Every golfer hits the ball differently and to different distances. We may be grouped in relation to our handicap, however rarely are any two golfers exactly the same. Regardless of performance, all golfers should understand and know how far they hit their clubs. It might surprise you to know that many of us do not hit the ball as far as we think! This oversight in our knowledge is costing us strokes every time we tee it up. Well, today we are going to change all of that!
I have touched on this topic in the past and hopefully you found the information helpful. I am revisiting this topic today because I found a video that is all encompassing on this topic. It is about 10 minutes long and if you are looking for some distance answers, I recommend you watch it all.
As a 5 handicapper (most days), my distances match what was stated in the video. I hit my driver about 240 and my 7 iron about 150 yards on average. On my good days, these distances are farther, but on my bad….well, you get the point. Fortunately I am able to adjust my club selection decisions based on what is happening on any given day.
I realized a long time ago that my distance knowledge would improve my golf game. It opens the opportunities on shot and club selection. This in turn allows increased scramble abilities, avoiding addition strokes from under/over yardage decisions and strengthens my overall tee to green game. Lastly, when I finally learned my club distances, my course management skills improved drastically. As you can see, this bit of knowledge has many applications in our game.
If you do not know your distances, I recommend you take the time to figure them out. It will be helpful in all areas of your game.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
We talked about this a little this weekend. Carry and roll. I was explaining the need to know those numbers not just with a full swing but by the clock.
I talked about being a feel player, but how knowing those numbers helps get the right feel and provides the confidence I need to execute. And how one of the bigger benefits that gets overlooked is how it provides options.
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Kevin,
We are definitely on the same page for this topic of club distance.
Cheers Jim
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Jim this is an important topic as one tries to lower the handicap. Knowing how far you carry the ball is important. Most people think total distance. Well if your total is 150 with a club, you won’t be able to carry a water hazard which is 150 of carry. So you see people complain that they didn’t hit it well when they end up in the drink. But it’s because they don’t have the necessary distance and use the wrong club. Plus the inconsistency in striking the ball also gives variations in distance, with most people choosing the longest they ever hit a ball as the expected distance. I also find people don’t have an easy way to measure their carry distance. Ranges are filled with old, beat up balls which are not what you use in play. Weather conditions have an effect on distance – wind, rain, cold, hot, etc.
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Linley
You are completely correct. This is an often overlooked skill and it is important to know our game better by understanding carry distance, not total distance. It is a tough lesson for many to learn, but an important one.
Cheers Jim
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