Elevation affecting Distance?

[14ledo81]

How much does elevation affect distance? I am wondering if there is a some kind of general rule to use. For example--For every xx feet of elevation change use one club more or less.

[cody west]

its really different for every person

but it generally goes bout a 1:1 ratio, for every 1 yard up or down it will play about one yard long or short. this isnt like a set rule tho its goes by what club u hit and the distance and the wind.
high lofted clubs arent affected by elevation because they generally come strait down anyway
long irons affected alot
when there is a head wind jsut play the wind and in down wind play the elevation and the wind

[iWALK18]

it depends greatly on your ball trajectory. Think about it, if you hit your wedges Sky high, and they are coming almost straight down when they land, a downhill target will barely make any difference at all.

[zrlaegel]

depends in ball trajectory, shot shape, loft of club you are using, wind, and lie of the ball. Cody made a great point in breaking it down Barney style with the 1/1.

[tjy355]

I sort of assumed that the OP was talking about the effect on distance as it applied to playing courses at different elevation, i.e. sea level vs. in the mountains, Denver for example at 5000 feet.

lol

[RS22]

I sort of assumed that the OP was talking about the effect on distance as it applied to playing courses at different elevation, i.e. sea level vs. in the mountains, Denver for example at 5000 feet.

I think you are right. I forget what it used to be but I think it was something like every 1000 feet of elevation the ball goes like x yards further or something like that. The only way to really tell is to hit balls at the range and see how much farther on average your clubs seem to be going.

[SQ Bimmer]

I sort of assumed that the OP was talking about the effect on distance as it applied to playing courses at different elevation, i.e. sea level vs. in the mountains, Denver for example at 5000 feet.

That's what I was thinking as well.

Honestly, hit the driving range before your round and figure it out yourself and don't rely on a "rule."

[MiniMoe]

A ball in Denver, Co, will travel farther with the same club as a ball hit in Miami, FL. I think the general rule is 10-15%, but it can depend on the person as well. So if you are in Miami, you might hit a 7 iron 150, but in Denver it might go 165-170.... Or were you asking about elevation changes on one course?

[14ledo81]

I was wondering about the elevation changes on the same course.
The reason I asked was because I have a open field close to home to practice in, and I hit from a higher elevation. When I play on a course my clubs all seemed a bit shorter. I was wondering if it was the elevation, or maybe I was doing something different during real play.

[uttexas]

Obviously, for uphill shots a little more club, for downhill shots, a little less. However, don't forget the factor of roll out after the ball lands.

As far as elevation changes on the same course, think of severe downhill shots as all carry--you will not get any roll out. In the hill country of Texas they love to have par 3s with the green well below the tee box. This can be deceptive, in that the distance the ball carries with short irons is the almost same (the ball drops almost straight down from it's apex with the 8i, 9i, PW, GW, SW)

The lower lofted the club (and lower trajectory of ball flight), the more added distance in carry you will get. However, again, you will have limited roll out.

Hitting to an uphill green, you will get more roll out than average.

This website has a good discussion on hitting to an elevated green.
http://www.probablegolfinstruction.c..._selection.htm