Distance limits

[Wil]

Hope this question doesn't sound too dumb; please bear with me.
Stopped by the range yesterday. Started with the short irons and worked my way up to the five iron-between 125 and 140 yards in the air with the 5i and dead straight. Never hit 'em better!
Everything beyond that, 4 iron, 18* hybrid, metal woods and driver didn't want to go any further than about 140-150 yards (in the air).
Weird? I know I'm getting old (66) but there's plenty of beef and muscle left. Any ideas? What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.......a very confused Wil

[bill reed]

Re: Distance limits

hi Wil
a lot of range balls are one piece and are limited to a set distance.
you can get balls that wont fly over 200 yards and are great for ranges that are not to long, the often put markers out at 250 yards but mark it 300 yards.
it saves then from buying more land.
also the balls are poor quality and don't fly as good or work as good if you fade or draw.
if you find a range with branded balls you will often have the right distance. you could always test it by taking a couple of you old golf balls and see how far they go compared to the range balls. you often find the odd good ball in a bucket of range balls.
cheers
bill

[rotator]

Re: Distance limits

I don't know if Wil is referring to the problem at the range only.

I say that, because I had the similar problem at the course, and in general, and many many others do too. I had a smooth swing, and the instructors would praise me for it, but there were problems embedded in the swing.

I would max out at 150-160 yards, no matter that I would hit with a 7, 6, 5, 4 iron. The problem, as several instructions pointed out, and I found out over time, was the swing and the poor contact was the reason. It seems that somewhere around a 7 iron is a easier club to get good contact for many people. The lengths and lofts make these shorter clubs more "forgiving", and you can get reasonable contact with them. You need an efficient swing, and have good clubspeed to hit the longer irons solid.

As the clubs get longer and less lofted, solid contact gets more difficult, and the payoff is a fall off of distance and/or direction. The swing becomes more tense, there is a tendency for people to try to help the ball up, and other manipulations. Some of the factors that limit the solid strikes are the same ones that are discussed over and over on these forums, such as casting, losing the bent right wrist, and related faults.

I believe this happens to all golfers with longer irons, to a more or less extent. Even top golfers recognize this.

I resolved this to a point, by working on the faults in my swing when I was younger, so I improved my distance and control of the longer irons. Wil, I'm 68. I now have a bunch of hybrids and fairway woods, and I am able to make better swings and contact with them, and I don't sweat as much about my head case about having to swing longer iron clubs. I don't have an iron higher than a 6 iron in my current set.

Ted

[cyc53870]

Re: Distance limits

Longer clubs are inherently more difficult to swing within the correct plane. Try experimenting with your angle of attack in the driving range.

[Wil]

Re: Distance limits

Thanks guys for your suggestions.
I forgot about those cheapo range balls-makes sense.
Ted, I guess it's happening on the course, as well. I've chose to ignore the problem but my drives seldom go over 200 yards total, at best. Maybe I should use my 12 ga. shotgun for a driver-----lol.