Build gaps that help you choose clubs with confidence—fast.

Why gaps beat exact numbers

• Distances drift with every swing, weather, and lie. A single number never tells the full story.
• Gaps give you a repeatable framework you can rely on on a crowded fairway or a windy tee.
• An even ladder is easier to remember than a string of exact figures; you can judge the gap at-a-glance.

• Pro Tip: Build your ladder on a calm practice day first, then re-test in light wind to see where gaps widen.

Step 1: find your pitching wedge yardage

• Warm up thoroughly, then centre on one smooth, full PW swing.
• Hit 5–8 balls to a known target; measure carry distance (not total distance) with your rangefinder or marker flag.
• Record the median PW carry distance as your reference PW number.
• Use the same ball type, ball position and target every time for consistency.
• Pro Tip: Focus on the straight carry without excessive height, then note how wind or club delivery changes the number.

Step 2: measure five-iron carry baseline

• Repeat the process with a clean five-iron swing.
• Use the same target and ball as in Step 1; record the median carry distance.
• Ensure you test from the same stance and on similar ground to keep apples-to-apples data.
• Pro Tip: If your five-iron is notably longer than your PW, plan to bridge the difference with the in-between clubs rather than chasing a single number.

Step 3: build the wedge ladder

• Start with your PW and your 5-iron carry as bookends.
• Between them, fill in the gaps with the mid-iron to short-iron range (6, 7, 8, 9, sometimes a gap or sand wedge depending on your bag).
• Aim for consistent, practical gaps rather than perfect yardages. Typical players look for roughly even steps from long-to-short range; adjust by using a looser or tighter gap via the available clubs.
• If you need to tighten nearby distances, consider using a slightly more lofted wedge (GW or SW) to smooth the ladder.
• Pro Tip: If a club sits noticeably outside the ladder, practise a tiny tempo tweak with that swing and measure again so you maintain the rhythm.

Step 4: verify with course-style reps

• Take the ladder to a practice hole or target greens with flags at various distances.
• Rehearse 3–4 reps per club, including wind and uphill/ downhill lies to test how the gaps hold under real conditions.
• Include a couple of shapes (a small draw and a small fade) to ensure your distance control covers common shot types.
• Pro Tip: Use a single ball type and a fixed routine for every rep; consistency amplifies the ladder’s usefulness.

What's next

Calibrating your yardages for wind and slope.