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What Is A 6 Iron Golf Club? (Distance, Loft, Benefits)

Using a 6 iron in golf is a common option for golfers.

To learn more about 6 iron golf clubs, it’s essential to go through a comprehensive 6 iron golf club guide such as this one.

You will have numerous questions about using a 6 iron golf club and rightly so. This includes asking, what is a 6 iron golf club?

A 6 iron golf club is a type of golf iron designed for medium to long shots on the fairway. This golf iron has a loft degree of 28-30 and it can be hit for an average of 155 yards by an amateur golfer.

Learning how to hit a 6 iron in golf is one of the best things a golfer can do. It will yield impressive results once you get the hang of using the 6 iron golf club.

This guide is going to pinpoint what a 6 iron club is used for, the pros of a 6 iron golf club, the disadvantages of a 6 iron golf club, when to use a 6 iron in golf, and what to look out for when buying a 6 iron golf club.

What Is A 6 Iron Golf Club?

A 6 iron golf club is a type of golf club designed to be used for medium to long shots on the fairway. It is commonly used by those who want a bit of distance on their shots as it has a loft degree of 28-30 and can be hit for an average of 155 yards by an amateur golfer.

Playing with a 6 iron golf club is a common sight on the golf course around the world.

This is one of those golf irons you are going to want to have available to you. It is useful, versatile, and can work well for distance shots.

6 Iron Golf Club Distance And Loft Chart

Type Of Golf IronAverage Distance (Yards)Loft (Degrees)
6-Iron15528-30
When it comes to the 6 iron distance and 6 iron loft, this chart should help highlight the intricacies of playing with 6 iron golf clubs.

This is one of the more advantageous golf clubs you are going to have at your disposal and it’s best to add this to your golf bag as soon as possible.

How many yards should a 6-iron go?

The 6 iron should go for an average of 155 yards for amateur golfers. Professional golfers can hit a 6 iron golf club further due to their advanced golf swings.

For the most part, this is a good golf iron for distance shots and offers a decent amount of control at the same time.

When Is A 6 Iron Golf Club Used?

1. Approach Shots

What is a 6 iron golf club used for?

The 6 iron golf club is commonly used for approach shots from the fairway. The emphasis of an approach shot is to have a controlled landing with a good amount of distance on the golf shot.

This is where the 6 iron shines as a golfer.

It is ideal for those who want to play this type of shot and it does not get in the way of what you are doing while positioning yourself.

It is similar to using an 8 iron golf club on the golf course for approach shots.

what is a 6 iron golf club

2. Medium or Long Shots

It is also a good option for longer shots.

Since you can hit an 8 iron for 155 yards on average, this gives you a lot more to work with as a modern golfer.

You are going to feel more in control of the shot and that is essential as you are looking for a softer landing on the green.

As you learn more about hitting a 6 iron in golf, you are going to begin to appreciate how well it works out in the open. This is what matters the most while hitting 6 iron golf clubs.

How To Use A 6 Iron Golf Club

1. Maintain A Strong Grip

When learning how to use a 6 iron in golf, you are going to want to begin with your grip on the golf club.

A strong, proper golf grip is a must.

Otherwise, you are going to feel like the golf iron is slipping out of your hands. This is when slicing with a 6 iron becomes a legitimate worry and that’s why it is listed as a disadvantage of the 6 iron.

You have to be careful with your golf club grip with the 6 iron. It’s the only way you are going to rein in this type of golf iron.

2. Remain Aligned With The Golf Ball

Are you aligned with the golf ball when you are swinging the golf iron?

It’s essential to look at your alignment.

This includes how your feet are positioned and how your hips are set up. This is the only way you are going to feel in control of the 6 iron and it is not going to go off to the side on the downswing.

This is a common mistake that happens when using a 6 iron.

You have to be careful and diligent about how you use a 6 iron golf club to ensure this type of mistake is not made.

3. Use A Consistent Backswing

You will also want to take the time to consider your backswing with the golf iron.

When you are comparing golf irons, you will realize this specific type of golf iron is going to require a consistent backswing.

It is not going to be as forgiving as other golf irons, so you need to be meticulous about your downswing. This is not just about alignment but also how you are hitting the golf ball with the sweet spot of the golf iron.

This is why choosing the right shaft flex for a golf iron is also important as it can influence this part of your technique.

Benefits Of A 6 Iron Golf Club

1. Excellent For Approach Shots

Let’s assume you are someone that needs to play an approach shot.

What golf club are you going to use?

Approach shots can be played with different golf clubs but one that will work well is the 6 iron for golfers.

It works well because it offers a good amount of ball flight and this helps maximize where the golf ball lands.

what is a 6 iron golf club

2. Controlled Shots

It is common for golfers to hit a golf ball too high with an iron.

This happens when the wrong strategy is used to hit a golf ball with a 6 iron. If it is hit the right way, you are going to have ample control over where the golf ball lands.

This is due to the low spin rate of a 6 iron.

6 irons in golf are all about maximizing your control on different golf shots. This type of control is a must for golfers that want to get a bit of distance on their shots without being wayward.

3. Good Distance On Shots

Hitting a golf ball far with the 6 golf iron is possible.

This is one of the main advantages of playing with a 6 iron in golf. You are going to get a good amount of distance on the golf shot and it will become a breeze to maximize where you are hitting the golf ball.

For a lot of golfers, this is what makes all the difference in the world. You can hit the golf ball for an average of 150+ yards.

Cons Of A 6 Iron Golf Club

1. Not Forgiving

There are issues with the 6 iron golf club.

One issue is going to come in the form of it not being as forgiving as you want it to be. This is due to the need to hit the golf ball sweetly to ensure it is going in the direction you want it to go.

Using a 6 golf iron means you are going to lose a bit of this accuracy compared to other golf irons in the golf bag. It is not going to be a dramatic change but something you will want to account for.

2. Can Lead To Slicing

It is possible you are going to be tested when it comes to your golf swing and technique.

A lot of golfers look to make contact with the golf ball and assume this is enough to get it to go in a particular direction.

Unfortunately, this is not the case here.

6 iron golf clubs can cause a bit of slicing if you mistime how the golf shots are played. It’s essential to account for this when you begin to play with the 6 iron.

If you mistime the golf ball, it is going to slice off of the 6 iron.

Who Should Use A 6 Iron Golf Club?

It is recommended for golfers playing approach shots, medium shots, or long shots to have the 6 iron golf club ready to go. This is a controlled, low-spin golf iron that’s going to provide an average distance of 155 yards.

It’s an ideal option for golfers that want to make the most of their golf shots.

It is also a good option for those who don’t have the fastest golf swing and might not be able to use an 8 iron as effectively. This is where the 6 golf iron is going to come in handy for your situation on the golf course.

what is a 6 iron golf club

How To Choose A 6-Iron Golf Club

1. Assess The Golf Iron’s Weight

The first step to buy a 6 iron as a golfer is to look at the golf iron’s weight.

This is essential as it is going to determine how fast your golf swing is and how controlled it is during the downswing.

If a golf club is heavy, you are going to notice it right away. This is not good for your backswing or downswing, which will impact how you play a golf shot.

The best 6 iron for you is going to be one that is the right weight. It should not be too heavy as that will make it a lot harder to control.

2. Compare Steel Vs Graphite

What is the golf iron made of?

This is an essential question to ask because the wrong type of golf iron is going to be difficult to control and will make it hard to play the shots that you wish to play.

There are two options that will be available to you.

You can go with a steel golf iron or a graphite golf iron. The graphite golf iron is going to be lighter and more flexible, while the steel iron is going to have a bit more power behind it.

3. Choose The Right Golf Iron Brand

You have to understand choosing a good 6 golf iron is going to come down to the brand you are going with.

Not all 6 golf irons are the same.

Some are well-reviewed and others are newer to the market making them untested. It’s essential to compare golf irons before buying one.

There are different golf iron brands out there.

This includes:

This is not the same as getting a 0 iron golf club, so you are going to have a few options available to work with.

This is pertinent information you are going to want to go through when assessing the top 6 irons in golf.

As you dig through these comparisons, you will get a gist of what is out there and how it is going to help your golf game.

What Is The Standard Length Of 6 Iron Golf Club?

The standard length of a 6 iron golf club is 37.5 inches. The standard length 6 iron is an ideal option for golfers wanting a seamless, well-designed solution for their approach shots, medium shots, and long shots on the golf course.

The standard 6 iron length is based on various studies.

It’s also important to note the 6 iron length is slightly shorter for women’s golf clubs. It comes in at 36.5 inches.

This is key when learning more about the length of a 6 iron in golf.

Can You Tee Off With A 6 Iron?

Yes, you can tee off with a 6 iron. It’s common for high-handicappers to use a 6 iron off of a tee to get good distance on their shots. It helps hit the golf ball on average 155 yards, which is a good distance for amateur golfers.

It’s also good when landing, which makes it ideal for shots that go higher into the air. Getting that type of control from a 6 iron is a must and that’s why it’s great for teeing off.

Some prefer going with other options including teeing off with a 7 golf iron.

How Far Should You Be Hitting A 6 Iron?

You should be hitting a 6 iron on average 155 yards based on research done into amateur golfers. It’s important to note professional golfers can often hit the golf ball 20-25 yards further with the same golf iron.

Can You Pitch With A 6-Iron?

Yes, you can pitch with a 6 iron but it requires ample practice. This includes the timing of the downswing and how the hips move to help pitch the golf ball as required.

Final Thoughts

What is a 6 iron golf club?

The 6 iron golf club is a type of golf iron designed for a wide array of golf shots including approach shots, medium shots, and long shots. It can also be used off of a tee. This has a loft degree of 28-30 and can be hit for an average of 155 yards by amateur golfers.

This is why the 6 iron golf club is a must for your golf bag.