Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

[dannyra]

I believe I hit my driver pretty short on average compared to my irons. I'm just trying to figure out home much further the driver "should" be hitting than say my 3 iron off the tee.

I probably average about 240 with my 3 iron off the tee. Occasionally I'll get a nice roll and put it out there closer to 265. Rarely am I shorter than 220 with it off the tee.

Off grass, I'm probably more like 225 with my 3 iron on a normal swing.

[TeachingPro]

Re: Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

Everyone is different becuase of the ball flight, launch angle and spin rates but if you were hitting a 3-iron say 250 off a tee I'd exepct you to be able to hit your driver about 320.

But as I said, there are a number of factors that will influence the difference. Clearly the TM irons suit you better than your driver does. I'd suggest you go to a club fitter with a launch monitor system for a driver fitting.

[dannyra]

Re: Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

I'm definately shorter than the 320 you estimated with my driver. I'll occasionally pop one out to 320, but on average I'm much shorter than that.

Thanks for the info. I know my launch angle is a lot less than it should be. When I get some money saved up I'll have to go get a new driver with a club fitting.

My driver I have is a couple years old and it's a pretty cheap club, and I think it's getting kind of dead. I've been borrowing a Nike SQ from my dad and have had better results as far as easier swing and more distance and with a higher launch angle.

My home course only has one par 4 over 415 yards, so I've only been using driver on that hole and usually the 2 par 5s. On the rest of the course the driver usually leaves me closer than I feel comfortable with if I hit it well.

[augolfer81]

Re: Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

No desrespect but all of us have been guilty of over-estimating our distances at some point. If your hitting your 3 iron an average of 245 then your swing speed is close to tigers(120+mph)! Once again no disrespect but check your distances again we are all guilty of it.

[bloodredsun]

Re: Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

It is quite possible to hit that sort of distance with irons, although it is unusual. If I really lash at the ball, I can carry a 9 iron about 165, a 3 iron about 225, and a driver goes 300+ (longest recorded is 363 but even I will admit to a slight following wind!). That is hitting at 100% and flushing it off the middle (which rarely happens so normally I try to swing at about 90% as it's much more consistant). I agree that Dan should be knocking it 340 or so with a 250 yard 3 iron (you should be about 33% to 40% longer with a driver).

Distances are going up as golf's popularity attracts athletes that otherwise would have gone to sport like Rugby, AFL or American Football. Now you have guys that are over 6ft and 220 pounds that can hit it a long distance.

Dan's problem may be that his club head is 'dead'. It might have a duff shaft or another problem. It might even be that the club is damaged. It's pretty unusual to see a long hitter complain of too low a launch angle too. It's more commonly the ball losing distance by ballooning. There are plenty of good value drivers around (such as SkyMax Pulse) let alone the premium brands that would really make a difference.

[slf]

Re: Driver Distance compared to Iron distances

forget the driver!! you hit your irons lot longer than most if not all the tour pros, most top pros dont hit 3 irons more than 220 yards (carry). difference between clubs should be around 10 yards, so 3 iron 220 yards will make 7 iron carry 180 yards, this is fantastic distance, lot longer than Tigers normal swing speed. your 7 iron will carry 200 yards which is magical, I am a very low handicap player and my normal swing will carry a 3 iron 200 yards.