I published a post on this topic last year. Rather than make you search for it, I updated it here. This is critical to lowering your scores.
Get Real!
Let’s get honest about how far we hit the ball. Golf is a target game that requires accuracy in both line and distance. When you watch the pros, especially those leading the weekly tournament, 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 amateur golfers. You must know your honest, accurate distances to close that gap with the pros.
Play the Averages, not the Uniques.
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?” I rarely get a good answer. Players almost always include the carry and roll when judging how far they hit the ball. That might be ok for tee shots on par fours and fives but trouble on par threes and approach shots. Another issue is that most use the occasionally perfectly struck shot for this estimate. In a round of golf, what percentage of your shots are perfectly struck? That’s a rhetorical question, but be honest with yourself!
You be You. You Aren’t Anyone Else.
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 about something other than 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.
Ok, Now What?
So why is all this important, and how do you lower your score? If 150 yards are your total (carry and roll) 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 are 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? There might be a few, but for the most part, trouble lies in front of the green, not behind. The fastest way to lower your score is by avoiding penalties, avoiding two chips, and avoiding three-putts. Knowing your actual average carry distance will reduce the penalties and two chips. (Putting, we’ll save this 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 over the green.
So How do I Determine my Carry Distance?
What is the best way to determine your average carry distance? Not on a driving range with driving range balls! If you have a wide-open space, a laser range finder, and a willing friend, here’s what I suggest. Once 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.
- 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, most of us don’t have space, a range finder, or perhaps even a friend (tic) to use this process. In that case, visit your local professional with one of the Doppler measuring devices. It might cost a few dollars, but the investment is worth it.
Put this New Found Knowledge to Work!
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 155 yards to a flag in the middle of the green. There’s a water hazard short left, 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. Occasionally, it would work out, but more often, you’d be short and 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. Let’s say 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. In this example, 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!
When in Doubt, Use the Longer Club.
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 perfectly 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.
Now, Go Lower your Scores!
Most of us (especially men) overestimate how far we hit the ball. Invest a little time, effort, and perhaps a few dollars to learn your 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 more challenging than it needs to be!