What method do you use to determine which club to hit with?

[Topper]

As others have said, you should have a general idea after a dozen golf outings how far you hit different clubs even though ball striking will not be consistent.  Pick your average distance, not your maximum distance when you hit it perfectly.

I suggest keeping it simple for now and use a couple "marker distances".  Decide what Club you like for 100 yards, and 150 yards and around the greens.  Lets say its a GW and a 7i and a SW for chipping around the greens.  Add or subtract 1 club for each 10 yards relative to these markers.  So you have about 110 yards then go to a PW.  If you have around 140, drop down to a 8i.  You'll change and refine your club selection as you play more.  You shouldn't need to carry a card.

BTW, at this stage it's normal to hit some clubs a lot better than other clubs so the distances between clubs won't be that uniform.  As you get better, the distances will become more uniform.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Nine Iron

Well Im glad I asked because I have never looked for them or seen any before.

Thanks for the info!

Look for colored poles along the edges of the fairway.  Blue = 200 yd, White = 150 yd, Red = 100 yd.  They are usually measured to the center of the green.  So if you are in between the blue and white markers, you are approximately 175 yd from the center of the green.

I spent time early one morning at the range and hit 15-20 balls with each club, then measured the distance to the center of the grouping.  That's how I initially came up with my yardages.  Over time with improvement to my swing, and getting accustomed to new clubs, I have adjusted the numbers to what I have actually been averaging on the course.  I try to note the distances I hit each club, if I have time without slowing down play, with my uPro GPS.  I have a card that I clip to my bag that I can reference easily.  Figure out the shot I want to make, the distance, look at the card, and grab the appropriate club.

[Patrick Gilmore]

When at the range try to determine the distance the ball lands, not finishes at.  I practice frequently, but if you don't then try to compare how much differnce the wind makes on different visits.  The final part is judging lies and elevation changes.  Of course you will find that certain greens will have varying release, roll and over time you will learn to adjust for that as well. I feel most new golfers do not take enough extra club into the wind and not enough less with the wind.