yes, with a 30-foot scale, the 1st movement IS 6 feet. BUT, the first movement is also this long:
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on the 90 foot scale, the first movement is this long:
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so when you cut it in half (6.5'), it makes you backswing only this long:
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but like YJ said, that's just what works for me, find what's comfortable with you and go with it. by the way, my first few rounds with the redwood i thought i just wasted my money. everything was coming up short, couldn't get the hang of the different meters...but after about 2 weeks, i think it's great. once you know the meters, you can dial in the distances. and even if you don't **ding** the line, it still rolls pretty good and has a shot at the cup.