Swing speed increase

[Deleted member 25575]

Maybe it is but that is only a small factor to scoring well.

It’s a much bigger factor than many think.

Drive it longer and you get closer to the hole, this all relies upon not being completely out of position off the tee, but certainly don’t have to find fairway after fairway.
If you are closer to the hole you will have less club in, for each and every club you go down the bag, for every single handicap level, the average proximity to the hole is smaller, and the closer you are to the hole, the better you will scored be that less 3 putts or more up and downs.
You are correct there is an awful lot more to scoring well than hitting it far, but all things being equal with everyone’s current game, if you can get 10 yards more off the tee while not putting yourself in masses of trouble, your handicap will come down, everyone’s will. And the more yards you get from the tee, again, all things being equal as assuming you don’t put yourself in deep trouble, the more your handicap will come down

 

[Jason.H]

If you can gain distance and combine that with a better wedge game it’s a win win.

 

[Backsticks]

Maybe it is but that is only a small factor to scoring well.

It is the largest factor. Distance you can hit it has the strongest correlation with score. Distance is the limiting factor on your handicap. You will not play off scratch unless you can carry it (yes, carry not total, and average day in day out not one in a blue moon) at least 260yds I thinks.
Sure, you need other facets of the game. But they have less variance, and influence on score, than total distance.
Distance come somewhat from technique, but primarily strength and power (speed at which you can use that strength).
This sector is very well documented now (unlike the differences in equipment, or, 'fitting'), and the data is solid from all the tracking and measurement tools.

 

[D-S]

It is the largest factor. Distance you can hit it has the strongest correlation with score. Distance is the limiting factor on your handicap. You will not play off scratch unless you can carry it (yes, carry not total, and average day in day out not one in a blue moon) at least 260yds I thinks..

How on earth does that information correlate with this from the other thread on swing speed?

Average Driving Distances, by handicap (male)
> 20 handicap: 205.2 yards
15-20 handicap: 211.2 yards
10-15 handicap: 220.4 yards
5-10 handicap: 230.3 yards
0-5 handicap: 237.8 yards
< 0 handicap: 239.6 yards

 

[Backsticks]

How on earth does that information correlate with this from the other thread on swing speed?

Average Driving Distances, by handicap (male)
> 20 handicap: 205.2 yards
15-20 handicap: 211.2 yards
10-15 handicap: 220.4 yards
5-10 handicap: 230.3 yards
0-5 handicap: 237.8 yards
< 0 handicap: 239.6 yards

The same. (I wasnt sure about the 260 for scratch, although I think there is data on that). But even taking it as 240, distance correlates with hc.
Strokes gained indicates about 0.2 to 0.3 shots gained per drive for 10 yards longer. Which is broadly in line with your above also.

 

[Deleted member 31467]

It is the largest factor. Distance you can hit it has the strongest correlation with score. Distance is the limiting factor on your handicap. You will not play off scratch unless you can carry it (yes, carry not total, and average day in day out not one in a blue moon) at least 260yds I thinks.







Sure, you need other facets of the game. But they have less variance, and influence on score, than total distance.







Distance come somewhat from technique, but primarily strength and power (speed at which you can use that strength).







This sector is very well documented now (unlike the differences in equipment, or, 'fitting'), and the data is solid from all the tracking and measurement tools.[/QUOtTE]



You're talking out your arse. Have a look at the distances guys hit the ball in the amateur British seniors, ballot last year was +0.9

 

[Deleted member 25575]

He really isn’t talking out of anything like his behind.
There are exceptions, people can get to scratch driving the ball shorter, but on the whole, and I mean the overwhelming majority, of low handicap players hit it further and for ever single person, the longer you can hit the ball (keeping it in play) the lower your handicap potential is. As said there are other facets to golf than distance off the tee, absolutely, but it’s so so important.

 

[bobmac]

the longer you can hit the ball (keeping it in play) the lower your handicap potential is.

Totally agree, but keeping it in play is the hard bit.
Any fool can hit it harder and further but that is pointless if you cant find your ball.

 

[Deleted member 31467]

He really isn’t talking out of anything like his behind.
There are exceptions, people can get to scratch driving the ball shorter, but on the whole, and I mean the overwhelming majority, of low handicap players hit it straighter and for ever single person, the longer you can hit the ball (keeping it in play) the lower your handicap potential is. As said there are other facets to golf than distance off the tee, absolutely, but it’s so so important.

Fixed the above for you.


It's not SO SO important, it's a definite benefit but I have played with so many excellent players over the years that don't hit it as far as me but have better short games and course management and consequently lower handicaps. My mate plays for England seniors, doesn't hit it very far. The England seniors captain, 69 years old and ex pro.....doesn't hit it far but a plus handicapper. I can go on........

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Fixed the above for you.


It's not SO SO important, it's a definite benefit but I have played with so many excellent players over the years that don't hit it as far as me but have better short games and course management and consequently lower handicaps. My mate plays for England seniors, doesn't hit it very far. The England seniors captain, 69 years old and ex pro.....doesn't hit it far but a plus handicapper. I can go on........

As I say there are exceptions, and your correction of struggler really isn’t as important as your stressing, look at the % of fairways hit by handicap, average 30+ handicap hits more fairways than the average PGA pro, in fact fairway’s hit across all handicap’s are broadly similar and none stray too far either side of 50%.
And as I said, you let potential handicap; but all things being equal with your game right now if you can hit the ball 10 further off the tee without it going off the planet, your handicap will come down, everyone’s will.

Edit to add, all of those players you talk of, every single one, would have a better handicap if they hit it further, again assuming they aren’t hitting it off the planet.
I’m not suggesting you can’t be a good, scratch, professional player not hitting it miles, just that you’ll be a better one if you can (and not lose balls)

 

[Deleted member 25575]

Totally agree, but keeping it in play is the hard bit.
Any fool can hit it harder and further but that is pointless if you cant find your ball.

It is the hard bit, but it’s not impossible, far from it.
Everyone has their own way of approaching life and golf in general, all I’m saying is there is a direct correlation between distance and handicap, again, all things being equal.
Lessons will help with keeping the ball in play if you get wild with more distance. But completely correct that if you lose a ball a round more by hitting it further, you will negate any distance gains in terms of shots

 

[bobmac]

It is the hard bit, but it’s not impossible, far from it.
Everyone has their own way of approaching life and golf in general, all I’m saying is there is a direct correlation between distance and handicap, again, all things being equal.

Obviously, but all things aren't always equal.
If you increase the speed, and the other 4 golf laws aren't affected then fine, but in my experience, that rarely happens.

 

[Newtonuti]

Totally agree, but keeping it in play is the hard bit.
Any fool can hit it harder and further but that is pointless if you cant find your ball.

Got numerous friends who just smash it as far as they can, and still play off similar handicaps to me. Might get away with it on the odd wide open course, but as soon as there's water or tree's they're buggered.

 

[Deleted member 31467]

As I say there are exceptions, and your correction of struggler really isn’t as important as your stressing, look at the % of fairways hit by handicap, average 30+ handicap hits more fairways than the average PGA pro, in fact fairway’s hit across all handicap’s are broadly similar and none stray too far either side of 50%.
And as I said, you let potential handicap; but all things being equal with your game right now if you can hit the ball 10 further off the tee without it going off the planet, your handicap will come down, everyone’s will.

Edit to add, all of those players you talk of, every single one, would have a better handicap if they hit it further, again assuming they aren’t hitting it off the planet.
I’m not suggesting you can’t be a good, scratch, professional player not hitting it miles, just that you’ll be a better one if you can (and not lose balls)

I would much rather have a better short game than an extra 10 or 20 yards off the tee.

 

[Backsticks]

Obviously, but all things aren't always equal.
If you increase the speed, and the other 4 golf laws aren't affected then fine, but in my experience, that rarely happens.

No. swing speed/distance itself will categorically reduce your handicap. Longer =wilder from the tee has been well discounted as a mistaken perception. You should always hit your longest club - unless you are taking a hazard out of play. But you shouldnt go shorter to reduce dispersion. Any reduction in dispersion does not outweigh the gains of simply being closer to the green.

 

[Backsticks]

I would much rather have a better short game than an extra 10 or 20 yards off the tee.

Thats a preference. But 20 yards off the tee will reduce your score by 6 or so shots. If you can do the equivalent shrough short game fine. But a limit is reached on that front. The strokes gained needed from putting or short game to gain what you can gain from distance simply go off the charts to the impossible.

 

[Backache]

No. swing speed/distance itself will categorically reduce your handicap. Longer =wilder from the tee has been well discounted as a mistaken perception. You should always hit your longest club - unless you are taking a hazard out of play. But you shouldnt go shorter to reduce dispersion. Any reduction in dispersion does not outweigh the gains of simply being closer to the green.

This is not what Mark Broadie says who popularised the strokes gained concept.

 

[Deleted member 21258]

Doing speed training and then the next step doing it onto the golf course, is some of the best fun I have had playing golf.

Added IIRC just over 10mph at the time, meant par 5s got within range in 2 shots, gave me masses of more birdies chances(lot less club into greens). Typically my putting fell off the cliff in that period.

The bad news was it took me about 6-12 months of doing it on the course to transition and was wild as a nutter in that period.

Best of luck and hope it works well, enjoy the ride!

 

[bobmac]

No. swing speed/distance itself will categorically reduce your handicap. Longer =wilder from the tee has been well discounted as a mistaken perception. You should always hit your longest club - unless you are taking a hazard out of play. But you shouldnt go shorter to reduce dispersion. Any reduction in dispersion does not outweigh the gains of simply being closer to the green.

I disagree with every word of that but it is your opinion and you're entitled to it.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

I disagree with every word of that but it is your opinion and you're entitled to it.

Why do you disagree?