Age. I played a few rounds some years back with a 90 yr old man who would play and walk 9 holes with 8 clubs in his bag. He was amazing. He never hit the ball more than 170 yds, including off the tee, but every shot was straight down the fairway. He landed every approach in the middle of the green and often made a one putt par or a two putt bogey. Never saw him 3 putt. Played within himself and enjoyed every moment. I never forgot that.
I'm a returning player after a ten year hiatus. I've never been a long distance player, and now with the technology available, I've been working on increasing my speed and distance. But in the meantime, I've moved up a set of tees to what some think of as the senior tees. But as my pro told me, they are not men's, senior, women's, they are just there for you to play the game the way it was meant to be played. The game is not meant to be played driver, three wood on every 4/5. As an individual player, I play with a lot of strangers and it's amazing to me how often I see guys teeing from the "men's" tees and drive it less than 200 yards and then wonder why they're not enjoying the game like they think they should.
@@2sqnbandit379 Yeah... but no! Play a 480 yards par 4 with a good short game and a 200 yards drive, then try again with a 280 yards drive and a mediocre short game... The second case wins 4 out of 5 times, at least! Now, sure, if you are teeing it from shorter tees you don't have that problem as much. But normal comps are "every one from the same tees", aren't they? (when they're good level comps, at least, and they are gender and age specific as well... Think PGA/LPGA/Champions' tour). Obviously a great short game may compensate being shorter by a few yards, but not a big gap. And remember, they guy sending it 280 yards in the air has to have a good technique to do it, so he likely also has an at least decent short game.
@@francoisdesmoulins-lebeaul4273 that’s true. It absolutely makes the game easier. No doubt. If my opponent is using a pw at 150 & I’m gaming a 7 iron he has a clear advantage. But I honestly think if mid hcp golfers want to get down quickly if they work more on their short game 150 in rather than spending time on the big stick they’ll benefit a lot more. Then work on speed training. I want more yardage myself. I’ve started that stix program. At my level I need more yardage to get to scratch I feel.
True. I was trying to get my son into the game, and played from the forward tees with him. It's a whole different course and different set of challenges. Not just about "blast it with the driver". Funny thing is, I was actually playing a fair bit within myself - not wanting to go miles past him and demoralise him - and I found that by swinging "softer" (feels like 70-80%)I was actually playing the ball longer and straighter than normal (feels like 95-105%). My son is still learning, so he's still going at it 150% 😂, but it'll come.
Hannah, nice video. As a 70 year old and 50 year PGA member, one comment from a subscriber stood out, “play the game the way it was meant to be played”. This simply means accepting distances you carry the ball and playing from the correct forward tees. I still coach a lot and can’t believe the amount of ego that won’t allow old guys to move forward, and the advice I keep giving everyone is that as you lose speed you need to swap out irons for high lofted fairways and hybrids, carry distance is about keeping the ball in the air. Love your videos which make a lot of sense, and the fact you’re such a hottie is a great benefit, LOL.
Calling a woman on the internet a “hottie” when you’re 70 is absolutely creepy. Lol. Get a life? You mean one where I call golf instructors on the internet hotties? If that’s your life, I feel bad for you.
"You need to simmer down about that." Haha! Indeed. Well said, Hannah. I'm a 4 hcp and hit driver about 230 so that's spot on. But I often "bunt" driver on shorter par 4s (a little 75% low cut shot) and poke it out to 190 or so, even though 5-wood is really the 190 club. Just easier and more accurate for me, but it probably does bring the driver average down a bit. I use Arccos and we only have total distance information, which for me for 7-iron is 149 average, so can extrapolate that my carry is probably low 140s there. But I hit a TON of off-speed shots with all my clubs which also probably skews the averages. Today I hit 8-iron from 103, 126, and 138 - all according to the shot shape I wanted, wind, elevation, etc. To me that's one of the most fun things about golf: figuring out the conditions and then planning and executing a shot based on all that. And then failing miserably to do it and getting to try out your short game!
I love my 3/4 knockdown driver. You're right, it often sets up for an easy 8 iron approach which can be easier than a full gap or sand wedge approach shot.
Great video, thanks Hannah. Over the past couple of years, and now in my mid 60s, I have accepted that I cannot carry as far as I used and started taking more club on most shots, and unsurprisingly my handicap has dropped! One of the difficulties though in the UK is the difference the weather makes, and adjusting to winter and summer distances, as if I didn't have enough issues already 😂!
Great video Hannah, As a nearly single figure Handicapper I've always found that if you rain in your longer shots slightly for better consistency and plot your way around the course (A no drama golf game) then I tend to end up with a better score. And if you work on your short game around the green (pitching/chipping/putting) even when playing a lower handicapper player (Scratch golfer) it evens things out some of the time, for me I'd rather take the consistency rather than an extra 25yards.
one of your best tips and thoughts videos. Carry distance is vital. Learned that quick when I went to Florida at sea level. Two I also use and share is if you are between clubs opt to go longer. Also, carry from ground and tee (par 3s) I figure 3-5 yards difference. Works for me. I'm very similar to the stats at 3.2 hcp in-between the 0-5 figures. Keep up the great content! Cheers, from Iowa, USA.
This video is, without doubt, one of the most enlightenly educational and informative golf videos Ive ever seen. Heres me beating myself up over a 7 iron carry of 137 yards. Placing me in a handicap zone that If I ever attained, Id be deleriously happy
Great video on all fronts. Loved the explanation of mixed tournaments as well as the 7-iron comparisons and the idea of total combined loss. I recently took my irons out with a launch monitor to figure out my carry distances from LW through 7-iron and it was a humbling experience!
This is liberating. I was frustrated at my inability to hit my 7 iron and driver longer than 160 and 260, thinking that I must be doing something wrong to be so “short.” Now I can cut myself some slack and focus on real issues.
I’m a 4 hcp cat 1 golfer realistically on course I carry a 7 iron flushed 160 summer Forged iron. Winter it’s 150. PW I carry 120. Driver 250 yards carry full throttle. A lot of times I choke down. It’s all about the short game. Trust me. The ability to get up and down. Great video this.
I’m very similar to all of your numbers but it also depends on lofts and iron choice. I play z forged ii so fairly weak and more punishing on miss hits. But if I played something like t200 or the like. I would gain 10-15 in carry but just end up with holes in distances in bottom of the bag. Sad truth not all 7i are equal. Wish club companies would drop club numbers and put loft numbers on all clubs
@@nathaniverson6828 I’m not sure loft numbers would help, it’s all relative to CG and other tech in the club head. Not every club with the same loft will go the same distance
@@nationalclubgolfer and what you said about women driving past men to hit same club is so true. (But same goes for slower vs faster players) Peak height is the key to making the green bigger. Not enough people talk about this so thank you for making truths more public!
@@nationalclubgolfer that is completely true as well! My personal finding with iron fittings is cg effects my launch angle and peak height more than total carry (at least with irons) a few yards maybe but I can push 20 yards from 1 7i to the next strong lofted one. I just feel we need to at least get high handicaps thinking more in terms of my club is not the same as my playing partners to start thinking in terms of their own game vs oh my 7i goes the same as this guys but why doesn’t my driver. But yeah there are plenty of nuances that affect total numbers. Seems product sales hinder improvement for higher handicap ranges somewhat. (If that makes sense) and not understanding sometimes total distance isn’t king. Proper Height/spin makes much better scoring than longer is better.
I use rainy days to go in the simulator and gap the bag, i also have arcos sensors which gives me average data similar to shotscope. I had a medical issue so, working out, stretching etc, and then wanted to map the progress. Wish we had todays tech years ago, makes understanding your game so much easier.
Great video. I’m a 17 handicap and do think I hit it shorter than I thought but I think it’s not quite as short as the metrics. However I think it’s the averages and consistency. By far I would say data has taught me to play for my misses rather than my best shot distance
I'm a solid 15 HCP and i drive 220-250 carry but I'm a tall, long guy, so i naturally get a little extra. My ranges are longer than average for my handicap, but it's getting lower! Shot 41 for 9 multiple times, a recent sub-40, and sub-85 on 18 a couple times recently so there's improvement. These are my average carry distances: Drive: 230 3 Wood: 220 3 Iron: 195 4 Hybrid: 200 5 Hybrid: 190 5 Iron: 180 6 Iron: 175 7 Iron: 165 8 Iron: 150 9 Iron: 125 46°: 110 54°: 90 60°: 60 Curious other people's numbers! And to clarify, these are my range carry averages. On the course can obviously sway these numbers lower, but at least knowing my ideal average ranges has helped me in shot and club choices on the course.
You'd also need the loft and type of club used to get any useful information out of a comparison with other players. I went to a fitting a couple of days ago and was carrying my 43 year old 7 iron 150 yards.Tried a few newer irons, and was carrying the Callaway AI Smoke 7 iron around 175 yards. Even with all modern clubs, comparing blades to distance irons, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a 20 yard difference with 7 iron regardless of handicap.
Agree 100% with what you say about ShotScope. I'm now into my 5th season using it and I find it far more reliable than the likes of Trackman or Toptracer at the ranges that I go to. Range balls are always an issue too.
You talk a lot of sense Hannah. I enjoy your videos. When I was younger I got to 8 handicap and never used a driver. I hit a strong 3 wood 13° and out drove most of my playing partners.
58 year old here in my 37th season. As I’ve aged I have lost a few yards. I’ve always tracked realistic yardages. My yardages track with the 5 handicap Shotscope data. But the big thing is to play from the correct tees. Hitting 230 yards with my driver means I never play from the back tees. No ego here. Cheers!
Great video! Knowing your carry distances with your swing and the clubs you play is crucial. Loft is something that should be much more transparent, too. A lot of beginner golfers using strong lofted game improvement irons sometimes seem more interested in knowing what club others are using off tees, and following suit, rather than hitting what club would be right for them.
Carry distance is so important! I’m not obsessed with the loft thing I think as long as people know their distances it’s fine we shouldn’t really be comparing
Definitely age needs to be considered!! I'm just about to hit 70, and have got my handicap down to 22.7. As long as the ball goes straight and avoids sandpits, I'm a happy golfer. My short game and putting helps with not getting distance with the driver, and I also have more control on my short game. We all want to knock spots off the ball with the driver, but how many of us end up either side of the fairway instead of down the middle. I'm trying to relax - Cadbury's Caramel advert - and keep the ball in sight...............and in play. Another great, useful video, Hannah, thanks.
A colleague was really surprised that I (58 yr old 13 hc) hit a 5 iron only 153 yards a couple of days ago. To put it in perspective; it was the second shot first hole on the Roxburgh (Kelso) championship course, after very very wet weather and in cold conditions Shelled a 12 foot putt for birdie. In the end I went round on my own and finished level par( 72 ) with no mulligans and no cheats. I don’t give a hoot anymore about what people think you should hit a 7 or whatever iron. I just play my own game and miss in the right places. I was never a huge hitter but I hold my own and am a genuine fairway finder
I used to play a bit of golf as a kid and had a quite natural swing, then stopped playing for 20 years and have taken it back up(since xmas) I can drive the ball between (250-270) and I hit the ball further than majority of people around me on the range. The most important part is I've never broken 100 in my life, all those people on the range would whoop my ass on the course !
Some years back, I built a driver to 48 inches. It took me a while to get my tempo down to handle it properly. It did increase my drives by about 20yards. I had an accident and broke my left hand. That caused me to be out of golf for a long while. I am getting into it now, once again. Now I am using a driver 43 inches with 12 degrees loft for control. If the hole is tight, I will tee it up with my 5W. That is my most accurate wood. Sure, the driver and 3 wood go further, but I will miss less fairways with it. I do not care much for how far it goes IF it is on the short grass. My goal is to get back to the 11 handicap I had before my hand accident. I played the #1 hardest hole on my local course recently, par 5, 554 yards with a 3W, 5W, 7W, PW, putter, and got a par. I had not done that in a VERY long time. Little by little.
Nice vid and specifically good to learn that I don't have to drive the ball much further than the 200 meters. You mention your 7 iron but how many degrees is that one and what is your club length? 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
This is why tee box selection should be solely based on handicap. Too many high handicappers won’t let themselves hit from the red tees which not only hinders their progression, but greatly slows down the pace of play
Yes but you can hit the ball a mile and still be a crap golfer, or dink it 180 down the middle every time and have an amazing short game. Distance doesn't always determine handicap.
lol Hannah, the editing and post production on your videos is getting really great lol, the little quick-asides are tickling me quite a lot. Of course, your content is stellar as always. Cheers from the Boston area in MA stateside!
Wow Hannah, thanks! According to your calculations, I am now a 5 Hcp! Actually, age and infirmity have caught up with me. I'm happy just to be out there. Thanks for another interesting video.
Hey Hannah - you popped up on my feed, and today is the first day watching you content. Really insightful stuff. This video in particular is brilliant!! Look forward to checking your back catalogue.
Good video Hannah with some food for thought. Just one quick point I wanted to highlight though. Like you, I use ShotScope and contrary to what you said in the video, one thing that it can’t give you is your carry distance. It can (like most shot tracking devices) give you the total distance of your shots.
40 years old, golfing seriously since Covid, 10-15hcp. I really only ever use 3-4 clubs (not including putter) Sw - 110yds 7i - 165yds 5w - 200ish D - 240-260yds
I do like to see info like this. I use shotscope and have done for a couple of seasons now. I’m down to 7.9 index but post round I measure against a 5 for strokes gained as that’s where I want to be. Distance wise I’m longer than my handicap (PAV driver 269 and PAV 7i 178). I occasionally play with scratch golfers who drive it 20+ yards short of me and hit 2 clubs more in to par 3s. They have good short games and putt well and ultimately shoot low-mid 70’s and throw in a few high 60’s. I shoot high 70’s-low 80’s and throw in the odd mid 70’s. Distance is important to a point but their accuracy yields better results than my distance.
As an L plate caddy-come-coach for intermediate playing spouse, you've done it again with the one of the best training videos out there. Your Q&A is on point. (It would be nice to see Hannah meets Alex [Elliot] for a video). 10/10. Thank you
Hi Hannah, loving the tips. One tip in particular is when you say get down to the driving range to see how far you hit each club. Problem is the balls at the range aren’t the balls I play. I’m put off by my local range because they supply cheap single core balls but have equipped the bays with trackman. Pretty pointless really. If they supplied better balls (I’m not a big hitter) then surely your shots would be more accurate. Thoughts anyone?
Trackman range has software that should know the type of ball and compares it to a proper ball to normalise your yardages so they should come out correct if it has this optimiser turned on?
Age 50, handicap 30 (I duff a lot of shots) My 7 iron is good for about 145 (30 year old irons) I have a newer driver good for up to 280+ on a hot smash, but usually around 235-250.
Great video! Once I was honest and aware of my true carry my game changed for the better. Drop the ego and the game becomes better and more enjoyable. Also, would love to see a similar video on chipping and putting. This is what separates handicaps IMO.
Another good video Hannah. It makes me realise as a 20hcp that my carry distances aren't as bad as I think. I use ShotScope and find it's a more realistic view of my shot distances than at a range, off a mat and with range balls!
@@nationalclubgolfer But my Shotscope X5 watch is only capable of measuring total distance, not carry distance. I don't understand where the carry distance data comes from.
Hi very interesting , I'm 57, 5ft 5 and a 26 handycap golfer, my average with my driver is 237, maximum 287 I think trackman was on speed when I hit that 😂, I'm generally middle right but pretty much straightish perhaps I might need to be reassessed. 7 iron my favorite club 146 again straightish, Great video 👍. Don't care how far my mate hit their irons etc, for me it's the straight and consistent shots that count.
Really insightful and interesting Hannah. I'm a 9 hp, and sit "in the average" quoted. My irons are 15 years old, so it would be interesting to see what yardage gains I would make with up to date irons.
How far do you hit your 3 wood? If they are only avg 259 with a driver that’s mind boggling to me as I can hit on avg 250-285 with my 3 wood. So why use a driver?!
I got fit for a driver last week, and the trackman was eye opening. I warmed up with various clubs, and my 7 iron was only carrying 135-140 on my hits. If you asked me before I went in there, I would have said 155 average. I also used to be able to hit it further when I was in better shape and played more (kids are not good for your handicap lol) so I think I have some of those numbers in my head still. If you don’t use those golf muscles, you lose them.
Great video. You tube needs more content for the everyday club golfer. I use Shot Scope for the very reason you stated. I need to know that when I pull a club i know how far my best and average distance is. There is only enough room on a scorecard for the score and not the story as Monty once said!
Very informative video Hannah and the Shot Scope data is very interesting but I am really shocked at how short the average golfer is currently hitting the golf ball despite all the advances in technology, I know several 8-18 cappers who have all been playing golf for less than 5 years and they all drive it over 250 yards and a couple of them hit it 300 yards, 191 yards is approximately my 7 iron carry distance so for high cappers to only hit their driver that distance they must either be swinging super slow or are not making solid contact.
My golf improved when I stopped the macho part of my brain taking over and then just grabbed one extra club. Seems to go the actual distance I want now! (I still fancy I go a little longer than those averages though 😉)
I drive the ball 270 but am currently a 25 handicap due to leaky irons and lose most strokes to getting out of nasty situations. Just did a swing change though and now my irons shots are more consistent, let’s see if we can’t shave a dozen or more strokes off 😁
AGE is a big factor, maybe even the biggest one. My handicap has never changed that much until recently when after a few great lessons it has started coming down, BUT even with that, I still hit a driver 30-40 yards shorter than I used to. The difference now is that a lot of those drives are actually in the fairway and findable.
Happy to see more courses employing combo tees (though at the public course I play, you have to ask for a different scorecard). I'll even map out my own combinations. If the course is designed to have a potentially drivable par 4, then what's the point if I have no opportunity to do that? When I play a venue for the first time, I look at the yardages on the par 3's and par 4's and select the tees (or combinations) where I can reach all of the holes in regulation without having to hit 3 wood to the green.
Great video Hannah. Just coming back from surgery and using shots ope for the first time . Was hitting it really well before and have a pretty good idea of distance from each club, it’s been a big surprise how much it’s changed with two months off. Suspect a lot of this is actually down to strike which feels well off- but it’s certainly better than not playing. And don’t want to sound dim but the ten yard extra being two clubs less really struck home. Hopefully be back to normal in about a month to six weeks, maybe even improving. Thanks
"I dont really think you need to be in the gym lifting heavy weights" - im 16 and go to the gym and i can comfortably carry the green on one of my home par 3s (140 meters) with a wedge
Good topic, but I think the Shot Scope data is for average Total Distance, not Carry. Shot Scope does not have the capability to measure carry distance, just total distance for each shot.
Thanks, I was just thinking that how should I read these numbers 😂 I've had the impression that my distances are WAY longer than my hcp would suggest and if these were total numbers rather than carry, it confirmed that impression. Now combine that distance with unpredictable direction and it's easy to see why I'm a high hcp player 😂. Lost ball or ob is always worse than a short shot.
I play with a couple of single figure hccpers who only hit their drivers around 240- 250yrds carry max.. but their 2nd shots and more importantly shots into greens are pinpoint accurate compared to mine. My regular playing buddy is 3hcp and I can easily hit my hybrid past his drives.. but then he's hitting irons into greens to land within 6-9ft putt distance... and I'm only holding 5 greens a round (on a good day 😢) Shotscope data has definitely helped me work on my weaknesses. I've improved my wedge game and leave the driver in the bag on holes where I know I'm more likely to lose it left, and my hcp has started moving in the right direction. Just need to stop leaving 49% of my putts short now 😂
Great video. Range balls for me are always 15% or more shorter than on the course. If I get a “proper” ball out of my bag on the range, it goes much further with every club.
I'm a 16 HCPer, I can drive the ball just under 300yards+/- a few yards. I can confirm I can't putt to save my life. Amongst my fellow golfing friends I am the Lip out King
Great review Hannah as an oldie I’m happy with my driving generally accurate and around 200-220 yards but working on my pitching and chipping. I’m a 15/16 handicapper but make sure I maintain course management plan every hole as bogey take the pressure off get on the green try not to three putt and I think that’s the way to score well. I’m not in your class but at the age of 74 I’m still working to be better and if you ever over my way come have a game at the Oaks Aughton lovely course!
I just started golfing, 63 years old I hit the ball straight, but the constant emphasis on distance is like how fast a pitcher throws in baseball, without accuracy it's useless.
Nice. My only question on the 7i distance. As we all know these days, not all 7i's are the same loft. What is the degree of loft you are using for your range comparison? Thanks :)
This includes all 7 irons. It’s not as simple as what is the loft as the loft is relative to the tech and CG of the club head to allow the ball to hit a certain flight window. Two clubs with the same loft won’t always go the same distance.
ABSOLUTELY learn your CARRY distances. I’m about a 3 HC, and my carry distances are the average of the chart you showed us. My equipment may have a little to do with not being a tad longer. I play a 2008 Callaway 460 driver(red n black one). I play Callaway Diablo Octane 3 & 5 woods(2008). The weaker lofted irons is where I think I lose the most yardage. I play Callaway X-12 irons(1998), and Ping ISI wedges(1997).
Mp30s irons, mizuno mpt wedges ( which I won for nearest the pin) .975 3 wood, 910 driver and a steel shafted callaway steelhead lll 5 wood I picked up for £10. (my favourite club ). Now these are old clubs😄😄
I'm a big dude. But I only carry my driver 220 on a good day. Handicap is progressively going down because I rarely go OB, and find the fairway/light rough, more than 75% of the time. Nice to hit 300yrds. But not if it's in the Tiger every time.
Yes, I would call that a shank, with a nice delayed, "did you record that"? reaction. Note the characteristic finish position flatfooted facing to the trees on the right, a shank for all seasons. At 8:04.
Interesting. As a 5 hc at 30 years old, I played my 35 degree 7 to 150 and could push it to 160 carry. Today as a 7hc at 70 years old I kept swinging harder and harder to maintain that distance with a 31 degree, graphite shafted, chunky cavity back. Scores suffered. Hogan played a normal 7 to 135 with those old clubs and could push it to 155 but I assumed that it was the equipment. Four months ago I resigned to play a normal (88% in my mind) 7 to 130; driver to 220 carry and since have averaged scores of 80- didn’t get a proper handicap but 80 is a solid 5 hc. Golf is fun again even if I can’t get on in two on the 5’s anymore. And I started using my instinctive wrists putting stroke that was exorcised out of me 42 years ago. Even my putting is good again and I think I can get to a 3hc age notwithstanding. I’ll never get to my dream of scratch but shooting mid 70’s from the whites keeps me coming back. I think everyone from a mid single to mid handicap level would benefit from forgetting the hero distances. Bryson? 8 iron to 200. Fairways and greens! PenguinGolf
Love it, friend! Golf has never really been a game of "how far" (though a longer ball is often an advantage, all other things being equal); golf is, at its heart, a game of "how many"... ⛳️
And how much fun you’re having. About 30 years ago I was my local golf shop and said to the owner, “After 5 years of golfing and not being able to break 100, why do these people keep torturing themselves?” The owner angrily retorted, “I hate people with that kind of attitude. If they’re having fun what’s it to you?” Ah! Having fun? Shocked, I timidly replied, “If after a few years I couldn’t break 100, golf would be no fun for me and I’d probably go fishing instead.” Timothy Gallwey in his “Inner Golf” defined the reasons why we play golf. Having fun with friends is one of them. I was always trying to defeat the course and score as best I can. That’s probably why on off days I used to feel like jumping off a cliff. Just two days ago I started out just trying to have some fun and found myself at the 17th tee thinking two easy holes; a 357 four and a downhill 525 five. Birdie- birdie gives me 77. The old arrogant thoughts resurface and I yank the last two drives left into OB and end up with 81 rather than a a 79 which for a 7hc is a heartwarming number. On the bright side double bogeying the last two holes means those would have been pars without the penalties. And sobering up at the clubhouse with 7 good companions made me feel happy… my 81 still rewarded me with $30. I can shoot anything from one under (once every blue moon) to 92 (rarely, but it happens) and finally go home with a smile no matter the score. It took me 50 years to learn but I’m here and I’m happy to still be able to play. Have fun! Fairways and greens! PenguinGolf
You gotta take the modern ball into account, Ive played a 36° blades 7i forever and max out around 180, 165 is a normal stock swing but when using the balata balls that I played when I started golfing in the 90’s it’s more like 170 max & 155 stock swing. The balls Hogan was using were even shorter than the 90’s balata balls. Plus obviously there’s a huge difference in sticks these days, I mean Brysons 9i has the same specs (loft & length) as my 7i, his 8i is between my 5 & 6, etc. I can hit my 32° iron (6i) 200 yards so it’s not that crazy that he’s hitting his 30° (8i) 200+. lots of “game improvement” clubs are similarly strong. It’s all relative as far as the sticks but the ball has become super juiced & low spinning compared to the 90’s & especially compared to Hogans day.
@@TheWedgeWizardgood stats. I’m almost looking for delofted clubs at this point. Carrying a 7i 185 is almost too much for appropriate spacing & 14 clubs.
Ok, now I understand the significance of knowing my comparative distances but am still struggling with increasing speed. I did buy new clubs which have given me more confidence to swing freely but still need to work. On a monitor yesterday I learned my driver and 3 wood are going at same speed and same distance. GRRRR!!!
I think it was Ben Hogan who said (probably more than once) "it doesn't matter how far you hit your clubs... It's KNOWING how far you hit your clubs" .. oh wait ... Now I'm at 7 minutes in and you make this exact comment! Just found you today... Good videos!
Hi Hannah, not necessarily true, as some high handicappers hit it a decent distance but then can't play chips, bunkers or putt very well. Age is another factor and body ailments, back injuries and so on. Good video as always.
I'm a 7, when I play with our club champ, (2), I often outdrive him, and I'm hitting very similar irons P--7. He's more accurate, and a better putter. But once the irons get to the 6,5,4 (he carries a 3 hybrid, I carry a 3,4,5 hybrid) it's game over. For him it's just more yardage, and slightly lower flight etc.. For me, the 5,6 produce some very thin shots; I usually don't use 6 and just choke down on 5 etc.. Even some of the really long young guys that are not single digit, I notice they don't usually carry the long irons very well. Obviously, the quality of the swing has multiple benefits.
Started in my mid 20's and got to 13 handicap, ( no talent whatsoever!). Stopped playing for 30 years and my main problem now is not my distance but my mind thinking I can still play like I used to.
47 years young. Have been playing for 35 years. Lowest handicap I've been is 5. Last 5 years I have lost around 10 yards but still can regularly get it out there at 270. I'm currently playing off of 9. Is this average data skewed by par 3s? In my opinion a savage short game is the way to get lower. Drive for show putt for dough! But one thing i have learnt its better to take 1 more club and swing a bit easier, instead of trying push it out there. Specially with irons into greens
Most golfers who are telling you how far they hit a club are over estimating their numbers, it's too easy to remember the good shots and forget the bad ones.
Was this an advert for Shot Scope? Which I already have and use? Totally agree with the whole video. Just need to add that hitting as long as you can isn’t always the best option!! Risk and reward, approach distance left etc…I loved the “simmer down bit😂” great point that a par 4 or 5 hole is more than a drive.
Wow, this was an amazingly put together video mt friend, you ROCK;) I would love to play a few rounds with you, when will you be in Atlanta , Ga again?? Want to come and play Chicopee Woods (3-9's) 27 holes, or Callahan's Golf Links...two of my favorite tracks! Let me know when or if you will be around, would love to meet you !! DT
End of every winter, I spend time on the range to know my distances. Carry, and total. I fluctuate between 9-10 handicap, average driver carry is 205, no more. I have hit one 250 carry, but only 1. Know your distances for every club.
This video is very interesting and gives a lot of information. But I think distance is by far the least important thing in golf. The most important thing is to always, or at least in 90-95% of shots, send the ball more or less to the center of the fairway or the Green. To do this you need to have a good attack angle, a good club path angle and hit the sweet spot of the club head. Then of course the distance is a plus but hitting 150 yards with a 9 iron is useless if you hit the ball anywhere. It doesn't matter whether you need a 9 iron or a 7 iron or a 5 iron to hit 150 yards, what's important is knowing which iron you need to get to that distance and being sure that in at least 90% of your shots the ball will go to the middle of the fairway or the Green. Thank you for this nice and interesting video.
Statistical analysis would strongly disagree with what you say (which seemed to be the common sense approach everyone had until... statistics appeared in golf). For both pros and ams, distance IS the determining factor of your score, and hitting it in the rough or bunkers close to the pin is much more beneficial than hitting it on the fairway but farther away (to a point, obviously as you have less control on the ball from the rough). On top of that, you and the other people well meaning that propagate this opinion on "hit the fairway first, distance comes after" seem to ignore a fact of life : a good swing produces more distance... and therefore a relatively higher accuracy. As Hannah pointed out, if you hit your driver further, you'll also hit your other clubs further and instead of attacking that green with a 5 in your hand, suddenly it's a 7... And you need to be incredibly great at approaches for your 5 to be as accurate as your 7 (higher loft and shorter shaft). Then you'd need to be incredibly better at putting to have the same average number of putts from the distance (on average again) from which your 5 lands compared to the distance (on average) at which the 7 lands. All in all, hitting it further IS the key to good score (ever wonder why the shortest hitters on tour still carry their drives 280 average?) Finally, studies after studies in biomechanics have shown that hitting 80% instead of 100% produce shots that are shorter... but have the same average dispersion. Sure hitting 130% is bad, and often leads to greater dispersion and not much added distance, however, anything less than 100% is giving shots to the field with no benefit.
My fairway numbers are great near 100% but my GIR is about 70% and I average 17 putts per 9 holes. My hdcp last year was 3.4 so by the numbers I need to work on putting and my short irons.
I have a list of how far my irons go based on data. That’s about all anyone can do short of hitting a shot and physically walking and measuring. Probably not too safe at the range. My list is laminated and clipped onto my bag. There is always that one person in a group that thinks they hit a long way based on numbers they see from PGA players on TV. I know one and he’s constantly short on every shot.
Been working on this alot. If it's wet my drives only go around 215. If it's dry it can roll out 20 or more yards. I hate that I hit my g10 7 iron 135 yards. I've been trying to work on it
Great video 👍 personally i dont tend to read to much into distances im a 3 handicap and have been scratch anything from 7 iron in im hitting at 85 percent i never hit a flat out shot i always like to flight a controlled shot into greens its much more accurate. Im about 270 with driver and can put my 7 iron out there about 150 but i play traditional blades with traditional lofts. Ive played with guys who smash it miles and cant break 90 and ive played with guys who knock it out there 250 off the tee and can shot under par. To be a really good golfer you need all parts of your game to be really good and then distance becomes less important.
I've seen 150 with a PW, 195 with a 7 iron, and the driver completely out the end of the range so I cant see it anymore...Not me though unfortunately, 240 with a driver is like a wet dream for me.
I'm a 28 and my 7i goes around 148-155 which is miles out compared to the stats you've shared. A lot of my lost shots come from bad drives and is slowly improving, but as everyone knows when your driving goes well your short game goes bad. This happens way to much for me, hopefully the handicap will start coming down soon..
6:55 - probably one of the most important lessons for any amateur golfer. To score your personal best, you don't play shots as if you were going to hit it perfect every shot. You choose clubs and shots within your expected margin of error. My scoring massively improved when I adopted this strategy, or started clubbing up and swinging maybe 80-90% of full speed so I could catch the shot better. My perfect 7 iron carries about 155-157, but I will almost never choose a 7 iron for that shot. My 7 iron is pulled out for everything from 140 to 150. At 155, I'm pulling a 6 iron and choking up a hair. If I miss hit that shot, it carries 150ish and I'm most likely still in range for a simple up and down par or long two putt. If I pull a 7 for that 155 yard shot and miss hit it the same, I'm carrying 140 and risking a shot out of a greenside bunker, in the pond, or bouncing off some knoll and left with a diabolical up and down. Golf is not a game of how perfect you can be, it's a game of calculated misses.
It's funny, I'm a 15 handicap and I played a scramble with three guys in their 70s last week. One of them played off 12. They were amazed that I played off 15 as admittedly I was slightly wind assisted, but I carried a drive 265 yards and plugged three yards short of the green. However, I'm just not accurate at all, and two holes later I'll probably hit a duck hook that goes 180 yards if that. I'd much rather be the guy playing off 12 hitting accurate 220 yard drives like he was off most tees, but I've only played golf for 2.5 years, so as long as I can start to bring the dispersion in a bit and not swing out of my shoes all the time, I'm hoping my handicap comes down. I lose the majority of my shots off the tee by getting into trouble, so distance isn't always your friend.
I hit the ground at 145yds with a 7 Iron. 11 handicap. 55 year old. 273yds is my longest drive beating 268 yds last year. I have a shot scope gps watch.
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Age. I played a few rounds some years back with a 90 yr old man who would play and walk 9 holes with 8 clubs in his bag. He was amazing. He never hit the ball more than 170 yds, including off the tee, but every shot was straight down the fairway. He landed every approach in the middle of the green and often made a one putt par or a two putt bogey. Never saw him 3 putt. Played within himself and enjoyed every moment. I never forgot that.
Classic; I’ve played with many old boys like that and I’m almost sixty myself and I now adhere to the same principles
That's the Grail right there. Hope it doesn't take me until I'm 90 to embrace it though (I'm a stubborn bugger).
Sounds like my Grand Uncle 😅🤭
He was one of those who was said to shoot his age (80) on a regular basis
That is awesome, I hope to be like him one day.
Love this & glad it was the top comment for me to see it! Thanks for sharing, bud. cheers.
I'm a returning player after a ten year hiatus. I've never been a long distance player, and now with the technology available, I've been working on increasing my speed and distance. But in the meantime, I've moved up a set of tees to what some think of as the senior tees. But as my pro told me, they are not men's, senior, women's, they are just there for you to play the game the way it was meant to be played. The game is not meant to be played driver, three wood on every 4/5.
As an individual player, I play with a lot of strangers and it's amazing to me how often I see guys teeing from the "men's" tees and drive it less than 200 yards and then wonder why they're not enjoying the game like they think they should.
So many people should be moving up tees! In general we are all playing courses that are too long, good on you for playing from the right place!
You don’t have to be long. Short game is everything.
@@2sqnbandit379 Yeah... but no! Play a 480 yards par 4 with a good short game and a 200 yards drive, then try again with a 280 yards drive and a mediocre short game... The second case wins 4 out of 5 times, at least! Now, sure, if you are teeing it from shorter tees you don't have that problem as much. But normal comps are "every one from the same tees", aren't they? (when they're good level comps, at least, and they are gender and age specific as well... Think PGA/LPGA/Champions' tour). Obviously a great short game may compensate being shorter by a few yards, but not a big gap. And remember, they guy sending it 280 yards in the air has to have a good technique to do it, so he likely also has an at least decent short game.
@@francoisdesmoulins-lebeaul4273 that’s true. It absolutely makes the game easier. No doubt. If my opponent is using a pw at 150 & I’m gaming a 7 iron he has a clear advantage. But I honestly think if mid hcp golfers want to get down quickly if they work more on their short game 150 in rather than spending time on the big stick they’ll benefit a lot more. Then work on speed training. I want more yardage myself. I’ve started that stix program. At my level I need more yardage to get to scratch I feel.
True. I was trying to get my son into the game, and played from the forward tees with him. It's a whole different course and different set of challenges. Not just about "blast it with the driver".
Funny thing is, I was actually playing a fair bit within myself - not wanting to go miles past him and demoralise him - and I found that by swinging "softer" (feels like 70-80%)I was actually playing the ball longer and straighter than normal (feels like 95-105%). My son is still learning, so he's still going at it 150% 😂, but it'll come.
Hannah, nice video. As a 70 year old and 50 year PGA member, one comment from a subscriber stood out, “play the game the way it was meant to be played”. This simply means accepting distances you carry the ball and playing from the correct forward tees. I still coach a lot and can’t believe the amount of ego that won’t allow old guys to move forward, and the advice I keep giving everyone is that as you lose speed you need to swap out irons for high lofted fairways and hybrids, carry distance is about keeping the ball in the air. Love your videos which make a lot of sense, and the fact you’re such a hottie is a great benefit, LOL.
Creepy af. Take a lap, Gramps. Put the internet down for a while and go read a book or something.
@@Ryan-np4rb get a life sunshine and take a breath! There’s nothing creepy about paying a lady a compliment in a respectful manner.
Calling a woman on the internet a “hottie” when you’re 70 is absolutely creepy. Lol. Get a life? You mean one where I call golf instructors on the internet hotties? If that’s your life, I feel bad for you.
This is one of the smartest videos on TH-cam today. Thank you Hannah. Keep up the great work.
Wow, thank you!
"You need to simmer down about that." Haha! Indeed. Well said, Hannah.
I'm a 4 hcp and hit driver about 230 so that's spot on. But I often "bunt" driver on shorter par 4s (a little 75% low cut shot) and poke it out to 190 or so, even though 5-wood is really the 190 club. Just easier and more accurate for me, but it probably does bring the driver average down a bit. I use Arccos and we only have total distance information, which for me for 7-iron is 149 average, so can extrapolate that my carry is probably low 140s there. But I hit a TON of off-speed shots with all my clubs which also probably skews the averages. Today I hit 8-iron from 103, 126, and 138 - all according to the shot shape I wanted, wind, elevation, etc. To me that's one of the most fun things about golf: figuring out the conditions and then planning and executing a shot based on all that. And then failing miserably to do it and getting to try out your short game!
Agree - “simmer down” 😂 well said Hannah
You can't really count deliberate 3/4 shots in averages
I love my 3/4 knockdown driver. You're right, it often sets up for an easy 8 iron approach which can be easier than a full gap or sand wedge approach shot.
Great video, thanks Hannah. Over the past couple of years, and now in my mid 60s, I have accepted that I cannot carry as far as I used and started taking more club on most shots, and unsurprisingly my handicap has dropped! One of the difficulties though in the UK is the difference the weather makes, and adjusting to winter and summer distances, as if I didn't have enough issues already 😂!
Great video Hannah, As a nearly single figure Handicapper I've always found that if you rain in your longer shots slightly for better consistency and plot your way around the course (A no drama golf game) then I tend to end up with a better score. And if you work on your short game around the green (pitching/chipping/putting) even when playing a lower handicapper player (Scratch golfer) it evens things out some of the time, for me I'd rather take the consistency rather than an extra 25yards.
Definitely true!!
one of your best tips and thoughts videos. Carry distance is vital. Learned that quick when I went to Florida at sea level. Two I also use and share is if you are between clubs opt to go longer. Also, carry from ground and tee (par 3s) I figure 3-5 yards difference. Works for me. I'm very similar to the stats at 3.2 hcp in-between the 0-5 figures. Keep up the great content! Cheers, from Iowa, USA.
Yes going up a club is always good advice! Good point about more carry distance from a tee peg
This video is, without doubt, one of the most enlightenly educational and informative golf videos Ive ever seen. Heres me beating myself up over a 7 iron carry of 137 yards. Placing me in a handicap zone that If I ever attained, Id be deleriously happy
Great video on all fronts. Loved the explanation of mixed tournaments as well as the 7-iron comparisons and the idea of total combined loss. I recently took my irons out with a launch monitor to figure out my carry distances from LW through 7-iron and it was a humbling experience!
That was really informative particularly when you compare the handicap and the yardage... Carry distance is so important thank you
This is liberating. I was frustrated at my inability to hit my 7 iron and driver longer than 160 and 260, thinking that I must be doing something wrong to be so “short.” Now I can cut myself some slack and focus on real issues.
Yes!! Love this
A driver 260 isn’t what I’d call short!
Wild. I’m a 7 handicap. I carry my driver 225 and 7 135, so I’m right in that average.
I’m a 4 hcp cat 1 golfer realistically on course I carry a 7 iron flushed 160 summer Forged iron. Winter it’s 150. PW I carry 120. Driver 250 yards carry full throttle. A lot of times I choke down. It’s all about the short game. Trust me. The ability to get up and down. Great video this.
Yes short game is greatly underrated! We all miss greens so might as well get good at chipping!
I’m very similar to all of your numbers but it also depends on lofts and iron choice. I play z forged ii so fairly weak and more punishing on miss hits. But if I played something like t200 or the like. I would gain 10-15 in carry but just end up with holes in distances in bottom of the bag. Sad truth not all 7i are equal. Wish club companies would drop club numbers and put loft numbers on all clubs
@@nathaniverson6828 I’m not sure loft numbers would help, it’s all relative to CG and other tech in the club head. Not every club with the same loft will go the same distance
@@nationalclubgolfer and what you said about women driving past men to hit same club is so true. (But same goes for slower vs faster players) Peak height is the key to making the green bigger. Not enough people talk about this so thank you for making truths more public!
@@nationalclubgolfer that is completely true as well! My personal finding with iron fittings is cg effects my launch angle and peak height more than total carry (at least with irons) a few yards maybe but I can push 20 yards from 1 7i to the next strong lofted one. I just feel we need to at least get high handicaps thinking more in terms of my club is not the same as my playing partners to start thinking in terms of their own game vs oh my 7i goes the same as this guys but why doesn’t my driver. But yeah there are plenty of nuances that affect total numbers. Seems product sales hinder improvement for higher handicap ranges somewhat. (If that makes sense) and not understanding sometimes total distance isn’t king. Proper Height/spin makes much better scoring than longer is better.
I use rainy days to go in the simulator and gap the bag, i also have arcos sensors which gives me average data similar to shotscope. I had a medical issue so, working out, stretching etc, and then wanted to map the progress. Wish we had todays tech years ago, makes understanding your game so much easier.
I need to start doing that
Great work!
Great video. I’m a 17 handicap and do think I hit it shorter than I thought but I think it’s not quite as short as the metrics. However I think it’s the averages and consistency. By far I would say data has taught me to play for my misses rather than my best shot distance
I'm a solid 15 HCP and i drive 220-250 carry but I'm a tall, long guy, so i naturally get a little extra. My ranges are longer than average for my handicap, but it's getting lower! Shot 41 for 9 multiple times, a recent sub-40, and sub-85 on 18 a couple times recently so there's improvement.
These are my average carry distances:
Drive: 230
3 Wood: 220
3 Iron: 195
4 Hybrid: 200
5 Hybrid: 190
5 Iron: 180
6 Iron: 175
7 Iron: 165
8 Iron: 150
9 Iron: 125
46°: 110
54°: 90
60°: 60
Curious other people's numbers! And to clarify, these are my range carry averages. On the course can obviously sway these numbers lower, but at least knowing my ideal average ranges has helped me in shot and club choices on the course.
You'd also need the loft and type of club used to get any useful information out of a comparison with other players. I went to a fitting a couple of days ago and was carrying my 43 year old 7 iron 150 yards.Tried a few newer irons, and was carrying the Callaway AI Smoke 7 iron around 175 yards. Even with all modern clubs, comparing blades to distance irons, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a 20 yard difference with 7 iron regardless of handicap.
Agree 100% with what you say about ShotScope. I'm now into my 5th season using it and I find it far more reliable than the likes of Trackman or Toptracer at the ranges that I go to. Range balls are always an issue too.
You talk a lot of sense Hannah. I enjoy your videos. When I was younger I got to 8 handicap and never used a driver. I hit a strong 3 wood 13° and out drove most of my playing partners.
Thank you! You just have to do what works for you 👌🏼
58 year old here in my 37th season. As I’ve aged I have lost a few yards. I’ve always tracked realistic yardages. My yardages track with the 5 handicap Shotscope data. But the big thing is to play from the correct tees. Hitting 230 yards with my driver means I never play from the back tees. No ego here. Cheers!
Great video! Knowing your carry distances with your swing and the clubs you play is crucial. Loft is something that should be much more transparent, too. A lot of beginner golfers using strong lofted game improvement irons sometimes seem more interested in knowing what club others are using off tees, and following suit, rather than hitting what club would be right for them.
Carry distance is so important! I’m not obsessed with the loft thing I think as long as people know their distances it’s fine we shouldn’t really be comparing
Definitely age needs to be considered!! I'm just about to hit 70, and have got my handicap down to 22.7. As long as the ball goes straight and avoids sandpits, I'm a happy golfer. My short game and putting helps with not getting distance with the driver, and I also have more control on my short game. We all want to knock spots off the ball with the driver, but how many of us end up either side of the fairway instead of down the middle. I'm trying to relax - Cadbury's Caramel advert - and keep the ball in sight...............and in play.
Another great, useful video, Hannah, thanks.
A colleague was really surprised that I (58 yr old 13 hc) hit a 5 iron only 153 yards a couple of days ago.
To put it in perspective; it was the second shot first hole on the Roxburgh (Kelso) championship course, after very very wet weather and in cold conditions Shelled a 12 foot putt for birdie. In the end I went round on my own and finished level par( 72 ) with no mulligans and no cheats. I don’t give a hoot anymore about what people think you should hit a 7 or whatever iron.
I just play my own game and miss in the right places. I was never a huge hitter but I hold my own and am a genuine fairway finder
Net or gross?
@@CharlotteK2008 net; I’m given 15 strokes as a 13hc on that course
I used to play a bit of golf as a kid and had a quite natural swing, then stopped playing for 20 years and have taken it back up(since xmas)
I can drive the ball between (250-270) and I hit the ball further than majority of people around me on the range.
The most important part is I've never broken 100 in my life, all those people on the range would whoop my ass on the course !
interesting insight!
It's very big of you to admit that mate.
Some years back, I built a driver to 48 inches. It took me a while to get my tempo down to handle it properly. It did increase my drives by about 20yards. I had an accident and broke my left hand. That caused me to be out of golf for a long while. I am getting into it now, once again. Now I am using a driver 43 inches with 12 degrees loft for control. If the hole is tight, I will tee it up with my 5W. That is my most accurate wood. Sure, the driver and 3 wood go further, but I will miss less fairways with it. I do not care much for how far it goes IF it is on the short grass. My goal is to get back to the 11 handicap I had before my hand accident. I played the #1 hardest hole on my local course recently, par 5, 554 yards with a 3W, 5W, 7W, PW, putter, and got a par. I had not done that in a VERY long time. Little by little.
Brilliant vid, Hannah. It’s all about the ACCUMULATIVE DISTANCE. I’d love to have a lesson from you!!
Is that total distance? Sorry for the silly question. I’ve only been playing (range only) for 6 months.
Nice vid and specifically good to learn that I don't have to drive the ball much further than the 200 meters. You mention your 7 iron but how many degrees is that one and what is your club length? 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
This is why tee box selection should be solely based on handicap. Too many high handicappers won’t let themselves hit from the red tees which not only hinders their progression, but greatly slows down the pace of play
Yes but you can hit the ball a mile and still be a crap golfer, or dink it 180 down the middle every time and have an amazing short game. Distance doesn't always determine handicap.
Red tees are still hard 😂😂 played a few times hcap 7.2
lol Hannah, the editing and post production on your videos is getting really great lol, the little quick-asides are tickling me quite a lot. Of course, your content is stellar as always. Cheers from the Boston area in MA stateside!
Thank you! My editor will be very pleased 😎
Wow Hannah, thanks! According to your calculations, I am now a 5 Hcp!
Actually, age and infirmity have caught up with me. I'm happy just to be out there. Thanks for another interesting video.
😅 love it
Hey Hannah - you popped up on my feed, and today is the first day watching you content. Really insightful stuff. This video in particular is brilliant!! Look forward to checking your back catalogue.
Thanks!! Hope you enjoy 😁
Good video Hannah with some food for thought. Just one quick point I wanted to highlight though. Like you, I use ShotScope and contrary to what you said in the video, one thing that it can’t give you is your carry distance. It can (like most shot tracking devices) give you the total distance of your shots.
You need to get in a simulator for that data!
40 years old, golfing seriously since Covid, 10-15hcp. I really only ever use 3-4 clubs (not including putter)
Sw - 110yds
7i - 165yds
5w - 200ish
D - 240-260yds
Wow impressive stuff!
I do like to see info like this. I use shotscope and have done for a couple of seasons now. I’m down to 7.9 index but post round I measure against a 5 for strokes gained as that’s where I want to be. Distance wise I’m longer than my handicap (PAV driver 269 and PAV 7i 178). I occasionally play with scratch golfers who drive it 20+ yards short of me and hit 2 clubs more in to par 3s. They have good short games and putt well and ultimately shoot low-mid 70’s and throw in a few high 60’s. I shoot high 70’s-low 80’s and throw in the odd mid 70’s. Distance is important to a point but their accuracy yields better results than my distance.
As an L plate caddy-come-coach for intermediate playing spouse, you've done it again with the one of the best training videos out there. Your Q&A is on point. (It would be nice to see Hannah meets Alex [Elliot] for a video). 10/10. Thank you
Fantastic video Hannah, so important to know your distances, that’s half the battle, then comes the mental game.
Great stuff. First time watching one of your videos, won't be the last. Thank you for the honest content, much to learn for anyone who watches.
Thank you!!!
H what a fantastic video explained brilliantly and love the outfit again 👍🏌🏿♂️⛳️x
Hi Hannah, loving the tips. One tip in particular is when you say get down to the driving range to see how far you hit each club. Problem is the balls at the range aren’t the balls I play. I’m put off by my local range because they supply cheap single core balls but have equipped the bays with trackman. Pretty pointless really. If they supplied better balls (I’m not a big hitter) then surely your shots would be more accurate. Thoughts anyone?
Trackman range has software that should know the type of ball and compares it to a proper ball to normalise your yardages so they should come out correct if it has this optimiser turned on?
Thanks, I’ll see if trackman has an optimiser. Much appreciated. 👍
Age 50, handicap 30 (I duff a lot of shots)
My 7 iron is good for about 145 (30 year old irons) I have a newer driver good for up to 280+ on a hot smash, but usually around 235-250.
Great video! Once I was honest and aware of my true carry my game changed for the better. Drop the ego and the game becomes better and more enjoyable. Also, would love to see a similar video on chipping and putting. This is what separates handicaps IMO.
Definitely!!
Another good video Hannah. It makes me realise as a 20hcp that my carry distances aren't as bad as I think.
I use ShotScope and find it's a more realistic view of my shot distances than at a range, off a mat and with range balls!
Shot scope is definitely great at getting more accurate data than with range balls!
The stats include women, which is why they're so low. Better to compare to men for yourself.
@@nationalclubgolfer But my Shotscope X5 watch is only capable of measuring total distance, not carry distance. I don't understand where the carry distance data comes from.
All my distances are recording carry at the moment as every shot is plugged in the mud 😂😂
@@paulbeaumont3201 true 😂😂😂
Hi very interesting , I'm 57, 5ft 5 and a 26 handycap golfer, my average with my driver is 237, maximum 287 I think trackman was on speed when I hit that 😂, I'm generally middle right but pretty much straightish perhaps I might need to be reassessed.
7 iron my favorite club 146 again straightish,
Great video 👍.
Don't care how far my mate hit their irons etc, for me it's the straight and consistent shots that count.
Really insightful and interesting Hannah. I'm a 9 hp, and sit "in the average" quoted. My irons are 15 years old, so it would be interesting to see what yardage gains I would make with up to date irons.
How far do you hit your 3 wood?
If they are only avg 259 with a driver that’s mind boggling to me as I can hit on avg 250-285 with my 3 wood.
So why use a driver?!
You could definitely make 5-10 yard gains with new irons easily
@@MarineBand5524 people are physically different?
The stats include women mind
@@Vnam72 oh I know! For sure. I just always felt it wasn’t enough and really have been trying to kill the ball when it was totally not needed.
Thank you Hannah for all yout great videos! It is much appreciated. Kind regards from South Africa 🥰⛳️🏌🏻♀️
I got fit for a driver last week, and the trackman was eye opening. I warmed up with various clubs, and my 7 iron was only carrying 135-140 on my hits. If you asked me before I went in there, I would have said 155 average. I also used to be able to hit it further when I was in better shape and played more (kids are not good for your handicap lol) so I think I have some of those numbers in my head still. If you don’t use those golf muscles, you lose them.
@@jshumphress13 so true!! Really easy to get out with yardages if you don’t check them for a while!
Great video. You tube needs more content for the everyday club golfer. I use Shot Scope for the very reason you stated. I need to know that when I pull a club i know how far my best and average distance is. There is only enough room on a scorecard for the score and not the story as Monty once said!
That shank video 😂😂😂. Great info, H! Keep it coming. Enjoying the content and delivery.
😂😂😂 my colleague exposed there
Very informative video Hannah and the Shot Scope data is very interesting but I am really shocked at how short the average golfer is currently hitting the golf ball despite all the advances in technology, I know several 8-18 cappers who have all been playing golf for less than 5 years and they all drive it over 250 yards and a couple of them hit it 300 yards, 191 yards is approximately my 7 iron carry distance so for high cappers to only hit their driver that distance they must either be swinging super slow or are not making solid contact.
The stats include women which is why they're so low
My golf improved when I stopped the macho part of my brain taking over and then just grabbed one extra club. Seems to go the actual distance I want now! (I still fancy I go a little longer than those averages though 😉)
Such a great video, thanks Hannah 🏌⛳
Glad you enjoyed it!
I drive the ball 270 but am currently a 25 handicap due to leaky irons and lose most strokes to getting out of nasty situations.
Just did a swing change though and now my irons shots are more consistent, let’s see if we can’t shave a dozen or more strokes off 😁
Good luck 🤞🏼
AGE is a big factor, maybe even the biggest one. My handicap has never changed that much until recently when after a few great lessons it has started coming down, BUT even with that, I still hit a driver 30-40 yards shorter than I used to. The difference now is that a lot of those drives are actually in the fairway and findable.
Yes experience helps!
Usually when someone tells me how long they hit their Driver, I reduce it by 20% to get a fairly accurate number.
Good idea 😂😂
Happy to see more courses employing combo tees (though at the public course I play, you have to ask for a different scorecard). I'll even map out my own combinations. If the course is designed to have a potentially drivable par 4, then what's the point if I have no opportunity to do that?
When I play a venue for the first time, I look at the yardages on the par 3's and par 4's and select the tees (or combinations) where I can reach all of the holes in regulation without having to hit 3 wood to the green.
This is very sensible! More people should do this
Great video Hannah. Just coming back from surgery and using shots ope for the first time . Was hitting it really well before and have a pretty good idea of distance from each club, it’s been a big surprise how much it’s changed with two months off. Suspect a lot of this is actually down to strike which feels well off- but it’s certainly better than not playing.
And don’t want to sound dim but the ten yard extra being two clubs less really struck home. Hopefully be back to normal in about a month to six weeks, maybe even improving.
Thanks
"I dont really think you need to be in the gym lifting heavy weights" - im 16 and go to the gym and i can comfortably carry the green on one of my home par 3s (140 meters) with a wedge
THAT is because you 16 mate 🙂
Good topic, but I think the Shot Scope data is for average Total Distance, not Carry. Shot Scope does not have the capability to measure carry distance, just total distance for each shot.
Thanks, I was just thinking that how should I read these numbers 😂
I've had the impression that my distances are WAY longer than my hcp would suggest and if these were total numbers rather than carry, it confirmed that impression.
Now combine that distance with unpredictable direction and it's easy to see why I'm a high hcp player 😂. Lost ball or ob is always worse than a short shot.
I play with a couple of single figure hccpers who only hit their drivers around 240- 250yrds carry max.. but their 2nd shots and more importantly shots into greens are pinpoint accurate compared to mine. My regular playing buddy is 3hcp and I can easily hit my hybrid past his drives.. but then he's hitting irons into greens to land within 6-9ft putt distance... and I'm only holding 5 greens a round (on a good day 😢) Shotscope data has definitely helped me work on my weaknesses. I've improved my wedge game and leave the driver in the bag on holes where I know I'm more likely to lose it left, and my hcp has started moving in the right direction. Just need to stop leaving 49% of my putts short now 😂
Great video. Range balls for me are always 15% or more shorter than on the course. If I get a “proper” ball out of my bag on the range, it goes much further with every club.
Some ranges yes, if you have top tracer at your range it should normalise it to your proper distance. (give or take a few yards)/
I'm a 16 HCPer, I can drive the ball just under 300yards+/- a few yards. I can confirm I can't putt to save my life. Amongst my fellow golfing friends I am the Lip out King
Playing off 8, I’d kill (no, literally) to drive 300 (270m).
Yes, it’s all about getting up&down.
I’m a 15 handicapper, and as long as I don’t reach any par four in two strokes I wont get further down. And I’m happy with that.
Great review Hannah as an oldie I’m happy with my driving generally accurate and around 200-220 yards but working on my pitching and chipping. I’m a 15/16 handicapper but make sure I maintain course management plan every hole as bogey take the pressure off get on the green try not to three putt and I think that’s the way to score well. I’m not in your class but at the age of 74 I’m still working to be better and if you ever over my way come have a game at the Oaks Aughton lovely course!
Pitching and chipping is way more important than people think! Played the Oaks a lot in Yorkshire training!
@@nationalclubgolfer Thanks Hannah have a great golfing year!
I just started golfing, 63 years old I hit the ball straight, but the constant emphasis on distance is like how fast a pitcher throws in baseball, without accuracy it's useless.
Good point!
Straight is great... distance is over rated ...old man's golf is really interesting
Old man golf on the fairway can score better than young man golf in trees!! 😊
100% 300 yard drive in the next fairway is useless compared to a 200 yard drive in the middle of your fairway.
Good logical explanation, you are a good golf instructor.
Nice. My only question on the 7i distance. As we all know these days, not all 7i's are the same loft. What is the degree of loft you are using for your range comparison? Thanks :)
Good point. Instead of just '7 iron', it should be '7 ion with x loft'.
This includes all 7 irons. It’s not as simple as what is the loft as the loft is relative to the tech and CG of the club head to allow the ball to hit a certain flight window. Two clubs with the same loft won’t always go the same distance.
ABSOLUTELY learn your CARRY distances. I’m about a 3 HC, and my carry distances are the average of the chart you showed us. My equipment may have a little to do with not being a tad longer. I play a 2008 Callaway 460 driver(red n black one). I play Callaway Diablo Octane 3 & 5 woods(2008). The weaker lofted irons is where I think I lose the most yardage. I play Callaway X-12 irons(1998), and Ping ISI wedges(1997).
That’s a serious WITB effort
@@nationalclubgolfer lol
Mp30s irons, mizuno mpt wedges ( which I won for nearest the pin) .975 3 wood, 910 driver and a steel shafted callaway steelhead lll 5 wood I picked up for £10. (my favourite club ). Now these are old clubs😄😄
It shows distance isn't everything my handicap is 4 I hit it comfortably longer than the scratch stats but have poor short game keep up the good work
thank you! this motivated me to keep working on my drives.
You can do it!
I'm a big dude. But I only carry my driver 220 on a good day. Handicap is progressively going down because I rarely go OB, and find the fairway/light rough, more than 75% of the time. Nice to hit 300yrds. But not if it's in the Tiger every time.
Yes, I would call that a shank, with a nice delayed, "did you record that"? reaction. Note the characteristic finish position flatfooted facing to the trees on the right, a shank for all seasons. At 8:04.
Interesting. As a 5 hc at 30 years old, I played my 35 degree 7 to 150 and could push it to 160 carry.
Today as a 7hc at 70 years old I kept swinging harder and harder to maintain that distance with a 31 degree, graphite shafted, chunky cavity back. Scores suffered.
Hogan played a normal 7 to 135 with those old clubs and could push it to 155 but I assumed that it was the equipment. Four months ago I resigned to play a normal (88% in my mind) 7 to 130; driver to 220 carry and since have averaged scores of 80- didn’t get a proper handicap but 80 is a solid 5 hc.
Golf is fun again even if I can’t get on in two on the 5’s anymore.
And I started using my instinctive wrists putting stroke that was exorcised out of me 42 years ago.
Even my putting is good again and I think I can get to a 3hc age notwithstanding.
I’ll never get to my dream of scratch but shooting mid 70’s from the whites keeps me coming back.
I think everyone from a mid single to mid handicap level would benefit from forgetting the hero distances. Bryson? 8 iron to 200.
Fairways and greens!
PenguinGolf
Love it, friend! Golf has never really been a game of "how far" (though a longer ball is often an advantage, all other things being equal); golf is, at its heart, a game of "how many"... ⛳️
And how much fun you’re having.
About 30 years ago I was my local golf shop and said to the owner, “After 5 years of golfing and not being able to break 100, why do these people keep torturing themselves?”
The owner angrily retorted, “I hate people with that kind of attitude. If they’re having fun what’s it to you?”
Ah! Having fun?
Shocked, I timidly replied, “If after a few years I couldn’t break 100, golf would be no fun for me and I’d probably go fishing instead.”
Timothy Gallwey in his “Inner Golf” defined the reasons why we play golf. Having fun with friends is one of them.
I was always trying to defeat the course and score as best I can. That’s probably why on off days I used to feel like jumping off a cliff.
Just two days ago I started out just trying to have some fun and found myself at the 17th tee thinking two easy holes; a 357 four and a downhill 525 five. Birdie- birdie gives me 77.
The old arrogant thoughts resurface and I yank the last two drives left into OB and end up with 81 rather than a a 79 which for a 7hc is a heartwarming number.
On the bright side double bogeying the last two holes means those would have been pars without the penalties. And sobering up at the clubhouse with 7 good companions made me feel happy… my 81 still rewarded me with $30.
I can shoot anything from one under (once every blue moon) to 92 (rarely, but it happens) and finally go home with a smile no matter the score. It took me 50 years to learn but I’m here and I’m happy to still be able to play.
Have fun!
Fairways and greens!
PenguinGolf
@@questioneverythingHaid-gb4dc People ask me how I am...My reply is how bad can I be, I am on a golf course and I am able to walk!
You gotta take the modern ball into account, Ive played a 36° blades 7i forever and max out around 180, 165 is a normal stock swing but when using the balata balls that I played when I started golfing in the 90’s it’s more like 170 max & 155 stock swing. The balls Hogan was using were even shorter than the 90’s balata balls. Plus obviously there’s a huge difference in sticks these days, I mean Brysons 9i has the same specs (loft & length) as my 7i, his 8i is between my 5 & 6, etc. I can hit my 32° iron (6i) 200 yards so it’s not that crazy that he’s hitting his 30° (8i) 200+. lots of “game improvement” clubs are similarly strong. It’s all relative as far as the sticks but the ball has become super juiced & low spinning compared to the 90’s & especially compared to Hogans day.
@@TheWedgeWizardgood stats. I’m almost looking for delofted clubs at this point. Carrying a 7i 185 is almost too much for appropriate spacing & 14 clubs.
Ok, now I understand the significance of knowing my comparative distances but am still struggling with increasing speed. I did buy new clubs which have given me more confidence to swing freely but still need to work. On a monitor yesterday I learned my driver and 3 wood are going at same speed and same distance. GRRRR!!!
You might not be able to increase speed/distance, a lot depends on physical characteristics but no one likes to admit it
I think it was Ben Hogan who said (probably more than once) "it doesn't matter how far you hit your clubs... It's KNOWING how far you hit your clubs" .. oh wait ... Now I'm at 7 minutes in and you make this exact comment! Just found you today... Good videos!
Great video. You look wonderful Hannah
You are getting good with your videos. Congrats
Hi Hannah, not necessarily true, as some high handicappers hit it a decent distance but then can't play chips, bunkers or putt very well. Age is another factor and body ailments, back injuries and so on.
Good video as always.
I'm a 7, when I play with our club champ, (2), I often outdrive him, and I'm hitting very similar irons P--7. He's more accurate, and a better putter. But once the irons get to the 6,5,4 (he carries a 3 hybrid, I carry a 3,4,5 hybrid) it's game over. For him it's just more yardage, and slightly lower flight etc.. For me, the 5,6 produce some very thin shots; I usually don't use 6 and just choke down on 5 etc.. Even some of the really long young guys that are not single digit, I notice they don't usually carry the long irons very well. Obviously, the quality of the swing has multiple benefits.
Started in my mid 20's and got to 13 handicap, ( no talent whatsoever!). Stopped playing for 30 years and my main problem now is not my distance but my mind thinking I can still play like I used to.
Yes I can understand that! The mind often is the biggest issue in golf 😅
47 years young. Have been playing for 35 years. Lowest handicap I've been is 5. Last 5 years I have lost around 10 yards but still can regularly get it out there at 270. I'm currently playing off of 9.
Is this average data skewed by par 3s? In my opinion a savage short game is the way to get lower. Drive for show putt for dough!
But one thing i have learnt its better to take 1 more club and swing a bit easier, instead of trying push it out there. Specially with irons into greens
It doesn’t include par 3s it just includes shots where players hit driver. It is an average so includes all ages and genders
Most golfers who are telling you how far they hit a club are over estimating their numbers, it's too easy to remember the good shots and forget the bad ones.
Yes definitely!!
I played with a 24 handicap golfer who once hit his 7 iron 210 yards on a downwind down hill hole and that is how he calculated all his clubs.
@@nkimmanceifyI play with someone who genuinely hits his 7 iron 200 yards! Strong lofted G430 irons. I hit mine between 150-160.
Can he control ie is he off + handicap. I'm 57 and 7 iron average carry 155 still playing off 1.6
@@nkimmanceify he’s a 9 handicap. Would be lower, but often takes risks rather than plays safe.
From reading these comments I think a lot of guys are still overestimating as you stated Hannah
Great insights. Refreshing…
Was this an advert for Shot Scope? Which I already have and use? Totally agree with the whole video. Just need to add that hitting as long as you can isn’t always the best option!! Risk and reward, approach distance left etc…I loved the “simmer down bit😂” great point that a par 4 or 5 hole is more than a drive.
Not an advert but they given me access to their database so I have statistics to use in my videos 😁 there tech is also really good 👌🏼
Keep the videos coming thanks, very much enjoy them 😁
Wow, this was an amazingly put together video mt friend, you ROCK;) I would love to play a few rounds with you, when will you be in Atlanta , Ga again?? Want to come and play Chicopee Woods (3-9's) 27 holes, or Callahan's Golf Links...two of my favorite tracks! Let me know when or if you will be around, would love to meet you !!
DT
This was a great video. Thanks Hannah.
Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed it! 🤩
Completely agree, also club manufacturers should put the loft on the sole as there's so much difference these days in lofts.....
End of every winter, I spend time on the range to know my distances. Carry, and total. I fluctuate between 9-10 handicap, average driver carry is 205, no more. I have hit one 250 carry, but only 1.
Know your distances for every club.
Good system!!
This video is very interesting and gives a lot of information. But I think distance is by far the least important thing in golf. The most important thing is to always, or at least in 90-95% of shots, send the ball more or less to the center of the fairway or the Green. To do this you need to have a good attack angle, a good club path angle and hit the sweet spot of the club head. Then of course the distance is a plus but hitting 150 yards with a 9 iron is useless if you hit the ball anywhere. It doesn't matter whether you need a 9 iron or a 7 iron or a 5 iron to hit 150 yards, what's important is knowing which iron you need to get to that distance and being sure that in at least 90% of your shots the ball will go to the middle of the fairway or the Green. Thank you for this nice and interesting video.
Statistical analysis would strongly disagree with what you say (which seemed to be the common sense approach everyone had until... statistics appeared in golf). For both pros and ams, distance IS the determining factor of your score, and hitting it in the rough or bunkers close to the pin is much more beneficial than hitting it on the fairway but farther away (to a point, obviously as you have less control on the ball from the rough).
On top of that, you and the other people well meaning that propagate this opinion on "hit the fairway first, distance comes after" seem to ignore a fact of life : a good swing produces more distance... and therefore a relatively higher accuracy. As Hannah pointed out, if you hit your driver further, you'll also hit your other clubs further and instead of attacking that green with a 5 in your hand, suddenly it's a 7... And you need to be incredibly great at approaches for your 5 to be as accurate as your 7 (higher loft and shorter shaft). Then you'd need to be incredibly better at putting to have the same average number of putts from the distance (on average again) from which your 5 lands compared to the distance (on average) at which the 7 lands. All in all, hitting it further IS the key to good score (ever wonder why the shortest hitters on tour still carry their drives 280 average?)
Finally, studies after studies in biomechanics have shown that hitting 80% instead of 100% produce shots that are shorter... but have the same average dispersion. Sure hitting 130% is bad, and often leads to greater dispersion and not much added distance, however, anything less than 100% is giving shots to the field with no benefit.
My fairway numbers are great near 100% but my GIR is about 70% and I average 17 putts per 9 holes. My hdcp last year was 3.4 so by the numbers I need to work on putting and my short irons.
Great delivery and production.
I have a list of how far my irons go based on data. That’s about all anyone can do short of hitting a shot and physically walking and measuring. Probably not too safe at the range. My list is laminated and clipped onto my bag.
There is always that one person in a group that thinks they hit a long way based on numbers they see from PGA players on TV. I know one and he’s constantly short on every shot.
Been working on this alot. If it's wet my drives only go around 215. If it's dry it can roll out 20 or more yards. I hate that I hit my g10 7 iron 135 yards. I've been trying to work on it
When I was young I use to crush my persimmon 3 wood 250 plus. Now I would be happy with a drive that far.
Great video 👍 personally i dont tend to read to much into distances im a 3 handicap and have been scratch anything from 7 iron in im hitting at 85 percent i never hit a flat out shot i always like to flight a controlled shot into greens its much more accurate. Im about 270 with driver and can put my 7 iron out there about 150 but i play traditional blades with traditional lofts. Ive played with guys who smash it miles and cant break 90 and ive played with guys who knock it out there 250 off the tee and can shot under par. To be a really good golfer you need all parts of your game to be really good and then distance becomes less important.
Totally agree! It’s also a skill to be able to hit 85% shots and control the ball 👌🏼
I've seen 150 with a PW, 195 with a 7 iron, and the driver completely out the end of the range so I cant see it anymore...Not me though unfortunately, 240 with a driver is like a wet dream for me.
I'm a 28 and my 7i goes around 148-155 which is miles out compared to the stats you've shared.
A lot of my lost shots come from bad drives and is slowly improving, but as everyone knows when your driving goes well your short game goes bad.
This happens way to much for me, hopefully the handicap will start coming down soon..
The stats include women which wasn't obvious. That's why the averages are so low.
@@Vnam72 oooooh, I missed that bit
@@breakingninetygolf yeah I don't think it was mentioned
@@Vnam72 the averages do include women but the sample size is small so doesn’t skew data much.
6:55 - probably one of the most important lessons for any amateur golfer. To score your personal best, you don't play shots as if you were going to hit it perfect every shot. You choose clubs and shots within your expected margin of error. My scoring massively improved when I adopted this strategy, or started clubbing up and swinging maybe 80-90% of full speed so I could catch the shot better. My perfect 7 iron carries about 155-157, but I will almost never choose a 7 iron for that shot. My 7 iron is pulled out for everything from 140 to 150. At 155, I'm pulling a 6 iron and choking up a hair. If I miss hit that shot, it carries 150ish and I'm most likely still in range for a simple up and down par or long two putt. If I pull a 7 for that 155 yard shot and miss hit it the same, I'm carrying 140 and risking a shot out of a greenside bunker, in the pond, or bouncing off some knoll and left with a diabolical up and down.
Golf is not a game of how perfect you can be, it's a game of calculated misses.
It's funny, I'm a 15 handicap and I played a scramble with three guys in their 70s last week. One of them played off 12. They were amazed that I played off 15 as admittedly I was slightly wind assisted, but I carried a drive 265 yards and plugged three yards short of the green. However, I'm just not accurate at all, and two holes later I'll probably hit a duck hook that goes 180 yards if that. I'd much rather be the guy playing off 12 hitting accurate 220 yard drives like he was off most tees, but I've only played golf for 2.5 years, so as long as I can start to bring the dispersion in a bit and not swing out of my shoes all the time, I'm hoping my handicap comes down. I lose the majority of my shots off the tee by getting into trouble, so distance isn't always your friend.
I hit the ground at 145yds with a 7 Iron. 11 handicap. 55 year old. 273yds is my longest drive beating 268 yds last year. I have a shot scope gps watch.