I dont get it...distance question.

[Msokol13]

Just came back from the range today, a little frustrated but happy overall.


I consider myself an average to semi-long hitter of the ball.

Here is what I was hitting, note....I hit wedges and woods because this range...as strange as it may seem has nothing between 125-217 yrds listed :

-58* wedge: 80 yds
-54* wedge 100 yds
-PW 46* 125 yds
-5 wood 200yds
-3 wood 215 yds
-driver 9* 220 yds

The wind was into my face and helping to creat what would be a "draw" for a right handed hitter. ETA: Just checked the weather...it is blowing between 10-15 MPH

Is the wind that big of a factor, or do I just suck at hitting my 3 wood and driver?

I dont really get it.

Thanks in advance.

[MeltDownZ]

I notice you have a NV shaft with a 9* loft. The NV has a lower trajectory than the NVS and the 9* seems like it could be low for your distance. So, it's possible you should take your driver and get your swing computer analyzed. It could be that you don't have the swing speed or trajectory required for your driver/shaft configuration. I added 1" to my driver shaft and I picked up 7 effortless yards. Here are things that need to be right for you to get the most out of your clubs:

Shaft weight
Shaft torque
Shaft length
Loft
Lie
Club head weighting configuration
Offset
Swing weight
Grip thickness

[Msokol13]

That could defenitely be a contributing factor, my shots are low to mid trajectory.

[lumpuckeroo]

And I don't think you get a good idea of distances using range balls.

[Thaddy]

What is your swing speed? Me thinks that shaft/driver combination isn't suited to your swing. I'm sure the range balls and wind were a factor, but you could be leaving yardage on the table with that setup.

[sonicblue]

Range balls do not fly, they're like rocks.

[mc0388]

Just came back from the range today, a little frustrated but happy overall.

You have to keep in mind most ranges use one piece balls that dont travel as far as your playing balls. You can probably add 10-20 yards

[Zeph]

Also, range balls go shorter by a percentage, not a definitive yardage. Let's say the balls have 15% less distance than the balls you play. I'll use some standard distances to see how far each club will go:

PW: 115 yards - 15% = 97 yards = 18 yards loss
9i: 130 yards - 15% = 110 yards = 20 yards loss
8i: 145 yards - 15% = 123 yards = 22 yards loss
7i: 160 yards - 15% = 136 yards = 24 yards loss
6i: 175 yards - 15% = 148 yards = 27 yards loss
5i: 190 yards - 15% = 161 yards = 29 yards loss
4i: 205 yards - 15% = 174 yards = 31 yards loss
3i: 220 yards - 15% = 187 yards = 33 yards loss
5w: 230 yards - 15% = 195 yards = 35 yards loss
3w: 245 yards - 15% = 208 yards = 37 yards loss
Driver: 260 yards - 15% = 221 yards = 39 yards loss

The longer the shot, the more wind will become a factor, along with other things. I don't know what balls are at your range, this is just an example. If you want to dial in your distances, find an open area, maybe a range if it is possible, or a hole on the course a day with little to no traffic. Get a bunch of balls of the same brand and model. Mark 5 and 5 balls with the club you hit the with, or you can just hit them with two different clubs and then go pick them up again. Make sure your each shot is well struck. The ground would preferably be flat. Find the average distance of each club and you got your distances.

[iacas]

Also, range balls go shorter by a percentage, not a definitive yardage.

Not all of them do that. In fact, probably a majority do not. Golfers hate the "reduced distance" range balls.

[Zeph]

Do they have equally shorter distance with every club? Meaning it will loose 15-20 yards f.i. with everything from PW to driver?

All those I've used around here fly closer to the distance of a playing ball the shorter the shot is. The longer the shot, the more the ball die and drop out of the sky. The driver distance is shorter than the PW distance.

[jamo]

Do they have equally shorter distance with every club? Meaning it will loose 15-20 yards f.i. with everything from PW to driver?

No, if they are reduced distance, it will be about 20%.

see prior posts