4 Iron Distance — How Far Should You Hit a 4 Iron?

As the head golf instructor of Tell Me More Golf, I’ve seen many golfers struggle with their 4 iron. That’s why we’ve put together this article, where we will cover how far different types of golfers hit their 4 iron, so you can have realistic expectations. 

How Far Does the Average Person Hit a 4 Iron?

The average male golfer hits a 4 iron around 170 yards. Female golfers usually don’t carry a 4 iron since the loft is so low, but the average distance is around 140 yards.

For low-lofted long irons like the 4 iron, the distance disparity between players is very significant. This is because a low swing speed golfer can’t get the golf ball to stay in the air for long enough to produce meaningful results.

4 Iron Distance Chart

In this distance chart, you can see how far the average woman, male beginner, average man, advanced man, and professional golfer hits a 4 iron.

4 Iron Average Club Head Speed

The average clubhead speed for male golfers hitting a 4 iron is around 80 mph.

For example, professional golfers on the PGA Tour hit a 4 iron around 100 mph on average. 

Standard 4 Iron Length

The standard 4 Iron length is approximately 38.5 inches.

Tips on Hitting a 4 Iron for Distance

When it comes to maximizing your distance with a 4 iron, you need to do pretty much the same as with any other golf club. All golf clubs’ yardages are a result of clubhead speed and how well the shot was struck. So to increase your distance with a 4 iron, you should swing faster and hit the golf ball in the center, sweet spot, of the clubface. 

When Should I Use a 4 Iron?

When you should use a 4 iron depends on how far you hit it and what distance you have to the green. For example, the male average golfer hits a 4 iron 170 yards, making that an ideal distance to use a 4 iron from the fairway into the green. On par 3s, we strongly recommend teeing up the golf ball for a better result.

4 Iron Loft Degrees

The typical 4 iron loft ranges from 19 to 24 degrees, depending on how strongly lofted your golf clubs are. In general, game-improvement irons have stronger lofts than players irons. This is quite a low loft, which produces a low ball flight with relatively low spin. 

TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good 4 iron distance?

The average 4 iron distance for men is 170 yards, so we would consider anything above that to be great. However, the distance you will experience is very personal, and many factors impact how far you can hit the golf ball. 

Is 4 iron good for beginners?

We recommend most beginner golfers to leave the 4 iron out of the bag. This is mainly because of the low loft, but also because of the long shaft. The 4 iron is very challenging to hit, and the slower clubhead speed often seen in beginners doesn’t suit this club at all.

What is a 4 iron good for?

A 4 iron is most often used for approach shots on par 4s or par 5s. It’s also frequently used for longer par 3s. When and where you will use a 4 iron mainly depends on how far you hit it and what distance you have left out on the golf course.

Should you carry a 4 iron?

If you’re a skilled golfer with a relatively high swing speed and can strike the golf ball well, a 4 iron can be very valuable.

However, if you can’t consistently hit your long irons well and don’t have a high clubhead speed, a 4 iron can do more harm than good. In this case, we recommend using a 4 hybrid instead. 

How far should 4 iron go?

The average 4 iron distance for male golfers is 170 yards. Golf club distances are very personal though, and it’s impossible to say how far a specific golf club should go. 

What club is equivalent to a 4 iron?

The non-iron equivalent to a 4 iron is typically a 4 hybrid. This club will go a similar distance, but it’s much easier to hit and better suited for slower swing speeds. 

Conclusion:

The 4 iron is a very valuable golf club, if you’ve got the skill to use it. A male golfer hits a 4 iron 170 yards on average, while females hit it around 140 yards. But with that said, the range is very wide and differs greatly between golfers. 

Patrick Corley

From a golf scholarship to a Southern California University, to a private golf coaching career and an instructor position at a nonprofit organization, I’m here to help you get better at golf! With my 50+ years of golf experience; I bring you Tell Me More Golf. A golf coaching website that helps your game with instructional golfing content that’s ultimately geared toward making you a better golfer and having more fun!

Our golf instructor team brings it all to you, so enjoy!

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