Can we become too dependent....

[Deleted member 15344]

how many people have actually tried guessing a distance, then checking it against a DMD? I have done it several times and find I am accurate enough for golfers of our standards. I even beat my mate to a distance once because his DMD had lagged on him a bit, I was 3 yards different to his DMD.

That three yards could be a difference between a birdie or a bogey - it could mean a ball landing in a bunker or near the flag or a ball flying the green by three yards or dropping short by three yards.

Most do "guess" the yardage within a decent amount but never as accurate as a DMD

 

[MadAdey]

That three yards could be a difference between a birdie or a bogey - it could mean a ball landing in a bunker or near the flag or a ball flying the green by three yards or dropping short by three yards.

Most do "guess" the yardage within a decent amount but never as accurate as a DMD

my reply to that would be how many people are that consistent with their yardages? How did so many people manage to play to a high level without them if that perfect yardage is so important? Has the use of DMDs really improved the average golfer?

A lot of people have only ever really used one of these and never learnt to play by eye, what would happen if their DMD stopped working in a round? I think that is the question, IMO they would struggle big time as they have never had to play like this.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

my reply to that would be how many people are that consistent with their yardages? How did so many people manage to play to a high level without them if that perfect yardage is so important? Has the use of DMDs really improved the average golfer?

A lot of people have only ever really used one of these and never learnt to play by eye, what would happen if their DMD stopped working in a round? I think that is the question, IMO they would struggle big time as they have never had to play like this.

Again I think it will come down to mental strength

My battery has died halfway through a round and I just used the markers on the sprinkler heads and worked out my distances ( took a little longer to figure it out etc ) but it just required a bit of extra paitence

Most courses now have lots of markers on the course or have a yardage book - both versions of DMD

But it was still guess work where as a DMD eliminates that by giving you exactly the yardage away.

Do DMD's improve peoples golf ? I would say indirectly they possibly do - because they possibly add a bit more confidence in the shot being played. But it's minimal effect because people still have to hit the distance

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

I have a GPS, It is useful but I treat it like I would a politician, I don't trust a single thing it tells me :thup: I use it as a guide, then I make up my mind and cock up my shot based solely on my own decision.

 

[Slime]

Most courses now have lots of markers on the course or have a yardage book - both versions of DMD

But it was still guess work where as a DMD eliminates that by giving you exactly the yardage away.

Do DMD's improve peoples golf ? I would say indirectly they possibly do - because they possibly add a bit more confidence in the shot being played. But it's minimal effect because people still have to hit the distance

For me, that's the whole point.
I'm not a particularly good golfer and generally need all the help I can get. I know that an accurate yardage takes out some of the guesswork which, for me, gives me one less thing to think as it helps to unclutter my remarkably cluttered brain!
Not only that, but it also speeds up play ............................... and I'm not the fastest out there by any means.
So ................... increased confidence and pacier play. That's a win win in my book!

Slime.

 

[Snelly]

I am the opposite to being dependent on it. I have a Sky caddie and haven't used it since the Spring as I can never be bothered to download the courses and charge it up. I forget that I even have one.

I also have a laser range finder for deer stalking that I could use for golf but I never do.

When I do have the exact yardage, it is nice I suppose but the yardage means I am going to use one of three clubs probably and other factors determine exactly which one.

Consequently, I don't miss it at all although I would use it more of course if markers at 150 yards did not exist.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

how many people have actually tried guessing a distance, then checking it against a DMD? I have done it several times and find I am accurate enough for golfers of our standards. I even beat my mate to a distance once because his DMD had lagged on him a bit, I was 3 yards different to his DMD.

I sometimes find PPs asking me if I want a distance measurement - and I tell them what I think it is - they check with their DMD and usually quite surprised at how accurate I can be - usually within 5yds which is good enough for me

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

my reply to that would be how many people are that consistent with their yardages? How did so many people manage to play to a high level without them if that perfect yardage is so important? Has the use of DMDs really improved the average golfer?

A lot of people have only ever really used one of these and never learnt to play by eye, what would happen if their DMD stopped working in a round? I think that is the question, IMO they would struggle big time as they have never had to play like this.

Correctamundo IMO - but so be it for those that sup with the devil

 

[Robobum]

I don't mind saying that I'd struggle without it, my mince pies are terrible. I can't guess a yardage within 30.

I can't be arsed arguing whether they should be allowed or not. They are, currently, so I'm using one - on every shot - even from 15yds - because I can!!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't mind saying that I'd struggle without it, my mince pies are terrible. I can't guess a yardage within 30.

I can't be arsed arguing whether they should be allowed or not. They are, currently, so I'm using one - on every shot - even from 15yds - because I can!!

The OP is not about whether they should be allowed or not and I for one am deliberately trying very hard to keep away from that quite separate debate.

If you can't judge a distance to within 30yds even with the use of on-course market posts then sir you are indeed in a bad way And were I playing with you and you were whipping it out all the time for distances of under 50yds - then I'd not only get pretty fed up with you - but I'd wonder what the heck was going on in your mind! Surely it is counter-productive to start worrying about precise yardage when we're talking about the 'short game'

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I've never owned one, and around my home course, it's not a big deal! i did find it very useful when I went around the Oxfordshire though, having not seen the course before, although the planner helped, the comfort from the GPS my friend had was useful.

I think I would probably end up quite dependant on it, and this early in my golfing career, I can't see that being a good thing! I should learn to hit the clubs properly first!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've never owned one, and around my home course, it's not a big deal! i did find it very useful when I went around the Oxfordshire though, having not seen the course before, although the planner helped, the comfort from the GPS my friend had was useful.

I think I would probably end up quite dependant on it, and this early in my golfing career, I can't see that being a good thing! I should learn to hit the clubs properly first!

A first rate and honest response

 

[Deleted member 1147]

One aspect of learning to play the game of golf - comes with experience.

Having started and gotten to a decent level before the introduction of DMD I have enough experiences, but I still think the game is better with them.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I think I would probably end up quite dependant on it, and this early in my golfing career, I can't see that being a good thing! I should learn to hit the clubs properly first!

What difference does it make if you are new to the game or very experienced? The DMD doesn't affect how you strike the ball!

 

[Robobum]

The OP is not about whether they should be allowed or not and I for one am deliberately trying very hard to keep away from that quite separate debate.

If you can't judge a distance to within 30yds even with the use of on-course market posts then sir you are indeed in a bad way And were I playing with you and you were whipping it out all the time for distances of under 50yds - then I'd not only get pretty fed up with you - but I'd wonder what the heck was going on in your mind! Surely it is counter-productive to start worrying about precise yardage when we're talking about the 'short game'

It's not the laser that slows my play up. That's due to my pre shot routine, I need to be focused when I step into the shot zone and be clear minded whilst executing my post shot routine.

 

[JezzE]

I don't think so, at least not for me.
Knowing the distance is just a starting point from which I gauge what club to mis-hit based on course and weather conditions.
If I didn't use one I'd be pacing distances from yardage books or markers which would just slow things up.

Slime.

Not if you do it as you pass said marker on the way to your ball...

I once caddied for a Ladies' European Tour player in a pro-am and she told me off early on for getting to the ball and then pacing back to the marker, bunker or whatever. Soon learned my lesson!

 

[cleanstrike]

My battery has died halfway through a round and I just used the markers on the sprinkler heads and worked out my distances ( took a little longer to figure it out etc ) but it just required a bit of extra patience

You were actually using your brain to work it out. It operates in a similar way to an artificial aid ... only much, much better.

 

[JezzE]

I don't mind saying that I'd struggle without it, my mince pies are terrible. I can't guess a yardage within 30.

I can't be arsed arguing whether they should be allowed or not. They are, currently, so I'm using one - on every shot - even from 15yds - because I can!!

I very much hope a player of your calibre doesn't really need to know whether its 15 yards, 17, 18.5 or whatever...!

 

[ger147]

Not if you do it as you pass said marker on the way to your ball...

That's the way I've always done it.

 

[Slime]

I've never owned one, and around my home course, it's not a big deal! i did find it very useful when I went around the Oxfordshire though, having not seen the course before, although the planner helped, the comfort from the GPS my friend had was useful.

I think I would probably end up quite dependant on it, and this early in my golfing career, I can't see that being a good thing! I should learn to hit the clubs properly first!

Having a DMD will have no effect what-so-ever on your learning to hit the clubs properly. It will merely advise you as to which club to use, and in my case, mis-hit it!
At least I'd know that I was mis-hitting the correct club though.

Slime.