Swing Caddie 300 First Use

[Sclaffer]

I have used my Swing Caddie SC300i for the first time at the range.

I bought it because my eyesight cannot see the ball so well past 160 metres.

It does the main thing I need – tell me how far I hit 5 iron and longer clubs.

I hope it will eventually help me with forcing/hitting from the top – because it gives me quantified feedback that confirms that the harder I try, the shorted I hit.

It pretty much confirms what I already know – my irons are OK and my driver is a problem.

As a slightly built 67 year old male, I am happy to hit a 5 iron 160 metres (total, at sea level). I have Ping G5 with regular graphite shafts. I am not delofting - they go plenty high enough.

But my best driver only goes 220 metres. The driver swing speed reading is around 92/93 mph – which looks about right for 220m.

I found a conversion chart which suggests that if I hit a 5 iron 160 metres, then my driver swing speed should be around 100 mph.

 Question number 1: If I can consistently hit my 5 iron 160 metres – how far should I hit my driver?

Question number 2: Assuming the answer to Q1 is more than 220 metres  - what I am doing wrong with my driver? (I know that is a big ask)

Question 3:  I believe the SC300i can measure club head speed without a ball but I get no result without a ball. Any suggestions?

 Thanks  

[birdman03]

I have used SC300 for several years.  It is reasonably good for gapping your club carry distances.  You have to be careful about placing the unit behind the ball on level ground as specified in the manual.  Also keep in mind that carry and total distances are calculated from algorithms.  You will get best accuracy on your carries by hitting to targets at known distances on the range.

Look closely at your Smash Factor numbers - those will tell you if your strikes are optimal. Should be around 1.35 for 7I and 1.48 for Driver.  I also recommend using face tape or powder spray to check for center contact.  You may not be getting maximum distance on your driver hits because you are not hitting in the center of the face and/or the club path through the ball is off.  

I recently upgraded to SC4 Pro.  It does allow measurement of clubhead speed without hitting a ball.  It also measures start direction, which can tell you something about your swing path.  SC300 does not do either of those things.

[Sclaffer]

Thanks for the reply.

I downloaded a software update and can now measure swing speed without a ball.

Without a ball and with an all out effort, I can get over 100mph swing speed. But as soon as I put a ball in front of me, I tense up and the swing speed is back to low 90's. More work to be done! 

I am also excited to tweak everything to see if I can improve smash factor.

[iacas]

4 hours ago, Sclaffer said:

Without a ball and with an all out effort, I can get over 100mph swing speed. But as soon as I put a ball in front of me, I tense up and the swing speed is back to low 90's. More work to be done!

That's good info to have.