As the head golf instructor of Tell Me More Golf, I’ve received many questions regarding how far golfers should hit their mid-irons, and the 6 iron in particular. This, and much more, will be covered in this article. 

How Far Does The Average Person Hit a 6 Iron?

The average male golfer hits his 6 iron around 150 yards. For females, this number is slightly lower at an average of 120 yards. However, as with all golf clubs, the distance you will experience is very personal, as there are so many factors involved. 

6 Iron Distance Chart 

	Average Women	Male Beginners	Average Men	Advanced Men	Professional Golfers
6 Iron Distance:	120 yards	120 yards	150 yards	175 yards	200 yards

In this chart, you can see how far an average woman, male beginner, average man, advanced man, and professional golfer hits a 6 iron. These numbers are meant to give you an idea of the distance differences between skill and gender. But with that said, many high-level golfers hit a 6 iron significantly shorter, and vice versa.

6 Iron Average Club Head Speed

Average male golfers swing a 6 iron at 75 mph.

Professional golfers on the PGA Tour are much faster at almost 100 mph.

As with all golf clubs, swing speed is very individual and differs significantly between golfers. 

Tips on Hitting a 6 Iron for Distance

The most efficient way to improve your distances with any golf club is to increase your clubhead speed and strike the golf ball better. It’s also important to hit down on the ball to maximize distance, which many beginner and amateur golfers struggle with, especially when it comes to their longer irons. 

When Should I Use a 6 Iron?

There are many situations out on a golf course where a 6 iron comes in handy. A 6 iron will most often be used for approach shots into greens on par 4s and par 5s.

These are from the fairway, but a 6 iron can also be teed up for tee shots on par 3s. 

When teeing up a 6 iron, we recommend the tee height being just high enough so that your golf ball is at the sweet spot when the golf club is grounded. 

Another shot all golfers should have in the bag is a low punch shot, where you can go under a tree or under harsh winds. These shots are needed when you hit a poor tee shot, which all golfers will do from time to time. 

6 Iron Loft Degrees

The typical loft for a 6 iron is 30 degrees, but they can range from 27-30 degrees, depending on how strong your lofts are. This is quite a low loft, and it will produce a relatively low launch without a ton of spin. However, the launch you will see is once again very personal. 

TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good 6 iron distance?

The average 6 iron distance for male golfers is 150 yards, so anything above that we would definitely consider good. However, this also depends on your handicap and what level of golf you’re playing. 

For example, professional golfers on tour playing the longest tees need much more distance than a beginner on an easy golf course. 

What is a 6 iron used for?

The 6 iron is one of the most frequently used mid-irons, and it can be used for many situations. Most commonly, it’s used for hitting into greens. This is true for both tee shots on par 3s and second or third shots on longer holes. 

A 6 iron is also excellent for hitting low-flighted punch shots under trees or the wind.

How far should you hit a six iron?

How far you should hit your clubs depends on many factors, but the average 6 iron distance for men is 150 yards, and it’s 120 yards for women. 

Why is 6 iron hard to hit?

Many golfers struggle with their 6 iron and other long or mid irons because of the low loft combined with a long shaft. When the loft on a club is lower, your swing faults become more noticeable and it’s harder to generate enough spin to keep the golf ball airborne. 

The longer shaft makes it more challenging to hit the center of the clubface, also known as the sweet spot, which is crucial on longer clubs. 

Is 6 iron good for beginners?

Many beginner golfers will struggle with hitting a 6 iron since the loft is quite low. However, if you can generate enough ball speed, the 6 iron is an excellent club you’ll want to use on the golf course. 

Conclusion:

The 6 iron is a golf club with plenty of versatility, but it’s not the easiest to hit since the loft is relatively low. The male average golfer hits a 6 iron around 150 yards, and women hit it around 120 yards. 

However, the yardages you will experience are very personal and depend on many factors, so don’t over-compare yourself.