Is it just me?

Well, when I first started out...

My swing was a baseball style arms-driven 'hit' at the ball. I'd pull a 27° 5 iron from 150 (and it would land on the front and roll up if I hit it ok - so about 140 carry and 10 roll).

A lesson or two about a body-driven swing. I started taking a 31° 6 iron from 150 - about 140 carry and about 10 roll. While my rotation was better, it was still mostly hip slide, followed by a quick rotation and an armsy swat at the ball.

Another lesson about passive arms. I started taking a 35° 7 iron from 150 - 145 carry and 5 roll.

Another lesson about impact and compression. I now take a 39° 8 iron from 150 (150 carry and ball-determined roll or check; currently 2 yards roll) with a smaller swing but a faster turn.

To quantify, I'm a 6 foot 280 pound guy with a good sized beer belly (why have a 6 pack when you can have a keg?) and limited flexibility. But I'm carrying my driver another 20 yards further than before (my average carry is now 260-ish, up from 240; iGolf GPS verified). I get outdriven by a guy who's all of 5'8" and 180. Routinely. But he's slim and flexible.

But, as it's been said, Robin, it's not how far do THEY hit it, it's how far do YOU hit it. And even with my distance, I still haven't broken 90 (and my home course is only 6100 and change). So again, length isn't everything...

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True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

a good example for you robin
15th hole at the home course is a par5 536yds of the comp tees sweeping dog leg left.
a trench runs all the way up the left side and tons of trees down the right.
always hit driver off there usually to the right and blocked by the trees then stuff a long iron and take a 7 or 8
on saturday i hit 3wood to middle of fair way then 2 6 irons and im on the fringe 2 putts and its the first time ive parred the hole
wont be using driver there again!

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cheers slats
"Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle"

Oh I agree with you, the first time I broke 90 the longest club I used in the round was a 7I - mind you my short game & putting were just amazing so I have no misconception that length is the be all and end all of the game.

You are also right in that Par 5s are easier to apply this kind of course management to - just divide 5nn by 3 and do the math , as long as the tee shot is away on the fairway somewhere 2 decent smacks with an iron or utility should see you home.

It's you!