Pro Distance

[iacas]

The next time you feel disappointed about how far you hit your clubs, well, maybe this will cheer you up:

Continuing his comeback from an abdominal injury, David Howell of England sank a 160-yard 5-iron for an eagle en route to a 67.

A 160-yard 5-iron? And no, that's

not a typo .

[LarryK]

Well, the fact that David Howell had to hit a 5-iron to cover 160 yards initially cheered me up, but then you had to ruin it by telling me he holed it for an eagle and he shot a 67.

Now I'm depressed again.

[OTCameron]

The wind has been pretty strong out at St. Andrews, could be why?

[iacas]

The wind has been pretty strong out at St. Andrews, could be why?

'twas at Carnoustie, me lad.

[Rickins]

I was thinking a low runner into the wind initially, too. However, Howell said he didn't see it go in because the hole was blocked by a bunker.

Hmmm... Okay, I'll feel a little better until someone brings up Tiger playing a 7-iron from 194 yds. That's not "human" anyway, is it?

Rick

[iacas]

A driver swing speed of about 120 isn't human either, but the long drive guys get 125-130, too.

I figure if I can hit the ball nearly as far the average PGA Tour pro, I'm content. And I do, though I could add 5 MPH to my swing speed and be very happy. Any more than that and I'd just be greedy and stupid - I think 5 MPH is attainable. (I mean, I can get 5 MPH more NOW, but not without a loss of control. I mean I think it's possible for anyone to gain 5 MPH from their normal, controlled swing and keep the same amount of control, either through conditioning or better timing or whatever.)

[Rickins]

I mean I think it's possible for anyone to gain 5 MPH from their normal, controlled swing and keep the same amount of control, either through conditioning or better timing or whatever.

Absolutely agreed. I tend to pick on my age for loss of distance but the real issue is lack of conditioning in my case. When I was working out regularly, a 250-yard drive was a pretty low-end effort for me. Now, I'll take a 250-yard drive any day of the week.

Just might be talking myself into an exercise program over the winter months... Rick

[NCGolfer]

I mean I think it's possible for anyone to gain 5 MPH from their normal, controlled swing and keep the same amount of control, either through conditioning or better timing or whatever.)

I know I gained distance in my irons through holding my wrist angle as long as possible. I would put that under timing. I think that this is probably one where the biggest difference is between pros and amateurs when it comes to swing speed. A lot of amatuers (including myself for a long time) fall victim to casting.

[iacas]

I think everyone falls victim to casting, even if it's not the blatant kind where you cast right from the top. I once heard someone say that the amount of forward lean in an iron at impact is directly related to the handicap - the more lean, the lower the handicap. Pros average around 8 degrees or so from what I understand.

[Rickins]

Okay, Erik and Dave, this one has been playing relentlessly on my mind since I read your posts. I shared, i.e. spilled my guts, in another thread that my short iron distances have continued to improve this season, rather dramatically, while my mid-iron, and long-iron, distances have remained pathetic by comparison.

"Leading with the hands" with short irons was a tip I picked up on many years ago and goes to what Dave spoke of about holding the wrist angle as long as possible. It's almost impossible to "cast" and keep your hands ahead of the club head at impact.

Hypothetically, anyway, is it reasonable that a similar "mindset" might be beneficial with the mid and long irons, as well? Obviously, the 'degree' would have to be practiced on the range but the dissimilarities in my irons have been a sticking point with me for quite a while.

Rick

[iacas]

Okay, Erik and Dave, this one has been playing relentlessly on my mind since I read your posts. I shared, i.e. spilled my guts, in another thread that my short iron distances have continued to improve this season, rather dramatically, while my mid-iron, and long-iron, distances have remained pathetic by comparison.

Pros typically have their shafts leaning forward about 8 degrees or so at impact in any iron, whether it's a pitching wedge or a 3-iron. So yes, you still want the hands to lead with your mid- and long-irons.

[Rickins]

Pros typically have their shafts leaning forward about 8 degrees or so at impact in any iron, whether it's a pitching wedge or a 3-iron. So yes, you still want the hands to lead with your mid- and long-irons.

I'm not sure whether to be "gleeful" with the information or, to cut my throat over my ignorance. Okay...we'll go with gleeful...this time.

Rick

[NCGolfer]

Just to reinforce what Erik said, I don't think anyone should hold their wrist angle for only short irons or only long irons. Part of my practice routine is to swing slowly with two clubs with my wrists locked in the 'cocked' position. I start with the clubs parallel to the ground and take a slow swing up and back down almost to impact keeping the wrists locked. This reinforces the importance of that feeling.

I got this tip watching Vijay Singh warm up at the Wachovia Championship a couple years ago with his heavy club.

[Rickins]

Thanks again, Dave. I'm really hoping that the fact that I haven't been leading with my hands on the mid- or long-irons has been a big factor in my game.

I realize that the distance I hit a 5-iron isn't going to make or break my score if the rest of the game is solid but there has got to be a reason as to why there's only a thirty yard difference between my 7-iron and my 3-iron. I'm hopeful that the tip you and Erik have shared may help change that.

Rick

[bucking bronco]

The next time you feel disappointed about how far you hit your clubs, well, maybe this will cheer you up:

His drive off the tee was 234 yards followed by 160 yard 5 iron - must have been a gale in his face? Having played a couple of times in 30mph winds, it's no piece of cake for this hacker.