Distance Inconsistencies (range-course)

I am usually very straight with my irons, rarely slicing and usually shaping a slight draw; however scores remain high because of distance inconsistencies between the range and the course.

Example: I chart each club during practice sessions at the range and average out my swings to achieve an expected distance. Without fail the distances never match what I shoot on the course. A no brainer 165 yard 7 iron on the range, fly the green and ends up OB at about 185+.

Club down? Tried that. The 8 iron flys the green and into a bunker at 175. Club down again? Tried that. The 9 ends up well short at 150. Each of the swings ends up well balanced and clean.

Ideas? Why the difference?

Hi there,

There are a couple of different answers here...................

If you practice off mats with range balls then forget it.


If you practice off grass with your regular balls then pace out 10 shots with the same club and take the shortest good shot as your distance, this alows for pressure on the course which will affect your distance, also with lies you get on the course, wind etc all affect distance.


Unfortunatley it is a slow learning process, for example: Par three 150yds


7 iron off a par three tee 155
7 iron off par three uphill 145
7 iron par three downhill 165
7 iron par three uphill wind behind 155
7 iron par three uphill wind head on take 6 iron.......


Getting the drift.


Hope this helps


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

thanks Ian,

the only problem with that is that my course shots are much longer than my range shots. 7 irons that go 165 routinely on the range, end up at 185 on the course and over the green. Maybe adrenaline?

They are still as straight as can be, i just cant seem to dial the distance in.

range:
9- 140
8- 150
7- 165

course: same exact hole 3 consecutive rounds.
165 yards with 7 iron- 185 and over the green (not bladed)
165 yards with 8 iron- 175 and over the green in a bunker.
165 yards with 9 iron- 150 and short of the putting surface.

Then you must be hitting hard range ball off a mat......!!


There is also a large gap between clubs even Tiger doesn't have that much distance between clubs.

You should always use the same ball...........

Maybe adreniline but you must be an adreniline junkie...........

Maybe just a real inconsistant swing, sometimes all arms sometimes body.....

To be honest I am a little stumped with this, I suggest you take a bag of the same balls to your local field and a 9 iron one day pace out and note. A 8 iron next day and do the same and so on.

You need to settle things down, maybe aggression plays a big part, try to keep an even mind set during play, never aggessive and never sloppy.


Good luck with this.


Ian.

__________________
Once you learn the swing, your next step is mastering golf psychology................

Ian,

Thanks for the advice. I have another thread about golf balls because I had suspected this may be a cause. I usually only check to see if it is a clean ball (ie no marks or scuffs). I rarely play the same ball in consecutive rounds. I really dont even know the difference between the different technologies.

The adrenaline could be a factor as well, but I would expect that "dialing" shots up would result in mishits offline. This just doesnt happen. They are usually as straight as can be.


thanks again

range balls dont go as far as real balls, you need to do what Ian said and hit real balls and chart the distance

God, Please help me to have this problem. . Amen.

that a good one by the way me too!!!!

Iverson,

Ian has given you all the info you really need.

Realise that the ball you play changes the distances you'll hit. Switch from a ProV1 to a Top Flite Super Distance, and you'll see your distances change.

As for the 25 yard gap between your 8 and 9, it sounds like an out-of-spec loft (or 2) to me. With those kind of distances, your 8 is probably a little strong, and your 9 may be a little weak. See someone with the ability to measure 'em, and get 'em bent, if necessary.

Great Call!!! The shaft is out of spec!

The angle of the 9 is correct, but it appears to the Pro that the shaft is mislabeled. The badging says "S" flex, but it measures as an "R". With my swing speed the club remains a hair open changing the effective loft.

I have to wait 4 days to get it back, but if it fixes the issue.....whos complaining?

thanks for the advice!!!