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Hello there,

I am 28 years old and took this wicked sport up 2 years ago. I started on a 21 handicap and this summer season have managed to get it down to 15. This is where the problem has started... I am that worried that I will creep back up to a high handicap again I have begun to try too hard.

I have began to try and hit the ball harder and harder when I know I don't need to. I suffered from swaying whilst swinging, thus causing a massive block right. Someone pointed this out to me the other week and I have began to work on a more solid base, keeping my head behind the ball and as still as possible.

In the couple of recent practice sessions I have had, this new technique has proved very effective and kept the ball going straight. The only problem is that I do try and crush every ball I hit. My take away is nice and slow and smooth, but as soon as I start the down swing its like I turn into the Hulk and try to hit every club twice as far as it should realistically go.

Is there a rough guide to how far you should hit each club? (i.e. 8 iron = 150 yards) I realise that it will be different for each and every player, but an average guide would be good. This might stop me from trying to hit a PW to 150!!! Or if someone knows of anything that could help I would be really grateful of some advise. After all thats why we have all logged onto this site.

Sorry for the very longwinded message, but could do with some advise as I want to get down to 10 / 11 next summer.

Thanks,
Dave

Your distances should be around:
SW = 100
PW = 125
9I = 137
8I = 150
7I = 162
6I = 175
5I = 187
4I = 200
3I = 212
2I/5W = 225
1I/4W = 240
3W = 250+
DR = 275+

If you are looking at much longer distances in the lower irons, then you are really robbing yourself of control vs. distance. The idea of hitting a ball the same distance and a predictable distance every time is at its absolute premimum when you are hitting around 80% of your full potential. Yes, you can hit the PW 150 yds, but you are going to hit the thing so bloody high, and hard, that any error on-line is manified. If you took your 8I and hit it at 80%, the hight will be lower, the ball will stay on line longer and your error % off-line will be reduced. You will also be able to predict the actual distances the ball will fly to better, thus getting the ball closer to you target.

So how, you ask, do you allow your brain to accept the 80% rule? By seeing the results when you do it. This is the only way your brain will accept the new idea that less is more.

Get you agression out on the long par 5's in the driver, but leave the rest to easy percision darts into the greens with your irons.

__________________
I'm a golfaholic, no question about that. Counseling wouldn't help me. They'd have to put me in prison, and then I'd talk the warden into building a hole or two and teach him how to play. ~Lee Trevino

I agree with Greg, don't try and whack every club. Distance is never a substitute for control. I play with several friends who hit each club much further than I do, but their handicaps are no better, if not higher. Look for control first then distance.

However, a good tip to learn your own distances are to (find a quiet spot), and play 6 shots with every club in your bag (minus your putter). Discount the best and worst shots for every club and average the yardage for the other 4. Make a record of this and keep it with you when you next have a round of golf. You'll be surprised how much it helps in the initial stages. As your game improves, you may have to carry out the above task again, but it is unlikely to be too often.

Also, if you play a golf course regularly, you will get acclimatised to the yardages of the course and your ability, but when you play other courses for the first time or only on occasion, your little distance chart will come in very handy again. Allowing you to choose the correct club as appose to judging with your eyes, i.e, perception of distance.

Cheers.
Lee.

Thanks for your advise Greg and Lee, it all makes a bit more sense now. I suppose it's all down to practicing the new techniques you both have advised me on and making it become a natural process. I will keep you posted to my progression, or contact you regarding another problem that has crept in.

Thanks again to you both,
Dave