How Far Should You Hit a 7 Iron In Golf (Average Distance)

Many golfers want to know what the average distance of the 7 iron is because for golfers of all skill levels it is one of the most used golf clubs in your bag.

After watching hundreds of golfers ranging from beginners to professional golfers, the average distance I see the 7 iron travel is around 120 yards (men) and 80 yards (women).

I know some of you might be thinking this is way off to what you are currently hitting and there’s good news… that’s okay. These are just averages for an average golfer. So below I am going to break up and discuss each skill level separately on how far they hit a 7 iron.

What is a 7 iron?

A 7 iron is a golf club that is classified as a mid-iron (as opposed to longer irons 3-5 or a short iron) and usually ranges between, 29-33 degrees of loft (aka loft angle). Because it is towards the middle of the golf bag, the 7 iron can be used to hit a wide variety of golf shots:

• Going under trees
• Golfing over trees
• Chipping (learn how at the bottom of the post)
• Reaching Longer par 3’s 

The 7 irons versatility does bring into question “what should the purpose of the club be?” and my answer to all of my students who ask is to use it for whatever works the best.

For example, if you are confident using the 7 iron on the golf course to hit under trees, keep using it! In this post, I am going to go over mostly how far the 7 iron travels when using full swings (click the links above to learn how to use the 7 iron for different approach shots).

7 Iron Distance – Beginner’s Guide

For beginning and the high handicap golfer, the 7 iron will become your best friend. It is a more comfortable club to learn to hit and offers both distance and trajectory when appropriately struck. Most beginners and short hitters hit a full 7 iron 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women).

If your golf ball isn’t traveling this far with the 7 iron, here are a few tips you can use to get better, solid contact and increase your ball speed resulting in higher launch angle and more distance:

1. Play the ball in the middle of your feet (middle of the stance ball position)
2. Press the hands over the golf ball and put more weight on your front hip
3. Rotate the hips during the swing and hit down at the ground, not the ball!
4. Follow through transferring your weight all the way on your front leg and point your body at the target

Note: If you are in need of a 7 iron or are looking for a forgiving iron set, feel free to read my article here on my favorite golf set for beginning golfers.

7 Iron Distance – Intermediate Golfers Guide

Intermediate golfers are defined as any golfer that shoots “bogey” golf or a score of 95 for 18 holes.

When observing intermediate golfers hit a 7 iron, the ball’s carry distance usually travels 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women).

As you can compare, intermediate golfers have a faster clubhead speed than beginners which gives them more distance.

The issue these golfers have is inconsistency. Sometimes they will hit their 7 iron 150 yards, the next they will hit it 120 yards.

The best way to become more consistent with the 7 iron, use these tips to help the rhythm of your swing:

• Slow down the backswing by half of what you are currently swinging
• Keep the weight more on the front leg when setting up to the ball
• Feel like the arms are dropping down at the ball
• Hold your finish for three seconds looking down your target line

These tips will help intermediate golfers find a rhythm in their golf swing adding repetitive swing motions that will help with greaters distance and consistency.

7 Iron Distance – Advanced Golfers Guide

Advanced golfers are defined as players who can shoot an 18 hole score of 82 or better and can be called low handicappers. These golfers usually have superb distance control and can hit the ball a lot further combining clubhead speed and sweet spot contact.

Advanced golfers can hit the 7 iron 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (female golfers).

To get to this level it takes a lot of time and patience hitting balls at the driving range, taking lessons or playing a lot of golf, but you will get there!

7 Iron and PGA Tour Pros

Golfers on TV are the best in the world. For men, they usually hit their 7 iron 185 yards while regularly hitting the center of the clubface. For women, they often hit their 7 iron 160 yards.

This is longer than most average golfers hit their long irons.

Most pros have spent their entire lives swinging golf clubs which is why they can hit the ball such far distances.

They have the amazing flexibility to rotate around the golf ball at extreme rates while staying in golf posture.

I once saw Tiger Woods use a 7 iron on a 210-yard par 3! Granted there was probably wind behind him but could you imagine hitting your 7 iron 200 yards in the air!

how far Does my 7 iron go?

I know you probably don’t care about how far I hit my 7 iron, but I’m going to tell you anyway! I want you to know that I am a real person trying to help and improve your game, not some robot giving you golfing tips.

I would have to say that the 7 iron is my favorite club in the bag.

It gives me long range when trying to hit the green but also a high enough ball flight to where I can shape my shots. Currently, I and other long hitters I know with a faster swing speed, hit my 7 iron 180 yards (I consider that a long way) when going after it with a full swing or 170 yards when swinging at my normal tempo.

7 Iron Chipping Guide

As I mentioned above, the 7 iron is not only for longer shots, it can be beneficial to sometimes chip with the 7 iron!

I have found this shot best to use when just off the green in the fridge around 15-25 yards away from the green.

Looking around the web, I didn’t find too much content on how to actually execute this type of chip. So here you go!

How To effectively chip with the 7 iron?

1. Grab your 7 iron and set up to your shot
2. Narrow your golf stance and put more weight on your front hip
3. Take 2 small steps towards the golf ball, raising the 7 iron more up on its toe. This stance will feel similar to a putting stroke
4. Using the shoulders, make a controlled swing at the ball making sure the weight doesn’t waiver from the from where you started
5. The ball will be low to the ground and have a lot of roll helping you get the ball onto the green and avoid any chunked or topped golf shots!

Conclusion

So how far should you hit your seven iron? Of course, the answer is different for everyone but I feel that this post will give you a good idea of what skill level you currently are and hopefully some tips to help you advance and become a scratch golfer!

Average 7 Iron Distances are following:

• Beginning amateur golfers- 100 yards (men) or 60 yards (women)
• Intermediate amateur golfers- 135 yards (men) and 75 yards (women)
• Advanced and scratch golfers- 165 yards (men) or 140 yards (women)
• PGA Tour Players- 185 yards (men) or 160 yards (women)

I know there will be variances in these yardages, but from being around golf for over 20 years and having taught or worked with hundreds of golfers, I would say these averages are right around the norm for how far golfers hit their 7 irons.

For more info just starting out, check out my survival guide to help your game get started in the right direction!