A golf bag is full of clubs that all look the same to an outsider. But each club has its own function, its own loft, and its own distance range. Understanding what each club does helps you make better choices on the course, which immediately leads to lower scores. In this article, we explain all types of golf clubs, when to use them, and what distances you can expect. Whether you're just starting out or want to refresh your knowledge: after reading this article, you'll never pick the wrong club again.

The basic classification: three main groups

All golf clubs fall into three main categories: woods, irons, and putters. Wedges are technically irons, but are discussed separately due to their specific use. Hybrids are a cross between a wood and an iron and also deserve their own explanation.

The biggest difference between all clubs is the loft angle – the inclination of the clubface. The more loft, the higher the ball goes into the air and the shorter the distance. The less loft, the lower and further the ball flies. This principle explains why a driver (low loft) hits far and a sand wedge (high loft) hits high and short.

View the complete range of golf clubs at Reswing Golfstore for an overview of all available models.

The driver: maximum distance from the tee

The driver, also known as the 1-wood, is the club with the least loft in a standard set, typically 9 to 12 degrees. It is designed for one purpose: to achieve as much distance as possible from the tee.

Modern drivers have a large titanium clubhead of up to 460 cc. This large head provides a generous sweet spot and forgiveness for slightly off-center contact. The driver hits the ball the furthest, but is also the most difficult club to consistently hit well.

Average distances with a driver:

• Beginner (handicap 30+): 150–180 meters
• Recreational (handicap 15–30): 180–220 meters
• Advanced (handicap under 15): 220–260 meters and more

A common mistake: investing in an expensive driver too early when the basics are not yet stable. You use a driver at most once per hole – not even at most par 3s. It's better to invest your money in clubs you use more often, such as your irons and wedges.

Fairway woods: distance with control

Fairway woods — the 3, 5, and sometimes 7 wood — are the middle class of the golf bag. They have more loft than a driver (13 to 22 degrees), a smaller head, and a slightly shorter shaft. This makes them easier to control than the driver.

You use a fairway wood for long shots on the fairway, but also for tee shots on long par 3s or long par 4s where you want to take less risk than with the driver.

The 3-wood hits an average amateur about 180 to 230 meters. The 5-wood offers more loft and can also be used from the rough, though it can sometimes be difficult to handle from bad lies.

Hybrids: the best of both worlds

The hybrid is one of the most valuable clubs in the modern golf bag. It's a cross between a fairway wood and an iron: the head has the shape of a small wood, but the shaft is shorter, similar to a long iron.

Hybrids come in lofts ranging from roughly 16 to 28 degrees. They typically replace long irons (irons 3, 4, and sometimes 5), which are difficult for most amateurs to hit. A hybrid offers the same or even more distance than a long iron, but is much easier to hit cleanly.

They are also useful in the rough, where a fairway wood struggles to cut through the tall grass. This explains why hybrids are also called 'rescue clubs'.

Want to know which clubs suit you best? Check out the full range at Reswing Golfstore for clubs of all brands and levels.

Irons: the backbone of your golf set

Irons are the clubs you use most often on the fairway. A standard iron set ranges from iron 3 or 4 up to iron 9, sometimes supplemented with a pitching wedge. The higher the number, the more loft, the higher the ball flight, and the shorter the distance.

A rule of thumb: each iron number typically means a 10 to 15 meter difference in distance. For example, an average recreational golfer hits an iron 7 about 120 to 145 meters, and an iron 9 about 95 to 115 meters.

Long irons (3, 4, 5) are the most difficult to hit, as their small loft requires a precise downward angle of attack. Many amateurs forgo these clubs and replace them with hybrids. Irons 6 through 9 are more forgiving and are used for most approach shots.

Cavity back vs. blade irons

Modern irons for amateurs are almost always cavity back: the iron is hollowed out at the back, placing the center of gravity lower and further back. This provides a higher ball flight and more forgiveness on mishits. Blade irons (a solid back) are intended for low-handicap players who want more feedback from their shots.

Wedges: the fine work around the green

Wedges are the short clubs with the most loft. They cover the area from within 120 meters up to shots just a few meters from the green. There are four types:

The pitching wedge (44–48 degrees) is the standard finishing club in an iron set. You use it for approach shots from 80 to 120 meters and for standard chips around the green.

The gap wedge (50–52 degrees) fills the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. Many amateurs lack this club and have an inconvenient void in their distance gapping at 80 to 100 meters.

The sand wedge (54–56 degrees) is designed for bunker play and short approaches. Its wide sole cuts through the sand without digging in too deep.

The lob wedge (58–64 degrees) is for players who need precision shots over obstacles or want to stop the ball high and quickly. This is a specialized weapon for players who master their wedge game.

The putter: the most used club

The putter is the club with which you make an average of one-third of all your strokes. Yet, it is the least practiced. Putters have almost no loft (2–4 degrees) and are designed to roll the ball across the green.

There are blade putters (for players who want a feel for precision) and mallet putters (larger head, more stable on off-center hits). For beginners, a mallet putter is generally easier to use.

A good putting practice routine: for each training session, first spend 15 minutes on putts from 1 to 2 meters. This distance is where most strokes are gained or lost.

Overview table: which club for which situation?