Distance struggles

[YamiKuriboh]

Been playing for just over a year now. Not a member of a club but pay as you play is so cheap around me (£10 a round!) that I have been playing fairly regularly. I find I am struggling with distance. A par 4 is generally around 400 yards here. I can get 200 yds or so off the tee but then I have no hope of getting the green in my next shot. It often takes me 3 or 4 shots to get onto the green. I am fairly straight, get a good loft but am just not getting distance. My longest iron is a 5 iron.

What should I focus on? I have a 3 wood and some 3 and 4 hybrids but find these quite difficult to use. Am I lacking iron distance or should I look to improve my 3 wood off the deck or hybrid play?

 

[duncan mackie]

Welcome to the forum, and the game.

What you are experiencing is absolutely normal. As you competence improves you will find that you are able to use longer clubs (such as your hybrids) with increasing consistency.

The best way to improve is to accept the distances the clubs you feel confident with provide you and don't strive to hit them further than they are designed to go - hit them smoother and sweeter. This will then be reflected in your longer clubs.

400yds in anything other than summer dry bouncy conditions is beyond the majority of handicap golfers ability on any consistent basis (whatever they might say!)

 

[Orikoru]

I don't think it's anything to worry about. Presumably your handicap would be above 18 so you're allowed an extra shot per hole anyway. Practise the hybrids at the range - going for 3 wood off the deck would very much be trying to run before you can walk. Hybrids are designed for exactly your purpose - getting a bit extra distance while theoretically being easier to hit than a long iron or a fairway wood.

But in the meantime if the hybrids aren't coming good, try to also focus on your short game to make sure you get on those par 4 greens in 3 - giving yourself a good chance of a bogey or an outside chance of a one putt par.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Book some lessons! As your technique improves then so will your distance and you will soon be driving it 350 and keeping up with the rest of us on here

 

[ScienceBoy]

Check my signature, feel free to use it or not.

 

[IanM]

Further to ScienceBoy's advice, I remember being told when I first started that a 400 yard hole is only 3 reasonable hits with an 8 iron. (or similar!)

Find something you can play with...and build confidence from there. Lessons early on build solid foundations too....

 

[the_coach]

Been playing for just over a year now. Not a member of a club but pay as you play is so cheap around me (£10 a round!) that I have been playing fairly regularly. I find I am struggling with distance. A par 4 is generally around 400 yards here. I can get 200 yds or so off the tee but then I have no hope of getting the green in my next shot. It often takes me 3 or 4 shots to get onto the green. I am fairly straight, get a good loft but am just not getting distance. My longest iron is a 5 iron.

What should I focus on? I have a 3 wood and some 3 and 4 hybrids but find these quite difficult to use. Am I lacking iron distance or should I look to improve my 3 wood off the deck or hybrid play?

welcome along

if it's possible would instead of spending money on more clubs would search out a small series of lessons - definitely the best ways to get more distance/accuracy for the $

the issues you describe pretty common as folks begin

lack of distance when new to the game is often times stuff around grip hold/set-up posture/alignments - technique issues

where the handle lies in the hands - so if more up in the palms - can stop the hands/wrists setting optimally - & the 'set' is a pretty big multiplier in being able to achieve club head speed

have the set-up posture not in the best condition can for sure then hinder a good body rotation (shoulder turn to the top of the backswing) again another big multiplier in achieving club head speed

also real important in achieving optimum distance for the effort expended in any swing motion is the lower body/upper body/arms & hands working in a good sequence

those will be some or all of the issues - & for sure the quicker ways to sort all that is some lessons

good luck

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been playing for just over a year now. Not a member of a club but pay as you play is so cheap around me (£10 a round!) that I have been playing fairly regularly. I find I am struggling with distance. A par 4 is generally around 400 yards here. I can get 200 yds or so off the tee but then I have no hope of getting the green in my next shot. It often takes me 3 or 4 shots to get onto the green. I am fairly straight, get a good loft but am just not getting distance. My longest iron is a 5 iron.

What should I focus on? I have a 3 wood and some 3 and 4 hybrids but find these quite difficult to use. Am I lacking iron distance or should I look to improve my 3 wood off the deck or hybrid play?

Welcome along. Where do you play? As others have said, invest in a series of lessons and get a solid foundation

 

[YamiKuriboh]

Hi
Lessons it is then! Although I am thinking of getting a net to warm up and keep in the groove - will post another thread on that.
Tend to pay at various courses in the west midlands. Around £10 a round here.

 

[ScienceBoy]

100% agree with coach regarding the set, essential for getting the longer clubs to work for you.

Managing expectation and playing within your ability is a part of it too. Laying up in a controlled fashion is just good golf and good course management. Often your the "ribbing" you expect us just in your head or what you think is in other people's heads. If anyone says otherwise politely remind them about rules regarding advice...

Anything over 380 often requires two good shots with clubs over a 5 iron for those who lack distance. That's quite a challenge really. Even for those with good distance those over 400 is still two big blows.

Unless it's downhill anything over 360 is a potential 3 shot hole for me, 380 is on the certainty border, wouldn't say im a long or short hitter though.