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Judging distances

• SmillerTim3 16 Posts

  Thu, Nov 24 2016 1:16 PM

  Hey guys, I'm hoping someone can help me with how to judge the distance your shot will go. Without getting into a great deal of detail I will just try and lay out something real quick and if someone can maybe give me some insight into why this happens I would greatly appreciate it.

  Beautiful 300 yd drive lands smack in the middle of the fairway, 35 yds from the pin, 9-11 mph wind behind me, take out my CG16 wedge (max distance of 70 yds), line up the shot a little to the left of the stick, take the meter back to just a hair past the 50% mark and let it fly, ping the meter dead center, the ball takes off and poof right into the bunker in front of the green. Last shot registers at a carry of 22 yds with 0 yds roll. I sit there blinking at my screen in disbelief thinking ok wth?

  How am I supposed to be able to judge any sort of use from my clubs, if when I take a shot and figure that the ball should go 35 yds because that is half the distance of the maximum distance of my club but yet it doesn't? sometimes it goes further and sometimes it doesn't.

  My frustration level with trying to figure this out is very high, as when you get into a tournament and you're rolling along and then something like this happens, well need I say more?

  Thanks guys.

• ApexPC 3,164 Posts

  Fri, Nov 25 2016 4:50 PM

  Few, if any, of your clubs will go 1/2 their rated distance if you hit with 50% power.

  Was the hole above your lie? Did you add back or top spin to the ball? What shot type? What ball we're you using?

  All will not only affect the carry distance of your shot , but also how much your shot rolls out, or doesn't roll out.

   

   

• JimbeauC 5,835 Posts

  Fri, Nov 25 2016 4:58 PM

  SmillerTim3:

  How am I supposed to be able to judge any sort of use from my clubs

  As indicated above, there are MANY things you are going to have to study/learn. Throw on top of that, some holes in WGT flat out lie about the distance or effect of elevation. 

  Anyhoo. One stop

  shopping

  Good stuff there. 

• Robert1893 7,719 Posts

  Fri, Nov 25 2016 5:17 PM

  While you'll need to experiment with what best works for you, the thing to realize is that below 90% power, I don't think any of the clubs are linear.
  
  One of the tips I picked up a few months ago is that for shorter wedge shots, add 6 yards to the distance, use full back spin, and use the full shot option. That usually works out well. So for your shot, I would have hit it just a tad over 60%. 
  
  Another approach is to use a punch shot with full backspin. I'm not sure how many yards to add. But you can use the chart at the link below as a judge and adjust for your wedge.  
  
  http://www.wgt.com/forums/p/403805/2786352.aspx#2786352 
  
  These days, sometimes I use the full shot with backspin (using the +6 yards approach) and some shots I use the punch option. I have to agree with others who say the punch option tends to be a bit more reliable in distance. Still, both have their place, depending on the green one is hitting to.  

• phred952 2,714 Posts

  Sat, Nov 26 2016 11:26 AM

  SmillerTim3:

  How am I supposed to be able to judge any sort of use from my clubs, if when I take a shot and figure that the ball should go 35 yds because that is half the distance of the maximum distance of my club but yet it doesn't? sometimes it goes further and sometimes it doesn't.

  My frustration level with trying to figure this out is very high, as when you get into a tournament and you're rolling along and then something like this happens, well need I say more?

  Thanks guys.

  Best thing i can suggest you do is to map all of your clubs, especially your wedges.  The link given by Robert1893 will take you to walk of lifes 50 yd (64 degree) punch chart.  You can print out a copy. 

  I would first set up a practice round in low wind and check your findings against the chart for at least some of the power percentages.  Perhaps 100%, 95%, 90%, 85% 80%, 70%, 60% and 50%.  That will allow you to interpolate the in between percentages.  Pay attention to the spin.  You want to use the same spin, usually full B/S.

  Remember that the mulligan feature charges your ball life with 2 hits for each shot you play.  I just hit the ball back towards where I made the approach shot from.  Also there is a limit of 15 shots before you have to go to the next hole.  So take note of wind speed and direction.

  When mapping I usually use Kiawah #1 or #10.  Some use Bethpage Black #10.  Set up a practice round with low wind.  I vary the tees I use depending on which club I am mapping at the time. 

  Record the wind strength and direction.  I start with the short irons first and record both carry and roll on the green when landing.  You also want to hit the ball back and forth on the fairway (into and with the wind).  Be careful not to hit long past the tee box or it will go OB.  Record the carry distances and that will allow you to average the carry distance.

  Good Luck, and be prepared to map your clubs each time you get a new set.

  phred952