Because of its mid-length, average loft, and high forgiveness levels, a good number of players will tell you the 7-iron is one of the most valuable clubs you can have with you while on the course.
If you lined up 100 random golfers, we guarantee that a good portion of them will tell you the 7-iron is the first club they learned to use well. This is usually for a good reason.
Most beginners can learn to play the 7-iron golf club because its versatile nature makes it a great tool for learning about the course and working on ball-shot techniques such as chipping or hitting fades and draws.
Is a 7-iron right for you? How can you improve your 7-iron game?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about this great beginner-friendly club.
What Is a 7-Iron?
Generally, an iron can either be classified as Short, Mid, or Long. These classifications are usually primarily dependent on the club’s loft and length.
Put simply, 7-irons are classified as mid-irons with lofts between 29° and 34°.
5-irons and 6-irons are also classified as mid-irons. The differences come in their lengths, lofts, and how they are used on the course.
Read More: The Best Irons On The Market
Benefits of Using a 7-Iron
A good portion of golf players will tell you the 7-iron is their best club. This is because of the many benefits you get from using it and because it is one of the easier irons to hit correctly. Some benefits include:
- 7-irons are easier to control on approach shots.
- A 7-iron can help you eliminate errors by using a wedge when chipping and consequently help you lower your score
- Their mid-range classification makes them versatile. This means you can use them in more places across the course and for many types of shots.
- They offer plenty of forgiveness, unlike other irons, which may be harder to hit.
- A 7-iron is easy to learn, and any level golfer can use one. This is evidenced by the fact that many beginners actually learn how to play with it as their first-ever club.
How To Hit a 7-Iron
Before you even take a 7-iron from the bag, you must have a good grasp of basic golf swing techniques.
If you are a beginner, we recommend starting with clubs designed specifically for beginners and slowly progressing. But the 7-iron is a good place to start.
We recommend hitting up a professional coach to help your swing. They will be able to quickly pick out mistakes and offer you guidance on proper technique. This will protect you from picking up dangerous habits that may affect your game in the long run.
But not all of us can afford a coach. Instead, check out the video below and written tips on how to hit a 7-iron.
Quick Tips for Hitting a 7-Iron
- Ensure you are in the correct address position. You want to ensure the ball is in the middle of your standing position, keep your feet apart by a distance similar to your shoulder width, and ensure your sternum is aligned directly with the golf ball.
- You want to check that your hands are in a neutral, relaxed position and that you are holding the club in a firm but not too tight manner.
- Practice good takeaways. The takeaway is the beginning of your swing. Ideally, you want to start by turning your hips and following through with your shoulder and arms until the club is positioned parallel to where it started.
- At this point, you should have proper weight distribution and be stable and balanced.
- You now want to complete the backswing by ensuring your hands, hips, and shoulders all rotate back towards their natural mid position and follow through.
- You want the impact to be on the lower part of the ball and through before hitting the ground.
- Complete the rotation by following through with the swing after impact.
All in all, hitting a 7-iron is no different from any other club in terms of needing consistent training and practice. With such, you should be comfortable with 7-irons in no time (much quicker than some other clubs).
Average 7-Iron Loft
Generally, 7-irons are classified as being in the mid-range area of irons. This means that a 7-iron can range anywhere between 29 to 34-degree loft.
Players usually choose lofts depending on their goals, playing styles, and abilities. Typically, the higher the loft on your 7-iron, the easier it will be for you to achieve high launches. The reverse is also true. Lower loft 7-irons will give you a lower launch and flight path.
At the same time, it is important to note; the higher the loft on your 7-iron, the harder it will be to shape it.
The loft range on most 7-irons will be ideal for medium launches and suitable for mid-range approach shots. You can also use it to get over trees or to hit shots under obstacles.
If you are looking for something with a higher launch, an 8-iron or a 9-iron is better than a 7-iron. Similarly, a 4-iron or a 5-iron may suit you better if you want something with a lower trajectory and more control.
What is The Standard 7-Iron Length?
Most players will see the 7-iron as a transition iron in the ranges together with the 6 and 5.
This means:
- Using steel shafts, the standard length is going to be 37 inches.
- On graphite shafts, a 7-iron will usually come in around 37.5 inches.
However, this varies with women’s 7-irons, where the standard length on steel shafts is 36 inches and 36.5 inches with graphite shafts.
Even then, the lengths on 7-irons can sometimes be adjusted depending on the player’s height and grip choices.
7-Iron Swing Speed
Most players’ average 7-iron distance will depend on their swing speeds.
Here is a chart showing the average swing speeds for 7-irons based on different skill levels.
| Player Lever | Swing Speed For Men | Swing Speed For Women |
| PGA Pro | 90 mph and above | 80-90 mph |
| Low Handicappers | 75-80mph | 70-80 mph |
| Mid Handicappers | 70mph and above | 60 mph and above |
| High Handicappers | 60-70mph | 60mph and below |
| Senior Golfer | 60 mph and above | 60 mph or below |
How Far Should You Hit A 7-Iron?
How far you can hit with a 7-iron at any given time will depend on many factors. However, it will depend on your skill level and age. Generally, as you get older, you will notice a decline in the average distance you can hit. At the same time, the more skilled you are, the further you can hit.
| Player Skill Level | Distance For Men | Distance For Women |
| High Handicappers | 100 Yards | 60 -80 Yards |
| Mid Handicappers | 135 Yards | 75 Yards |
| Senior Players | 105-115 Yards | 65-85 Yards |
| Low Handicappers | 165 Yards | 140 Yards |
| Tour Pros | 185 Yards | 160 Yards |
Read more: Golf Club Distance Chart
The Best 7-Irons to Buy
While you may just be best off getting a full set of any of these high-quality irons, their 7-irons are particular standouts within the sets. Also, you can buy each of these as a single iron if you only wish to upgrade to the 7-iron in your bag.
1) Callaway Golf Rogue ST Max – Best Overall
Pros
- Caters to a diverse range of golfers
- Stylish aesthetic design
- Ample forgiveness levels
- Good sound and feel
Cons
- Sound and feel not the best
- Not cheap
The Callaway Rogue St Max 7-iron is Callaway’s longest 7-iron and it is designed to cater to the needs of a diverse range of golfers in search of an all-round iron.
The head on the Rogue St Max 7-iron is made using a combination of a Flash Face cup and high-strength steel to ensure the fastest ball speeds every time. The new face technology is uniquely optimized on the 7-iron to help players achieve high launches easily while at the same time ensuring consistent ball spin across the entire face.
Unlike previous versions, the Urethane Microspheres on the Callaway Rogue St Max are moved further up the face resulting in a better sound and a softer, purer feel.
The Callaway Rogue St Max is also equipped with a 62-gram high-density Tungsten weight which is more than the previous MAVRIK clubs by up to 260%. This makes the Callaway Rogue St Max a more forgiving club while at the same time optimizing launch conditions for players.
For players searching for an all-around 7-iron that will help them achieve the fastest ball speeds and with ample forgiveness levels, the Callaway Rogue St Max 7-Iron is one of the best options in the market.
2) TaylorMade Golf Stealth Single 7-Iron – Most Forgiving
Pros
- High forgiveness levels
- Good sound and feel
- Stylish aesthetic design
Cons
- Fake forged look may annoy some golfers
The TaylorMade Golf Stealth 7-Iron is made with unique toe wrap construction technology. This new technology shifts the club’s weight more towards the club’s sole to reduce the club’s center of gravity.
This feature increases peak height and launch angle for more ball flight and better distance. Although it looks like a forged iron, the TaylorMade Stealth 7-iron also sports a new Cap Back design with multi-materials to make it more forgiving and help players achieve faster ball speeds.
The face is made with 450 stainless steel and features a strategically positioned sweet spot for fast ball speeds and consistency no matter the impact area.
The TaylorMade Stealth 7-iron is also fitted with a unique Echo Damping System with many contact points throughout the face and utilizes a soft polymer for absorbing impact vibrations. The result is a club that delivers a satisfactory explosive sound combined with the softest feel upon impact.
TaylorMade also included their patented Through Slot Pocket technology on the Stealth 7-iron to increase the forgiveness levels with bad hits and increase ball speeds.
For players looking for a 7-iron that will get the job done with the highest forgiveness levels, the TaylorMade Stealth 7 is the best option.
3) Tour Edge New Hot Launch C522 7-Iron – Best Budget Pick
Pros
- Cheap
- Classic Cavity Back Design
- VibRcor feature enhances sound and feel and ensures faster ball speeds
Cons
- Not as advanced as the top picks
The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 irons is one of the best options if you are looking for a cheap 7-iron that will give you ample forgiveness and help you achieve more distance.
The Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 7-iron is made using 431 soft stainless steel and sports a classic Cavity back design. The cavity has a 369° undercut which makes the club forgiving while at the same time ensuring consistent results while on the course.
The undercut is then equipped with a VibRcor for faster ball speeds and better sound and feel. This feature works together with the club’s wide sole design reducing the centre of gravity to optimize launch.
If you are in search of a pocket-friendly 7-iron, the Tour Edge Hot Launch C522 is an excellent place to start your search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 7-Iron Easy to Hit?
Yes. This is because a 7-iron usually has a shorter shaft and a more forgiving loft than long irons. As long as you use good technique appropriately, it should be easier to use than 1-4 irons.
How Far Does Tiger Woods Hit a 7-Iron?
Over the years, Tiger Woods has been known to reach up to 180 yards using his 7-iron. Pretty impressive stuff from one of the best to have played the game.
What Hybrid Club is Equivalent to a 7-Iron?
If you are looking for a substitute for your 7-iron, most golfers reckon the Hybrid that will give you the closest result to the 7-iron is an 8 hybrid. You may also want to try a 7-wood.
Where Do You Hit a 7-Iron?
Honestly, because of its high forgiveness levels, mid-length, and average loft, a 7-iron will be one of the most useful clubs you could have on the course. However, you want to use it on approach shots for the best results.
Wrapping Up the 7-Iron Guide
A 7-iron is one of the best clubs to use for approach shots. It’s one of the easier irons to use and will require less practice for a newer golfer to improve their score. This also means more experienced players can practice more effectively shaping their shots. Don’t overlook the opportunity to add a quality 7-iron to your bag.
Chris's love for golf is only rivaled by his wanderlust. A globetrotter at heart, He’s played courses throughout Europe and Asia and at home in NSW, Australia. With a writing style as smooth as his golf swing, he’ll help you find the right gear to match your skill level and style. You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn.
