A 7 iron typically travels between 100 and 185 yards depending on skill level. Beginners average around 100 yards, intermediate golfers hit about 130 yards, advanced players reach 160 yards, and tour professionals carry their 7 iron approximately 185 yards. Factors like swing speed, ball type, and weather conditions can shift these numbers.

The average amateur golfer drives the ball between 195 and 220 yards. Beginners typically see 180 yards of carry, while more experienced amateurs reach 220 yards or more. The biggest factors influencing driver distance are swing speed, strike quality, and launch angle. Most amateurs gain more distance by improving their strike than by swinging harder.

Higher altitude means thinner air, which reduces drag on the golf ball. For every 1,000 feet of elevation above sea level, a golf ball travels roughly 2% farther. At a course like those in Denver (5,280 ft), you can expect about 10% more distance. This means a 150-yard shot at sea level becomes roughly 165 yards in Denver. Adjust your club selection accordingly.

Temperature affects both the golf ball and the air. Warmer air is less dense, allowing the ball to fly farther, and a warm ball compresses more efficiently off the clubface. As a rule of thumb, every 10°F change from 72°F adds or subtracts about 2 yards per club. Playing in 40°F weather can cost you 6+ yards per iron compared to a 72°F day.

To carry the ball 250 yards with a driver, you typically need a clubhead speed of about 100-105 mph, which translates to a ball speed around 148-155 mph. This is above the average amateur swing speed of 85-95 mph. Improving swing speed requires a combination of physical fitness, proper technique, and efficient energy transfer through the impact zone.

Club selection depends on the distance to your target, wind conditions, elevation changes, and hazards. Start by knowing your average carry distance for each club using a distance chart or launch monitor. On the course, factor in wind (add or subtract 5-10% per 10 mph), elevation (add distance hitting downhill, subtract uphill), and temperature. When in doubt, take more club and swing easy — a smooth 7 iron is more accurate than a hard 8 iron.

Women's golf club distances are typically 20–30% shorter than men's due to differences in average swing speed. A female beginner averages around 140 yards with the driver, while LPGA Tour players average over 220 yards. With a 7 iron, recreational women golfers typically carry 80–110 yards, while tour players average around 140 yards. Swing speed is the main variable — use the calculator above in swing speed mode for precise female distances.

The ideal distance gap between consecutive clubs is 10–15 yards. If two clubs in your bag produce nearly identical distances, you have a "gap" problem — you are carrying a redundant club. Common gap issues occur between 3-wood and 5-wood, or between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. Adding a gap wedge (50–52°) often solves the most common distance gap in an amateur bag.

A beginner golfer typically drives the ball 150–180 yards and hits a 7 iron around 90–110 yards. Beginners should focus on solid contact and consistent ball striking rather than maximising distance. As technique improves, distances will increase naturally. Using a distance chart as a reference helps beginners understand typical benchmarks and set realistic expectations.

A longer shaft can produce more clubhead speed and therefore more distance — but only if the golfer can control it. Longer shafts are harder to square at impact, which can increase dispersion and lead to more mishits. Most amateur golfers benefit more from a properly fitted standard-length shaft than from adding length. Custom club fitting is the best way to find your optimal shaft length.