Approach shots – which irons and wedges do you need as a beginner?
For every golfer, successful approach shots and hitting as many greens as possible are crucial. It gives you more opportunities to take fewer strokes per hole. Irons are used from longer distances, while wedges come into play when you get closer to the green. As a beginner, one of the keys is to keep things simple. Trust your swing and let the clubs do the work. Here, we’ll guide you through how to think when choosing irons and wedges for your bag setup.
Which irons does a beginner golfer need?
As a beginner, a standard iron set will take you a long way. These sets come ready-made – you simply need to determine whether you play right- or left-handed, which shaft flex suits you, and what type of clubhead design you prefer. Unsure? Speak to our experts through our online customer service.
- A 5-iron to pitching wedge setup is the most common option.
- Alternatively, a 6-iron to sand wedge set.
Today, most men’s iron sets are sold from 5-iron to pitching wedge, while women’s sets are often sold from 6-iron to sand wedge. In the past, many golfers also carried 3-irons and 4-irons, but as hybrids, utility irons and higher-lofted fairway woods have become more popular, these clubs have largely disappeared from standard sets.
The reason is simple – the alternatives are generally easier to hit and make the game both simpler and more enjoyable.
Learn how far you hit each iron
An important part of iron play is knowing your distances, particularly your carry distances – how far the ball travels through the air before landing, excluding any roll. Once you know these numbers, it becomes much easier to plan your way around the course and avoid hazards.
A good guideline is to have around 8–12 metres between each iron when hitting full shots. If, for example, your 5-iron and 6-iron travel roughly the same distance, it may be worth replacing the 5-iron with a hybrid – or simply leaving it out of the bag.
Many driving ranges now feature TrackMan or Toptracer launch monitors. These systems make it easy to measure your distances and keep track of them for use on the course. A useful tip is to create a TrackMan account and log in whenever you practise. Your shots will then be saved, allowing you to review your distances afterwards. Read our TrackMan guide for beginners if you’d like to learn more about the data available.
Standard not for you? Custom-fit your irons and get more from your game
You may have heard of custom fitting. At Dormy, we offer this concept online, allowing you to customise your clubs to suit your body and your swing. There’s a long-standing myth that custom fitting is only for professionals, but we believe the opposite is true. Custom fitting can make a significant difference for golfers of all abilities and is a real advantage for anyone looking to get more out of their game than a standard set can offer.
Which wedges should a beginner golfer carry?
Common wedge setups include:
- Three wedges: 48–52–56 or 50–54–58
- Two wedges: 50–56 or 52–58
It is also possible to add a 60-degree wedge, but for many golfers, a 56-degree or 58-degree wedge provides more than enough versatility for chipping and bunker shots. A 60-degree wedge can be more difficult to control and use consistently.
How do you know which wedge lofts to choose?
As a beginner, it can be a little overwhelming to navigate the wide range of wedges available. Loft, bounce and sole grind should all be suited to your game.
- The first thing you should find out is the loft of the pitching wedge in your iron set.
- From there, a gap of 4–6 degrees between each wedge is generally recommended. For example, if your pitching wedge has 44 degrees of loft, your next wedge could be 48 or 50 degrees.
- You can then decide how many wedges you want to carry in your bag – most golfers play with two or three.
The advantage of carrying three wedges is that you can hit full shots more often and cover specific yardages more precisely. With two wedges, each club gets used more frequently, making it easier to become comfortable with them and gain complete confidence in their performance.
What is bounce, and how much bounce do you need?
Bounce describes a club’s ability to glide through the turf rather than dig into the ground. It is expressed as a number, typically between 4 and 14 degrees.
- Low bounce suits golfers with a shallow swing who take minimal divots and often play on firm turf conditions.
- High bounce suits golfers with a steeper swing who take larger divots, play on softer courses or frequently hit bunker shots.
Bounce is your friend. As a beginner, it is generally better to choose wedges with higher bounce (around 10–14 degrees).
The shape of the wedge sole is known as the sole grind, or simply the grind. It works together with the wedge’s loft and bounce to create optimal turf interaction at impact. There are also more specialised grind options available for golfers looking for something specific. Beginners often benefit from a wider sole, which makes the club more forgiving.
It is also worth mentioning cavity back wedges, which are easier to play than traditional blade-style wedges. The larger clubhead provides more forgiveness, meaning you do not need to strike the ball perfectly in the centre every time to achieve a good result.
Of course, wedges can also be custom fitted. This is often done alongside an iron fitting to ensure all the clubs in your set work together seamlessly in terms of loft, appearance and performance.