How do I as a new golfer know what iron to hit and how far I can hit that particular iron. When I go out to what I call the practice tee (Driving range) I want to practice. Do I just start hitting my irons to see what distance I do hit them??? Any input that I can get would be great. It snowed in Charlotte NC and I am stuck in the house,  a well. No golf this weekend HEHEHE I am a new golfer and just got a new custom fit set for me.  Thank you

Hi Vinny,

Maybe Scott Robbins will stop by and answer this...but I did find this web site that is showing some average distances for clubs...it doesn't look like it's recently updated, but it might give you some benchmarks to start out with.  http://www.golfellows.com/Golf%20Advice%20Display/Golf%20Clubs%20Average%20Distance.htm

There is so much that goes into contact with the golf ball that I'm not sure if there is an "average" out there...as you are still working on your golf swing, grip, stance, etc, I imagine your distances will get better.  There is also the connection between the best club fit, the type of golf shaft in your clubs, and your basic strength.

It would be really interesting if you could measure your progess as you work on your game - take notes on how far you are hitting your clubs now...and then after you've taken a few lesson and been able to play more then see how you are doing.

2Putt may be able to throw in some suggestions, too -

Hope your weather gets better so you can play!!

It has been a while since I have been online but I played my first 18 hole course last weekend and the course was 6400 yards and I shot a 102 I was so pumped. I was with some friends that really helped along the way and almost beat one of them that has been playing for 5 years. I am going to look for some lessons to really improve my game. It is going to be a good year and a goof golf season. Vinny

Vinny!  Glad you stopped in with an update...VERY jealous that you are out golfing, but so happy that you had such a great time!  What were some highlights of the round? 

I'm heading to Nashville at the end of April and I think that will be my first time swinging the clubs...I can't wait!

I really felt good about my chipping and putting I had 3 pars for the round all coming from 3 out of 4 of the Par 3's. My driving of the ball is not good but I feel comfortable with my 3 wood. I had a golf lesson this morning and that was very helpful. I am taking my backswing too far inside instead of taking the swing back and up the tree is what I am visualizing. I am playing the same course tomorrow morning. I want to break 100 my second time out on the course. But my chipping and puting is good or I feel confortable with that part of my game3 for right niow. Great game Love it,. Now if I can get my wife to join me  I know that you will enjoy playing again.  Vinny

Hi Vinny!

I'm late to the conversation, as always ... sorry about that ...

It sure sounds to me like you are approaching the game quite well for a new golfer ... a good attitude is crucial ... taking a lesson was a great early step ... working more on putting and chipping than the driver is exactly the way to go to get your scores lower sooner ... if you break 100 in only your second time, you will be living proof of a very good way to go about picking up a very difficult game ...

Don't worry about the driver ... on average, you will only hit the ball maybe 10-20 yards farther with your driver ... I've played many rounds of golf on difficult courses with the driver in the trunk so that I could carry an extra hybrid or wedge ... stick with the 3-wood for now and move to the driver only when you are comfortable with it ...

Your iron distances will be erratic until you really find your swing because you won't always hit the ball in the same place on the golf club each time ... and don't trust the stated distances to the signs and flags at the driving range unless someone can tell you for sure that they are accurate ... and even then, the balls you are using are probably not the same as you will use on the course, so the distances will not be the same.  If you have a friend with a GPS, you can do some measurements with that, but the primary way to gage your distances is just to do the following on each iron shot:  (1) note how far you are from the green ... (2) if you hit the ball well, make note of whether the ball was short or long of the middle of the green when it hits the ground (not where it stops) ... after a round or two of golf you will start to get a pretty good idea of the distances, which will help you make better club selections for the next 3-4 rounds, and you will eventually not have to make notes anymore because you will just know how far you hit each iron ...

Good luck, and let us know how it's going!

Wise words from 2Putt...I love it!  (Are you golfing yet?)

Vinny, looking forward to hearing about your next round!  Hoping for double digits!!