Mind the Gap: Building a Consistent Bag
Golf is a game of specific distances, not maximum distance. Scoring improves when you know exactly how far each club carries and you don't have any "holes" in your yardages. Ideally, you want a consistent 10-15 yard gap between every club in your bag.
1. The "Traffic Jam" at the Top
Most amateur golfers have a major problem with their long clubs: they all go the same distance. It is very common to see a player's 4-iron, 5-iron, and Hybrid all carry within 5 yards of each other.
- The Cause: You need significant clubhead speed to make a low-lofted club (like a 4-iron) launch high enough to carry its full distance. Without that speed, the ball falls out of the sky too early.
- The Fix: Ditch the long irons. Replace your 4 and 5 irons with high-lofted Fairway Woods (like a 7-wood) or Hybrids. These clubs are designed to launch the ball higher, ensuring you actually get the distance gaps you need.
2. The "Modern Loft" Problem (Wedges)
In the quest for distance, manufacturers have made iron lofts stronger over the years. Your Pitching Wedge (PW) might be 43° or 44°. However, your Sand Wedge (SW) is likely still 56°.
- The Risk: This creates a massive 12° gap (roughly 30-40 yards) right in your scoring zone. This forces you to hit awkward half-shots when you need precision.
- The Fix: You almost certainly need a "Gap Wedge" (roughly 48° to 50°) to bridge the distance between your PW and SW. You want your tightest gaps (10-12 yards) in your wedges.
3. Carry vs. Total Distance
When you stand on the range, you see where the ball rolls out to. On the course, that roll doesn't help you clear a bunker or a pond. Hazards require "Carry Distance."
The Drill: Go to a launch monitor or use a GPS app to track your shots. Record the median (average) carry distance for every club, not your "once in a lifetime" best hit. Tape this list to your rangefinder or keep it in your pocket. Trust the number.
4. The 4-Degree Rule
As a general rule of thumb, you want roughly 4 degrees of loft difference between your irons to achieve a 10-15 yard gap. If you buy a new set of irons, make sure you check the lofts against your existing wedges and woods to ensure they flow smoothly.
Additional Reading
To really dial in your equipment, check out these excellent guides:
- The Amateur's Guide to Gapping (GOLF.com): An in-depth explanation of how to space out your lofts to ensure you have a club for every yardage.
- Why You Need a 7-Wood: A great explanation of why high-lofted woods are replacing long irons in the bags of average golfers and even tour pros.
- Carry vs. Total Distance (Trackman): A dive into why knowing your carry number is the single most important data point for avoiding double bogeys.