Distance Gone

ForeRighty

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Sep 13, 2011
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As per the title I am really struggling with loss of distance off the tee.

Swing speed is up at an average of 99mph based on 2 recent sessions on a simulator lowest being 95 and few over the 100mph but distance isn't there.

I am averaging 200 yard carry with 30 yard run out whereas with an 18 degree hybrid I get a 200 yard carry and little roll.

Do these numbers look odd to you?.

Thanks
Ryan
 
If its a recent thing blame the cold weather!

In the summer I am usually happy with a 250+ drive, in the winter anything over 220 is good!
 
I've lost an awful lot of distance off the tee in the past year or so, but seen my handicap come down from 28 in May to 19.1 as the season finished.

Throughout I have played with a fairly weak grip but still would hit drives around the 240 range. But to avoid a dreaded push slice I unknowingly started to come at the ball from outside the target line, which gave me a slight fade on a good shot and or a slight slice on an average one. Both these swings however kept the ball in play and allowed me to score reasonably well and get my handicap down. Distance wise I lost at least 40 yds with driver, and can now hit 3 hyrbid, 3 wood and driver almost all the same distance. A swing like I have apparently puts less energy through the ball the longer the club you use. And the harder I swing with driver the only difference I see is the ball going much higher but no further. I have now started a winter practice regime with our club pro to get back to hitting the ball from the inside to start making better contact and get my distance back up for next season, because our course is 6,970 yds on a medal and I'll stuggle to get below 19 h'cap hitting 200 yd carries off the tee!!!

Obviously your issue could be something totally different and I'm no expert! But it does sound similar to thoughts I've had this year, because I tried a few drivers and different shafts on a launch monitor a couple of months ago and my average swing speed is around 95mph which should be enough to drive in the 240 yard range, but at least now I understand why I am not getting the distance I need.
 
Drivers I have been hitting have been 10.5 loft, with swing speed I would have expected it to go further my typical shot is a soft fade
 
Dont overestimate how far people hit their drivers. 230 yards is quite respectable, just ignore all the 270 and longer stuff it rarely happens, especially in the winter.
 
Drivers I have been hitting have been 10.5 loft, with swing speed I would have expected it to go further my typical shot is a soft fade

Are you sure the simulator is accurate? Are you basing the distance on what the simulator tells you, or have you actually measured it on the course? I went on one simulator and it told me I had a swing speed of average 100mph. Went on another and it was telling me it was 85mph
 
I cannot be sure the simulator is accurate however this a reputable store and a trackman session this summer confirmed my swing at this speed
 
Its winter. Your carry distance will have dropped off a bit but the roll with have dropped off even more. This time of year I wouldn't worry about it as long as you're hitting straight.
 
Its winter. Your carry distance will have dropped off a bit but the roll with have dropped off even more. This time of year I wouldn't worry about it as long as you're hitting straight.

Not sure they put the simulator on Winter mode :-)

Also I carry my 7 iron 150 yards.
 
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If your hitting a driver high then the more important number on a simulator is the back spin. This was costing me 40 yards and a session on a trackman showed just how much it was killing my distance. He moved the ball about 4 inches forward in my stance, took me down to an 8.5* from a 9.5* driver and closed to clubface down. Back spin dropped for 5000rpm + to 2400! Same launch angle, same flight path but up from 240 yards to 280 and a lot better dispertion.
If your striking down on the ball through impact it will put masses of spin on that you don't want with a driver. If you've got a print out from your simulator session have a look at the back spin stats.
 
I am a self confessed short hitter. I'm not hung up on it and if I can keep the ball in play I'll use my strokes then I am not going to be doing too badly. If it is a current problem, there are several causes. Is it the cold weather and wet fairways or has something got out of kilter with your swing?

I wouldn't get too stressed as long as you are happy with the strike and are playing ok
 
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