Distances expected from drivers , 3 woods, and utility clubs ?

[williamalex1]

ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL , what should the distance / gaping be between-
a- Taylormade SLRD 16* driver with a M flex 57 gram shaft
b- Taylormade SLRD 15* 3 wood with a R flex 65 gram shaft
c- Ram evolution utility 16* R flex
d- Ram evolution utility 24* R flex

 

[duncan mackie]

Didn't know they did a 16° driver....

Assuming it's a 12° the difference between that and the 3 wood will be almost entirely conditions based - carry will be similar.

A 16° utility in the hands of a tour professional will be capable of similar overall distances to the 3 wood into the wind with running conditions...but most bogey golfers will hit their 7 irons further off the deck.
The 24° utility will be a completely different, and more normal, club. Very similar to a 5 iron but easier to hit for handicap players.

 

[williamalex1]

Didn't know they did a 16° driver....

Assuming it's a 12° the difference between that and the 3 wood will be almost entirely conditions based - carry will be similar.

A 16° utility in the hands of a tour professional will be capable of similar overall distances to the 3 wood into the wind with running conditions...but most bogey golfers will hit their 7 irons further off the deck.
The 24° utility will be a completely different, and more normal, club. Very similar to a 5 iron but easier to hit for handicap players.

Defo 16*, seemingly it's a very low spin head and shaft combination hence the high degree loft. i can post a photo i you want to see it.

 

[duncan mackie]

Defo 16*, seemingly it's a very low spin head and shaft combination hence the high degree loft. i can post a photo i you want to see it.

I believe you!

I have a 12° SLDR with the 57g shaft as well as a 16° SLDR mini driver with the same - and yes they are very low spin heads, which the shafts were designed to complement.

 

[patricks148]

a- Taylormade SLRD 16* driver with a M flex 57 gram shaft... 350 yards carry
b- Taylormade SLRD 15* 3 wood with a R flex 65 gram shaft .... 300 yards carry
c- Ram evolution utility 16* R flex 270 yards carry
d- Ram evolution utility 24* R flex 240 yards carry

these are only average forum distances of course, some may hit them further

 

[duncan mackie]

a- Taylormade SLRD 16* driver with a M flex 57 gram shaft... 350 yards carry
b- Taylormade SLRD 15* 3 wood with a R flex 65 gram shaft .... 300 yards carry
c- Ram evolution utility 16* R flex 270 yards carry
d- Ram evolution utility 24* R flex 240 yards carry

these are only average forum distances of course, some may hit them further

Probably about right for Brooks....

 

[williamalex1]

a- Taylormade SLRD 16* driver with a M flex 57 gram shaft... 350 yards carry
b- Taylormade SLRD 15* 3 wood with a R flex 65 gram shaft .... 300 yards carry
c- Ram evolution utility 16* R flex 270 yards carry
d- Ram evolution utility 24* R flex 240 yards carry

these are only average forum distances of course, some may hit them further

Patrick do you think that be the actual be the gaping distances between these clubs ?

 

[patricks148]

Patrick do you think that be the actual be the gaping distances between these clubs ?

doubt it, i suppose it depends on SS etc. i've about 20/30 yards difference between my Driver and 3 wood and then maybe 10 between irons on average

this may help

 

[duncan mackie]

Patrick do you think that be the actual be the gaping distances between these clubs ?

The problem you have is the club specs you have posted.

Only the 3 wood is close to a normal/average spec.

The carry on a 16 degree low spin driver will be hugely dependant on the ball speed and launch angle - far more so than a 10.5° normal spin driver, which will follow normal ratios much more closely.
16° utility is so specialised the other way...
24° utility is back to the driver factors - in most hands it will carry further than the 16°

 

[williamalex1]

Thanks guys, maybe a trip to a range that has measuring equipment is on the cards, as I don't think there's a great deal between them.
The head came of my 16* utility on Monday so i might not bother getting it fixed , and maybe I'll dump the driver.

 

[Kellfire]

but most bogey golfers will hit their 7 irons further off the deck.

Really? What makes you say that?

 

[duncan mackie]

Really? What makes you say that?

Years of observation watching higherhandicap golfers in the eternal search for easy distance from the tee - and a whole lot of theory regarding low loft utility/rescue/hybrid clubs and the requirement for high clubhead speeds (amongst other things).
Off a tee peg some make it work for them, somehow, but off the deck I stand by my comment.

 

[patricks148]

Years of observation watching higherhandicap golfers in the eternal search for easy distance from the tee - and a whole lot of theory regarding low loft utility/rescue/hybrid clubs and the requirement for high clubhead speeds (amongst other things).
Off a tee peg some make it work for them, somehow, but off the deck I stand by my comment.

you are right dear boy , esp if you took a correct average, rather than the forum average, which is usually once, down wind on a frozen fairway

 

[virtuocity]

Billy- far from an expert, but know your game well and have been on the receiving end of a good few thrashings around many a course as a result of your game! My thoughts for what it's worth...

The strength of your game is off the tee. Your weakness tends to be your second shots, especially on longer par 4s.

You have very little wrist hinge during your swing. You take the club around your body (inside) and back round again in a very shallow motion. This has the advantage of returning the club square to your path and keeps your tee shots really straight (not my forte at times, as I come over the top often with a closed club face, resulting in low lefts or high rights depending on face and where I strike the ball). The disadvantage of a lack of angles in your swing is that your swing can lack snap. You need a lot of loft on your driver to get it starting up in the air a bit, as your swing doesn't do all it could do to enhance launch. In short, stick with the driver.

Your 3 wood can be a bit inconsistent at times, mainly due to strike. I see the occasional top and thin out of the bottom of the club. Due to a lack of speed, in part due to lack of hinge, you're really going to struggle to launch this type of club. It can be useful when your strike is good, as the old 'Sally Gunnels' get you close to many par 4s. However, I think this is too high tariff a shot a lot of the time. You tend to sway off the ball when trying to generate power- I'd stay more centred to guarantee a better strike, but this can really take it out on your back if you're not careful. Overall, I'd dump this club unless you need it off the tee for shorter par 3s.

I agree with Duncan's point about 7 irons going longer than, say, 4 irons for hackers like us. This is due to loft and swing speed. If you can't hit long stingers (I'm the same), you need to rely on a high launch to maximise distance. This, for me, is where you'd look at in terms of swing change if you had the inclination. This would need a series of lessons to change the backswing, and lots of practice- can you be bothered? I struggle to practice.

With more hinge in the wrist (getting the club more upright in the backswing) I reckon you'd be able to hit more steeply into the ball with your hybrids and irons. I took the lad to the practice ground- see the image of me that was copying him- club around the body. I asked him to stand the club up more (see his pic- I need to work on his grip a bit haha) and on the downswing he dropped the club on the inside, but hit down and got a little chippy 8 iron up in the air around 100 yards- first time hitting on the grass- impressed!

If you're able to get the ball up in the air more, then Duncan's point really kicks in- you'd be better going driver, 5 hybrid, 6 hybrid then irons. I think you'd find distance is better for your second shots, and your distance will increase manyfold.

Your chipping action is pretty decent and your course management is second to none. Putting is streaky (again, you sway a bit which costs you in terms of starting direction at times) but your pace is generally spot on.

If you don't want to change your swing (understandable), then it would be worthwhile recording some stats over your next 6 rounds:

-What %age of fairways did you hit?
-How many times did you your 3 wood cost you a shot?
-How many bad strikes with your hybrids and mid irons?

Finding out what you're really good at (not just what you think, or what I think) and what is costing you shots, might actually provide focus on what you need to change and/or stick with, in a means to chip a couple of shots off your score.

And if all else fails, a brand new bag full of shiny Pings works wonders for the soul.

 

[williamalex1]

Billy- far from an expert, but know your game well and have been on the receiving end of a good few thrashings around many a course as a result of your game! My thoughts for what it's worth...

The strength of your game is off the tee. Your weakness tends to be your second shots, especially on longer par 4s.

You have very little wrist hinge during your swing. You take the club around your body (inside) and back round again in a very shallow motion. This has the advantage of returning the club square to your path and keeps your tee shots really straight (not my forte at times, as I come over the top often with a closed club face, resulting in low lefts or high rights depending on face and where I strike the ball). The disadvantage of a lack of angles in your swing is that your swing can lack snap. You need a lot of loft on your driver to get it starting up in the air a bit, as your swing doesn't do all it could do to enhance launch. In short, stick with the driver.

Your 3 wood can be a bit inconsistent at times, mainly due to strike. I see the occasional top and thin out of the bottom of the club. Due to a lack of speed, in part due to lack of hinge, you're really going to struggle to launch this type of club. It can be useful when your strike is good, as the old 'Sally Gunnels' get you close to many par 4s. However, I think this is too high tariff a shot a lot of the time. You tend to sway off the ball when trying to generate power- I'd stay more centred to guarantee a better strike, but this can really take it out on your back if you're not careful. Overall, I'd dump this club unless you need it off the tee for shorter par 3s.

I agree with Duncan's point about 7 irons going longer than, say, 4 irons for hackers like us. This is due to loft and swing speed. If you can't hit long stingers (I'm the same), you need to rely on a high launch to maximise distance. This, for me, is where you'd look at in terms of swing change if you had the inclination. This would need a series of lessons to change the backswing, and lots of practice- can you be bothered? I struggle to practice.

With more hinge in the wrist (getting the club more upright in the backswing) I reckon you'd be able to hit more steeply into the ball with your hybrids and irons. I took the lad to the practice ground- see the image of me that was copying him- club around the body. I asked him to stand the club up more (see his pic- I need to work on his grip a bit haha) and on the downswing he dropped the club on the inside, but hit down and got a little chippy 8 iron up in the air around 100 yards- first time hitting on the grass- impressed!

If you're able to get the ball up in the air more, then Duncan's point really kicks in- you'd be better going driver, 5 hybrid, 6 hybrid then irons. I think you'd find distance is better for your second shots, and your distance will increase manyfold.

Your chipping action is pretty decent and your course management is second to none. Putting is streaky (again, you sway a bit which costs you in terms of starting direction at times) but your pace is generally spot on.

If you don't want to change your swing (understandable), then it would be worthwhile recording some stats over your next 6 rounds:

-What %age of fairways did you hit?
-How many times did you your 3 wood cost you a shot?
-How many bad strikes with your hybrids and mid irons?

Finding out what you're really good at (not just what you think, or what I think) and what is costing you shots, might actually provide focus on what you need to change and/or stick with, in a means to chip a couple of shots off your score.

And if all else fails, a brand new bag full of shiny Pings works wonders for the soul.

Billy- far from an expert, but know your game well and have been on the receiving end of a good few thrashings around many a course as a result of your game! My thoughts for what it's worth...

The strength of your game is off the tee. Your weakness tends to be your second shots, especially on longer par 4s.

You have very little wrist hinge during your swing. You take the club around your body (inside) and back round again in a very shallow motion. This has the advantage of returning the club square to your path and keeps your tee shots really straight (not my forte at times, as I come over the top often with a closed club face, resulting in low lefts or high rights depending on face and where I strike the ball). The disadvantage of a lack of angles in your swing is that your swing can lack snap. You need a lot of loft on your driver to get it starting up in the air a bit, as your swing doesn't do all it could do to enhance launch. In short, stick with the driver.

Your 3 wood can be a bit inconsistent at times, mainly due to strike. I see the occasional top and thin out of the bottom of the club. Due to a lack of speed, in part due to lack of hinge, you're really going to struggle to launch this type of club. It can be useful when your strike is good, as the old 'Sally Gunnels' get you close to many par 4s. However, I think this is too high tariff a shot a lot of the time. You tend to sway off the ball when trying to generate power- I'd stay more centred to guarantee a better strike, but this can really take it out on your back if you're not careful. Overall, I'd dump this club unless you need it off the tee for shorter par 3s.

I agree with Duncan's point about 7 irons going longer than, say, 4 irons for hackers like us. This is due to loft and swing speed. If you can't hit long stingers (I'm the same), you need to rely on a high launch to maximise distance. This, for me, is where you'd look at in terms of swing change if you had the inclination. This would need a series of lessons to change the backswing, and lots of practice- can you be bothered? I struggle to practice.

With more hinge in the wrist (getting the club more upright in the backswing) I reckon you'd be able to hit more steeply into the ball with your hybrids and irons. I took the lad to the practice ground- see the image of me that was copying him- club around the body. I asked him to stand the club up more (see his pic- I need to work on his grip a bit haha) and on the downswing he dropped the club on the inside, but hit down and got a little chippy 8 iron up in the air around 100 yards- first time hitting on the grass- impressed!

If you're able to get the ball up in the air more, then Duncan's point really kicks in- you'd be better going driver, 5 hybrid, 6 hybrid then irons. I think you'd find distance is better for your second shots, and your distance will increase manyfold.

Your chipping action is pretty decent and your course management is second to none. Putting is streaky (again, you sway a bit which costs you in terms of starting direction at times) but your pace is generally spot on.

If you don't want to change your swing (understandable), then it would be worthwhile recording some stats over your next 6 rounds:

-What %age of fairways did you hit?
-How many times did you your 3 wood cost you a shot?
-How many bad strikes with your hybrids and mid irons?

Finding out what you're really good at (not just what you think, or what I think) and what is costing you shots, might actually provide focus on what you need to change and/or stick with, in a means to chip a couple of shots off your score.

And if all else fails, a brand new bag full of shiny Pings works wonders for the soul.

Thanks mate, i jumped in and bought this 10.5* M2 for £100 , I tee off with it at 9.38 , i'll report later, maybe in for sale section

 

[jim8flog]

The head came of my 16* utility

Simple case of cleaning everything up. ie removing all the old glue and the just gluing back together with a two part epoxy resin (eg Araldite) (£1 from a pound shop unbranded if you are not going to need the glue for anything else.

 

[williamalex1]

Thanks mate, i jumped in and bought this 10.5* M2 for £100 , I tee off with it at 9.38 , i'll report later, maybe in for sale section

Update, the driver is not for sale, I was 1 over par net for 9 holes hitting the driver slightly further in quite cold and breezy conditions this morning. Main problem today was good putts just wouldn't drop, or i would have been at least 4 shots better.
I do need to increase my SS and get some more wrist hinge.

PS want to buy a 16* driver