I got well beaten in a match yesterday by a guy who was even shorter off the tee than me, The difference was that he was deadly from 100 yards in, never taking more than 3 to get down, whereas I was struggling a bit with my short game on the day. 
Maybe length isn't everything after all!
- Thread starter delc
- Start date
kid2
Money List Winner
I got well beaten in a match yesterday by a guy who was even shorter off the tee than me, The difference was that he was deadly from 100 yards in, never taking more than 3 to get down, whereas I was struggling a bit with my short game on the day.
I think it depends on the folder. I play regular with both a 1 handicapper and a 6.
Now the law off 6 hits everything with a draw but is relatively short compared to myself and the lad off 1.
He's very rarely in trouble because he's nearly always in play. Sometimes he's 2-3 clubs shorter than us.
Whereas we can't point it out there but at times our control let's us down. I do see with the 1 handicapper that because he hits it so far he seems to struggle with the shorter club. And is prone to hooks and pushes with them.
When this happens he can shoot above his handicap quite a bit. But when he swings with more control I've seen him under par easily.
I made my yardages off my driver SS. Which isn't off the charts at around 100-104.
That's about average. When you look at a swingspeed chart for that speed it gives you yardages for all your other clubs.
I find that when I stay in control of my swing I play much better and swing much easier also make more consistent contact.
I've figured out now that when I'm playing bad it's usually tempo related and can usually stop the rot on the course when it happens.
It's something im very concious of lately. I want more control in my game not more distance.
I should add that he was pretty straight as well.
Capella
Journeyman Pro
The people who claim that length isn't everything are always the ones who are long enough to reach a GIR on a par4 with driver/short iron anyway and can go for most par5s in two 
. I struggle to reach most par4s in three and in that case more length definitely would be a great help. It's kind of frustrating when you are both 120 yards out and your pp is like "Oh, I think I'm gonna take a bit off my wedge" and you are: "Oh, I think I'll hit my hybrid and give it all I've got."
. I struggle to reach most par4s in three and in that case more length definitely would be a great help. It's kind of frustrating when you are both 120 yards out and your pp is like "Oh, I think I'm gonna take a bit off my wedge" and you are: "Oh, I think I'll hit my hybrid and give it all I've got."
kid2
Money List Winner
That's a by product of hitting the ball softly.
Now he may be just one of those players that can't physically swing fast and in that case he hasn't really a choice.
But try it yourself. Take swings 10-20% less than your usual speed. You might be surprised at the results.
I'll bet that there won't be much distance loss because you'll find the middle of the face of all the clubs more often.
Russ_D
Club Champion
I kind of agree with the OP. I dont class myself as a long hitter, i can get my driver to 250 and my 7 iron to 155. If i play my brother in law im often hitting a club or two more than he is. His problem is because he knows he can hit it long he'll often muscle a wedge rather than a easy 8 or 9 iron. Shorter hitters just need to play a little smarter and they can still keep up, look at Langer in the masters.
Distance is nice but its not the be all and end all.
Distance is nice but its not the be all and end all.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I got well beaten in a match yesterday by a guy who was even shorter off the tee than me, The difference was that he was deadly from 100 yards in, never taking more than 3 to get down, whereas I was struggling a bit with my short game on the day.
Or, swinging it round, he was having a good short game day, you were having a bad short game day and length had little to do with it...unless there's 50 yards in it I'm not sure it makes a huge difference..
Never forget there's a mile between distance and straight distance....
NWJocko
Tour Winner
Could have written this myself. I've consciously given up distance to be more consistent. Still hit it far enough but not swinging out of my boots, especially off the tee.
A good drive for me these days is only about 210 yards and a jacked loft Taylor Made 7 iron only about 130 yards, so I can't really afford to give up any more length!
i suppose you have to adapt and get a better short game.
one of the guys i know is off 3 at a 6700 yards course, he is getting on now and can't reach most of the par4's in two. is very straight off the tee and his lowest iron now is a 6, the rest woods and hybrids
one of the guys i know is off 3 at a 6700 yards course, he is getting on now and can't reach most of the par4's in two. is very straight off the tee and his lowest iron now is a 6, the rest woods and hybrids
jdpjamesp
Q-School Graduate
I feel your pain Capella! When it's at the extremes like that some distance is helpful. If I was hitting it average distances then I'd happily sacrifice 20-30 yards for greater accuracy.The people who claim that length isn't everything are always the ones who are long enough to reach a GIR on a par4 with driver/short iron anyway and can go for most par5s in two
Your distance will come with time though. I've seen the vids from St Annes and you don't look too shabby there.
shewy
Journeyman Pro
Distance isn't everything but when your short you can't afford to give up the 20/30 yards in the first place.
I play with a fellow who is stupid long, he puts his hybrid past most drivers, I think I could wedge it and get down in 3 most times from where he plays, getting down in 3 from 200 yards, maybe not.
I play with a fellow who is stupid long, he puts his hybrid past most drivers, I think I could wedge it and get down in 3 most times from where he plays, getting down in 3 from 200 yards, maybe not.
Tiger
Money List Winner
I played 9 holes Monday morning before work on our short 9 hole course. 5 par 4s 4 par 3s. Hit every fairway and left myself no more than 130 yards into every green bar one. Didn't hit a single GIR and scored poorly...
drewster
Tour Rookie
That's pretty long to me bud !!!! The penny has finally dropped with me that golfing isn't about bravado it's about getting round the course in as little shots as possible. I have now accepted that i can't carry a 7 iron 150 even though it seems the rest of the world can , i can't make par 5's in 2 and i can't make 180yd carries over ditches . Upon acceptance of all this i have seen vast improvements in my course management, regularly starting and finishing with the same ball, not taking any penalty shots, keeping a a 7 off of my card and slowly and steadily improving my handicap.
dewsweeper
Tour Rookie
The people who claim that length isn't everything are always the ones who are long enough to reach a GIR on a par4 with driver/short iron anyway and can go for most par5s in two
I agree Capella.
I am in the same situation as you but my lack of distance is due to my age.
Very frustrating if you can't get up in regulation and your short game deserts you.
kid2
Money List Winner
What let's me down Jocko is my driver. For some reason I seem to want to pound several different kinds out of the ball with it... I'm getting better at winding back a little though.
I wouldn't be classed as scary long. Probably about average. 7 iron controlled goes about 140 mtrs which is in line with my driver SS. When I'm not thrasing at it... 😀
chellie
Tour Winner
You mean we won't need binoculars now to see how far down the fairway your drive is.
NWJocko
Tour Winner
I used to be like that and my ss/distance is very similar to you. Would hit the ball a fair way but all over the planet......
I try and hit my driver and 3w off the tee at 90% now (well that's the thought I have in my head, other one is to try and hit it as high as possible, makes me swing smoother and focus on hitting up on it a bit)
Russ_D
Club Champion
To be honest my distances are on a good day, and how many of those do we have?
I came to the conclusion that id rather be in a good position and 5-10 yards short with each club then try and hit the max distance distance. I just said to myself "yes, i can hit 150 or so with the 7 iron, but as soon as the pressure is on there is always that chance to c*ck it up!"
most time i have started to club up and take it easy and ignore the playing partners and the whole "i hit a 8 iron there, what did you hit" while i hide the 6 iron in my hand.
glynntaylor
Head Pro
To be honest my distances are on a good day, and how many of those do we have?
I came to the conclusion that id rather be in a good position and 5-10 yards short with each club then try and hit the max distance distance. I just said to myself "yes, i can hit 150 or so with the 7 iron, but as soon as the pressure is on there is always that chance to c*ck it up!"
most time i have started to club up and take it easy and ignore the playing partners and the whole "i hit a 8 iron there, what did you hit" while i hide the 6 iron in my hand.
This is me exactly...I hit my driver average 215 yards (short IMO) but that is with a nice steady rhythm. If I speed up and try to hit the little dude then it will go....but will also be in the long stuff.
I've now learnt to club up...I always thought 150 yards 7i...now I take a steady and soft 6 Iron knowing that it will get there safely.
