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Change of mind?

Posted on 5/7/20 at 9:23 am
Posted by bamabkj
Member since Dec 2015
733 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 9:23 am
I always heard the saying drive for show put for dough.

Last few rounds of golf have me thinking distance trumps everything on the course if you can keep it in play. Playing wolf with some real mashers. Every par 4 they are pitching in 20-50 yards where they can get somewhat close and two putt for par. Not even being great iron players or putters they make enough birdies because of the distance. Every par 5 they are hitting mid irons into the green.

I'm 34 years old and can drive 270+ but I'm talking 50-70 more yards every drive. I'm a scratch to 5 over on 18 holes. But it's hard to compete with them. I have to be so on my game.

I don't expect to catch up to them in distance obviously but has anyone increased club head speed and distance or is the more realistic options trying to limit spin? I'm wondering with my level of swing and age. Being past prime all that.

Need all the help I can get!




Posted by ell_13
Member since Apr 2013
87306 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 9:33 am to
Data and pros know that the further you hit it the better. Every single one of them would rather a wedge in their hands over a 6 iron. It's how Woods destroyed the field at the Masters in 97. All of the stats that they keep now prove it as well.
Posted by lsu13lsu
Member since Jan 2008
11780 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 9:58 am to
There is a reason why Pros freak out when they talk about evening the field on distance. Using equal drivers and balls.
Posted by BeaverPRO
Tampa
Member since Aug 2009
16264 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 10:10 am to
quote:

I always heard the saying drive for show put for dough.


you have to get to the green before you putt. A bunch of people I know are great putters and shoot 78-85 with 22-27 putts per round. All because they can't get their driver in the FW or their irons are shite.

try a few rounds of "grip and rip" and see it you score any better, it can't hurt...just don't try it while playing in a match
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
34118 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 10:39 am to
quote:

I'm 34 years old

quote:

Being past prime all that.



What driver are you hitting?
Posted by jamboybarry
Member since Feb 2011
33217 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 10:50 am to
If you are (legit) hitting it 270 you’re longer than like 95% of amateurs

Tests have proven that most people grossly overestimated how far they hit the ball

That being said yes length is a huge advantage especially if they’re playing a course with wide fairways and relatively flat greens. Go play Oakmont and it’s a different story
Posted by The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2213 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 10:52 am to
I'm kind of in your boat. Feel like I've maxed my potential distance out without undergoing lessons, practicing a lot, working out specifically for golf, etc. I don't have the time to chase distance like that, so I'm just content hitting it like I do. My bigger one is hitting it in the fairway. Golf is easier if you hit it further, but it is impossible if you are playing from the trees.
Posted by lsu13lsu
Member since Jan 2008
11780 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:00 am to
quote:

If you are (legit) hitting it 270 you’re longer than like 95% of amateurs


He also said he could shoot even par so I think that also puts him in the top 5% of amateurs.
Posted by lsu13lsu
Member since Jan 2008
11780 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:02 am to
quote:

Golf is easier if you hit it further, but it is impossible if you are playing from the trees.


Tell me about it. And I do it on at least three holes a round. But, I just don't have anymore time to put to it at this stage in my life. So, I am just happy playing against myself each time.
Posted by Golfer
Member since Nov 2005
75052 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:03 am to
I'd also say that if every par 4 you have a 20-50 yard pitch shot as your approach...you need to move back a tee or two.

Posted by doubleb
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2006
42034 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:18 am to
quote:


I'm kind of in your boat. Feel like I've maxed my potential distance out without undergoing lessons, practicing a lot, working out specifically for golf, etc. I don't have the time to chase distance like that, so I'm just content hitting it like I do. My bigger one is hitting it in the fairway. Golf is easier if you hit it further, but it is impossible if you are playing from the trees.


The thing is I never took a penalty because of a bad putt, and generally speaking regular golfers get crushed by hitting a tee shot out of bounds or into hazards. Or get hammered by trying to hit out if the rough or through a tree line.

I’d love to be a good putter, but accuracy and distance are both huge factors when I play. Getting up and down from 50 feet is great, but it’s a lot better when it’s for par and not a bogey.

The wayward tee shot costs more strokes than a bad putt.
This post was edited on 5/8/20 at 8:23 am
Posted by bamabkj
Member since Dec 2015
733 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:45 am to
quote:

He also said he could shoot even par


Not everytime and I don't think that's accurate number. Hell at Joe Wheeler I know quite a few that can shoot under par. I wouldn't put me in top 5%. I get beat too much. Maybe like top 20%. But yeah I can beat most average golfers. I wanna compete with the others though.

I'm currently using m2 driver 3 wd extra stiff, Titleist ap3 irons and sm6 Titleist wedges.

Also I've never made 18 under par. I've played 9 and finished with a 35 once. Maybe I'm just peaked out.
Posted by bamabkj
Member since Dec 2015
733 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 11:46 am to
quote:

I'd also say that if every par 4 you have a 20-50 yard pitch shot as your approach...you need to move back a tee or two.


I said the mashers do. I'm typically 100+ out most par 4s.

I'm mentioned them playing blues and me whites but that didn't seem to go over well. Majority of the group is long dicks off the tee.
This post was edited on 5/7/20 at 11:48 am
Posted by The Johnny Lawrence
Member since Sep 2016
2213 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:04 pm to
There is a huge misconception in what the average amateur hits it off the tee and how they score. Only 2 percent of all golfers ever break 80, per Google.

If you can break 80 or get close to par, you are well within the top 1 percent. It just feels off because people in that percent tend to play a lot with people in that percent.

And if I'm hitting my driver well, I hit it about 280-290. There aren't a ton of people hitting it too far beyond where I go, much less 50 yards. There are definitely people who are longer than me, no doubt. But not 50 yards longer than me on a consistent basis.
Posted by CoachChappy
Member since May 2013
34118 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:10 pm to
quote:

I said the mashers do. I'm typically 100+ out most par 4s.


Just work on that part of the game. I play with a guy who hits it way shorter than me off the tee. He can still beat me. He hits his irons well, and can chip and putt like nobody’s business. You need to play to your strengths, and make the short game your strength.
Posted by bamabkj
Member since Dec 2015
733 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:11 pm to
I understand wheeler has lots of hills and landing right on one plays a huge variance in role.

But there's no mistaken the ball off their driver face and mine. Seems like it's coming out twice as hot as mine. They fly further in the air also.

Couple of these guys are 6'6 though. One was former baseball player for Tennessee. They physically superior genes.

I'm trying to get the most of out my driver is all. Please I'm a good golfer. Don't consider myself a top 5% but whatever. Not here argue that. Just what's best for me. Try increase swing speed or limit spin to get every bit i can.

Posted by bamabkj
Member since Dec 2015
733 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:19 pm to
Also maybe this is some of it but I play the same course everytime. Basing that score. Not other courses really. I volunteer one evening putting up carts so I get free golf and range balls etc. I rarely play elsewhere expect special occasions.

Posted by Not Cooper
Member since Jun 2015
5024 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:50 pm to
270+ consistently is plenty of distance, especially if you are fairly accurate with it. On most par 4's that should get you into full wedge position, which (for my game at least) I would rather than a half wedge or pitch.

If these guys are 6'6" and former D1 athletes they'll always be out driving you. I would work on becoming lethal in the 100-150 yard game because 270 off the tee will get you in that range on most par 4's.

There are a whoooole lot of golfers out there who would love to have those problems
Posted by TiptonInSC
Aiken, SC
Member since Dec 2012
21163 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 12:59 pm to
What length is the course you’re playing? 7500 yards?

I hit it 280-285 playing on a 7000 yard course and I’m hitting 8 iron or less into most par 4’s and maybe one or two par 5’s I’m hitting an iron.
Posted by thedentist45
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2008
568 posts
Posted on 5/7/20 at 1:00 pm to
Talk in their backswing to mess with their tee shots.

Kidding. I'd do what some suggested and focus on that 150 yard and in range. Still a very doable distance to get close to the pin with your 9i - SW.

But if you find something to get you hitting 30+ yards more from the tee... don't keep it secret. lol
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