Hitting Elevated Greens!

[Bogeybog]

Whenever I am faced with an approach to an elevated green, I usually guess by clubbing club up one or two clubs, but I am still searching for a litte more accuracy. Does anyone have a formula which indicates the extra yards needed for each extra yard elevation to help in club selection?

[laxgolf]

12 feet of elevation = 1 extra club. Works like a charm for me.

[Focker Singh]

12 feet of elevation = 1 extra club. Works like a charm for me.
Laxgolf, do you use the same theory for downhill greens? I almost never have the level of elevation in feet available in my rounds, I assume you're just guestimating?
I don't really have a way of judging, I just go with my gut and grab a club! haha...if it looks like it needs 2 clubs, then I just do it!

[mikejb]

How do you come up with that number? I usually judge the distance by the wind, and where it is coming from.

[laxgolf]

I overheard a buddy of mine one time and asked him about it. I don't know where he got it from, but for me it works like a charm. I have to admit though, if you're standing 150+ out with more than 30 feet of an elevation difference, it can be hard to figure it out. In these situations I just myself to within 100 yards.

[Queen of the Beach]

hmm pretty good formula laxgolf. But would that apply to the ladies? I don't have a formula yet...when I do have an elevated green to play I just rely on my more experienced friends to help me approximate.

I hope this isn't a silly question. But doesn't the wind/rain play a factor? And doesn't it also depend on they type of swing you have or how you contact with the ball. Like guys usually have more loft/curvature and the ball is higher off the ground with their swing right? I know for myself I hit straight and the ball is lower to the ground. Maybe I'm not making good contact?

[laxgolf]

hmm pretty good formula laxgolf. But would that apply to the ladies? I don't have a formula yet...when I do have an elevated green to play I just rely on my more experienced friends to help me approximate.

I hope this isn't a silly question. But doesn't the wind/rain play a factor? And doesn't it also depend on they type of swing you have or how you contact with the ball. Like guys usually have more loft/curvature and the ball is higher off the ground with their swing right? I know for myself I hit straight and the ball is lower to the ground. Maybe I'm not making good contact?
QOTB, you definitely have to take lie & wind into consideration but that formula is a good starting point for me and something like this can apply to everyone. I tend to hit the ball pretty high so for someone that's a lowball hitter (like you), this might not work for them. It's all about finding something that works for you. When I first started to play, I carried a card that had each iron distance on it. It drove my friends crazy because I was a little slower than them because I was constantly looking at my card, but I found that it really helped me. On this index card I also wrote my swing keys and little notes about what to do if a ball is below or above your feet. You could use something like this to keep track of what to do in elevation changes.

[Mule56]

When I first started to play, I carried a card that had each iron distance on it. Holy Snappin' Lax, I thought I was the only one that did that. I still have the card and on days when wierd things start happening, I revert back to it to put my game in check.
Mule

[Focker Singh]

I think everyone has their own way of selecting clubs for elevated greens since everyone's swings and tendancies are different. I'm going to try Laxgolf's system for fun and see how I do with that, provided the elements are calm.

Thats a pretty good idea to have a card with your distances written down for a quick reference...sometimes, when I'm in between clubs I have to think a bit and factor in pin placement, wind, hard/soft green etc. I think a ref card will help speed things up.

[Queen of the Beach]

QOTB, you definitely have to take lie & wind into consideration but that formula is a good starting point for me and something like this can apply to everyone. I tend to hit the ball pretty high so for someone that's a lowball hitter (like you), this might not work for them. It's all about finding something that works for you. When I first started to play, I carried a card that had each iron distance on it. It drove my friends crazy because I was a little slower than them because I was constantly looking at my card, but I found that it really helped me. On this index card I also wrote my swing keys and little notes about what to do if a ball is below or above your feet. You could use something like this to keep track of what to do in elevation changes.
Thanks laxgolf. I will try your formula out next season and see if it fits with my game. Umm where do you get this index card?

[Mule56]

Umm where do you get this index card?QotB,

Try this out. http://csgnetwork.com/golfclubdistancecalce.html
Once you print it laminate it. There a lots of others also.
Mule

[Focker Singh]

QotB,

Try this out. http://csgnetwork.com/golfclubdistancecalce.html
Once you print it laminate it. There a lots of others also.
Mule
This is pretty neat. Thanks Mule.

[Queen of the Beach]

QotB,

Try this out. http://csgnetwork.com/golfclubdistancecalce.html
Once you print it laminate it. There a lots of others also.
Mule
Hi Mule, Thank you this site is very helpful! I have calculated my distances based on my present answers and saved it for my records. But I won't print out my card yet because I'm taking lessons next spring so I think my distance will change somewhat.

For those of you who want to print out the index card and laminate it. They sell laminate sheets in a package at Blacks for $5.99 for 5 sheets of '4x6' size. They are perfect to cut out to the size you want and put in your wallet, pocket, or golf bag!