How far should you hit your 8 iron?

[jamiesmith900]

Yes I found that odd but only hit a few drives wasn't ripping them they were 245 carry with 15-20 roll

[Lihu]

Yes I found that odd but only hit a few drives wasn't ripping them they were 245 carry with 15-20 roll

Right, I feel like your driver number is too low.

[iacas]

One of the biggest problems for mid-high handicap players is the 120 yds and in game where we can't play a full shot. This is why a lot of the time you'll see us lay up to that distance on a hole rather than try to get to that "uncomfortable" 50 yd distance. You low HC players and pros scratch your heads. Why would we choose to do that over being closer to the green for a far more accurate shot?

Laying up to a "comfortable" yardage is a mistake.

It's because statistics show that Pros and low HC players have their accuracy go up as they get inside 100 yds while mid-high HC players have their accuracy go down.

I don't believe statistics show that at all. Perhaps for a specific player, but in general, no, that's not true at all.

It's a big part of Lowest Score Wins . You should treat yourself to a copy for Christmas.

[imsys0042]

I really agree with Erik here. The pro at my own course and he club champ I caddied for as a kid said basically the same thing. Get as close to the hole as you can, and it will help. For a while I tried to lay up to a comfortable distance. And I was still faced with a fuller swing with more margin for error. When I knocked it as close to the green, barring avoid a big miss with hazards, I would hit some really bad shorter shots, but I was more likely to be close enough to chip for an up and down. Based on the distances Jamie is talking about, that's longer than most people I know. If you are hitting a 48 wedge that far, first of all nice! Secondly, consider more lofted clubs? Or get comfortable with 3/4 quarter shots? I know someone who is in your distance range and his weak spot is 120 yards in because he has to take something off his clubs. This is where grooving a 3/4 and 1/2 swing with each of your wedges can help.

[onthehunt526]

If your carry distance with your Driver is 280, then roughly 60% of your carry with your Driver, so about 160ish... But some people crush their Driver, and get so much spin on their irons, that they have a carry of 280 with the Driver and only have a 140 carry with their 8-iron, I think with you the opposite is true... You hit your Driver 280(carry), and you don't get as much spin on your irons so you hit it farther with your irons, you could be swinging too hard with your irons, Just my opinion...

[DrvFrShow]

This is where grooving a 3/4 and 1/2 swing with each of your wedges can help.

This was my point. Most mid-high handicap players don't do this, and their game suffers where they can no longer make a full shot.

[saevel25]

This was my point. Most mid-high handicap players don't do this, and their game suffers where they can no longer make a full shot.

They suffer greater on full shots. They are high handicappers for a reason, and it isn't the inability to hit half shots. Partial shots are easier to hit. The require less movement of the body. They are more stable, and quicker to learn. In the end proximity still reigns supreme.

[jamiesmith900]

Please bear in mind all, that my handicap index was off when I sort of hacked my way round course and shooting mid high 90s , I can't really gage a good score at the moment as I hit greens really well but at the moment it is in middle of winter here so greens are very boobbley and don't give true roll and I oftern 3 put a guess my index will drop as I head into summer, I'm now working my wedges as this is my week spot 100%

[jamiesmith900]

Hi iacas I have just purchased the book looks interesting look forward to reading and hopefully seeing me go towards single handicap if not scratch thanks

[Hammer 4]

Hi iacas

I have just purchased the book looks interesting look forward to reading and hopefully seeing me go towards single handicap if not scratch thanks

You won't regret the purchase. I have read my copy 3 times, and am still learning new things. IMHO, this book has the ability to really improve your game.

[iacas]

Hi iacas

I have just purchased the book looks interesting look forward to reading and hopefully seeing me go towards single handicap if not scratch thanks

Shipped today.

[Pretzel]

I concur with Hammer 4. I've read through my copy a number of times and have picked up at least two things every time through.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrvFrShow

This was my point. Most mid-high handicap players don't do this, and their game suffers where they can no longer make a full shot.

They suffer greater on full shots. They are high handicappers for a reason, and it isn't the inability to hit half shots.

Partial shots are easier to hit. The require less movement of the body. They are more stable, and quicker to learn. In the end proximity still reigns supreme.

As a not so long ago 20+ handicapper, I can say that my perception of a full shot was easier to make because I was not looking for precise distance or direction control all that much. If a shot hit off the face reasonably cleanly 100 yards or so, it would fizzle out at that distance. There is no "control", but the club is just kind of going 100 yards or so and the ball has no more energy to go farther.

This is something most single digit or low teen handicappers probably have long forgotten. It's only been a little over a year and a half and I've almost forgotten.

[rehmwa]

Right, I feel like your driver number is too low.

Not at 103, that's right on the dot for 103-105

[rehmwa]

I really agree with Erik here. The pro at my own course and he club champ I caddied for as a kid said basically the same thing. Get as close to the hole as you can, and it will help.

I'll pile on.  AGREED

What I consider to be a crappy chip from 60 yards is still closer to the hole than what I think is a 'normal' result from 110 (I'm very comfy at 110 it's my GW full swing)

I might 'feel' happier when I land that GW on the green around 20-25 feet and have a clean two putt.  And I might be a bit upset if the chip from 60 doesn't get within 15 feet, but over time, I get better birdie opportunities the closer I get to approach from

disclaimer - numbers made up on the spot

I have 3 approach ranges -

6i (175) and up - hope I get on the green

7i (160) down to about 90 yards - Pretty confident of the par, hope for a birdie, or at least don't screw up a good thing

under 90 - hopeful for the birdie darn it and upset if I don't at least get a legit putt at it....

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lihu

Right, I feel like your driver number is too low.

Not at 103, that's right on the dot for 103-105

Yeah, but it's slow for someone who swings an iron 98.

[rehmwa]

Yeah, but it's slow for someone who swings an iron 98.

absolutely, that's the disconnect we all are talking too...these are not the same swings at all

so the question is which swing is the one he's truly comfy with.....or are the shaft mismatched woods vs irons, etc etc.

I'm with you, I'd see if I can bring that iron swing into play on that driver, as long as he's hitting fairways....

I suspect the answer is somewhere in the middle, as always.

[jamiesmith900]

I hit fairways very much but I have quite a bit of spin on my drives 3k + but when I hit a 2.5k by god it goes that's why I crush my irons I come down on ball. Thus why I get to much spin on drive :)