lyden
Head Pro
I own the original cobra baffler, class is permanent!
Older clubs how do they compare
- Thread starter shewy
- Start date
Mozza73
Assistant Pro
Ping I3 O-Size here. Cracking irons and in my opinion the best value for money for the budget golfer.
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Just got a Rules Newsletter from the R&A which included a link to an article on driving distances
http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2013/May/Drive-Distance.aspx
Thought the following paragraphs were interesting
"The number of golfers on the PGA Tour having driving averages in excess of 300 yards is lower than it was at its peak in 2005. We often hear that the elite male players are playing a separate game. In fact driving distance appears to be a continuum and there is an almost linear correlation of skill (quantified by handicap) and driving distance. We would expect the average driving distance for male golfers with handicaps between scratch and 5 to be 240 yards."
"Each season since 1996 we have been gathering driving distances from players with a range of handicaps and the average driving distance in 2012 for this cohort was 208 yards compared to 200 yards in 1996; an increase of 8 yards. The largest change over the 17 seasons has been the number of higher handicap golfers choosing to use drivers from the tee in our measurements. Back in the 1990s the percentage usage for the highest handicap group was 55% and this has risen to a figure in excess of 90% since around 2005, which is presumably associated with enhanced forgiveness. Using driver-only data the increase in driving distance from 1996 to 2012 is only 3 yards."
So there you go, all that technology has only given us an extra 3 yards!
http://www.randa.org/en/RandA/News/News/2013/May/Drive-Distance.aspx
Thought the following paragraphs were interesting
"The number of golfers on the PGA Tour having driving averages in excess of 300 yards is lower than it was at its peak in 2005. We often hear that the elite male players are playing a separate game. In fact driving distance appears to be a continuum and there is an almost linear correlation of skill (quantified by handicap) and driving distance. We would expect the average driving distance for male golfers with handicaps between scratch and 5 to be 240 yards."
"Each season since 1996 we have been gathering driving distances from players with a range of handicaps and the average driving distance in 2012 for this cohort was 208 yards compared to 200 yards in 1996; an increase of 8 yards. The largest change over the 17 seasons has been the number of higher handicap golfers choosing to use drivers from the tee in our measurements. Back in the 1990s the percentage usage for the highest handicap group was 55% and this has risen to a figure in excess of 90% since around 2005, which is presumably associated with enhanced forgiveness. Using driver-only data the increase in driving distance from 1996 to 2012 is only 3 yards."
So there you go, all that technology has only given us an extra 3 yards!
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Very interesting, good find Mashie.
You seldom see high handicappers taking an iron off the tee [on par4/5s] nowadays.
It was quite common up till the 1990's.
You seldom see high handicappers taking an iron off the tee [on par4/5s] nowadays.
It was quite common up till the 1990's.
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
Basically the larger headed driver has promoted confidence (too much in some cases!) and made it a bit more forgiving. It won't improve quality of strike or swing speed significantly. So the 3yard gain is credible, just think if higher handicaps put the driver away and concentrated on using a 3 wood? Honestly their scoring would improve and slow play would be reduced.
When I used to play off 4 I mainly used a strong 3 wood at 13 degrees off the tee, I was rarely behind anyone with a driver. My driver would be used on par 5s or into the wind par 4s. The point being I was always in good shape to attack the green from the fairway. I also could work the ball with a 3 wood.
This may be controversial but I think the driver should be taken out of bags of players who have not reached a certain proficiency in the game if playing a green fee or competition ... Just to speed the round up. ( I now will get a massive slagging from the golfers who want to hit their drivers in to the rubbish the majority of the time... Just go down the range and slap your driver there please, you won't slow play down there)
When I used to play off 4 I mainly used a strong 3 wood at 13 degrees off the tee, I was rarely behind anyone with a driver. My driver would be used on par 5s or into the wind par 4s. The point being I was always in good shape to attack the green from the fairway. I also could work the ball with a 3 wood.
This may be controversial but I think the driver should be taken out of bags of players who have not reached a certain proficiency in the game if playing a green fee or competition ... Just to speed the round up. ( I now will get a massive slagging from the golfers who want to hit their drivers in to the rubbish the majority of the time... Just go down the range and slap your driver there please, you won't slow play down there)
Bobmysterkaymer
Head Pro
I have ping i3 s too! Awesome!
