The standard-length 8 iron golf club is a common addition to golf bags.
Golfers prefer having this golf iron in their bag to make sure there’s a versatile golf club that will work well in all situations.
It’s easy to want to use other types of golf clubs but playing with an 8 iron continues to be a good option for modern golfers.
What is an 8 iron golf club?
An 8-iron golf club is one of the more versatile types of golf clubs and is designed for an assortment of shots including approach shots, bunker shots, and low shots. It has a loft degree between 37-39 and can be hit for 140 yards on average.
Using an 8 iron golf club is one of the recommended options for beginners that are learning the ropes of hitting a golf ball.
This guide will show what is an 8 iron golf club, the distance of an 8 iron, the loft of an 8 iron, how to hit with an 8 iron golf club, and the reasons to use an 8 iron for golfing.
What Is An 8 Iron Golf Club?
The 8 iron golf club is designed to act as a versatile golf club to add to a golf bag. It has a loft degree between 37-39 and can be hit for an average of 140 yards. This works well in a long list of situations on the golf course including approach shots from the fairway, bunker shots, and low shots.
Using an 8 iron golf club is a wonderful option for those who want to maintain a versatile setup while golfing.
The 8 iron in golf is a unique option but one you are going to want to have by your side.
8 Iron Golf Club Distance And Loft Chart
| Type Of Golf Iron | Average Distance (Yards) | Loft (Degrees) |
| 8-Iron | 140-150 | 37-39 |
How many yards should an 8-iron go?
A 8 iron should go approximately 140-150 yards on average. Professional golfers with a fast golf swing can hit the 8 iron golf club further than this number.
It’s essential to get a read on this for those who want to know more about the 8 iron golf club distance and loft.
When it comes to golf clubs 8 irons tend to offer tremendous versatility. You are going to enjoy using one when you put it to the test.
How far should you hit an 8 iron golf club?
You should be able to hit an 8 iron for at least 140 yards on average. These are the recommended stats for the average golfer with pro golfers being able to hit an 8 iron golf club further.
When Is An 8 Iron Golf Club Used?
1. Fairway Shots
8 iron golf clubs can be used for a wide array of situations on the golf course but one of the more common ones would be the fairway or approach shot.
The approach shot is when the golf ball is on the fairway and has to be hit a distance with a controlled landing.
If it spirals out of control, it is possible to have a bad position on the green.
This is why using the 8 iron is the way to go.
2. Flop Shots
When it comes to going through this 8 iron club guide, it’s essential to learn how to use an 8 iron for flop shots.
Flop shots are tricky but need to be done with a high level of accuracy. This is where the 8 iron shines because it’s designed for being forgiving and offering as much control as a golf iron should offer.
This is a type of golf iron that is going to impress when playing flop shots.
The loft degree offers ample control in getting the ball where it needs to go during a flop shot.
3. Bunker Shots For Distance
When playing with an 8 iron in golf, it’s essential to also keep it handy for bunker shots.
There are situations where you are going to need a bit of distance on a bunker shot and it won’t be easy to get the golf ball to where it needs to go.
This is when you take out the 8 iron and see if you can get a bit of distance on the 8 iron golf shot.
How are you going to do this?
Due to the loft degree of an 8 iron golf club, it’s possible to get it high enough to carry as far as you want it to go.
Some golfers can get a bunker shot to go up to 50 yards with the help of an 8 iron.
4. Low Shots
This is not going to be one of the more common shots with an 8 iron golf club but it’s one you are going to want to think about in greater detail.
This is due to how low shots are played.
You are going to want to generate enough force to keep the golf ball low as it skids forward through the air.
For these types of shots, you can manipulate your golf swing with the 8 iron golf club to get it to stay as low as you want it to go.
How To Use An 8 Iron Golf Club
1. Maintain A Stable Stance
When learning how to play with an 8 iron golf club, you will want to focus on your golfing stance before anything else.
Now, one mistake golfers make is to have an unstable golf stance.
This will make it hard to maximize the loft degree of the 8 iron and that’s when the golf shot is going to shank or go awry.
To avoid this, the best option is to ensure you have a strong base to work from. This includes maintaining a steady stance whether it’s narrow or wide. This will depend on what you find to be comfortable.
Make sure your golf swing is aligned with the strong base.
2. Use The Right 8 Iron Golf Club
When learning how to hit an 8 iron, you will want to make sure to use the best 8 iron golf club available on the market.
This is where mistakes are made as you end up buying the wrong 8 iron and it does not work as required.
To buy a good 8 iron golf club, you need to be aware of the options that are out there and how it’s going to influence your game.
This includes the shaft flex, shaft material, and type of golf iron you are going with.
3. Use A Quick Downswing
Hitting with an 8 iron means understanding the importance of a potent downswing while hitting the golf ball.
8 iron golf clubs are designed to be forgiving and will have a strong clubface that will help maximize how you middle a golf ball.
However, you do want to take the time to account for your downswing.
This means quickening the speed of the downswing to hit through the golf ball.
Benefits Of An 8 Iron Golf Club
1. Versatile Golf Club
One of the advantages of 8 irons in golf would be their versatility.
You can use an 8 iron for a wide array of situations on the golf course.
This could be for an approach shot or a bunker shot depending on what is happening in front of you. Just having the 8 iron golf club in your golf bag is going to provide peace of mind as a golfer.
Golfing with an 8 iron golf club can sometimes be a soothing option because of its flexibility.
As you learn more about how to use an 8 iron golf club, you are going to appreciate its perks as a golf iron.
2. Accurate
When it comes to the pros of 8 irons in golf, you are going to have to consider the amount of control you will get from the golf club.
This is one of those types of golf irons that are going to be reliable in all situations.
You will know what you are going to get from it right away. This type of accuracy is great for landing approach shots in golf and making sure the golf ball does not spin out of control.
3. Ideal For Beginners
8 iron golf clubs are designed to be forgiving.
This is one of their main benefits and you are going to realize this as soon as you add the 8 iron to your golf bag.
Hitting with 8 irons means working on your game and technique. Most golfers are already going to have a refined technique, which is why the 8 iron golf club is a no-brainer. However, beginners can also use an 8 iron and see tremendous results.
It’s all about working on your game and learning how to use the 8 iron golf club to your advantage. The more you learn, the better your results are going to be.
Cons Of An 8 Iron Golf Club
1. Not Good Out Of The Rough
It is not always going to be ideal as a golf iron.
8 irons for golfing will sometimes not be an ideal option if you are playing out of the rough. This is not the type of golf club that you are going to want to use when dealing with the rough as it will not offer enough power.
You are going to end up shanking the golf ball or it is not going to travel the way you want it to out of the rough.
2. Not Ideal For Hitting Power
Let’s assume you want to use a golf iron for power.
Hitting an 8 iron for distance is not always easy. Yes, you can get the golf ball to go at least 130-150 yards but that is just one benefit.
It is not ideal for those who want to hit the golf ball further than that distance. At that point, it is not ideal to play with an 8 iron because it will not be able to keep up with your demands.
Using 8 irons in golf is going to take a bit of work but you are still not going the distance that you are hoping for.
3. Difficult To Time Properly
It’s essential to understand how difficult it is to time the 8 iron when you are trying to hit it for power.
Since it does not offer a lot of distance, you are not going to find it easy to time. This does not mean it is impossible to use or that it is not beginner-friendly.
Using an 8 iron will work as long as you are playing with the right type of 8 iron. This includes one that is in line with your golf swing.
However, it will take a bit of work on your part.
You might have to spend a bit of time at BigShots Golf or TopGolf while working on your game.
Who Should Use An 8 Iron Golf Club?
The 8 iron golf club should be used by golfers that are looking to play an approach or bunker shot with forgiveness. This is a type of golf iron that will work well when dealing with difficult shots and is going to help control the landing without uncontrolled spin.
This type of golf iron can be used by all types of golfers. This includes amateur and pro golfers depending on the shot being played.
It’s important to note, it should not be used by those who are looking to hit for distance as it is not going to go as far as other golf clubs.
How To Choose An 8-Iron Golf Club
1. Consider The Shaft Flex
To buy 8 iron golf clubs, it’s essential to begin with the shaft flex of a golf iron.
It’s important to pinpoint the shaft flex to make sure it works in unison with your golf swing. For example, if you are someone that does not have a fast golf swing speed, you are going to want a flexible golf shaft.
It is not going to work well when it is rigid as you are not going to get enough power to push through the rigid shaft flex for a golf iron.
2. Go With A Forgiving Design
When buying an 8 iron in golf, you will want to go with a forgiving design.
In general, 8 iron golf clubs are known for being forgiving so you won’t have to fret about this too much. However, you can still end up going with a top-tier option that has the right type of shaft and clubface.
Some are made from graphite and others use stainless steel for golf clubs.
This is why you will want to take the time to break down the details to see what type of golf iron you are going with.
3. Understand Your Golf Swing Speed
How fast is your golf swing speed?
It’s important to be aware of your golf swing speed to get a read on how you are going to use an 8 iron for golfing.
In general, a golfer that has a swing speed of 90+ MPH can take a look at other options. However, you will do well with this type of golf iron too.
Anyone that has a slower golf swing speed can take advantage of the 8 iron as it will offer more control.
What Is The Standard Length Of 8 Iron Golf Club?
The standard length of an 8 iron golf club is 35.5″ to 37″. This is the standard 8 iron length seen across all types of 8 irons on the open market. It’s recommended to analyze the variations between shaft flex and shaft material to determine what is the best 8 iron golf club for you.
The length of an 8 iron tends to be standard across the board for all brands.
You can account for this 8 iron length and then begin working through the options that are out there.
How Far Does Tiger Woods Hit An 8-Iron?
Tiger Woods can hit the 8 iron for an average of 190 yards. He is one of the more illustrious golfers when it comes to using the 8-iron and has tremendous golf swing speed to push the 8 iron golf club as hard as required.
How Far Does Rory McIlroy Hit An 8-Iron?
Rory Mcllroy can hit an 8 iron golf club 175 yards and is one of the more refined pro golfers on the tour.
Can You Pitch With An 8-Iron?
Yes, you can pitch with an 8 iron golf club as long as the appropriate technique is used. It requires diligence and practice to master the pitch shot with an 8 iron golf club. However, it can be used in a wide array of situations to maximize a golf shot’s potential.
While some use an 8 iron, others will prefer going with a 7 golf iron.
Final Thoughts
What is an 8 iron golf club?
The 8 iron golf club is a type of golf iron designed for accuracy, control, and forgiveness. It has a loft degree of 37-39 and can be hit for an average distance of 140 yards. It’s common for pro golfers to hit the 8 iron further than this. This type of golf iron can be used in different situations including approach shots and bunker shots.
It’s recommended to look into these use cases for an 8 iron golf club when comparing the golf iron to golf woods.
Take the time to look at different golf iron brands including Wilson golf irons, Callaway golf irons, and Ping golf irons.
