Distance with long irons

[balaclava]

The difference in distance between my PW and my 5 iron is disappointing (4 and 3 iron too difficult). Does it matter? I sacrifice a lot in accuracy the longer the iron but get so little in distance in return. I would like to know if other 18HC are experiencing the same disappointment. (Note: no run on the irons, a little bit of run on the woods)

1 Wood 225 yards
5 wood 180 yards
26 degree utility club 160 yards
5 iron 145
6 iron 140
7 iron 135
8 iron 130
9 iron 120
PW iron 110

 

[RGuk]

I don't think it matters unless you are looking to get down to lower figures. When I was off 18, I guess I played about the same as you. As my general striking improved, I started to get nearer 10 yds per iron. Enjoy the consistency until you get better or hit it further......having a small spread can be very helpful....

 

[brendy]

Balaclava, Can I ask your age? Is there anything physically stopping you from getting more turn and a little more oomph into your swing? You could get a little more distance from something as simple as hitting through the ball a tad harder or being a little more upright and hitting into the ball instead of always sweeping it away.
I cant really comment too much though as Ive never seen your swing, the pro should be able to remap your swing for a few extra horsepower.

 

[MVP]

i hit a 5 iron 195 and a pw about 135 its all club head speed.. there will be a bigger increase in your yardages if you hit the ball harder! its nothing to worry about tho!
Are you short or tall?? im quite tall so i naturally get a bigger arc in my swing which creates more club head speed where as a midget as an extreme example would have to use more muscle power then momentum to get the distance!

for eg i remember tiger woulds talking about playing golf with Michael Jordan and that he hits his driver miles becasue of his extreme height!

some people prefer irons some prefer rescue clubs regardless of ability!

Also what flex shafts are in your irons? if theyre stiff you might want to change to regular!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

How did you measure these distances and was it an average distance or one off shots? There are a huge number of factors to take into account including wind, your swing, your equipment and the accuracy of your measurements.

I play off 14 now (was low single figures) and even with graphite shafts I reckon I only hit a seven iron about 140 but I know that is an accurate 140 taken via the measuring devince on a sky caddy and averaged out by hitting 10 balls downwind and 10 into the same wind and taking a mean average. I also noted the distances wind affected so I have something to work with on course in similar conditions. The point is I have measured all my irons pretty accurately this way and realise I am a pretty short hitter but have worked on technique to ensure I am accurate especially within 120 yards of the green.

 

[MVP]

If you worked your measurements out at the range then they will be wrong as most range balls are shite!

 

[SammmeBee]

'clava looks good until you get to the 6 iron - ignore old Tiger MVP - better to have to take one more and be close than keep getting them flyers.....

 

[MVP]

Tiger MVP ?? whats that all about?

 

[SammmeBee]

Tiger MVP ?? whats that all about?

5 iron 195? Is it bent or was it bouncy? There is no benefit from hitting an average 5 iron that far....I have been there but have no realised better ways to play the game....

 

[balaclava]

OK I know there are factors riding against me - I’m 60 years old and only been playing for 10 years. The issue I’m trying to resolve is that whilst I’m VERY happy with 110 yards with the PW I am disappointed that I don’t get the extra yardage I would hope for with the longer irons particularly as I lose accuracy with the longer irons. Just trying to establish if that’s normal for a 60 yo off 18 or whether I could do something different to get greater distance off my 5 iron.

PS Irons are Yonex and I love em!

 

[Herbie]

I agree there is a lot of info missing here to make a judgement but I suspect you are not hitting any of your clubs quite right yet.

I dont mean that as an insult but the distances indicated by you with most clubs are pretty short, even with crappy range balls.
If you are hitting those distances with good balls its even worse.

I would suggest getting a pro to look at you or at least a seasoned player or go on the range concentrating only on striking the ball, forget about accuracy completely for this exercise.

I wouldnt be surprised if you hit most of your shots a little flat, a pro will pick up whats wrong, maybe your swing is to blame.

You need to focus a little on striking the ball..........I know a lot depends on the individual, often age or disabilities come into it but my answer is assuming you are relatively healthy and not 70 or 80 yrs old.lol

 

[brendy]

Would I be right in saying you play the ball fairly forward in your stance?
There are a couple of 60 year old fellas at out club putting some of the kids to shame still, 60 isnt old when it comes to hitting a ball.

 

[RGuk]

OK I know there are factors riding against me - I’m 60 years old and only been playing for 10 years.

If I'd started a 50 and managed what you have, I'd be happy!
Really.....
You probably would get a better spread and more distance with a few tweaks, but it depends on if you enjoy things and do/do not want to get into extended tuition.

 

[RGuk]

There are a couple of 60 year old fellas at out club putting some of the kids to shame still, 60 isnt old when it comes to hitting a ball.

Yeh! but I'd wager they've played for years.

 

[medwayjon]

I know an 80y/o who plays 6 times a week and stil hits 220yd drives in summer.

Legend!

 

[MVP]

Tiger MVP ?? whats that all about?

5 iron 195? Is it bent or was it bouncy? There is no benefit from hitting an average 5 iron that far....I have been there but have no realised better ways to play the game....

i dont try and spank the [****] out of it till i fall over its just how far i hit it mate, but your right it doesnt make much difference cos i still got work to do once im in the vicinity of the green! As always !

 

[Imurg]

Used to play with an old Army Major, well into his 70's. The only person I have ever seen stroke a 1 iron like a pro but hit a wedge like an I don't know what. And this 1 iron wouldn't have looked out of place on a butter dish. his swing was just so suited to this 1 iron he didn't bother with woods.

I tried the club once and I think I hit one half decent one in 6 goes.

At the end of the day if you are hitting the ball fairly straight then distance shouldn't be worshipped the way it is. Yes you need a bit of length to your shots but you've got the clubs to hit a par5 in 3 and a par 4 in 2 so don't worry too much.

 

[viscount17]

balaclava, I'm 60 and have been playing less than 2 years, but tbh I don't think that has that much to do with distances. Build probably has some influence, technique (which I don't have), club lofts & shafts definitely do. But fwiw, my distances (off a club head speed of 88) are,

1 Wood 220 - 240 yards (220 is about average for amateurs)
5 wood 180 - 210 yards
26 degree utility club 170 - 200 yards
4 iron - too inconsistent
5 iron 165 - 175
6 iron 155 - 165
7 iron 145 - 155
8 iron 135 - 145
9 iron 120 - 130
PW iron 115

I have hit a 5-iron 195 but only once and have probably bettered most of these. I've equally done worse! I just regard these as a guide as to which club to play.

 

[forefortheday]

Play with 2 guys who hit it short all day but put them at 100 yards and in and it's night night.

I've watched one of them hole looooooong putts on a regular basis and the other chip like a demon.

I can go through the back of a 185 yard par 3 at a local course with a 5 iron but they both beat me on it virtually always.

Game of accuracy not distance for me.

 

[Herbie]

I think one or two are drifting off with the spanking game lol.

Im 50,5'10" I have MS and when Im hitting well without SPANKING I can smoothly and comfortably hit the following....

Driver. 260..........290+ when spanking!
3 wood. 230..........240+ " "
( havent zeroed in the hybrids yet so I will go on old set)
3 iron. 210..........220 when spanking
4 iron. 190..........200+ when spanking
5 iron. 180..........190 " "
6 iron. 170..........170+ " "
7 iron. 160..........160+ " "
8 iron. 150..........150+ " "
9 iron. 130..........140+ " "
PW. 110..........120 " "
SW. 60...........70+ " "

Those are the distances I expect in normal conditions from my clubs and me and rarely fail to achieve them. Accuracy can be a bugger though lol.My new irons 5-sw perform just as my old set for distances if not better.

I like the spanking phrase though! lol.