Golf club distance variation

[bigbill46]

After a session on the range I was comparing the average distance I was hitting with various clubs to the results of an online golf club distance calculator which estimates how far you will hit each club based on the distance you hit a 5 iron. http://www.csgnetwork.com/golfclubdistancecalce.html

I noticed that compared to the estimated distances, I hit my short irons (PW-7I) about 1/2 club farther than estimated, but my longer irons and woods about 1/2 to 1 club shorter. The calculator didn't specify whether distances were carry yards or total yards, so I used carry. The fact that I was hitting range balls in cool weather may also have had some effect. Another factor is that I have more small mishits with longer clubs that might bring the average down.

As an older golfer with limited flexibility, I don't expect to have the distance of a pro, but I got to wondering if my results were the result of losing strength and flexibility or indicative of some swing flaw. Most of my misses are pull hooks or hitting the ball fat. Every now and then my right elbow will fly out during my back swing and I'll come over the top, but not very often. I don't mind using a 9I to carry 120 yds instead of PW, but I would like to get 250 instead of 230 from my driver.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Golf club distance variation

Do the test with new balls you play with always (pro v1s, etc) in the warm weather days. Never count on a range ball for distance calibration.

Always count carry as a gauge, never roll. Roll is only considered during playing conditions based on where you plan to land it...hills, green conditions, etc all play in this factor that a range is useless in evaluating.

Your age and flexibility will play some factors, but you should see the change in both evaluations (the computerized and real condition environments), so this is not really a factor in comparing.

[rogue]

Re: Golf club distance variation

After a session on the range I was comparing the average distance I was hitting with various clubs to the results of an online golf club distance calculator which estimates how far you will hit each club based on the distance you hit a 5 iron. http://www.csgnetwork.com/golfclubdistancecalce.html

I noticed that compared to the estimated distances, I hit my short irons (PW-7I) about 1/2 club farther than estimated, but my longer irons and woods about 1/2 to 1 club shorter. The calculator didn't specify whether distances were carry yards or total yards, so I used carry. The fact that I was hitting range balls in cool weather may also have had some effect. Another factor is that I have more small mishits with longer clubs that might bring the average down.

As an older golfer with limited flexibility, I don't expect to have the distance of a pro, but I got to wondering if my results were the result of losing strength and flexibility or indicative of some swing flaw. Most of my misses are pull hooks or hitting the ball fat. Every now and then my right elbow will fly out during my back swing and I'll come over the top, but not very often. I don't mind using a 9I to carry 120 yds instead of PW, but I would like to get 250 instead of 230 from my driver.

Usually in this case you describe, there may be a certain 'swing flaw'. It sounds from your tendancies that you are a little steep, and perhaps a closed face player. This combo is perfect for hitting big short irons as you are effectively taking loft off the club. An overly descending angle of attack will also set the ball off on an initially lower launch angle too, increasing the distance.

the same combo (closed and steep) with longer clubs however, will set the ball off too low intitally, losing you distance and maybe increasing spin with the driver too which will also lead to a distance loss.

Maybe have a look at weakening your grip a touch, or just move the ball a little further forward in your stance with the longer clubs. a further forward ball position increases the loft of the club at impact, and shallows the angle of attack into the ball, perfect for the rainbow flight with the driver - a distance maximiser.

[BrianW]

Re: Golf club distance variation

You should only consider the quality of strike when using range balls, they will not travel as far as a match ball. I tend to feel the contact, watch the initial trajectory then just focus on my finish position to see if it is balanced on the range.

I don't know how old you are or your flexibility but if you can make a reasonable body turn back and through and allow your wrists to hinge freely then you should be able to hit fair distances. It's not about force but speed, control and balance. keep it loose

[bigbill46]

Re: Golf club distance variation

Usually in this case you describe, there may be a certain 'swing flaw'. It sounds from your tendancies that you are a little steep, and perhaps a closed face player. This combo is perfect for hitting big short irons as you are effectively taking loft off the club. An overly descending angle of attack will also set the ball off on an initially lower launch angle too, increasing the distance.

the same combo (closed and steep) with longer clubs however, will set the ball off too low intitally, losing you distance and maybe increasing spin with the driver too which will also lead to a distance loss.

Maybe have a look at weakening your grip a touch, or just move the ball a little further forward in your stance with the longer clubs. a further forward ball position increases the loft of the club at impact, and shallows the angle of attack into the ball, perfect for the rainbow flight with the driver - a distance maximiser.

As a matter of fact I've been trying to flatten my swing a little, but hadn't thought about moving the ball forward more for longer irons.

I'm soon to be 64 and have had arthritis in my wrists and shoulders which limits my range of motion and wrist cock a bit, but I still can get about an 80 degree shoulder turn. Took up golf about 18 months ago as exercise after open heart surgery and have reduced my handicap from 21 to 14 so far. I don't feel like I've hit the plateau where improvement has slowed to a stop yet, and I enjoy practicing. Unfortunately, winter is coming on, so there won't be much opportunity to play for a few months.

Gregg, do you have any suggestions for a good way to calculate carry distance with match balls? Seems like there are so many variables on the course (wind, slope, lie, etc.) that it is hard to get a consistent estimate.

[rogue]

Re: Golf club distance variation

yeah, you could also look at flattening out the swing (make sure you flatten out the downswing not the backswing so much. when most people work on a very flat backswing it usually causes an over the top move to compensate).
i would focus on swinging the club a little more in to out via looking at your divot/ a nail analogy (read nail it). if you are a tennis player, an analogy of hitting a knee high tennis ball to the right side of the court would work too. or if you are a footballer, imagine the club is a leg, the clubhead is the boot and the golfball is the football. now hit a beckham free kick with it.

flattening out the swing is not necessary though. you wouldnt want to be TOO in to out or that brings other problems with it. you basically just need to add loft to the club at impact. ususally players who take loft off end up with bunched up distances like you describe

[GregJWillis]

Re: Golf club distance variation

...do you have any suggestions for a good way to calculate carry distance with match balls? Seems like there are so many variables on the course (wind, slope, lie, etc.) that it is hard to get a consistent estimate.

While you play, keep a notebook of distance to hole and club selections...each page is separate club, and just list off actual distance carry, run, conditions notes. After a while, you now have data to average up. You can see variations in conditions and use this to help estimate affects in like conditions. There is no other way that is better.

[bigbill46]

Re: Golf club distance variation

Thanks for all the feedback. Don't know that I will have many opportunities to get to the course before the cold weather settles in for good, but I should be able get to the practice range (where they have wind breaks and heaters) a few more times and try some adjustments to my swing that have been suggested.

I've noticed that the amount of draw on my irons decreases as they get longer to where my 7I is almost dead straight and my 6 and 5 irons sometimes have a slight fade. So my swing path must be changing with the longer irons to somehow be less in to out. I'll try adjusting the ball position to see what effect that has, but I'm afraid it is more likely due to my swing mechanics. On the other hand, my woods and driver usually draw again, but I have trouble maintaining my wrist cock through impact with the longer clubs to get that snappy release.

Bill