Is my Driver lacking?

Your iron distances are similar to mine but quality of strike with a driver is a different beast. When I catch one out of the middle I'm looking at 250/260. But off centre strikes I'm looking at 225-230. I put it down to my core and not keeping the big dog on plane. I don't think it's the club sounds more like technique.

Next time you are at the range take a bit of talcum powder. Dust a little on your ball and check your driver head to see where on the face you're making impact. Have fun.
 
I have to say I am surprised by the amount of people (other than Cat 2 players) that have said they have similar iron "carry" distances, especially off some of the handicaps on display.

7 iron -160 carry can be a little bit more - Mine is 135 -140
6 iron - 170-175 carry - Mine is 150 - 155
5 iron - 180 - Mine is 160 - 165

Ok there will be the odd occasion when you hit a real peach or the wind is behind but these would be my "average" carry distances so there what I work to.

Based on the above figures, why are so many 18+ handicappers then not hitting regulation greens as based on those figures their hybrids or 4 irons should be 200 yard carries! That's 430 yards comfortably with 2 clubs as "averages".

I think there is a huge difference to "average" distances and 4 out of 10 :rolleyes: or, are those distances correct but not necessarily in the right direction :whistle:
 
Fish said:
I have to say I am surprised by the amount of people (other than Cat 2 players) that have said they have similar iron "carry" distances, especially off some of the handicaps on display.

7 iron -160 carry can be a little bit more - Mine is 135 -140
6 iron - 170-175 carry - Mine is 150 - 155
5 iron - 180 - Mine is 160 - 165

Ok there will be the odd occasion when you hit a real peach or the wind is behind but these would be my "average" carry distances so there what I work to.

Based on the above figures, why are so many 18+ handicappers then not hitting regulation greens as based on those figures their hybrids or 4 irons should be 200 yard carries! That's 430 yards comfortably with 2 clubs as "averages".

I think there is a huge difference to "average" distances and 4 out of 10 :rolleyes: or, are those distances correct but not necessarily in the right direction :whistle:
Click to expand...

Well said Robin I agree with you on this.

It's fine hitting a long ball but if you can't hit it straight then whats the point, get to the range:swing:
 
Fish said:
I have to say I am surprised by the amount of people (other than Cat 2 players) that have said they have similar iron "carry" distances, especially off some of the handicaps on display.

7 iron -160 carry can be a little bit more - Mine is 135 -140
6 iron - 170-175 carry - Mine is 150 - 155
5 iron - 180 - Mine is 160 - 165

Ok there will be the odd occasion when you hit a real peach or the wind is behind but these would be my "average" carry distances so there what I work to.

Based on the above figures, why are so many 18+ handicappers then not hitting regulation greens as based on those figures their hybrids or 4 irons should be 200 yard carries! That's 430 yards comfortably with 2 clubs as "averages".

I think there is a huge difference to "average" distances and 4 out of 10 :rolleyes: or, are those distances correct but not necessarily in the right direction :whistle:
Click to expand...

Amen Brother! Golf scores are measured by how many NOT how far.

Early in my golfing days I proudly boasted to a better, more experienced player that I had used 2 clubs less than him to hit the green on a par 3. His response:

"Where does that go on the score card?"

A salutary lesson as he made his birdie & I didn't.
 
Fish said:
I have to say I am surprised by the amount of people (other than Cat 2 players) that have said they have similar iron "carry" distances, especially off some of the handicaps on display.

7 iron -160 carry can be a little bit more - Mine is 135 -140
6 iron - 170-175 carry - Mine is 150 - 155
5 iron - 180 - Mine is 160 - 165

Ok there will be the odd occasion when you hit a real peach or the wind is behind but these would be my "average" carry distances so there what I work to.

Based on the above figures, why are so many 18+ handicappers then not hitting regulation greens as based on those figures their hybrids or 4 irons should be 200 yard carries! That's 430 yards comfortably with 2 clubs as "averages".

I think there is a huge difference to "average" distances and 4 out of 10 :rolleyes: or, are those distances correct but not necessarily in the right direction :whistle:
Click to expand...



many people dont know how far they hit the ball. if they even hit them in the general direction of the distances claimed then everyone would play off low single figures comfortably.

there might be one or two that have posted they drive the ball around 210. average drive is say 230, there is loads that hit it over 250. where are all the smaller hitters that take the average down?

because we mostly play in wind you can be sure you are really standing further away from the hole than the yardage stipulates when you are on the tee a large percentage of the time.
 
I just had to check that my club heads weren't made of sponge!

I reckon I get around 220 -230 with the driver and my irons going from 5 -PW go about 155 - 100 yards. Still should be enough,to get me up most fairways.
 
MetalMickie said:
Amen Brother! Golf scores are measured by how many NOT how far.

Early in my golfing days I proudly boasted to a better, more experienced player that I had used 2 clubs less than him to hit the green on a par 3. His response:

"Where does that go on the score card?"

A salutary lesson as he made his birdie & I didn't.
Click to expand...

Haha I'm using that one!
 
Just played a round, temp 15 degrees and my average is a lot better than I thought, on the S3 my drives are around 240 average and i hit two 265 yarders with 1 uphill :eek: I think I do need to find the sweet spot a lot more as they do fly when I catch them right.

The irons are going a little further aswell and i flew a few greens... I want to live in a hot country :angry:
 
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DAVEYBOY said:
Just played a round, temp 15 degrees and my average is a lot better than I thought, on the S3 my drives are around 240 average and i hit two 265 yarders with 1 uphill :eek: I think I do need to find the sweet spot a lot more as they do fly when I catch them right.

The irons are going a little further aswell and i flew a few greens... I want to live in a hot country :angry:
Click to expand...

15 degrees, which country are you in??

I use the RBZ driver at 10.5* i change the stock stiff to the nv pink 55x stiff, which most people say plays as a heavy stiff (i dont know or care i use it as it suits my swing) i Average 250-260, i have caught a few out of the screws, i mean ive thrown all my energy weight anger etc.. and hit 303 before 298 288 (gps verified) but on a plain on regular round 250 ish

I play links to which i feel i should mention

so maybe look at different shafts if you think your not getting the most from you driver, or you could try the new cobra drivers, the sweet spot is so big on them you cant miss, i tried one, 8.5 deg x stiff man just ripping it each time was fun, but i was prepared to pay the money for a few yards extra, but for an easy to hit driver it was fun trying it out
 
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lyden said:
I have a very high swing speed and average 265, most people guesstimate from yardage markers and call their best ever hit their average. If they actually lasered it they would get a shock. In all my time playing only my clubs pros have out drove me so that tells you how many people hit it out to 260 and beyond.
Click to expand...


Come on a forum meet theres plenty on here that will out drive you.:)
 
A lot of these numbers can be misleading - what constitutes an average.
Is it an average of good hits
Or an average of ALL hits.

I can hit a Driver anywhere between 10 and 280 yards.
If you're going to average my good hits then I probably average 240
But my overall average is probably nearer 200........

One of the "measures" often quoted is how far do you hit your 7 iron on a flat, calm day - I have no idea. I can't remember the last time I played on a flat, calm day on a flat lie with a 7 iron in my hand. I just can't....

Gotta love numbers eh?
 
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.

Some averages...

Based on current conditions so hopefully squeeze a few more yards in the summer (did I just say summer?)

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

Now they are based on quality strikes but I did squeeze a little more out of each club at times yesterday.

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?

The only thing I feel may be happening is I'm not finding the sweet spot enough with the driver, the shot shape is straight with a straight left at times. So its not down to a slice or fade as I rarely hit them unless my swings really off.
Click to expand...



I would say if your iron distances are correct,then your driver distance should be a little higher.
However 250 on the fairway compared to 270 in the rough would make a big difference.
Also a 250 drive will end up towards 300 in the summer.
So i would be very happy with those distances.
 
After a month or so with the Garmin S3 my average is a little higher than I first thought. It's around 240ish with a quit a few 250-270's thrown in each round. Hit a great drive the other day and was frustrated when my S3 read 299 yards arghhh 1 yard. Still hit the par 5 green in two and had a 10FT Eagle putt... Still waiting for my first Eagle though :whistle:

I have been smashing the gym over the past few months and that's seen my distances increase all round.
 
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