Is my Driver lacking?

DAVEYBOY said:
I don't either but all I see on here is I average 260 - 270 so I'm thinking why is my average so far behind.
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I don't agree with that. Distance claims on this forum are way lower than you see elsewhere (on Golfwrx 300 is short!). Most on here are claiming 220-230 and there is massive scepticism of anyone who claims to hit the ball further.
 
on a flat hole with no wind, 250 is a smoked drive. make no mistake about that!


averages of 270 is a load of rubbish!
 
From what I can take away from this thread then is this...

My driver is a little short compared to my iron distances but not short enough to cause concern, I do swing easy with the big stick but find more fairways as a result. I think I might just keep plodding along and see how my driver distances progress this year now I'm playing my first year on a decent course.

Did I mention my back to back birdies on the PGA Saturday? Ha ha I think I'm being abit too proud of my small achievement.
 
DAVEYBOY said:
After realising the distance I get out of my irons yesterday using the S3 I'm now thinking is my driver lacking in the distance department.

Now my Driver probably averages 230 but can go 250+ with a really nice strike.

Now it looks to me like the driver is lacking in relation to my irons, would you agree?
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Yes! You are 2 clubs longer than me with irons - evn allowing for some loft-jacking - but same or less with the Driver.

Go get it sorted.

No point asking then arguing with those who offer possible reasons.
 
I would get your driver checked on a flightscope or similar, it does seem well down on what it should be doing. I have similar carry distances to you with traditional lofts on my irons and I am averaging around 270-280 yards on a reasonably well hit drive, friend with same driver as you and same iron distance as you is around 10 yards shorter than me.
 
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I outhit most on the forum and my drives are normally about 240yds. Doesn't mean I don't often hit it longer than that but I said 'normally'.

Your driver distance compared to your irons looks fine.
 
i hit a 325 yard drive (gps measured) on our second on sunday, sorry i just have to tell somebody...

about a clubs strength wind up my back

to be fair i knew it was going to be a big one when it hit the hard fairway and jumped about 20 feet in the air on the first bounce. (love links fairways)
 
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Your iron distances are similar to mine, and your driver is too if that's carry distance? I've been about 220 carry through the winter, but would expect it to creep up to around 240 in the summer.

What's the flight from your driver like?
 
Region3 said:
Your iron distances are similar to mine, and your driver is too if that's carry distance? I've been about 220 carry through the winter, but would expect it to creep up to around 240 in the summer.

What's the flight from your driver like?
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Medium height, straight, looks like its going to go a good distance but only carries around 230
 
DAVEYBOY said:
Medium height, straight, looks like its going to go a good distance but only carries around 230
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When I said iron distances similar to mine, I meant my summer distances. I've been about 10yds down on those through the winter.
I think 230 carry is ok for the winter and I'd expect you to get 240-250 on a well struck shot when it's warmer.

I asked about the flight because sometimes I really feel like I've nailed one and it goes nowhere, but I know I suffer from occasionally getting too much backspin on my drives which kills the distance.
 
Region3 said:
When I said iron distances similar to mine, I meant my summer distances. I've been about 10yds down on those through the winter.
I think 230 carry is ok for the winter and I'd expect you to get 240-250 on a well struck shot when it's warmer.

I asked about the flight because sometimes I really feel like I've nailed one and it goes nowhere, but I know I suffer from occasionally getting too much backspin on my drives which kills the distance.
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Very much the same as me. My summer distance are the same on the short clubs but ever so slightly longer on the long clubs.

Do you find your drives start low and ramp up?
 
DAVEYBOY said:
No I'm in no way suggesting the club is the problem but maybe the contact or maybe not putting as much into it as I should, I don't think I've ever hit the driver as hard as I can, even for fun.
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Seriously?

It's one of the most fun things about golf, smacking it as hard as you can and seeing just how far it'll go.
To me the driver is all about distance, if hitting fairways is more important I club down.

I'm a fairly big hitter, I enjoy going for par 5's in two and driving the odd par 4. You hit drivers shorter than me but not by too much. Maybe if you gave it a bit more you'll get more length. I was told to hit it as hard as I can without losing control.

As for the stiff shaft and reg' irons, as I understand it that sounds OK, as I was told that the driver should be the stiffest shaft in the bag as it gets swung harder, is longer etc
 
DAVEYBOY said:
8 iron - 150-155 carry
7 iron -160 carry can be a little bit more
6 iron - 170-175 carry
5 iron - 180 + carry depends on quality of strike
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I am a relatively good striker of the ball and you are hitting the ball a bit further than I am with these distances if we compare iron numbers. This is misleading though as having looked at the lofts on your irons, they are a clubs loft stronger than mine through the bag. E.g a 2 iron, not a 3 iron, should have a loft of 19 degrees. Another way of expressing that is to say that I am a club longer than you when like for like loft comparisons are used.

And in terms of your driver, I think the distances you are hitting it are fine and entirely in line with your irons. There is no problem.

You haven't even got a handicap yet so thoughts of fittings and trackman analysis are unnecessary I would say. Just play more and focus on getting your scores down rather than your equipment or distance of shot.

It's not about the clubs.....
 
Those stats look fairly comparable with mine mate. Occasionally I'll get one out of the screws and get all excited about how far its travelled, but if you offered me 230-250 now, I'd bite your hand off. My biggest problem is the lack of run. Invariably, on damp fairways (are there any other kind) My ball will be sat there, right next to its plug mark.. Looking all dirty and guilty like a Labrador thats been chasing ducks in the canal....
 
I think your going about it the wrong way Dave.

When you slowed down your swing and went smooth through the ball your drives were all down the fairway and in good positions for a clean 2nd shot. They were around 10 paces at most in front or behind me at times or 50 yards to the right ;) I was averaging 210 -220 with my 3w, I know this well as I was like an exocet missile into strategically placed fairway bunkers so a 230-250 in warmer weather is all you need, anything more and I think you run the risk of just getting into trouble and thick PGA gorse and for what, a bit of macho " I hit it over 260 yards"! this isn't it for me, its about staying in play which is something I struggled with last year off the tee but have worked hard on.

I know it was very windy and cold that day we played but, that was the same for me also and I was only taking my 3w, although its 13 degree's and I had a lower flight, I would say work on a lower flight rather than more distance with a higher flight, you'll get more run?

I saw you take some good iron shots but I would say the figures you have stated are more the better shots than your average shots personally from what I saw that day, otherwise you'd be hitting every green in regulation even with your short drives.

Mark did hit it or should I say could hit it "a country mile" but again when he got it wrong, it was gone! So that's not a good precedent IMO and what he's doing for "fun" with no thought of his 2nd shot position, shouldn't concern you if you want to lower your handicap and take it more seriously, which I gather you do.

Down the fairway in-play and then a decent iron or hybrid shot towards the green or on the green should be your main priority at present, accuracy not distance IMO.
 
A very famous player-think it was Sam Snead- when asked how to get more distance from the driver said "hit it harder".

By your own admission you don't! Try it.

Or stick with around 240ish from the fairway :thup:
 
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