My club choices..

[NewFish]

As some of you may remember im new to the game, i play with a couple of mates who have been playing a while longer than me, and one of the thing i notice going round is i tend to select less lofted clubs than then in certain situations, I will use a 9i or even an 8i when they will use a PW or SW is this just because im not putting enough into my swing?

Also i find i use a smaller range of clubs than them for example I will use a 9 iron from pretty much anywhere within like 120 yards of the pin, where they will use a whole range of clubs.. Is this bad practise, should I be playing and getting used to a wider range of clubs?

Any advice appreciated..

Cheers,

 

[Tommo21]

I done the same my self when I first started. You'll start to use the full range when you get better. Get a couple of lessons before you get into any bad habits, I wish I did.

 

[Smiffy]

Not everybody hits the same distance with each club, and you should take what feels right for you.
One of the worst things you can try to do is match other players...if they hit their 9 irons 140 yards, but you only hit yours 120 then take a 7 iron to stay with them rather than "strain the greens"....all hope of a smooth swing will go out of the window and any control will be lost.
The longer you play, the more you will discover your strengths and weaknesses..the art of low scoring is to play to your strengths and keep the weak parts to a minimum.
This will only come with experience.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My advice would be to get a lesson or two so you are swingly the club consistantly and then you'll get a much better feel for how far YOU hit it. Even if you only hit a 9 iron 100 yards compared with 130 for your mates as long as you know hwhat club to use it is fine.

They probably use more clubs because they are pitching or more likely trying to hit high shots with their sand irons as they've seen the pros do. Try and learn how to hit a pitch and run (ask your pro to show you) and you will be able to use anything from a wedge down to and including hybrids and will get a lot of control on your approach shots

 

[thecraw]

Use what gets you close, plain and simple.

I use 7 irons from 45 yards at times when my partners are using 58 degree lob wedges.

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

I read in this months GM that Harrington takes a 7 or even 8 iron (with draw) on a Par 3 192yrds! For me that's a 4 iron!

Dont bother even looking at what other people are hitting, one of the worst things you can do is try and hit it with 120% effort. Let the club do the work.

As above use whatever feels comfortable.

 

[Parmo]

I read in this months GM that Harrington takes a 7 or even 8 iron (with draw) on a Par 3 192yrds! For me that's a 4 iron!

Dont bother even looking at what other people are hitting, one of the worst things you can do is try and hit it with 120% effort. Let the club do the work.

As above use whatever feels comfortable.

I agree totally, there is no point in blasting a 9i and losing control when you can take a 7i and have a fluid light swing and get the ball where it needs to be.

 

[ricardodaintino]

I have a friend who always struggles with his shots, mainly because he plucks out a club and then asks "what are you taking", if I've got less club than him, he puts it back in his bag and takes the same club. Always end up in trouble because he's trying to put to much into it and loses control.

I would tell him, but I'm not his caddy and it makes me a tidy few quid for the weekend!!!

 

[Imurg]

I have a friend who always struggles with his shots, mainly because he plucks out a club and then asks "what are you taking", if I've got less club than him, he puts it back in his bag and takes the same club. Always end up in trouble because he's trying to put to much into it and loses control.

I would tell him, but I'm not his caddy and it makes me a tidy few quid for the weekend!!!

Having said that, my regular doubles partner is as near as damn it 2 clubs shorter than me. So When we play we have double the chance of getting the right club. If he picks out a 6 I know I need an 8.

 

[Parmo]

At one point last year on a par 3 120 yards I was taking a 7i onto a tight winter green, I don't have an ego about distance like some people I have played with have, its about playing within yourself and getting the best score against the course.

 

[dangermouse]

At one point last year on a par 3 120 yards I was taking a 7i onto a tight winter green, I don't have an ego about distance like some people I have played with have, its about playing within yourself and getting the best score against the course.

I too use a 7i on a tight par3 120yard downhill, not much more than half a backswing, but something I can repeat. Theres a more open 130yd par 3 two holes on and I will take a full 9 or 8, depending on how I'm swinging. Go figure. Half of it is obviously in the mind, but on those holes, they are the clubs I feel I will get closest with!

 

[OldWindy]

'Bag watching' is a bad habit. Play the course and with your choice of club instead of someone else's.

 

[Nikki]

Little question,

is a sixteen year old who hits his 6 iron 150 meters (165 yards) hitting it particularly far? because i know this mate of mine who does this, and i am round about the same on the driving range (but i have a totally flawed technique).

 

[andiritchie]

165 yards with a 6 is quite long the thing is it needs to be done 9 1/2 times out of 10 to be effective,

Learn exactly how far you hit each club in normal conditions and let your scorecard do the talking not what numbers on the bottom of the club

 

[vig]

One mans 9 iron is another mans 8.
So much variance in lofts on different manufacturers kit that they might have the same loft OR be very close

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Our 8th is only 138 off the back but I'll often hit a 6 in there while my mate will go in with wedge or 9. I don't really care what I use as long as it gets the job done.

I suppose 165 with a 6 is slightly longer than average. It is said that the average for a 6 is around 150 yards but again it depends on the actual loft (that may actually be a 5 in some sets), the conditions and the capability of the idiot on the end.

 

[andiritchie]

I had a chat with my pro when getting my irons fitted Oct 07 and one of the questions was

If left with 200yards into a green and has you only carry 5 wood and 4 iron,5 wood which i hit 220ish and 4 iron 190 tops.what shot would i choose?

I said hit the 4 iron harder to his reply thats why you cant break 80(at the time),the idea in golf is to control the ball,i used that from then all with all my clubs and my handicapped dropped with it,your ego only gets you so far

 

[ademac]

your ego only gets you so far

VERY,VERY WISE!

 

[NewFish]

Cheers lads, some great responses, I will trust my own insticts on club selection in future and not think about others.. And i did beat the both the lads i play with the other day anyway so probably not the best people to be immitating