70 foot drop is how many yards less?

[zanga254]

I am about to play a tournament for my school. As i studied the course layout, one par 3 has a 70 foot drop to the green. My question is how many yards less would that be equivalent to when i make my clubs selection. Stats are below.

Par 3
148 yards
"The 4th is a scenic downhill par-3 that drops nearly 70 feet from the elevated tees to a green tucked along a creek."

Had it been a level green, i would have hit a 5 iron.

[kpaulhus]

for you, 7 iron.

[double_j]

General rule of thumb is one club for every 10 yard elevation change.

70 ft would put you around two clubs less. Maybe 3 depending on where the preferred miss might be.

[WUTiger]

  double_j said:

General rule of thumb is one club for every 10 yard elevation change. ...

There's also a factor related to the loft of the club you're hitting. (Sorry, can't remember what it is.)

[Golfwolf]

  double_j said:

General rule of thumb is one club for every 10 yard elevation change.

I was thinking the same thing. Since you would use a 5 iron if the hole was level I would think either a 7 or 8 iron should work. Let us know what happens.

[Grahaman]

The rule of thumb that I know is slightly different:

For every 10 yards of elevation change you have +/- 10 yds of distance depending on if the elevation change is uphill or downhill. For this case 70 ft =23 yds so you will reduce the length of the hole by 23 yds and then select your club accordingly.

This would mean the hole is playing 125 yds which for me would mean grabbing a soft pitching wedge or strong auxiliary wedge.

This of course assumes a no wind situation. If you have wind in you face or at your back you will need to take that into consideration.

Good Luck and let us know how the hole played for you including club selection.

[chilly]

Personally, I'd go one club at that distance because it's going to be a high lofted club. High loft means that the ball is closer to flying vertically, versus horizontally, so the change in elevation doesn't effect distance that much. Something like a 5i though, yes, I'd go two clubs.

[BostonSully]

10 handicap hits a 5 iron 148 yards?

[NI4NI]

  BostonSully said:

10 handicap hits a 5 iron 148 yards?

Ever play with old timers? Straight as an arrow ~150 yards. Putt lights out, and laugh at the wipper snappers cussing in the weeds...

[SouthernILGolfer]

At level that would be a 7 iron for me, so that much of a drop id probably hit a 9 iron so i guess about 2 clubs less. One of the courses i play around here has an uphill par 3 of about 180 yards and I have to hit 2 clubs more to reach it comfortably, as It seems to play probably 200 yards or more, hitting my 3 hybrid instead of a 5 hybrid i would normally use at that distance.

[BostonSully]

  NI4NI said:

Ever play with old timers? Straight as an arrow ~150 yards. Putt lights out, and laugh at the wipper snappers cussing in the weeds...

Old timer thats still in school?

[WUTiger]

  chilly said:

Personally, I'd go one club at that distance because it's going to be a high lofted club. High loft means that the ball is closer to flying vertically, versus horizontally, so the change in elevation doesn't effect distance that much. ...

Good job,

C. This is the factor I couldn't remember. A related point: * If you are hitting downhill from a downhill lie, this will deloft you club and increase your distance. * If you are hitting uphill from an uphill lie, this will increase club loft and decrease distance club will go. 10-yard rules assumes shot from level lie.

[double_j]

  WUTiger said:

Good job,

What about an uphill lie to a pin below your feet? My head is going to explode!

[bwdial]

  double_j said:

What about an uphill lie to a pin below your feet? My head is going to explode!

That may involve calculus. Take the club you would normally go with from that distance, close your eyes and hope.

[kpaulhus]

Let us know how you did. There is a hole at a course in Tampa I play that has a 50-60ft drop over a lake. It is 170 something, but I play an 8 iron (150-155). I have stuck it to a foot before, come up short in the bunker before the green, and flew the green by 10 yards. Really it depends on the conditions and "feel" lol

[bwdial]

  kpaulhus said:

Let us know how you did. There is a hole at a course in Tampa I play that has a 50-60ft drop over a lake. It is 170 something, but I play an 8 iron (150-155). I have stuck it to a foot before, come up short in the bunker before the green, and flew the green by 10 yards. Really it depends on the conditions and "feel" lol

That must be World Woods. I used to live in Tampa and the elevation changes were usually measured in eighths of an inch.

[TourSpoon]

60-70 feet = 2 clubs for me....

[kpaulhus]

  bwdial said:

That must be World Woods. I used to live in Tampa and the elevation changes were usually measured in eighths of an inch.

Close, but its Diamond Hill in Valrico. Think of #15 Par 3.