One of the biggest mistakes I see golfers make is not actually knowing how far they hit each club.
They might have a rough idea, but when I ask, "How far do you carry your 7-iron?" the answer is often something like, "About 150 metres... I think."
The problem is that "I think" isn't much help when you're standing over a shot with water short, a bunker long, and a score on the line.
Knowing your distances gives you confidence, helps with club selection, and ultimately leads to better scoring.
Why Accurate Distances Matter
Most golfers focus on trying to hit the ball further. In reality, knowing how far you actually hit each club is often far more valuable.
If you know your carry distances and trust them, you'll make better decisions on the course.
You'll:
- Hit more greens
- Leave yourself shorter putts
- Avoid short-sided misses
- Improve your course management
- Take the guesswork out of club selection
If you're unsure what distances are realistic for your game, have a look at our guide on How Far Should You Hit Each Golf Club?.
The Modern Method: Launch Monitors
Today, the easiest and most accurate way to measure your distances is with a launch monitor.
Devices like the Garmin Approach R50, Garmin R10, FlightScope and TrackMan allow you to see:
- Carry distance
- Total distance
- Ball speed
- Launch angle
- Spin rate
- Dispersion patterns
The biggest advantage is that you're measuring every shot, not just your best one.
If you'd like to understand the numbers in more detail, check out What Do Launch Monitors Actually Measure?.
The Old-School Method I Used For Years
Before launch monitors became common, I used a much simpler system.
I would head out to the golf course with a measuring wheel.
Because the course I played was often quite soft through winter, the golf balls would usually finish very close to their pitch marks. That made measuring surprisingly accurate.
I'd hit a number of shots with the same club and then walk down to where they landed.
Rather than measuring my longest shot or shortest shot, I'd look at where the majority of the balls finished.
That's the number I wanted.
Not my perfect shot.
Not my miss-hit.
My normal shot.
I'd then use the measuring wheel to determine the average carry distance and write it down.
Looking back, it was a really effective way to build a distance chart.
A Great Exercise To Try On The Course
Lately I've actually been having some fun revisiting that old-school approach.
Instead of instantly grabbing my rangefinder, I'll often try to work out the distance first.
For example:
If the sprinkler marker says 135 metres to the middle of the green, I'll estimate where the flag is relative to the centre.
Maybe it looks 8 metres behind the middle.
Maybe 5 metres in front.
I'll do the maths in my head and come up with my own number before checking with the rangefinder.
I did it recently and was only about two metres out.
That was pretty satisfying.
Even for very good golfers, being within two metres of the actual yardage is more than accurate enough.
I think it's a great habit because it keeps your brain engaged and helps develop your feel for the golf course rather than becoming completely dependent on technology.
The rangefinder then becomes confirmation rather than your only source of information.
Focus On Carry Distance
One of the most common mistakes golfers make is measuring total distance instead of carry distance.
Carry distance is usually the more useful number.
Why?
Because carry distance doesn't change much.
Total distance can vary significantly depending on:
- Wind
- Fairway firmness
- Temperature
- Slope
- Ground conditions
A 7-iron that carries 140 metres will generally carry close to that distance most days.
Whether it finishes at 142 metres or 155 metres is a different story.
For approach shots, carry distance is king.
Don't Use Your Best Shot
Another common mistake is basing distances on your absolute best strike.
We all remember the one 7-iron that flew 165 metres.
The problem is you might only hit that shot once every two months.
When measuring distances, look for your average.
The club you pull should be based on your normal shot, not the one that occasionally shows up when everything goes perfectly.
Look For Patterns
Once you've measured your distances, look for gaps.
Ideally, there should be consistent spacing between clubs throughout the bag.
If two clubs travel almost the same distance, or there's a large gap between clubs, it may be worth considering a professional golf club fitting.
Proper gapping can make a significant difference to scoring.
Consistency Comes First
If your distances vary dramatically from shot to shot, distance measurement might not be the real issue.
Consistency of strike is often the bigger factor.
A golfer who carries their 7-iron anywhere from 120 to 150 metres doesn't have a distance problem.
They have a consistency problem.
If that's something you're working on, have a read of How To Be More Consistent In Golf.
Final Thoughts
You don't need expensive technology to measure your golf club distances.
A launch monitor is fantastic if you have access to one, but golfers were figuring out their distances long before launch monitors existed.
Whether you're using a Garmin, a simulator, a measuring wheel, or simply learning to estimate distances on the course, the goal is the same:
Know your numbers.
The more confidence you have in your distances, the easier club selection becomes, and the easier golf becomes.
FAQs
What is the most accurate way to measure golf club distances?
A launch monitor is generally the most accurate method because it measures multiple shots and provides detailed data such as carry distance, ball speed and launch angle.
Should I measure carry distance or total distance?
Carry distance is usually the most useful number for approach shots because it is more consistent and less affected by ground conditions.
Can I measure golf club distances without a launch monitor?
Absolutely. Many golfers successfully use GPS markers, measuring wheels, golf course markers, and rangefinders to build a reliable distance chart.
Why do my golf club distances vary so much?
Distance variations are often caused by inconsistent strike quality rather than club selection. Improving contact usually improves distance consistency.
Should I get fitted if my clubs overlap in distance?
Yes. If multiple clubs travel similar distances, or you have large gaps between clubs, a golf club fitting can help optimise your set makeup and improve your scoring.
Happy golfing
Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder - Golf 360
Mount Maunganui
