Based on your input, your estimated Driver Swing Speed is approximately:
— mph
Club
Est. Carry Distance (Yards)
function calculateGolfDistances() {
// 1. Get input values
var refClub = document.getElementById('referenceClub').value;
var distInput = document.getElementById('knownDistance').value;
var unit = document.getElementById('distanceUnit').value;
var skill = parseFloat(document.getElementById('skillLevel').value);
// 2. Validation
if (!distInput || isNaN(distInput) || distInput <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid positive distance.");
return;
}
var distance = parseFloat(distInput);
// 3. Define Ratios (Relative to a 7-iron baseline of 1.0)
// These ratios approximate the physics of loft gapping
var clubRatios = {
'driver': 1.61,
'3wood': 1.45,
'5wood': 1.35,
'hybrid': 1.30,
'3iron': 1.30, // Alternative for Hybrid
'4iron': 1.22,
'5iron': 1.14,
'6iron': 1.07,
'7iron': 1.00,
'8iron': 0.92,
'9iron': 0.83,
'pw': 0.74,
'gw': 0.66,
'sw': 0.56,
'lw': 0.48
};
var displayNames = {
'driver': 'Driver',
'3wood': '3 Wood',
'5wood': '5 Wood',
'hybrid': '3 Hybrid / 3 Iron',
'4iron': '4 Iron',
'5iron': '5 Iron',
'6iron': '6 Iron',
'7iron': '7 Iron',
'8iron': '8 Iron',
'9iron': '9 Iron',
'pw': 'Pitching Wedge',
'gw': 'Gap Wedge (52°)',
'sw': 'Sand Wedge (56°)',
'lw': 'Lob Wedge (60°)'
};
// 4. Calculate the "Baseline 7-Iron Distance" from the input
// Formula: InputDistance / RatioOfInputClub = 7IronEquivalent
var inputRatio = clubRatios[refClub];
var baseline7Iron = distance / inputRatio;
// 5. Generate distances for all clubs
var tableHtml = '';
var driverDistance = 0;
// Order of bag
var bagOrder = ['driver', '3wood', '5wood', 'hybrid', '4iron', '5iron', '6iron', '7iron', '8iron', '9iron', 'pw', 'gw', 'sw', 'lw'];
for (var i = 0; i < bagOrder.length; i++) {
var key = bagOrder[i];
var ratio = clubRatios[key];
// Calculate raw distance based on ratio
// Apply slight non-linear adjustment for skill level (slower swings have compressed gaps at the top of the bag)
var adjustedRatio = ratio;
// Compression logic: If skill is low (0.9), reduce the advantage of long clubs slightly
if(skill 1.0) {
adjustedRatio = 1.0 + ((ratio – 1.0) * 0.85); // Compress top end
}
var calculatedDist = baseline7Iron * adjustedRatio;
// Round to nearest integer
var finalDist = Math.round(calculatedDist);
if (key === 'driver') {
driverDistance = finalDist;
}
// Highlight the row that matches the input
var rowClass = (key === refClub) ? 'class="highlight-row"' : ";
var displayName = displayNames[key];
// If input is the reference, force exact input value to avoid rounding discrepancies
if (key === refClub) {
finalDist = Math.round(distance);
}
tableHtml += '
';
}
// 6. Estimate Swing Speed (very rough approximation)
// Rule of thumb: Driver Carry (yards) / 2.3 to 2.5 = Swing Speed (mph)
// We use yards for this calculation regardless of unit input
var driverYards = (unit === 'meters') ? driverDistance * 1.09361 : driverDistance;
var estSpeed = Math.round(driverYards / 2.5);
// 7. Update DOM
document.getElementById('table-unit').innerText = (unit === 'yards' ? 'Yards' : 'Meters');
document.getElementById('distanceTableBody').innerHTML = tableHtml;
document.getElementById('estimatedSwingSpeed').innerText = estSpeed + " mph";
document.getElementById('golf-results-area').style.display = 'block';
}
How to Calculate Your Golf Club Distances
Knowing exactly how far you hit each club in your bag is one of the quickest ways to lower your handicap. This Golf Club Distance Calculator helps you estimate your full bag's yardages based on a single known club distance. By understanding your "gapping"—the distance difference between each club—you can make smarter decisions on the course and avoid coming up short on approach shots.
Factors That Influence Carry Distance
While this calculator provides a mathematical estimate based on standard loft progressions, several physical factors influence your actual yardages:
Swing Speed: The primary generator of power. Faster swing speeds compress the ball more, resulting in higher ball speeds and greater distance.
Loft: The angle of the clubface determines the launch angle and spin. Modern irons often have "stronger" (lower) lofts than traditional irons, which is why a modern 7-iron might fly as far as an older 6-iron.
Smash Factor: This measures how efficiently you transfer energy from the clubhead to the ball. Striking the "sweet spot" consistently maximizes distance.
Weather Conditions: Air density (temperature and altitude) and wind significantly affect carry. Balls fly farther in warmer, thinner air.
Understanding Club Gapping
Proper "gapping" ensures you don't have a yardage you can't hit comfortably. A standard set usually has 10–15 yard gaps between irons. However, many amateurs suffer from "bunching" at the top end of the bag, where their 3-wood, 5-wood, and 4-iron all travel similar distances due to a lack of swing speed required to launch low-loft clubs high enough.
How to Use This Calculator
Select a Reference Club: Choose a club you hit consistently well (e.g., your 7-iron).
Enter Carry Distance: Input the average distance the ball flies through the air (carry), not the total distance after roll.
Check Your Results: The calculator will extrapolate the distances for the rest of your bag using standard loft ratios.
Validate on the Range: Take these numbers to the driving range or a launch monitor to verify and adjust for your specific swing characteristics.
Carry vs. Total Distance
This calculator estimates Carry Distance. Total distance (Carry + Roll) varies heavily based on course conditions. On soft fairways, your roll might be zero; on hard links courses, you might get 20+ yards of roll. Always play to your carry number to clear bunkers and water hazards safely.