Average Distances - How Far Do You Hit Each Club? (And Don't Lie!)

[Golfingdad]

This might be older.

It was in the Average distance thread, without the "don't lie" part.

I think you were a more seasoned golfer prior to joining, so it makes sense that you at least had a gut feel for your distances without any monitoring equipment, or rangefinders.

If I looked at my old reported distances it was all over the place. Mostly, because it was all over the place.

Yeah, I thought there was another big thread on the subject, but couldn't find it.  Regardless, those two sets of numbers are nearly identical.  But I do remember a time when I thought I averaged 285-290 off the tee and regularly hit 300 yard drives.  That wasn't that long ago.

The biggest (and saddest ) eye opener for me since getting the Game Golf, is that I don't hit it 300 yards ... ever.  I've got one out to 297, but that's it for me ...

[Lihu]

Yeah, I thought there was another big thread on the subject, but couldn't find it.  Regardless, those two sets of numbers are nearly identical.  But I do remember a time when I thought I averaged 285-290 off the tee and regularly hit 300 yard drives.  That wasn't that long ago.

The biggest (and saddest ) eye opener for me since getting the Game Golf, is that I don't hit it 300 yards ... ever.  I've got one out to 297, but that's it for me ...

254 is a great "true average". Your "topper" at least went 159 yards. If you took that out, you would have more like a 260 average.

Given that your typical average drive is 260, I'm guessing lob wedge  to PW approaches on most par 4s?

Watch out Champions Tour!

[Golfingdad]

254 is a great "true average". Your "topper" at least went 159 yards. If you took that out, you would have more like a 260 average.

Actually, even this isn't a "true" average.  (Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with my distance)

Keep in mind that Game Golf calculates backwards from where you hit your next shot.  So, last Sunday, for example, I topped one into the hazard, then re-teed and hit a mediocre one in play.  Then I go hit that one with my 8 iron or whatever, and play on, then after I get home and download, it only sees the second drive.  All I can do at that point is add 2 penalty strokes to get the correct stroke total.

So the small handful of OB (or equivalent) drives don't play into that average.  At the very least, I'd round it down to 250. ;)

Given that your typical average drive is 260, I'm guessing lob wedge  to PW approaches on most par 4s?

My nuked PW is 135, so this would really only be true, on average, for most par 4's that are under 400 yards.  I try to play at least the 6500-ish sets of tees at most courses, so ... no.

8 or 9 iron is probably my median approach club on par 4's.

[Lihu]

Actually, even this isn't a "true" average.  (Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with my distance)

Keep in mind that Game Golf calculates backwards from where you hit your next shot.  So, last Sunday, for example, I topped one into the hazard, then re-teed and hit a mediocre one in play.  Then I go hit that one with my 8 iron or whatever, and play on, then after I get home and download, it only sees the second drive.  All I can do at that point is add 2 penalty strokes to get the correct stroke total.

So the small handful of OB (or equivalent) drives don't play into that average.  At the very least, I'd round it down to 250. ;)

My nuked PW is 135, so this would really only be true, on average, for most par 4's that are under 400 yards.  I try to play at least the 6500-ish sets of tees at most courses, so ... no.

8 or 9 iron is probably my median approach club on par 4's.

Still not bad. That's still a 2 club advantage over a typical bogey golfer.

[No Mulligans]

I don't think the original poster was looking for a true average.  Not an average that would include the outliers such as topping it and having the ball go only 10 yards. Or hitting a cart path a couple times then a sprinkler head and then a long roll on a dried out down hill portion of a fairway which resulted in a hit 100 yards further than you ever hit.

I wouldn't consider a complete mishit like a top to be included as a "hit".

The wording by the original poster was "average distance you consistently hit your clubs".

I know everyone is different, but I was curious as to what distance you hit your clubs (i.e., average distance you consistently hit your clubs). More than anything, I am just curious as to what is normal since the guy I usually play with takes two clubs less than I do. I know consistency matters more than distance, but I was just wondering.

[Lihu]

I don't think the original poster was looking for a true average.  Not an average that would include the outliers such as topping it and having the ball go only 10 yards. Or hitting a cart path a couple times then a sprinkler head and then a long roll on a dried out down hill portion of a fairway which resulted in a hit 100 yards further than you ever hit.

I wouldn't consider a complete mishit like a top to be included as a "hit".

The wording by the original poster was "average distance you consistently hit your clubs".

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmm5557

I know everyone is different, but I was curious as to what distance you hit your clubs (i.e., average distance you consistently hit your clubs). More than anything, I am just curious as to what is normal since the guy I usually play with takes two clubs less than I do. I know consistency matters more than distance, but I was just wondering.

I think he really wants to know why some golfers are consistently 2 clubs longer than him. @Golfingdad is a low single digit player who drives on average 250 yards. This is the distance he can consistently hit his clubs. Unfortunately, it is only a valuable metric when comparing two golfers, because it includes the inconsistencies like topping, slicing, etc.

umm, I don't keep a handicap, but I usually score between 100-110. Most of that comes from a poor short game. I have been working on it and taking lessons, but a job in investment banking is not the most conducive to practicing as often as I would like. Also, this is only my second year playing and I had never played a full 18 until 2 months ago.

Driver:250

3 Wood: 210

4 iron:185

5 iron: 170

6 iron: 160

7 iron: 150

8 iron: 140

9 iron: 130

He probably did not know how far he actually averages, or he is closer to a 3.6 handicap. These distances would easily get him to the single digits.

[No Mulligans]

I think he really wants to know why some golfers are consistently 2 clubs longer than him.

Yes, exactly.

And if I was on the course that someone was hitting at a par three with an 8 iron while I was using a 6 iron I wouldn't be calculating some mathematical average that included our mishits.  We selected those clubs because that is the distance we expect our well hit balls to carry.

Mishits should not be included.

This is only indirectly related to HI, that person with the 8 iron that hits further than me could be so erratic that I would score lower.  I've seen that to be the case with a taller player that I play with.

[Lihu]

Yes, exactly.

And if I was on the course that someone was hitting at a par three with an 8 iron while I was using a 6 iron I wouldn't be calculating some mathematical average that included our mishits.  We selected those clubs because that is the distance we expect our well hit balls to carry.

Mishits should not be included.

This is only indirectly related to HI, that person with the 8 iron that hits further than me could be so erratic that I would score lower.  I've seen that to be the case with a taller player that I play with.

Not really as indirect as you might think. http://thesandtrap.com/t/64681/handicap-versus-clubhead-speed-driving-distance

Note that all other clubs are proportional to driver distances as well, and the longer the shorter irons the better chance of making par or birdie.

Mishits should be included because they give an indication of how consistent you are and therefore are related to HI pretty well. Your own example of the taller longer player who is erratic is a good example of why the averages are on your side.

[No Mulligans]

Why does my taller friend choose the 8i when I use a 6i on that par three (and similar 2 club differences on other tee boxes unless we're both using driver)?

The answer to that has nothing to do with his HI or his consistency.  On the contrary, if all you knew was his HI or consistency you would think I hit further.  Yet he in fact does hit 2 clubs further than me.

[MS256]

Why does my taller friend choose the 8i when I use a 6i on that par three (and similar 2 club differences on other tee boxes unless we're both using driver)?

The answer to that has nothing to do with his HI or his consistency.  On the contrary, if all you knew was his HI or consistency you would think I hit further.  Yet he in fact does hit 2 clubs further than me.

I hit irons a club or two farther and higher than any of the guys I play with that can consistently outdrive me by 20 yards with a driver. I would trade with them in a New York minute if I could.

[Lihu]

Why does my taller friend choose the 8i when I use a 6i on that par three (and similar 2 club differences on other tee boxes unless we're both using driver)? The answer to that has nothing to do with his HI or his consistency.  On the contrary, if all you knew was his HI or consistency you would think I hit further.  Yet he in fact does hit 2 clubs further than me.

You're confusing club selection and average club distance. Those are two different things. Club distance is related to HI.

[natureboy]

I hit irons a club or two farther and higher than any of the guys I play with that can consistently outdrive me by 20 yards with a driver. I would trade with them in a New York minute if I could.

If it's two clubs difference on your irons, wouldn't that be about a wash with 20 yards on the driver (if you are as accurate with irons as your golf buds)?

Do you compress / hit with shaft lean with driver as well as your irons?

[natureboy]

Not really as indirect as you might think. http://thesandtrap.com/t/64681/handicap-versus-clubhead-speed-driving-distance

Note that all other clubs are proportional to driver distances as well, and the longer the shorter irons the better chance of making par or birdie.

Mishits should be included because they give an indication of how consistent you are and therefore are related to HI pretty well. Your own example of the taller longer player who is erratic is a good example of why the averages are on your side.

I posted range averages in between flush & so-so. Basically the distance I plan for on a decent (not great - not terrible) strike.

I have no idea what my actual on-course distance would be with mis-hit shots in the average. I wouldn't care to bother to record that info without an automatic system like game golf.

Isn't it more reasonable to just account for a miss in picking your targets / course management?

[MS256]

If it's two clubs difference on your irons, wouldn't that be about a wash with 20 yards on the driver (if you are as accurate with irons as your golf buds)?

Do you compress / hit with shaft lean with driver as well as your irons?

Nope. I am probably as accurate as some (but not all) of those guys from equal distances but not equal clubs.

In other words if they are hitting from 140 and I am hitting from 160 they are going to usually win that fight even though we are hitting the same club. If were each hitting from 140 it would be a fair fight. (Not to mention them hitting "drivable greens" that I can't reach).

There's just something about my crappy swing that lets me swing a short club very fast without even trying but doesn't translate equally to a long club.

[natureboy]

Nope. I am probably as accurate as some (but not all) of those guys from equal distances but not equal clubs.

In other words if they are hitting from 140 and I am hitting from 160 they are going to usually win that fight even though we are hitting the same club. If were each hitting from 140 it would be a fair fight. (Not to mention them hitting "drivable greens" that I can't reach).

There's just something about my crappy swing that lets me swing a short club very fast without even trying but doesn't translate equally to a long club.

I see your point. Closer in with the same dispersion pattern (degrees offline) yields more shots closer to the hole.

Think 'slow' for driver and longer clubs to allow more body sequence before the arms fire the club (longer backswing to downswing ratio)? I think it's easier to get away with quick from the top with shorter / more lofted clubs. Something I need to work on myself, anyway.

[Lihu]

I have no idea what my actual on-course distance would be with mis-hit shots in the average. I wouldn't care to bother to record that info without an automatic system like game golf.

You'll eventually get your on course distances by playing more. Almost tempted to buy Game Golf.

[natureboy]

You'll eventually get your on course distances by playing more. Almost tempted to buy Game Golf.

I think you misunderstood. I have my on-course carry distances down. I know a decently hit iron goes - on average - a certain yardage which is between flush and so-so strikes.

What I don't do is actually track distance of every shot I hit on course - including big misses - so that I would know what my actual in-field average distance is on each shot (e.g. my average drive would be significantly shorter due to the occasional top). I don't know how I would even play to such a distance. If I clubbed based on my actual club average on course including the really poor shots, I would end up hitting a lot of shots well beyond my distance target (i.e. off the green).

I guess I don't see how the actual distance including the real clunkers would be helpful.

[MS256]

I think you misunderstood. I have my on-course carry distances down. I know a decently hit iron goes - on average - a certain yardage which is between flush and so-so strikes.

What I don't do is actually track distance of every shot I hit on course - including big misses - so that I would know what my actual in-field average distance is on each shot (e.g. my average drive would be significantly shorter due to the occasional top). I don't know how I would even play to such a distance. If I clubbed based on my actual club average on course including the really poor shots, I would end up hitting a lot of shots well beyond my distance target (i.e. off the green).

I guess I don't see how the actual distance including the real clunkers would be helpful.

It wouldn't.

I used to joke that I take one more club for the cold, another club for the wind, and another club because I'm going to hit it like crap. LOL