When we ask players “how far do you hit the ball?” whooo boy, you would be astonished by the answers! And before you skip down to a chart of what’s good, bad, average, normal, exceptional…STOP! It’s not here. See, we only care that you know what the true numbers are because knowing — and accepting — the truth is what will make you “play smarter, better, for longer.”
Let’s separate the analysis into two parts. Driving range/launch monitor-simulator, and golf course. Why? We see, frequently, two different sets of numbers.
On the ‘range or the launch monitor, you’re typically smacking away freely and without fear. And swinging hard, too! There’s no “risk” at the ‘range, or on the sim-screen, and that’s important to remember and acknowledge. Hit a bad one? So what?…hit another. Also, you’re typically hitting a dozen shots with the same club while practicing or warming up, something you’d never do on the course. We love using simulator systems and launch monitors. Yes, some are better than others and indoor and outdoor variances are a part of this. But here are the five points we believe to be most important, validated by data:
- You’ll seldom swing as hard on course as you do on the ‘range.
- Get a baseline yardage CARRY number on a range, and “check” those on the course and don’t be surprised if you’re a bit “shorter” on the golf course. Remember why? Risk!
- Approach shot CARRY distance is the most important number. Roll-out numbers are fun to look at off the tee or the second shot on par fives but if you can’t CARRY the 165 yards water’s-edge, shouldn’t you be wielding the 170 yards CARRY club, minimally?
- Driver distances…ugh. Know how far you CARRY the Driver, but remember that subconsciously, you have three Driver swing speeds! We saw this in our testing! Wide open fairway, no traps, trees, water? Swing away! (Even here, the swing speed only approximates the average you find on the ‘range or simulator!) Add a hazard or two, and the Driver swing-speed falls further! You ask: “What does it mean to me, Grey Dogs?” With a 95-mph driving range swing-speed, it can be as much as 10 yards less CARRY on course!! That matters! (Remember this when you’re doing club fittings, too. Check the numbers “on course” before pulling the wallet! And validate your club-fitting data with your club pro, or better still, make the pro an integral part of the decision.)
- We speak frequently about 70% of our shots are taken within 70 yards of the hole. Often, these aren’t “full swing” shots. It’s essential that you know how far you CAN hit each wedge so you’re comfortable playing those shots when they’re needed. Know your yardages.
- One of our mantras is “Practice like a kid. Play like a Grey Dog”. Becoming a better player requires practice and we ask you to go back to when we were kids. A few clubs, three or four balls, a late afternoon/early evening golf course. Drop the balls, hit the shots. Some hard, some super-soft, some left-to-right and some the other way. Chip with a five iron? Sure. Hit that same five iron from 110, 125, 132, or 60? Sure. Learn to feel what you CAN do with each club. Couple that with the truthful knowledge of what your full swing, on-course CARRY distances are, and you’re on your way to a lower handicap!
Grey Dog Wes carries a small card in his golf bag (and on his phone) with his actual, on course carry yardages for each club. He hands this to his caddie before the round. Because Wes is so infuriatingly hardheaded, he lives with the hope his caddie isn’t!