Tue. Dec 10th, 2024

Considering How Far We Hit Our Golf Ball

By admin Sep7,2024

In many cases, we amateurs overestimate the distance we hit our golf balls. In many cases, we include the roll in our average and rarely focus on distance traveled before the roll. Many times I discussed the distance many players hit their ball with each club and most of the time players are off as much as 10 to 15%. I know, I do not hit the ball as far as in my younger days, however my ego keeps trying to tell me the opposite. Hence, my club selection is a bit off some days and unless I really focus on the situation, I live with the result of being short hoping it will change on my next shot. Talk about the definition of insanity.

When talking about the distances hit with our clubs, we generally lean towards to higher end of the spectrum. In my case, for instance, I hit my 7 iron between 145 to 155 yards in the air depending on the day. Some times I can squeeze out 160 yards, but that is very rare. Knowing this, when hitting the ball 155 yards, I automatically reach for my 7 iron when in reality I should probably hit my 6 iron. The smart shot is to club up, but my ego shot says to stick with my 7 iron. As a result, I am short more often than not and just convince myself that I mishit the 7 iron just a little bit.

Carry distance for my driver (I indicated that I hit the ball between 240 and 250 yards off the tee on average. Well, this true, sort of. I actually hit my ball in the air about 230 yards and depending on the conditions I will receive anywhere from 10 to 20 yards of roll. If I am lucky and the course is dry, this roll out distance might reach 30 yards. So I ask you, is my driver distance 230 yards or 250 yards off the tee? This knowledge is very important if I am trying to fly a sand trap or obstacle at the 235 yard mark. As you can see, knowing my club flight distances becomes more important than flight plus roll distance.

The disparity in distance is extremely important on approach shots. Knowing that I hit my PW on average of 120 yards will determine its use in a bunker filled golf course. I actually hit my PW about 115 yards in the air. Those extra 5 yards will determine if I am putting or chipping around the green. Again, knowing what our actual flight distance is very important.

My course management (and I think yours as well) is predicated on knowing the distances I hit my club. Not how far it finishes, but the flight distances of each club. Understanding this data is very important to playing solid golf. As I age, I know my physical game is changing, thus I need to adjust my mental game as well. They are al intertwined. Do you know your flight distance of each golf club?

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Source

By admin

Related Post