Let’s get honest about how far you hit the ball. Golf is a target game that requires accuracy in both line and distance. When you watch the pros, watch how accurate their distance control is. They may be 20 or 30 feet left or right, but only five or ten feet short or long. That distance control seriously separates them from typical amateurs. To close that gap with the pros, you need to know your honest, accurate distances. It’s time to understand your actual distances and how a little discipline can lower your score.
If you ask an average male golfer how far he hits his seven iron, you’ll likely hear, “150-160.” The problem is this is almost always an inflated number. There are several contributing factors to this overestimation. When I get that response, I ask, “How do you know that?” Unfortunately, rarely is there a good answer. One problem is that most often, the player is including the carry and roll when judging how far they hit the ball. That might be ok for tee shots on par fours and par fives, but trouble on par threes and approach shots. Another issue is that most use a solid well-struck shot for this estimate. I ask you, in a round of golf, what percentage of your shots are solid and well-struck? That’s a rhetorical question, but be honest with yourself!
We have to admit it; ego also plays a role. Research shows ego is a bigger problem for male golfers than females. Ladies, good on you; men, learn from the ladies. It does not matter how far your playing partners hit their seven iron, eight iron, or three wood, etc. it only matters how far you hit your clubs. The competition is not who can hit their six-iron (choose any club) the farthest. The goal is to get the ball in the hole, taking the fewest strokes possible, period.
So why is all this important, and how do I lower my score? If 150 yards is your total seven iron distance, your carry is only about 140-145. Where are the majority of sand traps, water hazards, etc.? In front of the green. Golf course architects can be a wily lot. They know most players overestimate their distances, so they purposely place most obstacles short of the green. Think about the course(s) you play most often. How many have sand traps directly over the back of the green or other obstacles back there? I imagine there might be a few, but for the most part, trouble lies in front of the green, not behind. Hank Haney says the three ways to lower your score are avoiding penalties, avoiding two chips, and avoiding three-putts. I could not agree more. Knowing your actual average carry distance will reduce the penalties and two-chips. Putting we’ll save for another post. Yes, you need to know your average carry distance, not your best one out of twenty carry distances. Then you have to be disciplined and trust that distance. Sure, you may hit one long occasionally, but as noted, most trouble with approach shots is short, not long.
What is the best way to determine your average carry distance? Not on a driving range with driving range balls! If you are lucky enough to have a wide-open space, a laser range finder, and a willing friend, here’s what I suggest. Once you’re sufficiently warmed up, hit ten shots with your seven iron using your usual ball. After each shot, have your friend mark the landing point, not the final resting place, the landing point. Repeat for all ten swings. Finally, have your friend stand in the middle of the markers and use your ranger finder to measure the distance from you to your friend. That is your average carry for your seven iron. Repeat this process for all of your irons. Unfortunately, many of you don’t have space, a range finder, or perhaps even a friend (tic) to use this process. In that case, I suggest visiting your local professional who has one of the doppler measuring devices. It might cost a few dollars, but the investment is worth it.
Whatever method you use to determine your average carry distance, you must trust it when you get to the course. How will it impact your game? Let’s say you’re facing an approach shot of 152 yards to a flag in the middle of the green. There’s a water hazard short left and a bunker short, and to the right. In the past, thinking your seven iron distance was 150 (carry and roll), you’d pull the seven and swing away. On occasion, it would work out, but more often, you’d be short and perhaps in the bunker or water. The insidious thing is, as you come up short, you think, “I just didn’t get all of that one. I know my seven iron is my 150 club.” or something similar. But after you have learned your accurate, average carry distance, it should be evident that the seven iron is not the play in this scenario. For example, we’ll say that you’ve visited your local professional and now know your average carry for your seven iron is 142 yards; the average for your six iron is 153 yards. Hit the six iron! Yes, I know, it might go long, but even if it does, you’re in better shape than being short with the seven. If you hit the six on the short side of your average, you’re still on the green putting! Another thing to consider, in the past, as you stand there, seven iron in hand, you may well be thinking, “I need to hit this perfect to get the ball back to the hole.” Again, another reason to hit the six! Take the pressure off, let the tension go, and put a smooth swing on it.
Almost all of us (especially men) overestimate how far we hit the ball. Invest a little time, effort, and perhaps a few dollars to learn your actual, average carry distances. Once you know them, trust them. In time your scores will drop, and your enjoyment will increase! Let’s not make this game any harder than it needs to be!
Now go have fun out there!
Doug