I have some big distance gaps between some clubs. I assume it's me.

I have been tracking my yardages with a Garmin Approach G6.  I delete lousy shots as well as real good shots, so the averages are pretty true.  If I am recording only good hits, why the gaps.  I know it's not the clubs.  Do you all have any suggestions as how to fill these gaps?  Even though I don't have enough shots with the 6 & 7 to get a good average, if I add 5 yards to the 8i distance I get 147.  Then 5 to that I get 153 for the 6i. Which gives an 18 yard gap between the 5 & 6.

Driver  220

3w      190

3i        181

4i        178

5i        171

6i        no data

7i        no data

8i        143

9i        137

PW     108

UW      98

SW      91

LW      77

Thanks

From your description of events, you may not be the most consistent ball-striker.

Also, I disagree with how you are trying to estimate 6i and 7i distance. You are attempting to extrapolate from the 5i and 8i how far these clubs go. Given your irregular sampling, I'm not sure how valid the estimates are.

What you might do is this: Buy some launch monitor time, and hit several shots with 5, 6, 7 and 8 irons. Then, compare the distance averages for each.

If the launch monitor is tuned to exaggerate yardage a bit, it won't matter, because the same device will be measuring all four irons.

If the launch monitor data shows a lot of overlap in distance among the 5i through 8i, you may want to take a lesson to check for a swing flaw.

Another thing: you might want to swap out the 3i for a hybrid; the 3i only goes a couple of yards farther than the 4i.

6i/7i which are approximately 160/150 yards seem like strange distances to be missing with a 220 yard drive?

What length courses do you play?

You are 100% correct on the inconsistent ball striking.  However I have gotten better at my ball striking since I have a) shortened & slowed my back swing b) am swinging smoother & stopped trying to kill it c) have concentrated on keeping my head down & still.

I do find that my most used clubs are Driver, 3i, 4i, 5i, 9i & wedges.  I was at Golfsmith the other day and hit a Ping G30 4H and was getting high 170 to 190 distances.  I am not used to hybrids, which is probably why the wide range of yardages.

Over the past 2 years you have helped me a lot and I value your input.  I was thinking about doing away with the 3i, 4i & 3w and getting a 3H & 4H.

I play mostly munis with par 5's under 500 yds.  It does seem strange, but I find I use my 6i & 7i very little.

I only asked because for better players, the 150 yards is normally supposed to be a work horse distance. Many par 4s end up somewhere around the 150 distance. Longer hitters off the tee are generally between the 100 and 150 marks. The longer hitters also hit more lofted clubs to get to 150 yards as well.

Your gaps are compressed at the longer end 3W/3i/4i/5i are all within 20 yards of each other. This is indicative of bad ball striking past 170 yards, and is a very common theme among us amateurs. I wouldn't concern myself so much with those distances yet. I would work on your up to 150 yard distances. Your distances with LW to 8i seem okay, but you might consider improving your swing so those distances with each club are tighter.

6i     Work on this

7i     Work on this

These are good distances, you can probably even lose some to improve accuracy if needed.

8i        143

9i        137

PW     108

UW      98

SW      91

LW      77

220 drive is really good.

So, if you hit 220 + 140 that puts you on a typical 360 yard par 4, but you need the 150 and 160 clubs to comfortably reach 370 and 380 yard par 4. These are pretty common on a 5800-6200 yard course.

As far as improving your swing is concerned you need advice from one of our more experienced posters. Check out the 5SK threads.