Golf Club Numbers: How Do They Work?

Despite it being a basic concept, some golfers still don’t know what they are looking at and the true golf club numbers meaning.

People who are new to golf and beginners can also have confusion when seeing various numbers like 4 or 58 when looking down at a club head.

Our article will explain the full picture of what numbers mean on a golf club so you understand the concept and every number.

What Are The Golf Club Numbers?

What are the different numbers on golf clubs?

Golf club numbering usually ranges from 2-9 but on older sets 1-9 due to the driver being considered the number one.

The following list shows each number corresponding to the golf club:

Numbered golf clubs include:

• 1-Driver (newer versions usually aren’t labeled)
• 2-iron 
• 3-iron
• 4-iron 
• 5-iron 
• 6-iron 
• 7-iron 
• 8-iron
• 9-iron
• 3-hybrid
• 4-hybrid
• 5-hybrid
• 3-wood
• 4-wood
• 5-wood
• 7-wood

Clubs That Don’t Always Have Numbers:

• Driver 
• Putter
• Pitching Wedge (A standard pitching wedge in a complete iron set says “P” on it.
• Approach Wedge (Same as above but with an “A” on it.
• Sand Wedge (The same goes for the sand wedge with an “S” or “SW” on it when included in a set.)

Wedges that are bought separately can have higher numbers such as in the 50+ range. We will explain this in the next section.

Numbers On Woods

There are different types of woods including a 2-wood, 3-wood, 4-wood, 5-wood and 7-wood.

The most common woods in sets are 3 and 5-woods.

The numbers indicate the angle and loft of the clubfaces similar to the other clubs. The higher the number the lower the loft, so the further the ball will travel when hit correctly.

What Do The Numbers Mean On A Golf Club? A Breakdown

The number on golf clubs indicates the loft of each club measured in degrees.

The loft is the angle of the clubfaces. These lofts make the golf ball launch higher or lower throughout the air after impact.

The lower the number, the lower the loft. So a driver (usually around 9.5-10.5 degrees), 2-iron, and 3-iron will travel further distances than high numbers and lower through the air when struck cleanly.

You would hit these clubs when out from about 200 yards or further depending on how far you hit.

The higher the number, for instance, a 7 (usually around 34 degrees), 8 or 9 will have a higher trajectory through the air with more spin.

You would hit these clubs from 160 yards and in depending on your length.

The results of these hits will have the ball landing softly on the green compared to a driver or low numbered iron which will have less spin and more rollout.

Golf wedge numbers 45-62 can be commonly seen. These wedges are purchased separately rather than included in a beginner set.

Some well-known sets are made by Titleist, Cleveland, Ping Callaway and TaylorMade.

The Vokey wedges are some of the most well-renowned wedges on the golf market. Titleist clubmaker Bob Vokey has been designing them since 1997 for both professionals and amateurs alike.

The three most common numbers for wedges are 52, 56 and 60. These numbers represent the degrees of the club. The 52 degree is a gap wedge, 56 is considered a sand wedge and the 60 is a lob wedge.

The 52-degree wedge will be the easiest to hit and can be used when needing a bit of rollout on the green.

The 56-degree sand wedge can make it easier to hit from the bunker and in different situations when chipping.

The 60-degree wedge can be difficult to hit for amateurs but if mastered can spin massively and stop next to the pin. It puts out a high trajectory on the ball and can also be used to clear trees.

These are all very useful around the greens for chipping and when facing shots from around 115 yards in.

Golf Club Numbers and Distance: What To Use For Each Shot

Below are around the average distances from which amateur golfers hit their shots.

This can depend on a wide number of factors including how solid they strike it, age and swing speed. The numbers are an estimation.

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