Mapping Shot Zones Off the Course

[JonMA1]

I know GameGolf does a great job of compiling approach shot data while on the course, but for anyone else out there who practices hitting into a field, I found an app that has helped me map my shot zones.

http://www.appliedstudios.com/dtool/09f03e59

When I first used it I was a bit disappointed as it only measures in a continuous path. In other words, I can only measure the distance from where I swung to the first ball, then from the first ball to the second, and so forth. 

But then I realized it doesn't matter as much how far each shot went. It matters more how big the zone is and its proximity to the target.

So for the zone linked above, I measured a known target that was about 130 yards away and hit several shots to it. My first measurement is from where I shot, my second to the target, and the subsequent measurements are the shot locations.

The GPS might be a little wonky - it measured one of my 6i shots at over 190yds. I can't BS that distance in the How Far Do You Hit You Clubs thread, much less hit one that far in reality. But I'm familiar enough with this field through google maps and with the terrain, that I can tell when it's pretty close.

If anyone knows of a better way to do this, please share.

[JonMA1]

I'm still waiting for the courses to open up here so I've been screwing around with the app and recording some zones. This isn't anything scientific (in fact, there are probably several errors), just pick a target - usually a small tree or shrub - hit to it, then walk out and mark where each ball lands. Open the screen shots into Adobe Illustrator, mark and measure. This is just one sampling of each club. but I would say its typical of my crappy spray and pray method of golf. 

On all but one of the clubs, I recorded 99% of the duffs, hooks and pushes. The 4 iron was all over the place tonight and started recording it after I mades some adjustments. Everything else is legit to the best of my ability. The larger red circle represents 50'.

Did I mention how bored I've been waiting for the courses to open? So I pulled up a tight green from my home course which is surrounded by water on 3 sides with swamp behind. I overlaid the shot zones of each club to see how well I would have done on a green that kicks my ass on a regular basis. Two things that jump out as uncharacteristic. First, while I have hit this green with a 5iron, I'd likely get more penalties on average. Second, I typically do better with the Gap Wedge on this hole than what's shown here. Other than that, probably pretty typical iron play from a high capper.

 

Edited March 30, 2016 by JonMA1
Changed images to jpg