If you’re into golf but want to mix things up or keep things really simple, one club golf is a pretty neat way to test your skills. Playing a whole round with just a single club isn’t just about making the game more challenging. It’s also great for learning shot creativity and club control. If you’re wondering which club makes the most sense for this style, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s my take on the best one club golf choice, and how to make the most of it when you’re only carrying a single stick in your bag.
Finding the Best Club for One Club Golf
Golfers have all sorts of reasons for playing a round with just one club. Maybe you want to break out of your regular routine, challenge your shot-making, or play a fast, ultralight round. Whatever the reason, choosing the right club can really make or break the experience.
When I first tried it, I spent a lot of time thinking about whether to go with a seven iron, a hybrid, or maybe even a wedge. Each option felt like it had some advantages, but a couple of clubs tend to work best for most people. The choice usually comes down to how versatile the club is from different lies and distances.
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Single club golf isn’t new. Golfers have been doing it as a fun challenge for decades. The goal is to get creative and see how you manage things like distance, height, and spin with just one club. Most folks use a midiron, like a six, seven, or eight iron. These clubs offer a good mix of distance off the tee, reasonable height for approach shots, and enough loft to handle chips around the green.
Is a Seven Iron the Best Choice?
The trusty seven iron has a bit of a reputation as the “Swiss Army knife” for one club golf. I’ve found it’s a really popular pick for a reason. It’s long enough to cover decent ground off the tee, and there’s enough loft to manage most chip and pitch shots.
With a typical seven iron, you can expect about 130–160 yards (give or take, depending on your swing speed and how you strike the ball), which gives you a fighting chance for longer holes. On short par 3s or when you’re close to the green, the seven iron can be opened up for high shots or closed down if you need to punch something under a tree branch.
- Distance: Long enough for tee shots, but not so long you lose control on short approaches.
- Versatility: The loft lets you get the ball in the air for approach shots, and a bit of practice makes it useful for chipping, too.
- Control: The length makes it relatively simple to adjust for all sorts of lies. Fairway, rough, even sand with a little improvisation.
Some players might go with a six iron for a bit more distance or with an eight for a little more loft. Hybrids are tempting for some golfers, especially if you’re used to sweeping your shots, but it’s harder to get the kind of touch you’d want around the greens.
How to Manipulate Distance With Just One Golf Club
Once you pick your go-to club, you’ll want to figure out how to make it cover all the distances on the course. This is where the real skill-building happens. I learned early that if you can hit a halfswing seven iron or “choke down” on the grip, you can pull off a surprising range of distances. Here’s how I handle different shots:
- Full Swing: Use your regular swing for maximum distance. It’s great off the tee or for longer approaches.
- Choke Down: Slide your hands down an inch or two from the top of the grip. This shortens the club and gives you less distance. Handy for those middistance shots that don’t need a full go.
- Three-Quarter/Half Swings: Simply swing less than full power. If you’re on the fairway with 80 yards to the green, a smooth halfswing does the trick.
- Opening or Closing the Face: Rotate the clubface open for higher, softer landings. Close the face a touch to hit lower, punch shots, which is helpful in wind or under trees.
Practicing this approach helped me connect with the club’s feel and quickly judge how big or small a swing I needed for different scenarios. I ended up gaining way more confidence with the midirons in my regular rounds, too.
Chipping With a Mid Iron
You won’t have your trusty wedge, so short game shots call for a lot more imagination. Chipping with a seven iron or even a six or eight comes down to adjusting your technique and getting comfortable with the rollout. It feels weird at first, but after a bit of practice, you’ll see it really works.
Most of the time, I set up as I would for a normal chip, but I play the ball a little further back in my stance and use a putting-like stroke. The idea is to get the ball onto the green quickly and let it run toward the hole. Here’s what I focus on:
- Stance: Narrow and weight leaning a bit forward onto the lead foot.
- Stroke: Keep the wrists quiet, almost like a long putt.
- Landing Spot: Aim for a spot a few feet onto the green and allow for quite a bit of roll.
- Face Angle: Open the clubface slightly for a bit more loft if you need it for a soft landing.
This play style is actually really good for beginners, and it’s pretty eye-opening for experienced golfers who overcomplicate chips with wedges. After a few holes, bump-and-run chips with a midiron start to feel surprisingly natural. As time goes on, you’ll probably be surprised at how much control you can get without needing a high-lofted wedge. Try different ball positions and experiment with speed to see how much roll you get on various greens. Remember, greens vary in speed, so each course might require a tiny adjustment.
Hooding an Iron for More Distance Off the Tee
Sometimes you need a bit more from your club, like a punch shot off the tee on a longer par 4. This is where “hooding” the club comes in, which pretty much means delofting the clubface to turn your seven iron into something closer to a five iron for just one shot.
To do this, I just move my hands a little ahead of the ball at address, lean the shaft slightly forward, and keep my wrists quiet through impact. The ball comes out with a lower flight and more roll. You won’t get perfect driver distance, but with a solid strike and a little rollout, you can cover a lot more ground. This technique also helps in windy conditions, keeping your shots under the breeze, which is key if your course deals with swirling gusts. Practice this when you’re at the range, and after a few sessions, you’ll pick up the knack for adjusting your strike based on the length of the hole and the ground conditions.
Make sure to practice this move. They’re a bit more delicate than you’d think, but after a few tries you’ll figure out how hard to swing and how much to “hood” the club to get the launch you want. If you struggle with consistency, check your ball position and ensure your hands lead the clubhead through impact.
Extra One Club Golf Tips and Challenges
One club rounds will stretch your short game and make you rethink awkward lies. A couple of extra pointers from my own rounds:
- Bunkers: With no sand wedge, you’ll need to open the face wide and commit to a steep swing. Accept that you may not always get close, but getting out on the first try is a win.
- Putting: Just use your club like a putter. Stand tall, grip down, and try for a smooth, straight stroke. The ball won’t roll quite like a flatstick, but you can get the hang of it with practice. Try to focus on distance control more than break, relying on feel as you would when lag putting.
- Trouble Shots: For slices, hooks, and recovery shots, just play punch shots and be creative. Embrace sideways shots if you have to; nobody expects perfection in single club golf! Additionally, don’t be afraid to use creative stances or to aim directly away from your target if needed to get back in play. Single club golf is all about embracing improvisation and having fun with problem-solving.
This format really levels the playing field. Whether you’re new to golf or you play regularly, you’ll quickly realize the game changes a lot when you don’t have a full bag to lean on. It’s a great way to focus on ball striking, imagination, and shot selection. All skills that translate nicely back to normal rounds. One club golf is also fantastic for quick rounds after work or when you want to walk lightly and enjoy nature without lugging your whole set.
If you’re playing with friends, try some games like seeing who can escape trouble using just one club or who can hit the closest to the pin on a par 3. Setting up small side challenges keeps everyone engaged and makes the experience memorable for the group, no matter the scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask me for the lowdown on picking a club and getting comfortable with just one stick. I’ve pulled together a few quick Q&As based on what comes up most often:
Is the seven iron always the best pick for one club golf?
If you’re unsure, start with a seven iron for its mix of distance and loft. If you hit your irons either very short or very long, try a six or eight iron. Go with the one that feels right for you in practice.
How can I deal with long holes?
Use a lower, punch-style shot and hood the club a bit. Accept you’ll be taking more shots to reach the green, but that’s part of the fun! You’ll notice your creativity improves when you’re forced to play “manufactured” shots from odd angles or recoveries.
Can I use a hybrid or fairway wood instead?
You definitely can, especially if you struggle with irons. Hybrids offer more forgiveness off the tee, but they’re much trickier for chipping and putting.
How do pros approach one club golf?
Even touring pros use a midiron for one club challenges. The variety it offers from tee box to putting green is tough to beat, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s worth trying for us too.
Final Thoughts: Why One Club Golf Is Worth Trying
Tackling a round with just one club is a blast and teaches a lot about managing the game with less. You don’t need to overthink the club choice. Just grab something in the 6-8 iron range, experiment, and see what works for you. Each round will teach you something new about ball control, distance management, and how to handle the short game with total creativity. Plus, it’s a really fun way to make familiar courses feel brand new again. It’s an experience all golfers should track down, whether solo or with friends looking for a unique competition.
So grab your favorite midiron, hit the first tee, and enjoy stumbling upon just how much you can do with just one club. Even on days when your score isn’t low, the lessons and laughs make it more than worth your while. Next time you want a fresh challenge or a quick round, give one club golf a shot—you’ll wind up learning a lot and having some stories to share back at the clubhouse.