same distance with 7 and 5?

[slf]

My friend has started hitting his 7 iron very straight and carries it 140 yards in the driving range, the problem is that he also hits his 6 and 5 iron the same distance, infact they seem to be identical, I can't see anything wrong with his swing, does anyone know how this can happen?

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

How does he hit these clubs while playing with his ball of choice on the golf course? I have hit balls on the range that were limited to the distance they flew due to the size restrictions of the driving range.

Maybe the balls only look like they are going the same distance? The actual distance might be different only by a few feet instead of yards.

Are the clubs all the same brand? Shaft lengths different?

Have the lofts been checked on these three clubs?

Is he hitting the longer clubs a little fat? Or, the shorter clubs a little thin?

Maybe a swing flaw that you have not noticed between the 3 clubs? No release though impact?

Maybe just a slow swing speed that does not allow him to reap the benefits of each club's charactoristics?

Just some of my thoughts. GJS

[Robert O' Keeffe]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

Hi SLF,

The distance the ball travels is governed by: 1, the loft of the club, and 2, the position of the ball in the stance. Having said that the ball position of both 6 and 7 iron is more or less the same i.e. middle of stance, maybe 6 iron slightly more forward than 7. I am suggesting this is correct based on the understanding that the swing is consistent and the set up more or less repetitive. I am sure others may differ with my suggestion, but I am stating this as what has been taught to me by my coach. I would think with good solid strikes, a 7 iron should make an average of 150yds, and a 6 iron maybe 160 yds.

Cheers,
Robert

[slf]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

thanks guys, this is not the way he normally hits the ball, all the clubs are the same make, balls not restricted, I just cant figure out how this could have happened! maybe the point about ball position is valid, he may have de-lofted the 6 and 5 irons so they just covered the same distance as a 7 iron. or maybe just didn't put as much into the strike with the longer clubs, yet another mistery to add to the list! cheers

[msklar92]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

Delofting will actually ADD distance.
Agree with ROK. Set the club down neutrally, not trying to loft the clubhead or deloft it. THEN take your grip without changing the position of or angle of the shaft. Then set your feet. Do this for the 5,6, and 7 and see if it makes a difference.

[jamesh]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

I was at the driving range last week and I had the same problem. I spoke with the guy next to me, and said is it me, or are these balls all going the same distance – he had the same problem, as did the guy next to him. Later that day I shot around at the “same distance problem’ vanished.

I think the “problem” may have been the balls we were using at the driving range – all of our shots with the drivers were far shorter than normal and with the irons the distance between some clubs was not noticeable. Unless this problem appeared on a course with normal golf balls I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

James

[slf]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

i agree with some driving range balls, but i was hitting them ok so I put it down as one of the many wonders of this game! we are playing in the morning so i will see if he is hitting the balls the same distance with different clubs or nor, i will guess not. which will add to the mistery!

[Simon Woo]

Re: same distance with 7 and 5?

[quote=cmays]
The second common problem, is your friend producing a full wrist hinge in the backswing.
quote]

Hi Golfone care to elaborate a bit more on this statement?

Also when I look at the pros play their irons, it always look as if they are not generating much shoulder turn. Could be an optical illusion? I know for woods esp driver I will really try to turn so my back faces the target. Should it be this drastic for irons as well?