Golf shot Distances

Conor J

Hello folks,

Ive been trying to get my golf game back in shape after the winter break, and a 10 year break prior to that :P

I have a new improved set of Irons (Taylormade R9 replacing my Wilson Midsize from 1997), and a sweet new putter (Gel Sapphire replacing an old balata faced on). So lots of bedding in to do, as well as stretching the muscles and braving the icy shade.

What I have been doing to guage my new club distances is play a small little course that is available on Google Earth, drop 2-3 balls down on the fairway close to a noticeable icon viewable from the Satellite, knock those balls up to the green and jot down the approximate landing area. When i go home, I use Google earth to measure between those 2 fixed points.

Its a good method to finding my range, but it has its flaws as do all methods, namely how this cold weather affects ball flight distances, and also how much yardage is gained/lost to a light breeze.

Any and all replies are welcome

stebed

Very good try but not sure how accurate it is, isn't a satellite only good to about 6 feet / 2 meters?

I think hitting into a light breeze would not effect your ball flight, I feel the wind needs to get up to 10mph to effect your distance (headwind)

Driving range is not an option either as the balls don't fly as far or spin as much.

The best way would be find an open area where you can hit your own balls and calculate how many steps you take to pace out 10 meters or yards depending on your preferred.

Then pace out 100 and put an open umbrella and start hitting with your wedge, take a good 10-20 shots at each distance and calculate the average.

Those R9's you have are gonna have very strong lofts also, the loft of your 6 iron will be similar to your 5 on your old set etc.

PhilipMarlowe

I would agree that the 2-3 attempts isn't going to tell you enough (although it is a good start).
You don't really need to do it for every club - once you 'know' the carry from some of your irons you can work out the ones in between well enough. Get a decent day with little wind when the temperature is up a bit and before the ground firms up because the important measurement to know is where you land (plug!). 10+ shots, 15-30 if you can. You'll get a good indication then for how far you usually hit that club and the next time you have 140 yards to carry a bunker you'll be confident.
I haven't played much recently but the ball didn't seem to want to fly much in the cold breeze on Sunday, particularly into the wind. That's just something you'll have to get a feel for. Once you shake off some rust, you may strike the ball better as well so be prepared for your scientific measuring to become obsolete and need to be re-done

zztop

Driving range is not an option either as the balls don't fly as far or spin as much.


Can never hit my ball as far on the course?

PhilipMarlowe

That could be the old "put the 250 metre sign 180 metres away from the bay" trick.
I hate ranges and never go anyway but sometimes they use a different ball that doesn't go as far so their signs are approximate distances and should never be trusted. Sometimes it might be to make the punter feel better and hence enjoy the range more... sometimes they are tight for space.
How far you hit a range ball doesn't matter much when you're playing a par 3 over water on the course with your new titleist.

Tom Ghostwood

In my practice bag I have a mix of liberated range balls & prov 1's & the range balls are three clubs shorter than titleist pro v1. Thats hitting to a pin 140 meters away, no wind. 8 iron with pro vs & 5 iron with range balls. (measured with bushnell pinseeker 1500)

stockdam

I'd find a nice open flat area and hit loads of 7 irons. Then take the "average". I'd pace it out (I use yards as my stride is about a yard).

Then on the course look for say the 150 yard marker and then pace out how far your ball is relative to that. You'll then get a good feel of how far you hit each club.

7 iron to wedge is probably the most important as they are your "scoring" clubs. Your longer irons may have too big a spread to worry too much other than a rough idea.

Don't worry too much if you use a 7 iron or even a 6 from 150 and you hear people say that they use a 9 iron. The most important thing is to hit your shots consistently and to know your own yardages. If the pin is 150 away and you hit the shot 150 then that's the big secret.........you'll score better if you are accurate than if you hit the ball miles.

Conor J

Thanks guys,

The reason the reason Ive been only hitting 2-3 shots per hole to pick up the yardage is that Im trying to motor along the fairway and not hold up anyone behind, nor help anyone catch up.

Using google maps has its flaws, but even considering a possibly 2mtr inaccuracy, it would probably be as accurate as pacing out the shots in a field. But i think i will do that too.

I dont like driving ranges, I think hitting irons off the mat is a lot different to playing off a fairway, plus the balls are poor and the yardages are not to be trusted.

I will continue for now using the small course, and Google Maps, I get to play 2-3 x 9 holes per week there, If i get to hit 3 8 iron shots on 3 different holes and calculate the yardage, then it will be as good as hitting 9x8 irons, it should be enough to have an approximate yardage.

As for 150yards, im between a 7 & 8 iron for that range.