Distance

[Titleist Man]

So iv been seeing alot of +4-8 handicapers who hit it 280-290 or at least 270(or so they say). Let me say that i am a HORRIBLE golfer. I ony hit it 240 maybe 245 MAX. So it makes me think that it would be alot easier if i was 50 yds ahead of where i am usually and i could hit shorter clubs in..... WOW it would be sooo fun. I mean even at the horribly low level of skill that im at it would be easy. My question is how do you power hitters score? ie do you stick aproach shots or in the short game. Thanks

[wedge player]

So iv been seeing alot of +4-8 handicapers who hit it 280-290 or at least 270(or so they say). Let me say that i am a HORRIBLE golfer. I ony hit it 240 maybe 245 MAX. So it makes me think that it would be alot easier if i was 50 yds ahead of where i am usually and i could hit shorter clubs in..... WOW it would be sooo fun. I mean even at the horribly low level of skill that im at it would be easy. My question is how do you power hitters score? ie do you stick aproach shots or in the short game. Thanks

all short game master the wedges and 10 footers

or try anyways

[wolverine_man]

My handicap excludes me from the group of respondents you are seeking to poll, but I have found that hitting greens in regulation, alone, shaves several strokes off my game. The more greens I hit, the lower my score is. This is of course assuming you can two putt every hole or better. You are a better handicap than I am, so I imagine you already know this.

[Cussin hacker]

The long ball ain't worth a hooey if your short game is out of wack.

[enis750]

The long ball ain't worth a hooey if your short game is out of wack.

but it sure is nice when you have a short game too

[enis750]

all short game master the wedges and 10 footers

exactly......get on that short game

i am noticing HUGE results w this, as I went from a 9 to a 4 in one month tonnes of hours on the practice greens - in yesterday's round I made 4 birdies (but I also has 2 doubles!! hahah.....ok not funny.....;) ) I score on the and around the greens and i am a MASTER at scrambling i hit 3 FW's and 6 GIR on my last round and shot a 76 if i miss a GIR, i can almost guarantee i am within 2ft if not in the cup on my next shot lately my ball striking has been sufering (hense the low GIR's and FW's missed) but I hit the ball 265+ off the T carry distance average (GPS measured)

[plugged]

An average drive distance of 270+ with modern equipment is not at all difficult. I average 255 and usually get one 290+ drive per round. My goal is 250 off the tee and in the fairway. I am 5'8" and in my early 40's. Guys who are in their 20's and over 5'10" should be able to average easily 260, if not more.

[EightBlue]

something else you will learn as you get better. Don't always try to hit it as far as you can. For me, on short par-4s, I will try to leave myself 95 yards to the pin. Even it it means hitting a 5 irons off the tee because I know I can control distance better there than from any other spot.

[Bullitt5339]

Although I'm a horrible golfer, I have changed my mind on distance off the tee since playing with a 70 year old man. He didn't hit the ball long at all, 200 yard max, and shot scratch for the round. I would outdrive him by 70 or 80 yards, but I shot 100ish, he shot 72. 200 yard drive, 150 yard near the green, nice chip or pitch, and one putt.

Same deal every hole. I was amazed and embarrassed at the same time, and immediately started working on my short game......lol

[tjy355]

... Let me say that i am a HORRIBLE golfer. I ony hit it 240 maybe 245 MAX. ...

Just a general FYI - the game of "golf" involves so much more than long tee shots.

[David in FL]

2.9 horrible? Good grief!

On average, I carry a driver about 240ish too. I'd rather be 250 in the short grass than 280 in the trees. I think a lot of mid/high handicappers who spend all their time trying to get that last yard out of their driver could do themselves a big favor if they'd learn that lesson......

[sirshanksalot]

Although I'm a horrible golfer, I have changed my mind on distance off the tee since playing with a 70 year old man. He didn't hit the ball long at all, 200 yard max, and shot scratch for the round. I would outdrive him by 70 or 80 yards, but I shot 100ish, he shot 72. 200 yard drive, 150 yard near the green, nice chip or pitch, and one putt.

The 70 year old man you played with is my hero. The game would be so much easier if we made things simple. But I guess it's just more fun to whack the driver off the tee on every par 4 and try to make that low probability shot.

[dmc]

I'm a short hitter too. I only hit my drives around 230. There are a couple of 440 yard par 4's that I rarely hit in requlation. The guys I play with routinly hit it 25-50 yards or more past me. The coarse I play at has zoysia fairways and we don't seem to get much roll, and we either play from 6610yds or 7047yds, par 71. But we had a few tournements that we played at 6205 yds, I'm a good 3-4 shots better from that distance. I wish I could get it out there another 25yds or so as I could shave a few strokes off.

[Happy Dragon]

The long ball is like crack. Once you get a taste, you're always trying to top that high. As long as I hit it, it's a shame I'm not better. I usually score a high number or two and sometimes blow easy up and down opportunities. I've been beaten countless times by old guys who have grooved their swings and bring it with their regular flex shafts, a bag full of woods, and a bottle of Alieve. This game is great... so many ways to score.

[Smiffy]

Although I'm a horrible golfer, I have changed my mind on distance off the tee since playing with a 70 year old man. He didn't hit the ball long at all, 200 yard max, and shot scratch for the round. I would outdrive him by 70 or 80 yards, but I shot 100ish, he shot 72. 200 yard drive, 150 yard near the green, nice chip or pitch, and one putt.

These are the hardest ones to play against! They may now be 18 handicapped 70 year olds but a lot of them were once single figure golfers who tore the course apart. They may lack the distance nowadays but the short game is the last thing to leave them and boy, do they make you pay!

Plus, they've learnt all about course management which along with a good chipping and putting stroke will get your handicap down quicker than anything... I'd much rather fancy my chances in a match against a younger lower handicapped player who will often lose out with bravado than an older, more experienced higher handicapped player.

[Wazzu8]

As a 20 year old who is 6 feet tall, I can whack it pretty well. It's just unfortunate I bought my regular flex driver before I really knew what I was doing.

That is why I'm looking at a new shaft for it or a new driver because it also has a dent in it.

edit: To be honest I have thought about shortening my new shaft or getting fitted because I really need to hit some more fairways and keep my accuracy up.

[zrlaegel]

There are many different variables. it depends on the course, club selection and short game. for example on a course with alot of dogleg holes you may want to leave your driver in the bag a few more times than usual. concentrate on getting to that corner. that is also when your short game comes in as well as proper club selection, and it needs to be consistent. a good idea is to find a driving range that has a grass section and practice from there instead of the mat. it will help you find your range with each club and will help condition you to hitting a ball in less than ideal conditions.

[TN94z]

So iv been seeing alot of +4-8 handicapers who hit it 280-290 or at least 270(or so they say). Let me say that i am a HORRIBLE golfer. I ony hit it 240 maybe 245 MAX. So it makes me think that it would be alot easier if i was 50 yds ahead of where i am usually and i could hit shorter clubs in..... WOW it would be sooo fun. I mean even at the horribly low level of skill that im at it would be easy. My question is how do you power hitters score? ie do you stick aproach shots or in the short game. Thanks

I would say that it is a combination of sticking the approach shots into a range where the putts can be made. A + handicap does not come without birdies dropping. So, not only must your approach shots be consistently in makeable range, your putter needs to be on point so that makeable range gets a bit bigger!