Deciding which clubs to add to your official 14 can feel like a challenge, especially if you’re a beginner. The last thing you want to do is include options that are going to be too difficult for you to use effectively. As a newbie, you’ve likely asked the following question – what is the hardest golf club to hit?
On this page, we’ll find out. We’ll talk about the objective aspects of clubs that can make them more challenging to use, the subjective factors that may influence your choices, and how to improve your game as a golfer.
Read on to upgrade your golfing knowledge!
Why Swing Difficulty Matters
If you’re a complete golfing novice, you may be wondering why people worry about swing difficulty in the first place. Surely it’s just a matter of practicing a bit until you can use a certain club effectively, right?
While regular practice is essential if you want to improve as a player, choosing the right set of clubs early on can pay dividends down the line. It’s not just about how often you practice, but also about how you practice.
Choosing clubs that are appropriate for your experience and skill level will help you build a strong foundation for the future. Practicing good technique is one of the most important things you should be doing as a beginner.
Flight Path
The flight path of your ball after each swing determines how many strokes you’ll need before you can putt the ball successfully. If you start to learn – or even play as an experienced golfer – with clubs that are too difficult for you to swing, you’ll find it much harder to start producing predictable flight paths.
One sign that your skills are really improving as a player is that the path you predict is the one you can actually achieve. You’ll need the right clubs for this.
Lift
Predictably lifting the ball high enough with each strike is another skill you’ll need to develop as a budding golfer. Getting predictable lift each time means learning how to moderate your swing before the club head strikes the ball.
If you’re using a club that’s super difficult to use, you’ll struggle to get to grips with this aspect of the game.
Accuracy
It’s not just about how hard you connect with the ball; it’s about where you strike it. There’s a surprising amount of variation when it comes to where you can make contact with a golf ball.
Using a club that you feel comfortable with is vital here. Some of the hardest to use clubs can be challenging to swing accurately.
So, What is the Hardest Golf Club to Hit?
It’s worth acknowledging that there’s a degree of subjectivity here. Your strength, height, and preferences as a player can all influence the kind of club that’s most difficult for you to use. That said, most people find long irons to be the hardest golf club to hit.
2 and 3 long irons in particular can present challenges to newer players. This is thanks largely to their length and weight. Drivers can also be difficult, so be sure to get plenty of practice in with them early on.
8, 7, and 6 irons tend to be easier to use for newbies, in case you were wondering.
Challenging Club Types
So, what actually makes some irons and drivers harder to use than others? In this section, we explore the basics. Keep in mind that your experience may not align precisely with that of your average newbie.
Irons
The length and unforgiving nature of most irons (especially the older style of 1 irons) explain why hybrids and other beginner-friendly clubs have exploded in popularity over the past several years.
While every golfer is different, we’d be willing to bet that the majority out there would name 1, 2, 3, or 4 irons if they were asked what was the hardest golf club to hit. Longer clubs just tend to be harder to use for most people.
Drivers
Something that many people notice with a driver is that it heightens even the slightest mistake in your swing. What might be a minor slice with some clubs can become a huge problem when swinging with a driver.
This doesn’t mean they’re worth abandoning altogether, though. Just be ready for a bit of a learning curve when first starting out with them.
Sand Wedges
One reason that sand wedges cause so many golfers grief is the context in which they’re usually used. Slicing at your golf ball in the bunker is never fun, so it’s unsurprising that the tool used when doing so gets a bad rap.
The technique involved with sand wedges can be a little tricky for new players too. Our advice is to practice your wedge technique before you next land in the sand.
How to Improve Your Swing
Wondering how to improve your swing? Use our tips and tricks outlined below!
Get a Few Lessons in
We know that lessons can be an unwanted expense in an already expensive hobby, but getting some pointers from a trained professional can work wonders for your point average.
A good teacher will introduce you to the fundamentals in a way that makes it much easier to grow as a player.
Check in Regularly
If you’re in this for the long haul, checking in semi-regularly with your coach can add fuel to the fire. Getting ‘recalibrated’ on your technique from time to time can really pay off if it’s done by a good trainer.
Use Swing Aids
If you’ve got the space and the spare change, swing trainers can be a great way to get in some extra practice when you’re not on the green. A good training tool is designed to build the muscles and technique you’ll need.
Practice!
It sounds obvious, but how often are you actually practicing? Be honest! The more you can get out there and put your training into practice, the easier all types of golf club will become, we promise.
Hardest Club to Hit – Conclusion
The more you practice, the easier any type of golf club will start to feel. That said, long irons tend to be hardest for most people, followed by drivers and sand wedges.
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