Forum distance versus real distance?

[HickoryShaft]

Well my driving has improved dramatically (in that it is on the short stuff much more frequently) but distance has been a little down as a result of slowing my swing down a bit. Enjoyment factor is up but so has been my handicap (up one this season so far) - go figure!!

I reckon I hit it on average 240 yards with occasional one towards the 260 yards mark and a few below.

Trouble is that thera re only 4 holes on the front 9 and 4 on the back 9 where driver is the 'best' club unless you can hit a green that is 295 (our shortest par 4) in one that is. You could hit driver and nail it and be bunkered / behind several willow trees or in a pond or stream (all on the same par 4) but a neat 5 iron to the top of a brow and then wedge in is gonna get you a par if executed right.

So I do enjoy driving but like lots of people when you get a step up in one area of your game unlsee the others follow you may not see an overall improvement. More work on the chipping needed for me to avoid the thins and fats that are my current nemisis !

I would also mention that one guy I play with regularly is also a 19 HC same as me but definitely can hit if further - sometimes 50 yards (he has hit that 295 yard green on more than one occasion I have played with him and been in all the hazards mentioned on numerous times also !)which is a bit disconcerting but same as me he may then duff his chip and still be on a booger not par!

 

[Region3]

...saying things like 'what did you take there? a 6? I took an 8!'...

I find that getting your scorecard out and asking them to show you where that information goes normally shuts them up. Only works if you're better than them though!

I'm not sure I'd even say anything to someone gloating about distance who couldn't break 90, let alone 100.

 

[Snelly]

At Devils Dyke, I have driven the 3rd, 7th, 9th, 13th, and 18th holes. The longest is the 9th at 404 yards.

I have also driven the 2nd hole at Crowborough Beacon which measures 449 yards although my shot was a draw over the trees so shorter than that in real terms. Still a good clout though.

These two stick in the mind as two of the longest drives I have ever hit under normal conditions. Another that springs to mind that I hit in exceptionally favourable conditions (force 6, gusting 8 wind behind!) was down the 1st at RCD. Not sure how far exactly but certainly past 450 and closer to 480 I'd say.

Not sure what my average is really, maybe 240-260? Longer than most but shorter than some.


Iron distances are more open to interpretation as the lofts differ. I am pretty sure PNWokingham's Mizuno irons are about three quarters of a club longer than mine are. I borrowed his 9 iron for a shot on Sunday and it went way further than my own one would have done. maybe 10 yards further actually.

 

[londonlewis]

I find that getting your scorecard out and asking them to show you where that information goes normally shuts them up. Only works if you're better than them though!

I'm not sure I'd even say anything to someone gloating about distance who couldn't break 90, let alone 100.

Exactly. I won't be playing with him again, his chatter got really boring really quickly.
The reference to the 6 vs 8 was choice of iron, not score. Although those scores probably weren't far from the truth - we were playing at a pretty tough course!

What made me smile though was I outdrove him twice and he would just stride to the ball furthest away without even looking. I am still not sure if he was just playing some weird mind games the whole way round or if he is just a knob!

 

[JustOne]

I have also driven the 2nd hole at Crowborough Beacon which measures 449 yards although my shot was a draw over the trees so shorter than that in real terms. Still a good clout though.

I think they've put up a plaque for you!! :whoo:

Good drive that (I've heard about the legendary shot) as it's a tricky 'running dogleg' to the right with a 'bomb crater' to go over.

 

[JustOne]

The reference to the 6 vs 8 was choice of iron, not score.

So was Region3's.

Next time someone tells you they hit an 6 iron from 220yds just ask them whereabouts on the scorecard you have to write that down :thup:

 

[londonlewis]

So was Region3's.

Next time someone tells you they hit an 6 iron from 220yds just ask them whereabouts on the scorecard you have to write that down :thup:

I can imagine that getting someone's back up pretty quickly! I'll definitely be using that on the course next time.

 

[mikee247]

Im surprised that people have commented that they think they are a short hitter at around 250-260 yards...? I would suggest that is easily above the amateur average and you'd be surprised if there were any sort of accurate national poll taken... take heart chaps seriously..

Now Im normally a little longer of course :smirk: but as its been said its all about what happens 100/150 in for me.... I duffed 3 drives on Saturday no more than 50 yards and in front of waiting groups and found myself in lots of rubbish positions off the tee. But I approached, chipped and putted like a god all day and went on to win my first board comp for over 4 years with a 8 over gross !!!:whoo: The look of shock on the groups that saw me duff the shots was legendary later in the bar and somewhat hard for me to explain the outcomes....!! Id take a few yards off for sure to gain a little more sight of the short stuff

 

[Snelly]

I think they've put up a plaque for you!! :whoo:

Good drive that (I've heard about the legendary shot) as it's a tricky 'running dogleg' to the right with a 'bomb crater' to go over.

I have a sneaking suspicion that my ball landed on the flat bit at the right corner (as you look from the tee) of the crater then kicked sharply right to run on to the green. It still nearly ran off the green even then as that slope is pretty wicked when the greens are fast and hard in late summer.

 

[Ethan]

I hit a drive which ended up 100 yards from one of our par 5 greens.









I wasn't playing that hole at the time though.

 

[SocketRocket]

I played a course in Devon that had a plaque on a par 5 explaining the details of how a man that got a hole in one on it.

 

[londonlewis]

I think what this thread proves is that forum distance exists for one reason - no one ever believes the distance that someone says they hit the ball!

Should we therefore believe all the handicaps that people post on their footers? or should we adjust them up a couple?

 

[harpo_72]

I think what this thread proves is that forum distance exists for one reason - no one ever believes the distance that someone says they hit the ball!

Should we therefore believe all the handicaps that people post on their footers? or should we adjust them up a couple?

mines going up with every competition I enter ....