Old Man Yardages

[moogie]

Well....after a couple of Trackman sessions I now have a grasp of yardages for my bag. To be fair, not a lot comes as a surprise as I knew I'd lost a bit of yardage over the last couple of year, however, was somewhat shocked by my utterly pedestrian swing speed...was expecting Driver speed to be at worst something in the high 80's but no...its down as low as its ever been.

Looks like I can leave the driver at home until the summer when it will roll out more than the Mini and just need to find a solution to blend the 6i/5h yardages into one club...maybe a 9 wood is in my future ...though I might first go and get the 6i loft checked as it launches very low.

Id put the low launch of the 6 iron possibly more just down to not enough swing speed to launch it.

Talking from bit of experience, as I've been suffering with rotator cuff issue for last few years, weaker, and defenitely not confident enough to go at it at all, so I've seen drop off too.

 

[KenL]

There comes a time when we have to accept that we no longer have the ability to hit as far as we used to
Over the years (about 45) my 7 iron distance has gone from 180 to current 120.

And that was probably a 38 degree 7 iron, the same as some current 9 irons.
Well done Brandon.

 

[Klimski]

That's a nice chart. Actually for that driver speed, that's pretty good carry distance. So your smash factor is alright. So, either embrace these distances and maybe move up a tee, or go the swing speed training route (not for me, but to each his own). My distances are pretty similar and I don't mind. 50 years old, recovered from herniated disc etc. Happy to be out there!

 

[pendodave]

I'm impressed at your gapping. Nice regular intervals.
As for the driver.... it just doesn't have enough spin at that swing speed. Somewhere on the Internet there's tables of speed vs spin, and from memory you should have at least 2500 for your speed. I'd look at changing that ( loft/weight distribution/shaft weight/flex) before ditching the big stick. Drivers have big fat heads that are very forgiving, I would be trying to get one that works rather than ditching it altogether.

 

[Orikoru]

Its a simple average...so you have to delete and truly awful shots to remove "stupid" data to get meaningful averages. Yes...if you are particularly variable in your shot length then there could be some variation.

In my gap test, the average total distances for 6 and 7 iron were 158 and 169. But when you look at the six numbers for each (shuffled into ascending order):

6i: 158, 159, 170, 172, 173, 183 (a span of 25 yards)
7i: 151, 152, 153, 161, 164, 168 (a span of 17 yards)

I'm thinking this is just that thing people complain about with game improvement irons, that you get the odd flushed one that jumps in distance. I've never thought of that as a problem before. Or maybe it's just normal for a mid-handicapper to vary by 25 yards on even decently struck shots??

Note: The lofts on these two clubs are 24.5° and 27.5°.

 

[Burnsey]

In my gap test, the average total distances for 6 and 7 iron were 158 and 169. But when you look at the six numbers for each (shuffled into ascending order):

6i: 158, 159, 170, 172, 173, 183 (a span of 25 yards)
7i: 151, 152, 153, 161, 164, 168 (a span of 17 yards)

I'm thinking this is just that thing people complain about with game improvement irons, that you get the odd flushed one that jumps in distance. I've never thought of that as a problem before. Or maybe it's just normal for a mid-handicapper to vary by 25 yards on even decently struck shots??

Note: The lofts on these two clubs are 24.5° and 27.5°.

My 5 iron loft sits between your 6 and 6 at 26 deg, 7 iron - 6 30, 7 34.

I have accurate gapping and can only see that being as you say, the make up of the head and striking at different points on the face.

 

[Neilds]

In my gap test, the average total distances for 6 and 7 iron were 158 and 169. But when you look at the six numbers for each (shuffled into ascending order):

6i: 158, 159, 170, 172, 173, 183 (a span of 25 yards)
7i: 151, 152, 153, 161, 164, 168 (a span of 17 yards)

I'm thinking this is just that thing people complain about with game improvement irons, that you get the odd flushed one that jumps in distance. I've never thought of that as a problem before. Or maybe it's just normal for a mid-handicapper to vary by 25 yards on even decently struck shots??

Note: The lofts on these two clubs are 24.5° and 27.5°.

From those numbers, I think you should use 152 for your 7i as that is the sort of distance you are hitting more often. 6i is about right, maybe drop a yard or 2 off if you want to be a bit more accurate.

 

[Orikoru]

From those numbers, I think you should use 152 for your 7i as that is the sort of distance you are hitting more often. 6i is about right, maybe drop a yard or 2 off if you want to be a bit more accurate.

Yeah, although I've noted the numbers, yardages are flexible throughout the year anyway. We're currently in winter so they will be shorter. Next time we have a heat-wave, they probably will be running out to those higher numbers. I usually adjust on the fly, the numbers are just a guide or a starting point.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Yeah, although I've noted the numbers, yardages are flexible throughout the year anyway. We're currently in winter so they will be shorter. Next time we have a heat-wave, they probably will be running out to those higher numbers. I usually adjust on the fly, the numbers are just a guide or a starting point.

Out of interest are the figures you posted based on carry yardages from the Trackman or total distance with roll out. If it’s carry thats a mental increase and inconsistency in yardage . If it’s roll out again what are your spin numbers and descent angle as that’s losing some serious stopping power if they’re care toward to 150ish and rolling out that far.

 

[Orikoru]

Out of interest are the figures you posted based on carry yardages from the Trackman or total distance with roll out. If it’s carry thats a mental increase and inconsistency in yardage . If it’s roll out again what are your spin numbers and descent angle as that’s losing some serious stopping power if they’re care toward to 150ish and rolling out that far.

I said they were totals, not carry. Descent angle isn't on the data I got back in the app. The spin numbers are bit varied but:

7 iron - lowest was 2520 and highest was 4252 (this one was the shortest distance though). The longest distance one had 3506. The average of all six was 3360.

6 iron - I didn't actually look at this before but the lowest spin number says 1270! Is that even possible?? I'm starting to doubt this Trackman set-up now... Anyway the highest was 2909 and the average was 1991. There's no way that can be accurate is there?

The last time I did a Trackman session (at a different venue with the more sophisticated version of the software), the spin average was more like 5000 with 7 iron, 4700 with 6 iron. That seems more sensible. That was August 2024 and my swing was a bit different, but still. I don't think I'll go back to the venue I did last week again.

 

[MACM85]

I said they were totals, not carry. Descent angle isn't on the data I got back in the app. The spin numbers are bit varied but:

7 iron - lowest was 2520 and highest was 4252 (this one was the shortest distance though). The longest distance one had 3506. The average of all six was 3360.

6 iron - I didn't actually look at this before but the lowest spin number says 1270! Is that even possible?? I'm starting to doubt this Trackman set-up now... Anyway the highest was 2909 and the average was 1991. There's no way that can be accurate is there?

The last time I did a Trackman session (at a different venue with the more sophisticated version of the software), the spin average was more like 5000 with 7 iron, 4700 with 6 iron. That seems more sensible. That was August 2024 and my swing was a bit different, but still. I don't think I'll go back to the venue I did last week again.

I would question if those spin numbers are correct as if they are then that ball is struggling to stop on a green unless it comes in from a high angle.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I said they were totals, not carry. Descent angle isn't on the data I got back in the app. The spin numbers are bit varied but:

7 iron - lowest was 2520 and highest was 4252 (this one was the shortest distance though). The longest distance one had 3506. The average of all six was 3360.

6 iron - I didn't actually look at this before but the lowest spin number says 1270! Is that even possible?? I'm starting to doubt this Trackman set-up now... Anyway the highest was 2909 and the average was 1991. There's no way that can be accurate is there?

The last time I did a Trackman session (at a different venue with the more sophisticated version of the software), the spin average was more like 5000 with 7 iron, 4700 with 6 iron. That seems more sensible. That was August 2024 and my swing was a bit different, but still. I don't think I'll go back to the venue I did last week again.

I must’ve missed that bit where you said it was total sorry mate.

I’d definitely be questioning all of the data on that Trackman. Some of those spins numbers would be sub optimal for a driver let alone a mid iron

My 7 iron spin numbers are double what your average was with the same club.

As for your 6 iron you’re literally hitting that with less spin than I can hit with a low spin driver.

I’d suggest you got some seriously duff data sets off the system as the ball would be dropping out of the air. You also struggle to a single green with those figures. Your previous though still low to me I’d suggest are much more accurate for you, also an issue with GI irons massively reducing spin rates in hope to make everyone longer.

Love to see your wedge numbers and what sort of stopping power you get.

 

[Orikoru]

I must’ve missed that bit where you said it was total sorry mate.

I’d definitely be questioning all of the data on that Trackman. Some of those spins numbers would be sub optimal for a driver let alone a mid iron

My 7 iron spin numbers are double what your average was with the same club.

As for your 6 iron you’re literally hitting that with less spin than I can hit with a low spin driver.

I’d suggest you got some seriously duff data sets off the system as the ball would be dropping out of the air. You also struggle to a single green with those figures. Your previous though still low to me I’d suggest are much more accurate for you, also an issue with GI irons massively reducing spin rates in hope to make everyone longer.

Love to see your wedge numbers and what sort of stopping power you get.

Yeah, those 6 iron numbers are definitely baffling and I don't think they can be correct. As we mentioned earlier, it wasn't picking up attack angle, and it even missed the club speed on a few of the strikes, so I just don't think it was a very good set-up at the place I went to. (SIMTEC in King's Langley.) Who even knows if the yardages were right now? Annoying.

Wedge numbers, for what they're worth:
AW(46): Average total 105.5y. Spin numbers between 4849 & 7417, averaging around 6000. Launch angles were all 32-34 degrees.
50°: Average total 94y. Spin numbers between 5439 & 8172, averaging around 6666. Launch angles were all 32-35 degrees.
Still pretty low spin numbers, and I don't really trust them at this point.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Yeah, those 6 iron numbers are definitely baffling and I don't think they can be correct. As we mentioned earlier, it wasn't picking up attack angle, and it even missed the club speed on a few of the strikes, so I just don't think it was a very good set-up at the place I went to. (SIMTEC in King's Langley.) Who even knows if the yardages were right now? Annoying.

Wedge numbers, for what they're worth:
AW(46): Average total 105.5y. Spin numbers between 4849 & 7417, averaging around 6000. Launch angles were all 32-34 degrees.
50°: Average total 94y. Spin numbers between 5439 & 8172, averaging around 6666. Launch angles were all 32-35 degrees.
Still pretty low spin numbers, and I don't really trust them at this point.

Weirdly those launch angles for me would be a little high on the wedges it still really low on spin numbers.

I’d bin the data the bud and go back to somewhere you can trust. But what really matters is if you’re seeing consistent distances when you’re playing and you know your yardages you’re folded and the rest of it all but at becomes a numbers game for the sake of it.

 

[Orikoru]

Weirdly those launch angles for me would be a little high on the wedges it still really low on spin numbers.

I’d bin the data the bud and go back to somewhere you can trust. But what really matters is if you’re seeing consistent distances when you’re playing and you know your yardages you’re folded and the rest of it all but at becomes a numbers game for the sake of it.

The yardages all seemed pretty plausible, I think it just hasn't picked up the spin correctly. I was using my Wilson Triads as well so not like it was a range ball or something. I'm not going to spend another 30 quid on a session to get spin numbers, I'm not that fussed, but I won't go back to this place next time I want to get numbers. The one I went to previously in Sudbury was a lot better.

 

[nickjdavis]

First of all bloody good thread and really good data set for us all to see and understand .

Looking at it you mate as well bin the driver completely as the Mini is just holding up better and the low spin numbers on the driver plus lack of speed suggests it’s falling out of the air(my assumption). Maybe if you could get that spin numbers up nearer the Mini you may eke out some more carry and overall distance.

I’m intrigued as to what shafts are you using, perhaps a lighter spec could again combat some of those numbers.

Regardless though I love what you’ve done, getting your spin and Trackman data you know exactly what club does what unlike the literally thousands of club golfers that insist they hit a 7 iron 150+ carry when in truth they’re nearer your numbers.

I did a gapping session last year on GCquad so have my data but I’d like to do it again when I get home as I want to add a Mini driver and a new driver, plus swing changes I’ve made so it would be good to get the numbers again

Must have been about three months ago I went to a club fitter who I've used on and off for years, and we tried some lighter steel and graphite shafts in the irons (currently Dynamic Gold Mid 90's) and I saw no noticeable benefit...did not swing the clubs any faster and did not generate any faster ball speed or more efficient launch conditions.

He made some suggestions though and the bag has been slowly modified over the last couple of months after a bit of experimentation.

To be honest, if I shifted a few pounds off the waistline and did a bit more excercise then I could easily see myself generating a few more mph....either that or I might buy a 9 wood!!!

 

[nickjdavis]

I'm impressed at your gapping. Nice regular intervals.
As for the driver.... it just doesn't have enough spin at that swing speed. Somewhere on the Internet there's tables of speed vs spin, and from memory you should have at least 2500 for your speed. I'd look at changing that ( loft/weight distribution/shaft weight/flex) before ditching the big stick. Drivers have big fat heads that are very forgiving, I would be trying to get one that works rather than ditching it altogether.

Funnily enough...if you look at the little bit I posted below the table where I tried a different ball you will see that i gained a few yards and a bit more ball speed...the Triad is a soft, low spin ball, so ball choice is another thing that I'm going to look into closely over the next couple of months.

I was really surprised when I saw such low spin figures...as you say...something to improve upon.

 

[sunshine]

I said they were totals, not carry.

Did you keep the carry numbers too?

I'm not sure there's much benefit in total distance, as the roll will vary tremendously depending on the firmness of the ground, if it lands on a downslope etc. Carry distance is the important one for me, because on the course I'm thinking about where I want to land it.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Did you keep the carry numbers too?

I'm not sure there's much benefit in total distance, as the roll will vary tremendously depending on the firmness of the ground, if it lands on a downslope etc. Carry distance is the important one for me, because on the course I'm thinking about where I want to land it.

I completely agree. I’d say the only 2 clubs in my bag I know the true roll out numbers for are the driver and 5 wood as they’ll be used off the tee more often than not.

Anything with an iron I care about the carry distance and making sure my spin numbers are right so that I know I have stopping power.

 

[jim8flog]

And that was probably a 38 degree 7 iron, the same as some current 9 irons.
Well done Brandon.

To be honest I am comparing my 6 iron distance back then to my 7 iron distance now as it is virtually the same club.