standard' iron loft anymore. In the 70s and 80s, irons had only one loft and the lofts were much higher back then.

You may see people talking about "traditional" lofts which means that the loft of each iron is higher than a modern iron. 

Modern irons have so much technology in them that a 7 iron can be as low as 28 degrees of loft. 'Traditional' lofts were more around 38-40 degrees. That can make a 30 yard difference in distance.

Over the years golf club manufacturers have made irons with stronger lofts. Most golfers want more distance so golf club companies have made clubs that fly greater distance by reducing loft, while increasing the height of the shot with that loft!

Iron lofts are getting stronger in modern equipment. Many people complain about that and refer to the strong lofts as 'jacked lofts'.

Ignore these people.

There is no disadvantage to what has happened in the golf industry. Yes the lofts are lower, which makes the ball go farther, but the technologies have also helped golfers hit the ball higher with much more ease. 

While there is nothing wrong with the loft reductions, it is good for average golfers to understand the irons set in their hand might be a completely different loft to the one that Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson are using. They may be different to your friends, so don't feel bad if you don't hit the ball as far with the same number stamped on your club.

Middle irons like seven irons are usually around 27 degrees.

High-lofted irons such as a 9-irons are commonly played at a loft of around 41 degrees.

1 irons are now obsolete and no one produces them anymore. A 2 iron is now rarely sold in iron sets to average golfers as they are just too difficult to hit. They have been replaced by a lofted fairway wood and hybrids which have changed the game for high handicappers.

1-Iron Loft - 14 to 16 Degrees

1-irons usually have lofts between 14 to 16 degrees.

1 irons are a relic of a past golfing era. They are nearly impossible to hit unless you're a golfing god like Jack Nicklaus or Ben Hogan or Golf Sidekick.

2-Iron Loft - 16 to 19 Degrees

Modern 2-irons have between 16 to 19 degrees of loft which change depending on the golf club manufacturer's design.

2 irons haven't completely disappeared from golf, as many manufacturers now make easier to hit driving irons. You do need to purchase them separate to your iron set. 

3-Iron Loft - 19 to 21 Degrees

3 irons have lofts ranging from 19 to 21 degrees.

I added a 3 iron to my bag recently to replace my 2 iron. It's easier for me to hit from the fairway but most players would be better served using a hybrid or fairway wood.

4-Iron Loft - 21 to 24 Degrees

A standard 4-iron loft is between 21 to 24 degrees of loft, however, game improvement 4-irons will have lofts as low as 19 degrees.

When I got my first set of irons fitted, a 4 iron was standard. Now because lofts are decreasing as standard, many sets won't include a 4 iron. It will be replaced by a hybrid or fairway wood. 

5-Iron Loft - 25 to 27 Degrees

A traditional 5-iron loft is between 25 to 27 degrees. Game improvement irons can have 5-irons with as low as 21 degrees of loft.

You would expect to see a 5 iron in nearly every golf bag.

6-Iron Loft - 24 to 31 Degrees

Traditionally lofted 6 irons have lofts from 30 to 31 degrees. 6-irons made for high handicappers can have as little loft as 24 degrees.

7-Iron Loft - 28 to 35 Degrees

The standard loft for a 7-iron is 34 to 35 degrees. Lower lofted game improvement 7-iron lofts play at 28 degrees or less.

8-Iron Loft - 32 to 39 Degrees

Typical 8-iron lofts are 37 to 39 degrees. Catering to higher handicappers, the super game improvement irons have lofts down at 32 degrees.

9-Iron Loft - 37 to 43 Degrees

The standard loft for 9-irons is 41 to 43 degrees, while game improvement 9-iron lofts often go as low as 37 degrees.

Wedge Lofts

Here's what I play:

Pitching wedge - 45 degrees

Gap wedge - 48 degrees

Sand wedge - 56 degrees

Lob wedge - 60 degrees

Sand and lob wedges are specialist short game clubs used for chip shots around the greens and for playing out of bunkers. The vast majority of these wedges are bought separately to a set of irons and many golfers will have a specific head shape, bounce and sole grind that they prefer for their wedges.

Pitching Wedge (PW) Loft - 43 to 47 Degrees

Standard pitching wedges (PW) have 45 to 47 degrees of loft. 

In a game improvement set of clubs, the pitching wedge will have a lower loft, around 43 or even 42 degrees.

Gap Wedge (GW)/Approach Wedge (AW) Loft - 48 to 52 Degrees

A gap wedge or approach wedge, has a typical loft of 51 to 52 degrees.

A gap wedge is designed to fill the loft gap between your pitching wedge and sand wedge.

Usually golfers have a pitching wedge and a sand wedge from their golf sets. There is often a 10-12 degree loft difference so many golfers find that a gap wedge or approach wedge can slot in between the two lofts. 

Sand Wedge (SW) Loft - 54 to 58 Degrees

The most common loft for a sand wedge is 56 degrees. 

Sand wedges are the most versatile chipping clubs for amateur golfers which can be used in the sand or from the rough and fairways to get the ball onto the green. 

Lob Wedge (LW) Loft - 58 to 60 Degrees

A classic lob wedge is 60 degrees.

I recommend that most golfers avoid using a club with more than 58 degrees of loft. Yes, advanced players will be seen playing flop shots from impossible lies, but without a lot of practice, these shots are more dangerous than just chipping with your trusty sand iron.

Hybrid Lofts

Hybrid golf clubs have become popular in the last 10 years as replacements for long irons. 

Hybrid lofts usually fit within the loft range of the same numbered irons so a 4 hybrid has similar loft to a 4 iron. 

A Hybrid may have the same loft as its iron counterpart, but hybrids are typically more forgiving, higher launching, and descend onto the ground at a steeper angle to stop quickly. They my also carry further than irons at lower swing speeds.

3-Hybrid Loft (3H) - 19 to 20 Degrees

3-Hybrids usually have 19 to 20 degrees of loft.

This puts 3-hybrids in the same range as standard lofted 3-irons and super game improvement 4-irons.

4-Hybrid Loft (4H) - 21 Degrees Hybrid

4 hybrids  have 21 to 23 degrees of loft.

This means 4-hybrids usually have slightly lower loft than 4-irons when they are made for the best golfers. For beginners or high handicappers, 4-hybrids usually have lofts more similar to 4-irons.

5-Hybrid Loft (5H) - 24 to 26 Degrees

The majority of 5-hybrids have between 24 to 26 degrees of loft.

5-hybrids usually have lofts similar to 5-irons made for the best players, while being noticeably more lofted than game improvement 5-irons.

For example, the game improvement style TaylorMade SIM2 max 5-iron has just 21.5 degrees, while the SIM2Max  5-hybrid has 25 degrees.

Other Hybrid Lofts

A 2-Hybrid has 17 to 18 degrees of loft. There are not many manufacturers who focus on 2 hybrids but Taylormade are famous for their 2 hybrids. 

Hybrids with more loft than a 5 hybrid are usually only used by beginners and those with very slow swing speeds. Many manufacturers don't even make hybrids higher than 5.

A 6-hybrid has around 27 to 28 degrees of loft.

A 7-hybrid usually has around 31 degrees of loft.

Driving iron loft

Driving irons usually have lofts from 18-23 degrees to match a modern 2 iron to 5 iron.  

Driving irons like the Srixon U85, Mizuno FLiHi and Takomo 101 come in 2 iron, 3 iron and 4 iron varieties. 

Some players struggle with hooking a hybrid club to the left, and a driving iron can often be the cure for this type of bad shot. 

They are versatile clubs that you can use from the tee or fairway. 

Putter Loft

A traditional putter loft is 3 to 4 degrees.

The loft of your putter isn't something to worry about unless you're a tour pro, or someone who has a serious case of the yips and a putter fitting is the only thing that will cure you!

Find the best putter for your stroke and roll it smooth. Learning how to putt is the easiest way to lower your score quicker.

Final Thoughts

Modern lofts have decreased with modern technology which makes a lower loft club launch higher than ever before. 

Knowing the loft of your clubs can help to understand 

- why your shots are different distances to your friends

 - how far your hit the ball according to the amount of loft on the club

It also helps to know which gaps you have in your set to fill with either irons, hybrids or fairway woods.  

One of the most common gaps to fill is in the wedge range and if you know the lofts, it's easy to plug the gap with the loft that falls in directly in between the two.

gaining more self-knowledge is the key to better golf and understanding your lofts and how they relate to your game is a powerful move to being a better golfer.