How do you measure your Irons distance?

[Sam]

Once consistency has crept in (it's never by design is it!) how do you measure the differing distances for your irons. OK I know that I fall just short of 100x for PW and, say 110 for 9 iron but once I get to the less lofted clubs, I am starting to guess at what distance it lands - there are not many intermediate markers on the range I use.
OR do most players know the distance in their mind (not absolute yards) and feel for that distance when actually playing?
OR is there a percentage increase you can expect from, say, a 9 iron upwards?

 

[TWM]

With me it's just a feeling in my water.

 

[Mr_Top_Shot]

I work off the fact that i hit my PW just under 100 my seven just under 150. So i get a good idea for what other clubs to use around them. I think naturally you always use some irons more than others so as long as you know the ones you consistently use then the clubs you hit less frequently you will have a rough idea of what distance you will makie with them

 

[birdieman]

Sam
You can't do this at the range, mats aren't the same to hit off as grass and you can't walk out to measure.
I have done this - you need a open area of flat grass and a measuring wheel. I have a wheel at work so that helped me.
Softish grass is best so you can see the landing marks. Measure the flight distances by taking 20 of your match balls ie the one you use in competition, (not some crappy pinnacles), try and get a still day, average temperature and measure to the centre of the grouping of 20 balls discounting any fats or thins. You do not want to measure your very best shots just the average of te bunch. Do this for each club. Also do it for your 3 or 4 wedges for left arm clock face positions 7.30, 9.00, 10.30 and full shot. The information is invaluavble so even though it takes a while to get it done, your scoring will improve guaranteed.
You must resist giving them hell, put a smooth swing on the shot to get accurate results.
p.s you will likely find that your distances 'on the fly' are not as long as you think they are - that's why 95% of amateurs dont take enough club! It's a macho thing!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I agree with birdieman although without access to a measuring wheel I used old fashioned paces. Given 1 pace = 1 yard I did much the same thing and hit 10 balls with each club and paced out the 3rd shortest and 3rd longest and then took an average from there. I repeated this with every club (picking the balls up each time so not to confuse the issue).

That was the good news. The bad neews is I've recently bought new irons and need to repeat the process. Sadly it has been to windy to really do it with any degree of accuracy

 

[USER1999]

From long experience basically. But even knowing the distance to the pin, and hence the club required, by the time you factor in wind, rain, gradient, temperature, air pressure, receptiveness of greens, etc, it is all a bit of a guess on any given day.

My seven (like many on here) is roughly 150 on a still day, and so I allow about 10 yards difference per club from here, unless I am having a hot day, when I allow a bit more.

 

[viscount17]

when hitting well, a rarity believe me, I will hit a 7 around 150, but get little increase up to the 5, maybe 165 on a, very, good day. Going down, an 8 is nearer 130 than 140 and I can pretty consistently hit a PW 110. Getting any real consistency below that is a problem, I don't have a gap wedge yet and the SW has delivered 80 or 30!

 

[DanS]

I'm about to go through this process. My practice range, grass tees, has markers at 50 100 150 etc, I've checked them on google earth for accuracy. I'll pace off from there.

Previously I've used range markers, very unreliable due to not trusting the marker and the balls etc.

Fairly reliable 10 yards between clubs, but I'd still prefer to measure each one.

 

[Tommo21]

This is arguably one of the most important things in golf. It’s fine at your home club, if you’ve been playing there for years. Even a miss hit shot usually results in you knowing exactly what club to use for the next shot.

I’ve not long joined a new club. An entirely different course with undulations, doglegs right and left with the odd hidden shot. On some of the greens you need to think about where to try and land the ball, not just shoot at the flag.

Although there is 200 and 150 markers I now take notes of specific parts of the course and it’s changed my approach entirely. I now work more and more on distance rather than sight, even at my old club where I know every inch of the course.

Try it. it will stand the test of time especially when you go on an outing to a strange course.

 

[medwayjon]

I know how far I hit them from playing experience on different courses.

On my new course the 6th is 140 yards, this is an 8 iron, the 8th is 166yards which is a 6 iron so for a 150yard shot out comes the 7 iron.

These distances are based on swinging it easy so are not "sunday best" distances as if I was thrashing it at the range. I find its better for me to go up a club and hit it with 80% of power.

 

[GB72]

I also work on the theory of a 10 yard differnce between clubs. There are rarely any holes where I cannot see the 150 yard marker from my drive so just work out roughly how far I am from that and use the appropriate club. Obviously I make adjustments depending on whether it is uphill, downhill, wind behind etc. Anything shorter than 100 yards though and I tend to apply guesswork as to the correct wedge.

 

[billyg]

I'm about to go through this process. My practice range, grass tees, has markers at 50 100 150 etc, I've checked them on google earth for accuracy. I'll pace off from there.

Previously I've used range markers, very unreliable due to not trusting the marker and the balls etc.

Fairly reliable 10 yards between clubs, but I'd still prefer to measure each one.

Would advise caution using range balls. IME they have a tendancy to be a little lifeless. I'll always mentally budget for between five and 10 yards extra on a fairway.

I guess i'm on the shorter hitting side being about 10 yards down on the others here but then there are certain 'sweet' clubs like the 4 iron that don't seem to want to play by the rules. I hit a clean one between 170 and 190 to the bounce. How do you factor that in?

 

[madandra]

I think familiarity breads confidence when it comes to yardage from your clubs. I have had the best rounds of golf in my life when I have played to the actual yardage and not what I conceive to be the yardage.

We have all been stood over a straight pitch to the green next to the 150 marker that makes you think 'Thats NEVER 150 that looks like a flick with a wedge' only to come up 30 yards short.

I think if we (club golfers) played to the actual yardage we would shave 5 shots off per round.

 

[DanS]

I think it's very important to know where the markers are measured to. Front or centre of green for example.

Makes life much easier when you know and trust your distances.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm still planning to get one of these Sky Caddy devices and go out and mark the yardages myself. Like the comment above we have certain 100 and 150 yard markers where you think "this is only a wedge". The only difference is sometimes it plays that way.

Many times I've played our 12th and driven to the 150 marker. To me that is 6 iron all day and every time I pull it out it flies over the green and out of bounds. Pull out a 9 and I can hit it 7/10 times. I paced it from the marker to the centre once and I made it only 117 paces.

I asked about it in the club and was told that it was laser marked when the course was being built and again upon completion for the Strokesaver guide and was accurate.

Rather do my own calculations. At least if I over/under club it is my numbers that are out

 

[Sam]

I'm still planning to get one of these Sky Caddy devices and go out and mark the yardages myself. Like the comment above we have certain 100 and 150 yard markers where you think "this is only a wedge". The only difference is sometimes it plays that way.

Many times I've played our 12th and driven to the 150 marker. To me that is 6 iron all day and every time I pull it out it flies over the green and out of bounds. Pull out a 9 and I can hit it 7/10 times. I paced it from the marker to the centre once and I made it only 117 paces.

I asked about it in the club and was told that it was laser marked when the course was being built and again upon completion for the Strokesaver guide and was accurate.

Rather do my own calculations. At least if I over/under club it is my numbers that are out

If there are any distinguishing features around the marker, Google Earth has a line measuring device which is very accurate. Very useful

 

[madandra]

Homer, the sky caddie is top of my wish list too. Marko77 has one and they are so easy to use andso accurate I am confident ANYBODY'S score would come down if they used one.

 

[frasting]

I allow 10-12 yards difference per iron.

 

[MVP]

I worked mine out on the course
eg.on a 164yrd par 3 if i hit a 7 to long id try a nine if the nine was to short id hit an 8 etc etc
Eventually you will find a situation like this on the course for most clubs.

 

[haplesshacker]

So scientific. Got to admit I generally go with feel, and how I'm Playing on the day. If I can't hit the 5 iron for toffee, then out comes the 7 and then the PW for a little chip on hopefully for a one putt, or has been the case recently, chipping the ball straight into the hole.
To me it's about playing percentages, and when I do, rather than the macho route, it tends to pay off. Okay I won't get into single figures on the h'cap, but I will bring it down.

A little off topic, sorry!