Forum distance versus real distance?

[Hooper]

No wonder this topic is such a touchy subject.

I would class myself as a slightly longer than average hitter, in that I haven't played with anyone who has out drove me regularly (mainly mid handicappers, im off 20). And to me, taking all my decent drives (non duffs) I would say I average 240/245. Anyone who consistently hits it more than 250/260 is a big hitter. Take our 2nd hole, 420yds off the whites, runs slightly downhill through the green. I hardly ever seen anyone hit an iron after a good drive, which to me means most good drives don't get to within 170ish yards.

I don't know if it's people wanting to show off, or are just misguided, but most good drives for your average club golfer wont go much further than 250.

Goes without saying there are exceptions however.

Totally agree with this. If I hit 220-240y I am happy and can knock it round in single figures easily. The really big hitters I have met can crunch it out there 270-280y max. Seen a few 300M drives in Oz but this was from + figure handicap golfers and the fairways are rock hard there all year but these guys were still hitting it long. The vast majority of really good cub golfers I have played with knock it 240-250y.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

No wonder this topic is such a touchy subject.


I don't know if it's people wanting to show off, or are just misguided, but most good drives for your average club golfer wont go much further than 250.

Goes without saying there are exceptions however.

Misguided delusional fools .........generally.

I would even suggest that the average driving distance over an 18 hole course [average of say 14 shots measured to the edge of the fairway] for average club golfers was probably less than 200 yards.

 

[JustOne]

My 20 h/cap mate hit the following shots in the medal on Saturday


15th (458yds): Driver, lob wedge from 120.
16th (400yds): Driver, lob wedge from 70.
17th (170yds): 9-iron.
18th (530yds): Driver, 7-iron


disturbing......

 

[Rooter]

Misguided delusional fools .........generally.

I would even suggest that the average driving distance over an 18 hole course [average of say 14 shots measured to the edge of the fairway] for average club golfers was probably less than 200 yards.

OK so i thought i would test your theory. previously i have stated i average about 260. When i first typed that, i was delusional and using the average of my "good" drives.

I have gone back through a recent round at Donnington Valley for a reality check. see findings below, all measurements are by GPS through the golfshot app.

2 - 324 hit
3 - 173 missed right
4 - 222 first cut right
5 - 202 missed right
6 - 232 hit
7 - 198 missed left! (wow!)
8 - 238 hit
17 - 261 hit
18 - 258 hit

So, i hot 5 out of 9 fairways with the driver, which is very good for me! but my non fairway finding drives were awful.. True average is 234. however, hole 2 was a freak monster drive which is pushing up the average, 2 really poor drives i think went into the trees.

I think to a degree you have to think like you will hit an average good shot, if there is a ditch at 220yards, i would bank on clearing it. 240 yards however, i think i would now lay up, previously i would have gone for it, gone in the ditch, messed up the recovery and carded a 10..

 

[Bomber69]

My 20 h/cap mate hit the following shots in the medal on Saturday


15th (458yds): Driver, lob wedge from 120.
16th (400yds): Driver, lob wedge from 70.
17th (170yds): 9-iron.
18th (530yds): Driver, 7-iron


disturbing......

Stack & Tilt swing was it :swing:

Some great yardages there, did he hit the green every time with the second shot.

 

[One Planer]

My 20 h/cap mate hit the following shots in the medal on Saturday


15th (458yds): Driver, lob wedge from 120.
16th (400yds): Driver, lob wedge from 70.
17th (170yds): 9-iron.
18th (530yds): Driver, 7-iron


disturbing......

I take it this is the lad from your, "What a waste" thread?

That is some mighty fine striking there!!

How bad are his "misses" when it goes wrong James? ....... And can he putt?

 

[duncan mackie]

My 20 h/cap mate hit the following shots in the medal on Saturday


15th (458yds): Driver, lob wedge from 120.
16th (400yds): Driver, lob wedge from 70.
17th (170yds): 9-iron.
18th (530yds): Driver, 7-iron


disturbing......

very disturbing - a 20 h/c using a driver?

 

[Robobum]

 

[JustOne]

Stack & Tilt swing was it :swing:

Some great yardages there, did he hit the green every time with the second shot.

15th he hit the green and 3 putted from 22ft

16th he flubbed a poor pitch onto the front edge then 2 putted for par

17th he put it in the bunker left pin-high, then knifed it across the green into the pond, dropped, chipped on and 2 putted for a 6

18th he missed the green left by 12 ft and the ball was never seen again.... he went back and dropped another and ended up carding an 8.

.....and that's why he's off 20.

3 fantastic drives though, and his iron striking is superb. (I have nothing to gain by posting this).

 

[CMAC]

My 20 h/cap mate hit the following shots in the medal on Saturday


15th (458yds): Driver, lob wedge from 120.
16th (400yds): Driver, lob wedge from 70.
17th (170yds): 9-iron.
18th (530yds): Driver, 7-iron


disturbing......

James, you of all people should know that means diddly squat

When I played Golf in Canada a few years back there was 2 par 5's on one course that were either on the flat or slightly uphill, 2nd shots were a wedge or SW as it was 35* heat and hard fairways.
So they are probably posting on a forum saying this 'old guy' from Scotland hits Driver SW on his courses par 5's (both are over 500yds) :rofl:

Another 'stat' is during the Johnny Walker European tour event at Gleneagles last year (after a wet summer) the average pro drive on the 18th was around 235yds............the conditions determine distance

I've played links holes where a 3w is too much club on a 350yd par4.........


At the end of the day most amateurs are round about the same as each other in average length

 

[JustOne]

James, you of all people should know that means diddly squat

Of course I do. But that doesn't mean that it isn't simply amazing to watch!

I still knobbed it round 20 shots less than him, but that's precisely the point... I was knobbing it round like a fuddy with weak drives that stayed in play and thinned irons that found the front edge... he proper hits it (like I can only dream of). :angry:

 

[CMAC]

Of course I do. But that doesn't mean that it isn't simply amazing to watch!

I still knobbed it round 20 shots less than him, but that's precisely the point... I was knobbing it round like a fuddy with weak drives that stayed in play and thinned irons that found the front edge... he proper hits it (like I can only dream of). :angry:

That's an interesting quandary, would you rather hit it like a Pro but shoot over par every round or 'fight' your way round and occasionally bust par?

I always wanted a 'good looking swing' and I'll work on the scores, whereas my friend has a quick short swing and shorter of the tee than me but he is sooooo consistent and easily could play to scratch even though he's off 4, every round he has he is threatening to break par whereas I'm just threatening my clubs :rofl:

It's never been truer to say "It's not how, it's how many":smirk:

 

[bladeplayer]

Of course I do. But that doesn't mean that it isn't simply amazing to watch!

I still knobbed it round 20 shots less than him, but that's precisely the point... I was knobbing it round like a fuddy with weak drives that stayed in play and thinned irons that found the front edge... he proper hits it (like I can only dream of). :angry:

He must be geting frustrated with that tho James is he ? is he doing anything about his short game or is he bothered ?

 

[JustOne]

We played a lot of golf recently and both of us are feeling it. The plan is to spend a little more time on the practice ground from 40-100yds over the coming week and less time playing.

I think if you hit the ball well then the scores will come, so I'd rather take the ball striking over the score. Give me his ball striking and I'd be off +5 and off to qualify for the Web.com tour

There's a guy at my old club who is off scratch (he's 65) he doesn't hit the ball far (max 230) but he's so solid, always close to the green (if not on it) then chips dead practically every time - it's whatever floats your boat.

When you're comfy with an 8/7 iron in your hands from 190yds it's a whole different game.

 

[Bomber69]

15th he hit the green and 3 putted from 22ft

16th he flubbed a poor pitch onto the front edge then 2 putted for par

17th he put it in the bunker left pin-high, then knifed it across the green into the pond, dropped, chipped on and 2 putted for a 6

18th he missed the green left by 12 ft and the ball was never seen again.... he went back and dropped another and ended up carding an 8.

.....and that's why he's off 20.

3 fantastic drives though, and his iron striking is superb. (I have nothing to gain by posting this).

Hey Dude I believe you I have seen some cracking drives in my time, he should spend a bit time on the short game tho and I am sure he will become a rapid improver. To quote Homer "PGA Pro will sort him out":thup:

 

[patricks148]

We played a lot of golf recently and both of us are feeling it. The plan is to spend a little more time on the practice ground from 40-100yds over the coming week and less time playing.

I think if you hit the ball well then the scores will come, so I'd rather take the ball striking over the score. Give me his ball striking and I'd be off +5 and off to qualify for the Web.com tour

There's a guy at my old club who is off scratch (he's 65) he doesn't hit the ball far (max 230) but he's so solid, always close to the green (if not on it) then chips dead practically every time - it's whatever floats your boat.

When you're comfy with an 8/7 iron in your hands from 190yds it's a whole different game.

are you sure the real reason he's not improving is that he's playing and getting advice from you

 

[JustOne]

are you sure the real reason he's not improving is that he's playing and getting advice from you

LOLOL, probably :thup:

He's only played a few times per year for the past 10yrs, only recently (3 months) since joining the club has he had any thoughts of trying to improve. It's very early days.

 

[londonlewis]

Totally agree with this. If I hit 220-240y I am happy and can knock it round in single figures easily. The really big hitters I have met can crunch it out there 270-280y max. Seen a few 300M drives in Oz but this was from + figure handicap golfers and the fairways are rock hard there all year but these guys were still hitting it long. The vast majority of really good cub golfers I have played with knock it 240-250y.

This post, unintentionally I am sure, makes it sound like because you haven't played with (m)any golfers that hit the ball over 300 yards that is just doesn't happen.

I have never played with anyone that has hit a hole in one, so by the same theory I must therefore assume that all those claiming to have hit one must be making it up.

For all those excellent golfers that play off single figures that only hit the ball 250, relax! Only the big hitters that have as good a short game as you will post scores better than you - and they will probably end up on the tour anyway.

If YouTube didn't exist how many of you would believe there was a kid that could hit a putter 300 yards or a driver over 450?
If you still don't believe it, search for Jamie Sadlowski.

 

[srixon 1]

never. And I have to wear baggy trousers!

So what are your distances then?

It depends on the time of year and the weather for that day. However, I have no problem getting over a fairway bunker on our course that is 230 yards to carry (against a slight wind) with my driver. My irons are based on hitting a 7 iron 150 yards and then adding/subtracting 10 yards for other irons. Like other posters have said, it's not how far, (or how) it's how many.

 

[londonlewis]

It depends on the time of year and the weather for that day. However, I have no problem getting over a fairway bunker on our course that is 230 yards to carry (against a slight wind) with my driver. My irons are based on hitting a 7 iron 150 yards and then adding/subtracting 10 yards for other irons. Like other posters have said, it's not how far, (or how) it's how many.

Too right and well put!

I wouldn't consider myself to be a slouch off the tee but not a beast either - there are 7 people I play with who typically drive the ball the same distance as me (including my mates who are typically between 28-38 and my father in law who is 65).

But I have played with 2 guys who hit their drives a long way - one of them had a great attitude about it (didn't comment / gloat / come across as arrogant etc...)

...and then there was the other one. Constantly asking if we wanted to do 'longest drive off the tee' or saying things like 'what did you take there? a 6? I took an 8!'
We get it ... you hit it far ... but you still shot over 100 and your putting is woeful.