Measuring distances

[TheChamp]

Any recommendations for the best way of accurately working out how far you hit each club?

Is the best bet a measuring wheel and a quiet practice range? Would stepping it out be just as good? Or perhaps a place with some kind of launch monitor or one of these golf simulators?

What do people find best?

 

[CarpeDiem]

A GPS, you mark your position and the bottom of the range(a quite one) and then mark the position of where your balls end up, your GPS should tell you how far you have gone from your first mark. Much more accurate than a wheel but more expensive.

 

[Cernunnos]

A lot of people will try & play different lengths of parr 3 holes to judge what club goes what distance. Though the foolproof way is to get a GPS device.

Interesting Idea baout the measuring wheel, though not seen one outside of a surveyors hands & not sure where someone might get hold of one to beg borrow or steal.

 

[theeaglehunter]

If you can get your hands on one a launch monitor would probably be the best thing to use as it will record all the data for you and save you a walk after every shot! If not a GPS is very accurate and the method I used. I should think playing off of 5 you know how far most of your clubs go anyway?

 

[Imurg]

The only way is to spend time measuring with a GPS. I've got to do that now I've got an SG2.5 . Our range is always busy so I'm going to use the course at really quiet times. On certain holes I'm going to hit 10 shots and measure them. If someone comes up behind me I'll let them through.

Hard work but its going to be worth it.

 

[andiritchie]

i use a vector lauch monitor for my distances twice a year when i get my clubs mot'ed so i can get a degree took off or put on if needed

 

[TheChamp]

I should think playing off of 5 you know how far most of your clubs go anyway?

I was away from the game for a long time before the season just gone. I'd like to get my distances pinned down exactly. I find i'm not 100% confident over certain shots and think that confidence about distance is key.

 

[birdieman]

Range is no good for this as you have to hit off grass. You need a practice ground or park.
A surveyors wheel is the most accurate measuring device, not a GPS as soemone above suggests.
Go to your club practice ground when it's quiet, swing smoothly and under control - hit 10 balls with each iron and take the average (not the best).
More specifically concentrate on 9,w,gw,sw,lw and for these clubs get the yardages done for clockface positions 7.30, 9.00 and full swing for each short iron.
Get them on paper and tape them to the back of each wedge. You are now able to get a range of really accurate short game shot distances with lobs and punches.
This may sound like a palaver but it is a real shot saver and WILL improve your scoring.

ps You don't really want to do this on a winters day unless you are playing a lot of winter golf to actual greens not temps, wait until spring when the air is warmer and you can physically move better and your swing has some regularity to it.

 

[Herbie]

GPS are only as good as the information stored or programmed into them(or they would all be the same price), no one has personal use of a satelite tracking system, in the same way veh mounted gps cock up from time to time so too do hand held devices. I was in the army when gps was introduced and it is in no way 100% though it is if, properly used and all systems are fully operational. I have no doubt they have improved enornously over the years but they are still an electronic gismo relying on input and other systems.Anything mechanical or electronic can and do fail.

Having said that, if they are used correctly its the simplest way to get accurate records.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the most pratical is a GPS (SC would be my choice - quelle surprise). I went out and hit 10 balls with each club into a wind and then downwind. I recorded the longest, shortest and the average with my SC5. I did this when I got my SC in the summer so the balls were flying further through the air and rolling further.

I have recently repeated the exercise in a slightly stronger wind and in wetter conditions to give me a better understanding on how far I hit in colder winter conditions.

My strokesaver (not allowed SC in competitions at my clu yet) now not only has the additional yardages on each hole I have taken when out playing on my own to give a definitive picture but in the blank notes pages at the back I have a full list of my distances. This means I can stand there and know what I have left and what I need to get there and can be certain I have the right club in my hand. After that its just a question of putting a good swing on it.

Damn, I knew there was a flaw in this masterplan!

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Dont know if u have heard of golfvision they are in swords they have the latest golf monitors the one the pros use they do a lunch time deal for 15 euro might be worth a try have been there and it seems accurate enough worth doing any how.
Mike

 

[Twire]

GPS are only as good as the information stored or programmed into them(or they would all be the same price)

I'd say GPS are only as good as the chipset inside them. How many satalites does it track at one time, does it cross reference it's information with fixed points on the ground, do you have a clear sky etc.

I would imagine most handsets now, would be accurate within 5 yards, which if we are honest, is fine for most of us.

 

[backwoodsman]

I'd say GPS are only as good as the chipset inside them. How many satalites does it track at one time, does it cross reference it's information with fixed points on the ground, do you have a clear sky etc.

I would imagine most handsets now, would be accurate within 5 yards, which if we are honest, is fine for most of us.

Skycaddie tracks - I think - up to 12 satellites if they are above the horizon (haven't got the book to hand so will stand corrected on the number). Doesn't cross reference "fixed points" on the ground - doesn't need to. Doesn't need a clear sky - cloud-wise that is, but is affected by heavy tree cover and suchlike.

If its accurate to within 5 yards then fine - if I could be that accurate with a shot then Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail couldn't be happier.