Take Stock When Looking At How Far Tour Pros Hit Their Irons

In modern golf, technology gives us unprecedented insight into how far Tour pros hit their irons.

And according to Trackman, who track nearly every shot on the PGA Tour, the average distances PGA pros hit a 3-iron to 9-iron are:

  • 3-iron: 218 yards (199 metres)
  • 4-iron: 209 yards (192 metres)
  • 5-iron: 199 yards (182 metres)
  • 6-iron: 188 yards (172 metres)
  • 7-iron: 176 yards (161 metres)
  • 8-iron: 164 yards (150 metres)
  • 9-iron: 152 yards (132 metres)

These numbers represent ‘carry’ distances – how far the ball travels from point of contact to where it lands.

But when it comes to iron distances, these numbers tell only part of the story.

And one simple reason for that is pros will hit all manner of a variety of different shots with their irons, especially for their approach shots.

Also these numbers only cover the PGA Tour and ignore big hitters like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka on the LIV Tour.

So Golfing Focus decided to dive a bit deeper to:

  • Breakdown pro iron distances beyond the averages, and
  • Look at why how far pros hit their irons should matter to amateurs and why they should not!

Golfing Focused Takeaways For Time Pressed Golfers

  • PGA Tour pros hit all their irons – for example a 7-iron an average of 176 yards – significantly further than amateur golfers due to higher swing speeds and superior strike quality
  • But pros can also adjust their iron distances, giving them multiple options for the same distance with different irons
  • And distance control is more important to them than raw distance – Tour pros consistently hit their irons within 2-3 yards of their intended distance

How Far Do Tour Pros Hit Their Irons? It’s About Carry!

Trackman’s data on the average distances PGA Tour pros hit their irons gives us a superb insight into their power.

But a look at Brooks Koepka’s yardage book gives us an even deeper insight into their iron play and why there’s more to learn beyond the ‘averages’.

"Golfing Focus" chart of the stock yardages of Brooks Koepka compared to PGA Tour averages #golfingfocus

For example for a 170 yard shot into the green a glance at his iron yardages shows he could decide to play either a three-quarter 8-iron or try to hit a 9-iron as far as he can.

When you account for factors such as wind, elevation, ground conditions – as well as the context in which the shot is being played – Koepka, like all the top players, has a number of options for each iron shot.

As a result they will hit the same iron a variety of different distances over the course of only round never mind a season.

All of which makes the question of how far he hits each iron a bit more complex than at first you may think.

But while pros can vary their distances, they all have what’s called a ‘stock’ yardage – the distance they expect to hit each iron with a normal, full swing.

When we compare these ‘stock yardages’ for irons between the pros we therefore get a consistent yardage that we can accurately compare across the players.

Trackman’s numbers are the average ‘stock’ distances for PGA Tour pros overall.

But not only do they miss out the top pros playing on the LIV Tour but just as when we looked at the topic of how far amateurs should hit their irons we often want comparisons to be by other metrics.

For example by handicap and age in the amateur game.

Those categories obviously don’t apply in a pro context but we can see how the iron distances of long hitters such as DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy stack up against closer to average distance pros like Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler.

DeChambeau’s yardages for this irons are also noteworthy in another way.

Looking at his ‘pitching wedge’ stock yardage of 170 yards would suggest for example that he hits it 20 yards further than Rory McIlroy with the same club.

But a closer look at Bryson’s irons shows he also carries a 45º wedge that goes 160 yards by comparison to McIlroy’s 46º 150 yard ‘pitching wedge’.

So in actual fact it appears DeChambeau stamps his irons with a club number that is one lower his competitors.

Which is just another great example of the difficulty in comparing exactly the distances pros hit their irons given the differing lofts and stamps they potentially put on them.

And what about arguably the greatest iron player of all time? How far does the great Tiger Woods hit his irons?

Well it seems that despite all his injuries he still maintains impressive iron distances.

  • 3-iron: 240 yards (219 metres)
  • 4-iron: 225 yards (206 metres)
  • 5-iron: 210 yards (192 metres)
  • 6-iron: 195 yards (178 metres)
  • 7-iron: 180 yards (165 metres)
  • 8-iron: 165 yards (151 metres)
  • 9-iron: 150 yards (137 metres)

What About How Far Pros Hit a 2-Iron?

Trackman’s averages stop at 3-iron.

And indeed when Golfing Focus analysed the most used irons on the PGA Tour we found only 17% of the top 100 carry a 3-iron up to either 9-iron or pitching wedge.

2-irons are also increasingly rare on tour with many in the modern game preferring to opt for higher numbered fairway woods or hybrids instead.

A number of the top pros though still carry them as part of their core or wider set of irons swapping it in and out of the bag depending on conditions.

The data set available to confirm how far pros hit a 3-iron or even a 2-iron is therefore limited but here is a selection of yardages for players using those clubs.

TOUR PLAYER2-IRON ‘CARRY’ DISTANCES3-IRON ‘CARRY’ DISTANCES
Bryson DeChambeau270 yards (247 metres)
Viktor Hovland243 yards (222 metres)
Jon Rahm246 yards (225 metres)
Dustin Johnson261 yards (239 metres)
Tiger Woods240 yards (219 metres)
Scottie Scheffler245 yards (224 metres)
Rory McIlroy260 yards (238 metres)
Tommy Fleetwood230 yards (210 metres)
Brooks Koepka250 yards (229 metres)
Sources: TaylorMade, GolfTV, Golf Digest, Golf Monthly, Golfweek.

When it comes to how far pros hit 2-irons or 3-irons though it is also worth bearing in mind some choose driving irons in preference to more ‘standard’ irons.

Scottie Scheffler for example carries two!

A Srixon Z U85 4-iron and longer 3-iron that is of a very different design and build to Tiger’s P770 Player’s 3-iron.

Why How Far Pros Hit Their Irons Matter. And Why They Don’t

Understanding pro iron distances provides interesting context and discussion points but they shouldn’t be a target for regular amateur golfers.

They are on the whole unattainable for amateur golfers but in reality it doesn’t really matter how far Rory McIlroy hits a 5-iron for example.

What matters to him is that he knows how far he hits his irons and as this video testifies he, like all the top pros, are supremely skilled at this.

A key takeaway for amateurs should therefore simply be a similar determination to understand how far they hit their own irons irrespective of anyone else.

Because like the pros, knowing your actual distances with each club is incredibly beneficial when it comes to club selection out on the course.

In addition regular players can also take away other key points from the huge distances the pros hit their irons to help with their own game:

1. Consistent Gaps Matter Most

  • Pros maintain 10-15 yard gaps between irons
  • This spacing ensures coverage for all approach distances
  • So focus on your iron yardage gaps to ensure you have no clubs doing exactly the same job.

2. The Role of Swing Speed

  • PGA Tour pros average 115 mph driver swing speed
  • The average male amateur averages 93.4 mph by comparison.
  • This swing speed difference proportionally carries through the bag affecting iron distances
  • Amateurs looking to improve their iron distances therefore can focus on increasing their swing speed.

3. Consistent Strike Quality is King

  • The consistent center-face contact pros hit their irons with has the biggest material impact on distance
  • Improving strike quality should therefore be the priority for amateurs when it comes to iron distances!

Before You Go …

To see just how far Tour pros hit their drivers, woods and hybrids read one of these articles:

How Far Tour Pros Hit Driver And What It Means For Your Drives

Uncovering How Far Pros Hit Their Woods And Hybrids

Or to compare your iron distances with your own peers rather than the top players in the world check out this post!

How Far Should I Hit My Irons? By Handicap, Age & Swingspeed

Other great posts related to this topic:

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