TL;DR: Every golf club is built for a specific distance and situation. Woods give you distance, irons control your approach, wedges handle precision shots near the green, and your putter finishes the hole. Match the club to the yardage and lie, and the game opens up like the mountain views at Burlingame Country Club.
When to Use Each Golf Club
You choose which golf club to use based on three things: how far the ball needs to travel, where it is sitting, and what kind of shot shape you need. A driver goes on the tee for maximum distance. Irons handle approach shots from the fairway. Wedges manage short, high shots near the green. The putter rolls the ball once you reach the putting surface. Think of your bag as a family of tools, each one bred for its own moment out on the course.
At Burlingame Country Club, where Tom Jackson’s design winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains at 3,000 to 3,500 feet of elevation, the terrain itself becomes part of that decision. Uphill lies, downhill slopes, and the crisp mountain air all influence which club belongs in your hands. Learning golf club selection is the first chapter in learning to love this land.
What Does Each Golf Club Do?
Each golf club controls distance and ball height through two variables: shaft length and loft angle. Longer shafts and lower loft produce more distance with a flatter trajectory. Shorter shafts and higher loft produce less distance with a higher, softer landing. Here is how each family of clubs works.
Driver (1-Wood)
The driver has the longest shaft and the largest clubhead in your bag. It is built for tee shots on par-4 and par-5 holes when you want maximum distance. Its low loft, typically 9 to 12 degrees, launches the ball on a long, lower arc. On Burlingame’s elevated tees with their wide panoramic fairways, a well-struck driver is one of the quiet joys of a mountain round.
Fairway Woods (3-Wood, 5-Wood, 7-Wood)
Fairway woods have smaller heads and higher lofts than the driver. You reach for them when you need distance but also need more control than a driver allows, either off the tee or from the fairway on a long approach. The 3-wood carries 15 to 18 degrees of loft. The 5-wood and 7-wood offer progressively more loft, making them easier to launch and ideal when accuracy matters more than pure yardage.
Long Irons (3, 4, 5)
Long irons are built for shots in the 180 to 210 yard range for an average player. Their lower loft keeps the ball flight flatter and produces more roll after landing. They ask more of your swing than shorter irons do, which is why many golfers today replace them with hybrid clubs that are more forgiving.
Mid Irons (6, 7)
Mid irons live in the sweet spot between distance and control. They handle approach shots from roughly 150 to 180 yards. The 7-iron is widely regarded as the most versatile club in the bag, a trusted companion on those moderate approach shots that make or break a scorecard.
Short Irons (8, 9, Pitching Wedge)
Short irons are your precision tools for approaches from 110 to 150 yards. The 8 and 9 irons cover 120 to 150 yards. The pitching wedge steps in from 100 to 120 yards. These are the clubs that place the ball close to the pin on Burlingame’s carefully tended greens, the kind of greens that reward a well-chosen club like a quiet afternoon rewards patience.
Wedges
Wedges carry the highest lofts in your bag. They produce short, high shots that land softly and stop quickly. Each one fills a specific gap in your short game.
- Pitching Wedge (PW), 46 to 48 degrees: Bridges your short irons and specialty wedges. Useful for full shots, pitches, and chips.
- Gap Wedge (GW), 50 to 52 degrees: Fills the distance gap between pitching and sand wedges for those in-between yardages from 80 to 100 yards.
- Sand Wedge (SW), 54 to 56 degrees: Wide sole and extra bounce help you escape bunkers cleanly. Also excellent for soft pitch shots around the green.
- Lob Wedge (LW), 58 to 64 degrees: The highest loft in the bag. Use it when you need the ball to fly high, land soft, and stop fast, especially when clearing an obstacle.
Hybrid Clubs
Hybrids blend the best of woods and irons into one forgiving club. They replace long irons (3, 4, and sometimes 5) for most recreational golfers. When Burlingame’s varied terrain puts you in a difficult lie or long rough, a hybrid offers a more reliable launch and a better result than a traditional long iron often would.
Putter
Your putter is the most used club in your bag. It is designed to roll the ball smoothly across the putting surfaces toward the hole. Putters come in many shapes, but they all serve one purpose: finishing the hole in as few strokes as possible.
What Is a 15 Degree Golf Club?
A 15 degree golf club is a 3-wood, the most common fairway wood and the lowest-lofted wood after the driver. With 15 to 18 degrees of loft, the 3-wood hits the ball lower and farther than any other fairway wood. Most players use it as a second driver off the tee when accuracy is important, or as a fairway club for long approach shots in the 180 to 210 yard range. Some newer 3-woods sit at exactly 15 degrees, while others reach to 16 or 18 degrees depending on the manufacturer.
What Is the A Club in Golf?
The A club in golf is the gap wedge, also called the approach wedge, which typically carries 50 to 52 degrees of loft. The letter A stands for approach. It fills the distance gap between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge, covering shots from roughly 80 to 100 yards. If you have ever found yourself between clubs on a short approach, the gap wedge was built for exactly that feeling.
What Club Should You Use for 170 Yards?
For a 170 yard shot, most average golfers reach for a 5-wood, a 4-iron, or a 4-hybrid, depending on what is in their bag. The 5-wood covers 170 to 195 yards and offers a high, soft landing. The 4-iron and 4-hybrid sit in the 160 to 180 yard range and produce a slightly flatter ball flight. If your 5-iron is your 170 yard club based on your personal swing speed, trust that number over any general guide. Your own distances always tell the truest story.
What Club Should You Use for 150 Yards?
At 150 yards, most average golfers use a 6-iron or a 5-iron, depending on swing speed. The 6-iron covers 140 to 160 yards for a typical recreational player, making it the go-to club at 150 yards for many. The 5-iron or a 5-hybrid works for players who hit shorter. The 7-iron fits players with faster swing speeds. At Burlingame, where mountain elevation can add a touch of carry to every shot, your familiar club may fly a little farther than it does at sea level.
What Club Should You Use for 130 Yards?
For a 130 yard shot, most average golfers use a 7-iron or an 8-iron. The 7-iron covers 130 to 150 yards and is one of the most reliable, easy-to-hit clubs in the bag. The 8-iron sits at 120 to 140 yards, making either one a reasonable choice depending on your swing. When the pin is tucked and you need the ball to stop quickly, consider taking the 7-iron and swinging easy rather than forcing an 8-iron to stretch.
What Club Should You Use for 120 Yards?
At 120 yards, most average golfers use an 8-iron or a 9-iron. The 8-iron covers 120 to 140 yards for a typical player. The 9-iron covers 110 to 130 yards. If you fall right at 120, either club works depending on wind, elevation, and lie. A pitching wedge with a full swing is also a possibility for stronger players whose 9-iron carries past 130 yards. Choose based on what you know about your own game, not what someone else hits.
Complete Club Distance Guide
These yardages reflect averages for a recreational golfer. Your numbers will vary with swing speed, ball type, and conditions. On Burlingame’s mountain course, always factor in elevation and slope when making your selection.
| Club | Typical Distance (Average Recreational Golfer) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 200+ yards | Tee shots for maximum distance |
| 3-Wood (15 degrees) | 180 to 210 yards | Long tee shots or fairway approaches |
| 5-Wood | 170 to 195 yards | Fairway approaches, tight tee shots |
| 4-Iron / Hybrid | 160 to 180 yards | Long approach shots |
| 5-Iron / Hybrid | 150 to 170 yards | Long to mid approach shots |
| 6-Iron | 140 to 160 yards | Mid approach shots |
| 7-Iron | 130 to 150 yards | Versatile mid approach shots |
| 8-Iron | 120 to 140 yards | Short approach shots |
| 9-Iron | 110 to 130 yards | Short precise approaches |
| Pitching Wedge | 100 to 120 yards | Short approaches and chips |
| Gap Wedge (A Club) | 80 to 100 yards | In-between short game shots |
| Sand Wedge | 60 to 80 yards | Bunkers and soft pitch shots |
| Lob Wedge | 20 to 60 yards | High, short shots over obstacles |
Quick Recap
- Your driver is for maximum distance off the tee, typically 200 or more yards.
- Fairway woods (3-wood at 15 degrees, 5-wood, 7-wood) cover long distances with more control than a driver.
- Long irons (3, 4, 5) handle 160 to 210 yards but are often replaced by more forgiving hybrid clubs.
- Mid irons (6, 7) are your workhorses for 130 to 180 yard approach shots.
- Short irons (8, 9, pitching wedge) give you precision from 100 to 150 yards.
- The gap wedge (A club) fills the 80 to 100 yard gap between pitching and sand wedges.
- The sand wedge escapes bunkers and handles soft pitches from 60 to 80 yards.
- The lob wedge hits the highest, shortest shots, ideal for clearing hazards and stopping fast.
- Hybrids replace long irons for most recreational golfers and are especially useful on uneven terrain.
- Your putter is the most frequently used club and the one that finishes every hole.
- Always adjust for your own swing speed, elevation, wind, and lie, especially on mountain courses like Burlingame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which golf clubs should I use when I am a beginner?
Beginners do best with a basic set including a driver, a 3-wood, a 5-wood or hybrid, irons from 6 through 9, a pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a putter. Skip the long irons (3, 4, 5) until your swing develops. A smaller bag teaches you to think clearly and enjoy the game rather than puzzle over too many options.
What golf clubs do I use when the ball is in rough or a difficult lie?
From thick rough or difficult lies, choose a hybrid or a higher-lofted iron over a long iron or fairway wood. Hybrids are forgiving on downswings through grass and help you get the ball airborne even when the lie is not clean. On mountain terrain, this matters more than on a flat course.
What club should I use when I am just off the green?
Just off the green, most golfers choose a pitching wedge or gap wedge for a chip shot. Some prefer a 7-iron or 8-iron to bump and run the ball along the ground if the path is clear. The safest choice is usually the club you have most practiced with for short-game shots.
What is the difference between a sand wedge and a lob wedge?
A sand wedge carries 54 to 56 degrees of loft and has a wide sole with extra bounce designed to slide through sand. A lob wedge carries 58 to 64 degrees and hits the ball higher with a shorter carry distance. Use the sand wedge in bunkers and for most pitch shots. Use the lob wedge when you need the ball to land softly in a very short space or clear an obstacle close to you.
Does elevation change which golf club I should use?
Yes. At higher elevations, the air is thinner and the ball travels farther than it would at sea level. On Burlingame’s mountain course at 3,000 to 3,500 feet of elevation, your shots may carry a few extra yards compared to a flat, low-elevation course. Factor that in when choosing your club, especially on downhill approach shots.
How do I know when to use a hybrid instead of an iron?
Reach for a hybrid any time you face a long shot (160 to 210 yards), a difficult lie in rough, or a shot that requires a higher ball flight than a long iron can produce easily. Hybrids combine the distance of a fairway wood with the swing feel of an iron, making them easier to hit consistently for most recreational golfers.
What is the most important club to practice with first?
Most teaching professionals suggest starting with the 7-iron because it sits in the middle of your bag, offers a good mix of distance and control, and builds the swing fundamentals that carry over to every other club. Once you trust your 7-iron, the rest of your bag begins to make more sense.
Ready to put this knowledge to work on one of Western North Carolina’s most beautiful championship courses? Our experienced golf professionals at Burlingame Country Club are here to guide your club selection, refine your game, and welcome you into a community where every round feels like coming home. Please Contact Jennifer Webb, Membership Director, for more information. Please use the form below or call 828.966.9200.