Is Distance Really That Important for Amateurs?

[DrvFrShow]

There's one hole on a course I play where if I could consistently carry my drives 10 yds further I could clear the water hazard and leave myself a lob wedge to the green. Because I can't I have to tee off with a hybrid and lay up, then hit an 8 or 9 iron onto the green. The other question is would I keep my driver in the fairway? If I pull left I'm in the water. If I push or fade right, I could be okay if it lands in a narrow spot, but that spot is really soft even in August (it'll embed and you get a drop), and you need to pick it clean or you'll hit fat. PW up from there, but it's not worth the risk.

I need to keep my drives on the FW or in the first cut. I'm practicing on the range to keep them between the three poles at the end (+/- 1 pole). They're going between +/- 1.5 - 2 poles. Or a full out slice off 70 yds right once in a great while.

However, this year, if I roll one off the tee into the very thick wet rough in the early morning on the first hole, I think I'm going to take an unplayable, take stroke and distance and re-tee given that it took 2 strokes to get out of that mess on the average. It's a short par 5 and I still have a shot at a par that way instead of an automatic double or triple bogey.

[Dave2512]

Sure but more than course strategy knowing that distance is important should result in how we spend our time practicing. The gains relative to lowering scores are more beneficial with increasing distance. For example being the world greatest chipper would be awesome but unless you hole a bunch it's gets down to splitting hairs because once you get close enough to the hole the differences between the best and worst putters aren't significant.

[onthehunt526]

Sure but more than course strategy knowing that distance is important should result in how we spend our time practicing. The gains relative to lowering scores are more beneficial with increasing distance. For example being the world greatest chipper would be awesome but unless you hole a bunch it's gets down to splitting hairs because once you get close enough to the hole the differences between the best and worst putters aren't significant.

True, having the world's best short game will save you some strokes... but having distance could be the different between those up and downs being for birdies on par-fives and pars on long par-fours... as opposed to bogeys or worse... The point is distance is important, you can always work on accuracy but distance is hard to gain especially as you get older... So beginners so try to get as much distance as possible then work on accuracy...

[DrvFrShow]

Exactly @Dave2512

I was at Dick's buying grips and commenting on the price compared to what I saw online (plus they charge $3 for installation per club now), and the guy behind the counter asked why I wanted standard size vs. medium. So I explained why. He said he teaches at Chambers Bay in his off time. I know he's not hired as a pro. He said he played NCAA golf. He asked me what my handicap was. Here was his practice recommendation:

* for every hour I spend hitting balls spend 2 hrs on the putting green

* work like mad on my short game.

This will take 5 to 6 strokes off my score - after I told him I averaged 35 putts per round.

My counter: 35 putts per round - It takes me 60 strokes per round to get onto the green. If I spend 2/3 of my practice time to lower my score by 5% how is that efficient practice? What I need to do is shave 20 strokes off those 60 strokes and lower my score by 20% while maintaining my putting and short game efficiency. That would make more sense and be more efficient use of my practice time. It is cruel to tell a 24 handicapper who averages 35-36 putts/rd to spend most of their time working on their putting when that isn't the problem.

I'm not saying not to work on the short game at all, but the inconsistency of my long game killed me last year. And I need as much distance as I can get now because it isn't going to get longer as I get older.

[onthehunt526]

Read the 65/20/15 thread - [CONTENTEMBED=/t/58816/65-20-15-practice-ratios-where-to-devote-your-practice-time layout=inline]​[/CONTENTEMBED]

[Dave2512]

There are a lot of people that believe stuff like that. I hear it on Golf Channel all the time. If you knew nothing about golf and listened to what they say you'd think golf is a putting contest.

[natureboy]

There are a lot of people that believe stuff like that. I hear it on Golf Channel all the time. If you knew nothing about golf and listened to what they say you'd think golf is a putting contest.

Yeah, it does seem they overemphasize the importance, but didn't Broadie's numbers also underscore that as far as the contribution to victory / winning rather than just score, that hot putting rises in importance (as would a 'hot' long game). I guess if a pro gets really hot with the putter they can overcome someone only getting 'warm' with the long game.

[Jakester23]

Yeah, it does seem they overemphasize the importance, but didn't Broadie's numbers also underscore that as far as the contribution to victory / winning rather than just score, that hot putting rises in importance (as would a 'hot' long game). I guess if a pro gets really hot with the putter they can overcome someone only getting 'warm' with the long game.

This thread isn't about pros.  Its for the hack like me trying to score better.  I am much better with a pw then I am with a 7i.  Just like Im much better from 25 yards then I am from 100.  Its also true for putting would you rather putt from 5 ft or 15 ft?

[JonMA1]

If this belongs in another thread, please feel free to move it.

So I agree it is a fact that the closer you are to the green, the lower you'll score (really hard to argue). Understanding this should change my decision making to slightly favor distance over safety. In addition, as the longest club in the bag I now realize how important it is to improve my driver swing. This knowledge will effect how I practice.

Having said all that, I don't believe I will ever be a long hitter. Even if I were to develop a pretty good swing, I will never be able to jack 275 yard drives or get 150 yards from a PW. Probably wouldn't have as a young man and definitely not as I get older. It just ain't in my DNA.

If playing against the average player on this site, this equates to pulling a 7 iron when they are pulling a wedge. Not only are they out hitting me off the tee, but they can also hit the rest of their clubs longer (I really haven't seen a lot of this on the course, it's just for the sake of making a point).

So isn't there a point where we all reach 95% of our potential for distance? If so, at that point shouldn't we start devoting more practice time towards accuracy? If I'm forced to use a longer club, don't I want a fighting chance by getting as accurate as possible with it?

Or is this a defeatist attitude by a non-athlete who is simply learning the game too late in life?

[Dave2512]

Yeah, it does seem they overemphasize the importance, but didn't Broadie's numbers also underscore that as far as the contribution to victory / winning rather than just score, that hot putting rises in importance (as would a 'hot' long game). I guess if a pro gets really hot with the putter they can overcome someone only getting 'warm' with the long game.

My recollection of the SGP sections are the numbers are split about even with most falling in the center. He spends so much time on it to emphasize proximity to the hole. The eye opening stuff for me was the stats from different distances across a range of golfer. So while some do get hot and it helps them win the stats are what they are. As we get closer to the hole the more similar we become, not much difference between terrible putters and great putters from the same distances.

[Dave2512]

If this belongs in another thread, please feel free to move it. So I agree it is a fact that the closer you are to the green, the lower you'll score (really hard to argue). Understanding this should change my decision making to slightly favor distance over safety. In addition, as the longest club in the bag I now realize how important it is to improve my driver swing. This knowledge will effect how I practice. Having said all that, I don't believe I will ever be a long hitter. Even if I were to develop a pretty good swing, I will never be able to jack 275 yard drives or get 150 yards from a PW. Probably wouldn't have as a young man and definitely not as I get older. It just ain't in my DNA. If playing against the average player on this site, this equates to pulling a 7 iron when they are pulling a wedge. Not only are they out hitting me off the tee, but they can also hit the rest of their clubs longer (I really haven't seen a lot of this on the course, it's just for the sake of making a point). So isn't there a point where we all reach 95% of our potential for distance? If so, at that point shouldn't we start devoting more practice time towards accuracy? If I'm forced to use a longer club, don't I want a fighting chance by getting as accurate as possible with it? Or is this a defeatist attitude by a non-athlete who is simply learning the game too late in life?

Tough to answer without knowing more about. What is your handicap or average score.

[JonMA1]

Tough to answer without knowing more about. What is your handicap or average score.

Handicap was below 26 at one point last season. Average score probably 104.

But the question was more of a general one. Are you still working on gaining distance?

[Dave2512]

Handicap was below 26 at one point last season. Average score probably 104. But the question was more of a general one. Are you still working on gaining distance?

Absolutely and I don't think anyone tops out until it becomes physically impossible. Even a golf that starts late can improve until age pushes them back. Even then you just make choices about how long a course you play. But it still won't change closer is better. For me the fun having a chance to make par and sometimes better. Three years ago when I started getting serious that didn't happen often.

[k-troop]

Handicap was below 26 at one point last season. Average score probably 104. But the question was more of a general one. Are you still working on gaining distance?

You are probably right that everyone has a limit to how much speed they can generate in their swing. You can increase speed with mechanics, but there comes a point where were limited by athleticism. Distance is more than just speed. Smash factor, launch angle, spin, etc all play into the overall distance as well. Setup, mechanics, and equipment all play a role. So, you hit it perfectly every time. You've tuned your gear and are generating speed to your physiological limits. What else to do? Go practice you putting? Well yes, at that point your long game practice may be capped out (just a little sarcasm here because none of us will ever achieve persistent perfection). But the "hit it farther" campaign is also a lot about how you attack the course. Using the longest club you can on every shot without unreasonably risking penalty shots will result in lower scores over the long run. That means hitting driver more than the "play it safe" mentality would normally dictate. It also means throwing out the notion of laying up to a comfortable distance and hitting the 3-wood for your second shot on par-5s. It's not really complicated, but this thread makes it seem so.

[Dave2512]

My guess is most don't swing as fast as they could. Most I see move like zombies.

[JonMA1]

Absolutely and I don't think anyone tops out until it becomes physically impossible. Even a golf that starts late can improve until age pushes them back. Even then you just make choices about how long a course you play. But it still won't change closer is better.

For me the fun having a chance to make par and sometimes better. Three years ago when I started getting serious that didn't happen often.

Good to know.

As far as how long a course to play, playing a longer course forced me to improve with the driver. As long as you don't care about the score or if you're not holding anyone up, I would recommend occasionally playing longer tees for a high handicapper.

Originally Posted by k-troop

You are probably right that everyone has a limit to how much speed they can generate in their swing. You can increase speed with mechanics, but there comes a point where were limited by athleticism.

Distance is more than just speed. Smash factor, launch angle, spin, etc all play into the overall distance as well. Setup, mechanics, and equipment all play a role.

So, you hit it perfectly every time. You've tuned your gear and are generating speed to your physiological limits. What else to do? Go practice you putting?

Well yes, at that point your long game practice may be capped out (just a little sarcasm here because none of us will ever achieve persistent perfection). But the "hit it farther" campaign is also a lot about how you attack the course. Using the longest club you can on every shot without unreasonably risking penalty shots will result in lower scores over the long run. That means hitting driver more than the "play it safe" mentality would normally dictate. It also means throwing out the notion of laying up to a comfortable distance and hitting the 3-wood for your second shot on par-5s.

It's not really complicated, but this thread makes it seem so.

Yeah, the concept is simple and as I said, hard to argue. The best rounds I had last year came after reading LSW and a direct result of using the driver instead of the 5 wood off a couple of holes. The on-the-course strategy is fairly clear.

As far as swing mechanics, I've had glimpses of increased power. If I can get it by accidentally doing something correctly, then it can be learned. But as much potential as there is for a bit more distance, I simply have to get better at keeping it in play. Not trying to debate anything, just trying to figure out practice strategy.

[DrvFrShow]

I'll never hit a pitching wedge 140 yds either. It's not in the cards. A pitching wedge is my 112 yd club unless I swing out of my socks. Due to the length of the club, there's a risk of a thin shot if I do at this point. My 9 iron is my 125 yd club. 8 iron 137. 7 iron 150. But some of you guys here hit an 8 iron 160, and a 5 iron 190. My drives are getting better and I'm starting to get around 220 carry with a fade + 15 to + 20 yds. I want to narrow that. +15 may stay playable. +20 can get into trouble. The poles at the end of the range are ten yards apart. I pick one for the target and stay +/- 10 yds and that's hard. I still slice one or duck hook one every now and then, but who doesn't?

Daily practice has resulted in increased SS and increased distance. But I think I'm starting to reach the end of my SS increases. I find myself trying too hard for more distance and it's throwing off my tempo. So I'll back off a little bit until my tempo returns, and then get that feel for the club head and drop + turn. That's when I'm banging them.

I putt today for 15 minutes. I haven't lost my touch. I had one set of lag putts I three putted because I read the green wrong. I also was messing around with a new putting stroke that works a lot better than my old one, and I tried the Michelle Wie putting style and I found it more consistent.

I banged out some wedge shots to targets 60, 45, and 25 yds. I landed a couple dead in the target. That's hard. If I can get within a couple feet on the 25 yd one I'm happy.

But most of my time was spent on the long game. It is quite evident why you don't want to have to hit a 5 iron for your approach shot. It is quite evident why you want to hit a 9 iron or less for that shot. It is very evident why I'd rather hit a lob shot for that shot. I have a decent short game. It's not great, but it's good enough to where I can make someone sweat. I love my lob wedge. I'm learning to love my 56 wedge.

And like I said. On 18, par 5. 423 yds. If I get a good drive, shot 2 I'm going for the green with a 3H. I can carry it 190, but if I dunk it, I'm still hitting over on 4 for an up and down. OR I could lay up and hit a GW and possibly mis-hit that and then I'm U&D; for bogey.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonMA1

Handicap was below 26 at one point last season. Average score probably 104.

But the question was more of a general one. Are you still working on gaining distance?

Absolutely and I don't think anyone tops out until it becomes physically impossible. Even a golf that starts late can improve until age pushes them back. Even then you just make choices about how long a course you play. But it still won't change closer is better.

For me the fun having a chance to make par and sometimes better. Three years ago when I started getting serious that didn't happen often.

There are some really talented older golfers that said you don't really start losing distance until you are in your mid to late 70s. Some might lose it sooner due to various injuries, but for the most part you can expect to continue to increase your distance until you are a lot older.

My guess is most don't swing as fast as they could. Most I see move like zombies.

This is what I see.