Has Technology Helped You Hit the Golf Ball Farther?

[billchao]

Definitely, but nothing crazy. Haven't been playing over ten years, though. Most of the technology I benefit from is on the instruction/theory side. I did see a slight gain from switching to newer GI irons, but that's mostly on of center hits.

[tomvk77]

Well i like to believe so, but i don't think i hit it any further than i did with my first driver.

however i do think technology helped me with flight control, and i hit it straighter now.

[Abu3baid]

I am hitting 10 to 15 yards longer with the new Adams I just purchased in comparison to the used Adams I purchased when I first started getting serious about golf 3 years ago.

[scorpion12]

It's nothing crazy for me... might be about the same, might be a bit more, might be a bit less... I know that my 6 iron when I hit it well goes 150 yards. I know my RBZ drives the ball right at 190 yards give or take. I'm thinking my previous clubs weren't as good.

I'll say the 460cc driver head makes it more user friendly and easier to hit.

And the grip thread. At least I'm holding the club right. That's something for me.

[smellysell]

Don't think it has anything to do with technology, but I hit it significantly shorter than I did when I started 7ish years ago. Much straighter and more consistent though.

[GolfLug]

In the past 10 years has technology helped you hit the ball farther?

Technology being:

New equipment: drivers, golf balls, irons, shafts, adjustability, turbulators

Launch monitors: Trackman, FlightScope, Foresight, golf retailer simulators.

High-speed video.

Online instruction: Lessons, videos, website articles/threads.

3D motion capture systems: AMM, K-Vest, Gears, Vicon, GolfTec.

Swing Analysis software: Analyzr, V1, various apps.

Gadgets: Zepp, , Swingbyte, GAME Golf, SwingTip.

After you vote, post in the thread and provide some details on your vote. If you hit it farther, what technology do you feel has helped you?

I voted for "Yes but nothing crazy". I swing a little slower now than I did 10 years ago when I was playing college golf but I hit it a little further. I would attribute that to driver and ball technology, 3D ball flight technology (positive AoA), online instruction, high-speed video and Analyzr software (better impact alignments).

Driver: Yes, I have been playing appx. 10 years and started with 60 gram graphite shafts and 460 cc head so I think never experienced the biggest change in technology related distance gain IMO. But have picked up 5-10 yards since mainly because of the launch monitor fitting for proper combo. Online education has helped tremendously.

Irons: No. Once I started hitting the irons somewhat consistently to even have any reliable distance numbers, I have not hit them any further as far as maximum is concerned.

I know not a mentioned option here but hope you don't mind if I mention: Biggest difference is in consistency. Big difference but due to high speed video and online education here on TST.

I have not had much of an opportunity to as far as exposure to other technologies (3D motion, etc.) mentioned here so can't comment. Personally I do feel that use of Trackman and Flight-scope, if I indulge, has some untapped potential distance for me. Not sure if I can increase maximum distance ( I think my body/swing is maxed out) but whatever maximum distance I have more often. Wish I could play more than 20-25 rounds a year.

Edit: I do not consider reduction in lofts of irons real technology improvement.

[easyjay39402]

Since I turned 70, my swing speed has fallen off a cliff.  Purchased a complete new set of clubs adjusted to my senior status, but nothing seems to help ... except moving up to the green tees

[GangGreen]

I picked the game back up last summer after being away from it for 15 years. I purchased new clubs last year when I started playing again and, from my experience, the difference in technology over that time span was HUGE particularly with respect to forgiveness. Hard to say how its effected my distance, I hit the ball more or less the same distances now then I did back then but I think age has offset some of the benefits of today's clubs for me. Would have loved to have had these clubs when I was a 20-something.

[scorpion12]

EasyJay there's nothing wrong with moving up a set of tees.

[Spitfisher]

has technology helped me hit the ball farther? yes maybe 5-7 yards however technology has really tightend up the dispersion of all my clubs.

[phan52]

I hit all of my irons at least 10 yards longer than I did 10-15 years ago. That is definitely due to a combination of the clubs and the ball. I hit my driver far longer than I have in my whole life and I just turned 62 on Saturday (no gifts, please ).

[Lihu]

I hit all of my irons at least 10 yards longer than I did 10-15 years ago. That is definitely due to a combination of the clubs and the ball. I hit my driver far longer than I have in my whole life and I just turned 62 on Saturday (no gifts, please).

Happy Birthday. Hope you had a nice round.

[dfreuter415]

Has Technology Helped You Hit the Golf Ball Farther?

I said no, because since I turned 60, I've lost 30 yards on my drives.  There was nothing that technology could do to combat my battle with old age.

[Lihu]

Has Technology Helped You Hit the Golf Ball Farther?

I said no, because since I turned 60, I've lost 30 yards on my drives.  There was nothing that technology could do to combat my battle with old age.

There is a company that mills down the driver faces, I forgot the name of it. One of my senior (>30 years older than me) partners does it, and hits pretty long drives. Guessing 220 on average (real yards, not internet ones).

[Pretzel]

Surprisingly, I would have to answer yes to this question. When I tested the G30 I honestly didn't expect an improvement, but with the fins having a name like "turbulators" I had to at least hit it to see. I actually ended up hitting the ball between 10-15 yards further on an average shot, both on the course and on a simulator. I put one on order, but will have to wait a couple weeks before it arrives (ordered it three weeks ago with a five week backorder on the Tour shaft) because it has apparently been far more popular than their other drivers when they were released.

[shanksalot]

It is hard to say since I have not hit equipment back ten years ago since 8-10 years ago. Today the lofts are at least one club stronger the ball is much better and is less spiny and thus should go straighter. I would guess I hit the ball about the same but if I hit the old equipment against the clubs in my bag today I would guess I hit the old equipment 5-10 yards shorter.Being 10 years ago means going from age 62 to age 72 and there is no way I should be hitting the same distance unless the equipment has helped me.

[Nosevi]

Sorry, can't vote as I'm pretty new to the game and wasn't playing 10 years ago. I think tech helps if you use it wisely but just buying the newest club with an off the shelf shaft isn't necessarily going to help increase distance except in the shop on their kit where it always seems to go further for some reason :)

- I've just been custom fit and that made a difference - now have Ping G30 with Project X (Tour 52) 6.5 shaft for the driver.

- With the G30 you can play with the loft to optimise spin vs launch angle which makes a bit of difference. Got it cranked down to 8 degrees which suits my ball flight (pretty high compared to the loft in my hands).

- I've got a launch monitor at home which I use a lot and getting that kind of feed back on the numbers makes a difference but only if you know what to do with the numbers the kit gives you.

- I use standard and high speed video which really just helps me see what my coach is talking about and allows me to monitor my swing between lessons. He's very good and possibly doesn't need it, but I'm a 'visual learner' and do much better if I can see what I'm doing myself and we can discuss what he wants me to adjust rather than him just telling me.

With all of the above the common denominator is using the tech wisely and for me getting lessons with a guy who knows what he's doing and I can relate to.

I've picked up about 25 yards in the last 6 months and now drive the ball around the 300 yard mark in still air, 'standard' fairway (saw on another golf forum a thread about how far have you driven the ball down wind, down hill on a hard fairway which made me chuckle). I can get lucky with a real smash and get it further but what my pro has taught me is that staying in balance and so swining within yourself is more important than winning the monthly 'longest drive' nonesense on the 10th hole.

I'd say tech works, you just have to know how to best use it.

[Nosevi]

Surprisingly, I would have to answer yes to this question. When I tested the G30 I honestly didn't expect an improvement, but with the fins having a name like "turbulators" I had to at least hit it to see. I actually ended up hitting the ball between 10-15 yards further on an average shot, both on the course and on a simulator. I put one on order, but will have to wait a couple weeks before it arrives (ordered it three weeks ago with a five week backorder on the Tour shaft) because it has apparently been far more popular than their other drivers when they were released.

You won't regret it. I couldn't 100% get on with their shafts (they're not bad just not right for me) but the club itself is great :)