Golf Club Guide
| Club type | Main role | Common situations | What to compare |
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These are common uses, not a personalized club recommendation. Your lie, swing, conditions and club design change the right choice. No distance is guaranteed.
Golf Club Guide
Compare the roles and common uses of six golf club types. Select clubs or a playing situation to see their differences.
Choose clubs to compare
Your data stays in this browser.
Choosing a situation replaces the selection with relevant club types. You can then change the clubs yourself.
Your selection is saved in this browser. Clear removes the comparison.
Your comparison
Choose your clubs, then click Compare clubs to see their roles and differences.
How to use the club guide
Choose one to six club types, then click Compare clubs. The initial driver and fairway-wood selection compares two common tee options; it does not calculate distance. Changing any selection clears the previous result until you compare again.
Where is the ball? selects a group for a common situation. Choose Close to the green, then click Compare clubs to compare Wedge and Putter: one can lift the ball over something, while the other can roll it along a suitable surface. Changing an individual club returns the situation selector to its optional prompt.
Understand the six families
A driver is part of the wood family, and wedges belong to the iron family. They are shown separately because their usual jobs are different. Fairway woods are useful off a tee as well as from suitable turf. A hybrid is often an alternative to a long iron, not a promise of a good shot from any rough.
Irons generally offer a progression of lofts. Wedges continue toward higher lofts for shorter and more specialized shots. A putter has little loft and is mainly used to roll the ball on the green. These categories explain roles; they do not determine the best model for you.
Terms that help you compare
Loft describes how much the face tilts back from vertical. Carry is the distance the ball travels before landing; total distance also includes bounce and roll. Lie here means how and where the ball is resting, not a measurement for fitting the club.
PW commonly means pitching wedge, GW gap wedge, SW sand wedge and LW lob wedge. Numbering and lofts vary between models. Two clubs bearing the same number are not guaranteed to launch alike or cover the same distance.
Use the comparison on the course or at practice
Start with the lie and the shot you can repeat. A lower-risk shorter shot can be useful when a long shot is unsuitable. Establish your own carry distances through practice, and seek individual coaching or fitting for a personal choice.
The table gives no universal yardages, loft prescriptions, prices or brand recommendations. It does not analyze a swing or choose a full set for you. The situational groups are teaching examples and are not complete lists of every possible shot.
Return to your comparison
Selections are stored on this browser and device when possible. There is no account or cloud sync. Clear leaves an empty comparison, including when you return. Selecting clubs starts it again. Language changes preserve the same club selection.
Does the club number tell me the distance?
No. Club design, loft, strike, speed, ball and conditions all affect distance. Compare your own consistent shots, not a fixed number of yards assigned to a club name.
Should a beginner buy all six types?
This guide explains types, not a shopping list. A smaller selection may be enough to begin learning. Try clubs and get individual help before deciding what you need.