Old Man Yardages

[rulie]

You appear not to understand the purpose of a golf forum. People come here for an inane debate, well that's what I do anyway.

 

[rulie]

Here's a post from another forum regarding simulator data that was written by a very knowledgeable instructor and fitter...
"Most (simulators) read the ball speed very well since this is the data point that is the most similar across all monitors. Spin varies significantly and launch is only good if it’s measured rather than telling the box you’re hitting 5 iron so it looks a for a 20° window.

if you’re hitting irons, hit into a green so the system knows which algorithm to use to simulate a green rather than fairway which will display bounce and roll and you’ll end up with strange Total numbers especially across (simulator) brands. In order not to copy a competitor, everyone’s readings and math have to vary a little. I look at total distance for Woods and chips."

 

[nickjdavis]

Interesting observations from yesterdays session compared to the stats in the original post.

Only hit irons, hybrid and lofted woods.

8 iron saw near identical swing speed (67.8/67.9 mph) and ball speed (91.5/92.1 mph) and carry distance (123.5/123.9yds) but significantly lower roll out (14yds/4yds) as i saw my launch, spin, peak height and descent angle all increase.

Likewise increases in peak height and descent angle for the 7 and 6 iron saw significantly reduced roll out....if not necessarily hugely increased spin. Not sure, after playing 18 the day before that my swing was totally as controlled as I'd want it to be but certainly you can see the benefit of increased launch, peak height and descent angle in controlling roll out with the irons.

Next session I'm going to try a firmer spinner ball (Wilson Model X and/or Chrome Tour X) and see how much the numbers change. I did do a brief comparison between the Triad and Model X with the driver at the end of the session, but my swing was not at its best any observable differences were negligible, though the Triad spun a lot more than the previous session (the swing was quite cutty) and the model X did seem to eke out a small handful of yards more. But I'm not convinced the comparison (at the end of the session) was as fair as it could have been in terms of my ability to put a decent strike on the ball...so I'm going to revisit that in a couple of weeks time.

 

[D-S]

Well if you go by the “I do my distances is total not carry” theory, your 7 iron, despite adding 1 mph swing speed and 2 mph ball speed you lost 9 yards in distance - so that would be a bad thing.

In fact, you spun it more and had a greater descent angle which are both good things for the same carry.

 

[sunshine]

Well if you go by the “I do my distances is total not carry” theory, your 7 iron, despite adding 1 mph swing speed and 2 mph ball speed you lost 9 yards in distance - so that would be a bad thing.

In fact, you spun it more and had a greater descent angle which are both good things for the same carry.

I feel like working on total distance instead of carry is probably more appropriate for beginners or higher handicappers. Once you start consistently hitting the ball in the air it no longer makes sense.

 

[ManinBlack]

Am going through the same torment. 79 years old, driver swing speed has declined from 90 mph to barely 80 in the last few years. I've been spending some time on a really good simulator during this bad weather & the results ate quite revealing. Carry on my 4,5,6 & 7 irons was virtually the same, although total distance varied due to the flatter trajectory & longer runout. Based on these results I have ditched the 4 iron & invested in a 22º hybrid, which actually carries almost the same distance as my 19º. However, this is acceptable, again because of the additional run, especially on my course, which is normally very dry. As far as the other clubs are concerned I have asked a club fitter friend to increase the lofts on the 5, 6 & 7 irons, assuming the extra length of the clubs will close the gap between the 8 iron & 19º hybrid.

We'll see how that forks out.

 

[Klimski]

After an indoor session yesterday I realise I am going backwards... especially with driver. Falling below 200 yrds total distance. Worrying. Strange things is that I don't really feel that I am hitting it worse. So, I need to figure something out.

 

[Orikoru]

After an indoor session yesterday I realise I am going backwards... especially with driver. Falling below 200 yrds total distance. Worrying. Strange things is that I don't really feel that I am hitting it worse. So, I need to figure something out.

Could this be because you're using a 13° driver? Or have you definitely hit it further with that driver before?

 

[Klimski]

Could this be because you're using a 13° driver? Or have you definitely hit it further with that driver before?

Yeah, I am thinking about turning down the loft. But two things are stopping me: I had a 15 (!!) degree driver before and my best shots with that were further. And I have indeed hit this driver longer before. I think I'll get some lessons come spring time.

 

[Orikoru]

Yeah, I am thinking about turning down the loft. But two things are stopping me: I had a 15 (!!) degree driver before and my best shots with that were further. And I have indeed hit this driver longer before. I think I'll get some lessons come spring time.

I know you use some kooky gear, but the Honma might just not be a great driver for you. Might be way more spinny than your older one for example, hence the high loft wouldn't be needed? Who knows.

 

[Klimski]

I know you use some kooky gear, but the Honma might just not be a great driver for you. Might be way more spinny than your older one for example, hence the high loft wouldn't be needed? Who k

Good point. However, it appears that these latest numbers are the result of a glitch in Trackman: the numbers are in meters, but appear in my app as yards. That explains a lot... still good to remain critical about the gear. I will crank down the loft a bit.