Finding my yardages?

[Rukus43]

So I just started playing a year and a half ago and I have begun to groove an imperfect but somewhat consistent swing. Currently, I just guess at yardages because for a long time it was just swing and pray (not exactly but close). I started-out taking lessons from the beginning, and I consistently shoot in the 90s now. I have been told I have a very nice swing for my handicap (short game needs work). However, I am still just kind of half way guessing at yardages and am sometimes way off. My question is (finally) what is the best way to know my average distances with each club? I know it takes work, but I want to know a good process. Is it buying and using a rangefinder and charting shots, or something else? I know short game work is the priority, but taking a couple days at the range to find more accurate distances would be helpful, I believe. Thanks!

[flopdarock]

find a range that has reallly good distance markers... get a notepad... go thru your bag writing what club went what distance... make sure you hit at least 5 balls per club or more to get a better feel for what the avg is...
and if you can afford it... i would hit at least 1 or 2 balls out of your bag that you normally play cuz some range balls are either distance restricted or just plain rocks

[Dub]

The simple answer is to go to a driving range and work it out.

This isn't always accurate because of the range ball limitations. They are a decent indication of how purely you struck a ball, but don't tell the whole story.

This time of year you should be able to play a round of golf without too much traffic. On an empty hole (without wind...hopefully ) Try hitting into some greens from known distances by dropping balls from say 200yds, 150yds and 100yds. Make sure you sand in your divots and repair all ball marks. I know I'm gonna get burned for suggesting this. It does damage the course unduly (more than a single green fee should) but I've done simular on various home tracks.

There may also be some indor simulators that you can spend some time in. In an hours time you can really get some great information.

[kfowler]

The This time of year you should be able to play a round of golf without too much traffic. On an empty hole (without wind...hopefully ) Try hitting into some greens from known distances by dropping balls from say 200yds, 150yds and 100yds. Make sure you sand in your divots and repair all ball marks. I know I'm gonna get burned for suggesting this. It does damage the course unduly (more than a single green fee should) but I've done simular on various home tracks.

This is problably the best way. Especially if you can get a GPS to mark your shots. As mentioned previously, range balls can vary greatly from your playing ball.

[SQ Bimmer]

Playing at a 19 handicap, I am sure you know when you are pulling out your shorter sticks at least on the course (i.e. 100 yard club, 120 yard club, etc). Compare those clubs to the range balls. It's not the best indication though, as mentioned, the best way to do it is to hit a couple of your own balls.

I personally go to a range that currently has new balls. They are Pinnacle Practice, but they are new, and they fly about the same distance as my game balls do on the course, all the way up to 5/3wood. Just make sure you are hitting balls that have good dimples, and a nice smooth and shiny cover. Otherwise, find a different range.

Oh, and make sure that you are hitting to a range that is about the same height as your tee box. Obviously a range with multiple levels will throw off your distance a bit.

[lcfd42]

Get 40-50 decent balls. Go find an empty shortgrass pasture. pick-up one of those inexpensive measuring wheels(can be purchased for $12-$15). Now take a club from your bag and pick a target (a rock, clump of grass, etc...) and start hitting balls. hit 25 or more with that club. Don't worry about hitting your target as it is only a reference point for alignment. Just try to stroke the balls consistently.
Now use your measuring wheel, and measure from your tee spot to where your balls are lying. closest distance and furthest. Note where most of the concentration is as well. Take an average of the two distances, most of the balls should be within a yard or two of your average. this will be the distance you record for that club. Now go through your whole bag doing the same thing. you will have exact numbers to work with at the course. Try to find a place that is relatively flat, since elevation will falsify the numbers.

Good Luck,
Rob

[Rukus43]

That is what I was looking for! That sounds very logical and accurate. I am a numbers guy (accountant) and this actually sounds like a blast. Thanks.

[luckyluke699]

My pro suggested this and it seems like an ideal way to do it...

Borrow a range finder, and find a large open free space (not a range) with good ground. Hit X number of balls from a known spot with an iron, and mark the spot with a large pole (beanpole or similar). Then from each ball, use the pinseeeker technology on the range finder to get an exact distance to the pole, and work out your average for that club. Change club, rinse and repeat...

Now I just need to find someone with a range finder!

[HoosierGolfer]

When I buy new irons as I did last summer, I begin working with the 7 iron first and try and get it down to a average distance which is around 155 yds. for me. All other clubs with a four degree gap work out to about 10 yds. plus or minus so my 6 iron would be 165 yds., 5 iron 175 yds. etc.
Middle iron like the 7 is the best place to start I think and then work from there.

[WUTiger]

Whether you use a rangefinder, a simulator, or shot by shot at the range, here's something else you may find...
Two of your irons, 5 and 6, or maybe 7 and 8, might go about the same distance. This would mean the lofts are out of tolerance for one or both of the clubs. A clubsmith can usually put them back into spec for you.

[danieldrieberg]

+1 on the advice given. The range finder idea is also in play. I use a Bushnell pinseeker. After a while my eye has gotten very good at estimating distances.
It is necessary to know your club distances for good scoring. Once you've settled into a given distance for each club then you can start dialing in 1/2 and 3/4 swings thereby controlling trajectory and roll out.

Good luck

[jamo]

I would go to a muni course either in the early morning or in the evening and hit balls to a green. You need to keep good tabs on haw far you are from the middle (either use the sprinkler heads, yardage sticks, GPS, or a rangefinder) and see how far the balls fly relative to the center of the green. This is the way i do it because i dont really know any ranges with accurate distances, and i cant usually see where my ball goes relative to the flags. I think its a little easier if you see it on the green.
Or you could just gradually learn it by playing courses.

[keb]

How about getting to the course early, jump on the back nine by yourself and concentrate and determining few clubs as you play nine. Few rounds and you should have it figured out.

[ks8829]

Any driving range with yardage markers and a bucket of balls starting with your wedges hitting several balls until you have an average distance and then chart each club.

You will make any small adjustment while playing on the course to fine tune your distance.

You should also do this more importantly for your short game within 100 yards with partial shots. While playing track your up and down or scrambling to one putt from off the green.

[keb]

Check out this link for yardage within 100 yards. You input your pitching wedge distance and it recommends club and swing for various yardage.

http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction...831410,00.html

[Nickynoodles]

I found the simulator thing out the hard way. When you go to say a Golf Galaxy and hit balls. Sometimes they have there simulators jacked up to make you purchase the club thinking your killing it. I paid to go into a simulator and hit all my clubs and when i went to the course they were off majorly. Some would say it was the wind but i went on dry summer days when 0 wind was present and the ball should have been flying and they were still wrong. 10-15 yards. Like others have stated the best way is to hit the balls you actually play on the course in a open field and measure with the roller or a gps. Both if you have them. Then you will truley know. Them simulators are iffy.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Get 40-50 decent balls. Go find an empty shortgrass pasture. pick-up one of those inexpensive measuring wheels(can be purchased for $12-$15). Now take a club from your bag and pick a target (a rock, clump of grass, etc...) and start hitting balls. hit 25 or more with that club. Don't worry about hitting your target as it is only a reference point for alignment. Just try to stroke the balls consistently.

I did just this thing several years ago, with two modifications. First, I used a bicycle instead of a measuring wheel. Just wrap some tape around the front tire so you can count the revolutions and multiply by the circumference of the tire.

Second, I had a friend out in the landing area spot the ball where it landed so I could measure the carry distance. You would be amazed at what a difference knowing that your 7-iron goes 152 instead of "about 150" makes in hitting irons pin-high.

[zenchili]

At the range I go to they recently opened a fitting center with Trackman. You can rent the trackman for $50 for a half hour. I haven't done it but it would be pretty cool. I don't know if there is something like this where you are but it might be another option.