Tall golfer means long hitter?

[shanker]

Back in the dark ages (1970s) I remember that golf theory suggested that being tall meant length. Do you posters agree with this idea? I don't and I'm a midget (5' 7''). Woosnam is much longer than Faldo, for example. We had a discussion on the course about this some time ago and I was reminded of it by Homer saying he was a lanky lad.
Look forward to comments from tall and short golfers(and ladies).
Regards
Shanker

 

[TonyN]

Nope, I think Anthony Kim is a good example that it clearly isnt the case! Strength and Technique!

 

[madandra]

I think it is TEMPO and you get that in all sizes of people.

In this instance SIZE DOESN'T MATTER ............

 

[thecraw]

I remember Lyle telling a story about Woosie during the Ryder Cup practice in the states. Lyle smacks one down the middle, someone else tee'd off about 40 yards behind Sandy, someone else hit off about 50 yards behind Sandy then Woosie tee'd off and was about 5 yards behind Lyle who was a big hitter in these days.

A yank in the crowd stated in a loud voice, hes only a wee boy, and Woosie quick as a flash replied straight back,

"just wait till I grow up!"

 

[Robo]

Remember the starter at west link (N/Berwick) saying
they had Sandy Lyle there for a exhibition match
and he put a 3 wood through the back of the 1st
green. Now that's some hit.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I think that taller, naturally bigger built people, have greater potential to hit it long but in reality it comes down to technique and tempo etc. For example I don't think there is much doubt that if you put a foot or two on AK he would end up hitting it further as he would have longer arms and a wider swing arc enabling him to create more distance. Another thing is if you are tall enough to use a longer driver like Robert Karlsson you are going to hit it further as well- providing you can control the added length of club.

I think this is the case anyway! It could be argued that the majority of power comes from the torque you create in your torso so height would have little effect but surely a wider swing arc in addition to a similar level of torque would create more distance.

Also to be honest though I think at a wild guess if you did a survey of say 100 random club golfers playing off a set handicap from the UK the taller ones surveyed would generally be longer off the tee. The Woosnams, Kims etc are pretty rare, and long due to an excellent technique.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess from a pure physics viewpoint taller should do better with longer levers and wider centre of gravity etc (I got grade U in my O level mock so probably not an ideal subject to quote). In essence if you have long arms you can swing wider and therefore theoretically generate more torque and power.

In reality as my swing has proved if you don't follow the tried and tested teachings of golf you can make a reasonable contact and still not maximise your potential distance. In my opinion the game isn't about distance anyway (at least for mere club golfers) and it is about how you think your way around a course and utilise your shots and knowing your limitations.

 

[Cernunnos]

Theoretically taller people with longer arms like for instance the likes of Robert Karlsson should be able to hit the ball further than others, but Technique, clubhead speed through impact, etc probably have more effect in general.

Karlsson certainly does hit the ball along way, but his height is only one factor in the equasion.

 

[need_my_wedge]

My 8 year old had his first golf lesson yesterday. At 4' 9" he's tall for his age. When he was setting up, the pro kept saying to him "use your height"!

 

[AlchemyGolf]

Distance does obviously help but without control your stuffed.

Keeping the ball in play is far more important.
Obviously hitting a 6 iron from the fairway is far better than hitting a 9 iron from the rough.

Par 5s are where the longer hitters gain there advantage but on par 3's and par 4's the player with the most control will score better in the long term.

There is some truth in taller players having a wider arc and being able to generate more clubhead speed which is where distance comes from but as already mentioned Kim and Woosnam hit it a mile and there 5ft nothing and a bit.

The pro at Royal Birkdale who I had the majority of my lessons off always said to have short legs was an advantage at this game to gain control,a lower centre of gravity and less moving parts.

Which was very comforting to me and my long lanky legs!!NOT

 

[MVP]

I think it does help . The taller you are the more arc you create which in turn generates more club head speed etc. but of course you have got to have the technique to control this speed other wise you will have no consistency.

An eg of this is i remember tiger woods saying how he hit some balls with michael jordan and a few other nba guys, he said if this lot trained to play on tour theyd been hitting massive drives week in week out.

 

[bernix]

I a 6ft4 and I am one of the shorter hitters in my categorie because I do not genarete enough club speed. My pal who isn't tall but big hits it miles further. Admittedly my balls are more likely to find the fairway though.

 

[minty18]

I'm over 6ft tall, but out of all my mates i'm the shortest hitter but definitely the straightest. I find the smaller, bulkier players hit the ball further at my club.

 

[Herbie]

Its all about potential.

Club speed, timing and type of shot.

Give exactly the same atributes to someone 6'4" and someone 5'8" and the odds are in favour of the taller chappie hitting further.

 

[wackygolfer]

Just to throw a spanner in the works -
In my 20's I used to play regularly with a girl who was 5ft 9in and I am 5ft 5in, we were approximately the same length.

I recently met here again after a gap of several years and she had put a fair amount of weight on, she is now blasting it past me by 30 yards. My handicap has stayed at 5 and hers is down to 1.

I am sure if you are physically well built you have the potential to hit it a long way but obviously timing is a major part in your swing.

Laura Davies is a classic example of bulk, Height and timing. (Plus she has the biggest feet I have seen on a woman golfer!!)

Mind you I have size 8 so perhaps that is another factor

 

[Herbie]

Lots of pies is the answer wacky, all these seaweed and fruit diets just dont cut it!

 

[bobmac]

I'm 49, 5' 8", size 7 shoes and 12st and I can get it out there a bit.
Wacky, you could be off 1 too if you had a decent putter
Tall people have long arms (levers)
The longer the levers the more clubhead speed you can achieve.
The longer the levers, the harder it is to control.
So what do you want, long off the tee and who knows where? or middle for diddle every time?

 

[shanker]

Interesting comments (as always) from the posters. I would, however, disagree with Eagle and Bobmac. If I'm 5'7'' and Homer is 6'2'' it doesn't mean that his arms are 7 inches longer than mine. They might be an inch or two longer. Bobmac is old enough to remember Peter Oosterhuis. A great golfer (IMHO) but so lanky that he used to look uncomfortable over the ball. I've read that 5'10'' or 5'11'' is the optimum height for a golfer.

 

[viscount17]

Memory again but, I'm sure Oosterhuis said during one the rambles in commentary, that he couldn't get sufficiently lengthened clubs at that time and that much of what is now the accepted norm in CF only came in later.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Actually I'm only 6'0" but whats 2 inches amongst friends. Everyone seems to think I'm taller than I am. Reminds me of the old joke... bloke goes into a chippy and asks for a piece of cod. The girl says "it won't be long". The bloke replies "it better be bloody fat then"

I'm here all week....