Adjusting for club distances when traveling... elevation

[Denny Bang Bang]

With an upcoming golf trip to Myrtle Beach scheduled in March (and hopefully another trip to NC in October... @mvmac), I've already started to think about playing the courses and what I can do to prepare.  Of course there are the typical (regardless where one plays)... knock off the winter dust, have a go to tee shot in the event I'm struggling, work on shaping shots, work on trajectory.

However, there is one thing that concerns me the most... what will my distances be at a different elevation, and how much should I let it impact my club selection?  I played Torrey Pines on a trip a few years back, and the difference in club distance had the biggest negative impact on my round.

So I'd like to get your thoughts and experiences.  How do you adjust for distances when traveling?  Do you use a number such as 10% and see how it shakes out?  Or do you just get a feel based on how your first few shots turn out?

I'm originally from NY, and I do go home a couple times a year and play a couple rounds while in town.  So you'd think I have an idea, however, I keep a different set in NY.  MP-53 with R300, whereas my main set in UT is MP-25 with S300.  I'll be traveling to Myrtle with my main set.  Maybe I'm overthinking the impact of the shafts, it would minimal, and I can adjust like a typical trip home?

I was gifted GameGolf for Christmas, so I plan to pay attention to distances on this coming trip, and use the info for future reference... but it certainly won't do much for my first round on this coming trip.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Denny Bang Bang

[dkolo]

1 hour ago, Denny Bang Bang said:

With an upcoming golf trip to Myrtle Beach scheduled in March (and hopefully another trip to NC in October... @mvmac), I've already started to think about playing the courses and what I can do to prepare.  Of course there are the typical (regardless where one plays)... knock off the winter dust, have a go to tee shot in the event I'm struggling, work on shaping shots, work on trajectory.

However, there is one thing that concerns me the most... what will my distances be at a different elevation, and how much should I let it impact my club selection?  I played Torrey Pines on a trip a few years back, and the difference in club distance had the biggest negative impact on my round.

So I'd like to get your thoughts and experiences.  How do you adjust for distances when traveling?  Do you use a number such as 10% and see how it shakes out?  Or do you just get a feel based on how your first few shots turn out?

I'm originally from NY, and I do go home a couple times a year and play a couple rounds while in town.  So you'd think I have an idea, however, I keep a different set in NY.  MP-53 with R300, whereas my main set in UT is MP-25 with S300.  I'll be traveling to Myrtle with my main set.  Maybe I'm overthinking the impact of the shafts, it would minimal, and I can adjust like a typical trip home?

I was gifted GameGolf for Christmas, so I plan to pay attention to distances on this coming trip, and use the info for future reference... but it certainly won't do much for my first round on this coming trip.

I would vote for saying you're overthinking it, but if you are worried about it, try to spend a little bit of time on the range beforehand being mindful of calibrating your distances. There's usually a 100 yard marker or something relatively close to it that you can use as a reference. For me, that's just shy of my SW, hit full and flush. If I saw a significant difference on a few representative shots, I would adjust accordingly. Find a scoring club you can feel confident you can hit a specific distance, find the closest range marker you can, and base your adjustment off of that. You won't really care with your driver or 3W, those will be what they will be, but you can account for it a bit with your scoring clubs. It shouldn't be something that makes or breaks your round; if you find yourself coming up short or going long on the first few holes, you'll adjust, just like you would on a windy or chilly day. 

Enjoy your trip! I'd be very happy to be playing Myrtle Beach (or anywhere) right now, regardless of club distances!

Edited January 14, 2017 by dkolo

[Denny Bang Bang]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts @dkolo.  I probably am overthinking it a bit, but I remember like it was yesterday how frustrating it was at TP when it took me 9 holes to figure out my distances, and by then I was already 12 over.  I probably just need to forget that experience haha.

I do agree, getting the approach irons (6-SW) down is key, and hitting the range the day before we start playing would be a good idea.

[Patch]

I used have what I called a "10% Rule" which I used when ever there was any doubt regarding distance in my own game. There is nothing scientific about it. I just used 10% because it makes the math easier. I did this back when I was super, critical about making tons of decisions in my game. 

Basically it worked like this. Up hill add 10% to the yardage. Down hill, subtract 10% from the yardage

With altitude, higher thinner air gets a minus 10% from the known yardage. Lower, heavier air got 10% added to the yardage. Yes, there is a very viable argument against this. 

I would do the same with dryer, or wetter (humid) air. After the math,  I would pull the appropriate club.

All of the above said, i don't remember the last time I actually thought about air conditions as far as picking the right club. Probably been a decade or two. These days I just look at my target, and the terrain. If it looks to be 150 yards, I pull my 160, or 140 yard club. Saves time, and I am rarely short, or long.  

 

[bkuehn1952]

Myrtle Beach is essentially at sea level.  Salt Lake City is about 4,200 feet.  Altitude affects how far a ball flies, all other things being equal.  Without getting too "scientific", you can expect your carry distances to be less in MB. Club up until you get a better feel for how you are playing.

[chilepepper]

A good range warm up and half dozen balls with each club ought to give you a good idea of your distances

[Patch]

One thing I do, regardles of playing conditions, is I never try to change my swing to fit the different conditions I might incounter. I just use my same swing, and let the various clubs in my bag take care of the varous distances needed due to those playing conditions.  

[Lihu]

On 1/13/2017 at 9:32 PM, Denny Bang Bang said:

With an upcoming golf trip to Myrtle Beach scheduled in March (and hopefully another trip to NC in October... @mvmac), I've already started to think about playing the courses and what I can do to prepare.  Of course there are the typical (regardless where one plays)... knock off the winter dust, have a go to tee shot in the event I'm struggling, work on shaping shots, work on trajectory.

However, there is one thing that concerns me the most... what will my distances be at a different elevation, and how much should I let it impact my club selection?  I played Torrey Pines on a trip a few years back, and the difference in club distance had the biggest negative impact on my round.

So I'd like to get your thoughts and experiences.  How do you adjust for distances when traveling?  Do you use a number such as 10% and see how it shakes out?  Or do you just get a feel based on how your first few shots turn out?

I'm originally from NY, and I do go home a couple times a year and play a couple rounds while in town.  So you'd think I have an idea, however, I keep a different set in NY.  MP-53 with R300, whereas my main set in UT is MP-25 with S300.  I'll be traveling to Myrtle with my main set.  Maybe I'm overthinking the impact of the shafts, it would minimal, and I can adjust like a typical trip home?

I was gifted GameGolf for Christmas, so I plan to pay attention to distances on this coming trip, and use the info for future reference... but it certainly won't do much for my first round on this coming trip.

Hit a bucket. That's pretty much the best way. You only have to account for range ball versus playing ball differences.

As you seem to already know, there isn't a single rule because lots of other things could be different as well, for instance temperature.

Another thing is that I tend to prefer to rent clubs now rather than lugging around my own clubs everywhere. Lugging them around also costs about the same as renting a set. So, I also have to adjust to different clubs too. If you don't have time for a bucket, the first drive and iron shot will pretty much tell you. If you fly the first two greens, then club down. I just don't expect to make par the first hole or two.

So all that being said, it seems like at altitude, the distances vary about a club and a half or so. For me, at sea level I lose maybe 2-3 yards of carry? I have no idea, because it's just a "feeling" that I am hitting shorter than at my usual 600 feet elevation.

[Denny Bang Bang]

I appreciate all your comments.  Sounds like there's no magic solution or method, and it just comes down to getting a feel for the distance change.

I'll probably just club up, and adjust from there if necessary (which is what I do when I go back home).  And try to hit the range on arrival to get a feel.

[shortstop20]

Expect to need 1 club more minimum, sometimes 2.

I play at 1200 ft. here and every year I go play at 3-4K feet and I always have to take 1-2 clubs less.

[cutchemist42]

On 15/01/2017 at 9:08 AM, Lihu said:

Hit a bucket. That's pretty much the best way. You only have to account for range ball versus playing ball differences.

As you seem to already know, there isn't a single rule because lots of other things could be different as well, for instance temperature.

Another thing is that I tend to prefer to rent clubs now rather than lugging around my own clubs everywhere. Lugging them around also costs about the same as renting a set. So, I also have to adjust to different clubs too. If you don't have time for a bucket, the first drive and iron shot will pretty much tell you. If you fly the first two greens, then club down. I just don't expect to make par the first hole or two.

So all that being said, it seems like at altitude, the distances vary about a club and a half or so. For me, at sea level I lose maybe 2-3 yards of carry? I have no idea, because it's just a "feeling" that I am hitting shorter than at my usual 600 feet elevation.

So cost of travelling for golf bag usually equals rental clubs plus buying balls? What do most airlines charge for club travel?

[Lihu]

12 minutes ago, cutchemist42 said:

So cost of travelling for golf bag usually equals rental clubs plus buying balls? What do most airlines charge for club travel?

Not exactly, they usually charge $25 to $30 for domestic, and I'm kind of merging the inconvenience of lugging them around as well. Renting can be anywhere from about $50/round (possibly $30) to even higher. The $50 or less rentals are pretty good while the $100 plus rentals are for really decent clubs.

Only one domestic airline wanted to charge $50 for oversized, but the rates were so low that the extra didn't even add up to the price of a "normal" ticket. Some like Cathay Pacific don't even charge, since the plane tickets were already like $2500 anyway for premium economy. Still it's a pain in the butt carrying tubular metal objects through all the document inspection stations.

I stopped after the 9th or 10th time, because I decided that it's not really worth it.

[deadon500]

From past play for me ...  SLC to St George  1 club more  --  SLC to Yuma . Az  2 clubs

Edited January 17, 2017 by deadon500

[djfajt71]

2 hours ago, Lihu said:

Not exactly, they usually charge $25 to $30 for domestic, and I'm kind of merging the inconvenience of lugging them around as well. Renting can be anywhere from about $50/round (possibly $30) to even higher. The $50 or less rentals are pretty good while the $100 plus rentals are for really decent clubs.

Only one domestic airline wanted to charge $50 for oversized, but the rates were so low that the extra didn't even add up to the price of a "normal" ticket. Some like Cathay Pacific don't even charge, since the plane tickets were already like $2500 anyway for premium economy. Still it's a pain in the butt carrying tubular metal objects through all the document inspection stations.

I stopped after the 9th or 10th time, because I decided that it's not really worth it.

I guess that would be the biggest thing for me, convenience.  I usually travel Southwest, which doesn't charge for your first 2 bags, as long as both are under 50 pounds.  I've been lucky enough to travel to places that Southwest goes, and I only go once or twice a year.  If I were to travel more often, the convenience factor may weigh heavier.

[Lihu]

47 minutes ago, djfajt71 said:

I guess that would be the biggest thing for me, convenience.  I usually travel Southwest, which doesn't charge for your first 2 bags, as long as both are under 50 pounds.  I've been lucky enough to travel to places that Southwest goes, and I only go once or twice a year.  If I were to travel more often, the convenience factor may weigh heavier.

True, I guess the main thing I think about is "Will it really affect my score that much?" The answer is generally not by enough to make a real difference, especially when they have decent clubs.

Perhaps if I were a, scratch, low-mid single digit player or gear dependent, I suppose it could make a difference? The last few rounds with rented clubs didn't really make any substantial difference to my game. The main difference is no GG since the tags are stuck really tightly to my grips. . .

Same goes for altitude, I just guesstimate the difference on the first hole or two, then just play my normal game with different clubs.

[djfajt71]

1 hour ago, Lihu said:

True, I guess the main thing I think about is "Will it really affect my score that much?" The answer is generally not by enough to make a real difference, especially when they have decent clubs.

Perhaps if I were a, scratch, low-mid single digit player or gear dependent, I suppose it could make a difference? The last few rounds with rented clubs didn't really make any substantial difference to my game. The main difference is no GG since the tags are stuck really tightly to my grips. . .

Same goes for altitude, I just guesstimate the difference on the first hole or two, then just play my normal game with different clubs.

Oh, no doubt! I was really just answering the convenience/cost aspect of the thread.  I'm going to Vegas in April and travelling from Florida, I'm just assuming the difference in distances will be ~1 club less needed than normal. I will adjust from that amount when I start playing. 

[Denny Bang Bang]

9 hours ago, deadon500 said:

From past play for me ...  SLC to St George  1 club more  --  SLC to Yuma . Az  2 clubs

Thanks for providing your experience.  Obviously very helpful considering your location.