If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

[westbeach]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

Anthony, I was a 10.2 index at the end of last year. I've lost easily 8-10 yards off each club due to a swing change caused by a nagging back pain and my index is currently 8.4. I used to outdrive my playing partners by 20-30 yards and they now get me by 10-20 yards. How do you explain this phenomenon?

BTW, I came across the below cartoon. ENJOY!

[Golftime]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

I would love to see where these numbers come from. 10 handicaps with an average driving distance of 218 yards???

http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction/article/0,28136,1642459-2,00.html

It also covers more of the differences of players at different levels. After reading it I set two goals for myself this year. One was to get the ball past the pin on most approach shots and to get all putts past the hole.

[sangjiny]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

I know people will again wonder about the question, but I am convinced the only reason I or most serious golfers are not single digit golfers is length off the tee. If you hit it 275+ off the tee on 6,400-6,700 yard courses and hit an 8I 150, there is no doubt that almost all golfers with some practice should be shooting in the 70's. Sure some bad shots off the tee or approaches and if you can hit it that far I am convinced you are not topping the ball or duck hooking drives.....

I would also expect with that length you should be hitting 8-10+ GIR's pretty damn easily.

Yes I am a bad putter and so so chipper, but get me somewhat accurate off the tee and with with a short iron (inside 150) to the green and scores in the 70's should be a given.

The reason I am not there is simply I hit it 200-240 off the tee, with some shorter when i make a terrible swing and generally have a longer iron/wood in my hand for my second.

Am I being unreasonable in that assessment?

Simply put,

300+ yard drives will get you that much closer towards the hole, but won't get you into the hole.
There are just too many factors that affect your HC other than driving distance.
I drive on average 300 yards, but I'm not single HC.

[golfnguru]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

Anthony, I was a 10.2 index at the end of last year. I've lost easily 8-10 yards off each club due to a swing change caused by a nagging back pain and my index is currently 8.4. I used to outdrive my playing partners by 20-30 yards and they now get me by 10-20 yards. How do you explain this phenomenon?

[pendlebg]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

ok, here is an actual real world view into this.


Up until end of last year I hit irons only (average distance off tee between 200 and 220). No confidence in my woods or driver so they stayed at home or in the bag. At the end of the season my handicap was about 14.

Spent the winter inside working on Driver and FW woods. This year I have been hitting driver as much as possible (average distance off of tee between 250 - 275) . My handicap after this year stands at 15.6.

All of the items referenced about getting into more trouble by hitting longer and the importance of the short game make perfect sense to me and my scores bear this out. For every hole I have a wedge in with driver I have another hole I am recovering from behind a tree or adding a penalty from a hazard.

So from my experience, distance alone off the tee does not decrease my handicap. I would say it is neutral and mine went up for 2 reasons (first I was learning how to hit the Driver on the course, so would not put it away when it was not working, second was course management, I would hit driver when it made no sense (e.g. brought too much trouble into play)).

As I said, my main goal was to be confident this year on the tee w. a driver in my hand. Next year I plan on being more judicious about what club I tee off on from hole to hole, and I expect my HC to go down mainly because I am more comfortable with my options off the tee.

[GuOD]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

I know I would not score nearly as well without my woods.

I've started to hit farther recently and find it helps a ton on approach shots.

my index is 8ish

ok, here is an actual real world view into this.


Up until end of last year I hit irons only (average distance off tee between 200 and 220). No confidence in my woods or driver so they stayed at home or in the bag. At the end of the season my handicap was about 14.

Spent the winter inside working on Driver and FW woods. This year I have been hitting driver as much as possible (average distance off of tee between 250 - 275) . My handicap after this year stands at 15.6.

All of the items referenced about getting into more trouble by hitting longer and the importance of the short game make perfect sense to me and my scores bear this out. For every hole I have a wedge in with driver I have another hole I am recovering from behind a tree or adding a penalty from a hazard.

So from my experience, distance alone off the tee does not decrease my handicap. I would say it is neutral and mine went up for 2 reasons (first I was learning how to hit the Driver on the course, so would not put it away when it was not working, second was course management, I would hit driver when it made no sense (e.g. brought too much trouble into play)).

As I said, my main goal was to be confident this year on the tee w. a driver in my hand. Next year I plan on being more judicious about what club I tee off on from hole to hole, and I expect my HC to go down mainly because I am more comfortable with my options off the tee.

[Anthony]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

No mas..... Agreed too many facets to the game, which was not the point, but I keep saying you hit it just as straight with the extra 50 yards (30 yards with the 3W)......... Guess what,for me on par 5's, I'll hit 2 a round on many courses and should never have worse then a wedges on the other 2..... That should be worth 3-4 shots a round...... That 420 yard Par 4, I will be 140, not 190, that is worth 2 shots a round.... The trap that I can't fly and gobbles my ball if I'm just off line..... That par 3 180, I have a 5I, not a 5W....

Those hitting 3W off the tee, probably still out drive me 20-30 yards and have 5 clubs less coming in.

Not upset, just pointing it out.

I'm off to golf soon, hit my 14 drivers a round, take my gimmes, preferred lies and reloads and enjoy myself.....

[sangjiny]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

What you're saying would be correct if your accuracy and consistency also improved. If you were to keep everything constant except for distance, I would say you wouldn't benefit. Your "nice" drives would get you closer to green, but your "crap" drives would put you... where?

[sangjiny]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

No mas..... Agreed too many facets to the game, which was not the point, but I keep saying you hit it just as straight with the extra 50 yards (30 yards with the 3W)......... Guess what,for me on par 5's, I'll hit 2 a round on many courses and should never have worse then a wedges on the other 2..... That should be worth 3-4 shots a round...... That 420 yard Par 4, I will be 140, not 190, that is worth 2 shots a round.... The trap that I can't fly and gobbles my ball if I'm just off line..... That par 3 180, I have a 5I, not a 5W....

Those hitting 3W off the tee, probably still out drive me 20-30 yards and have 5 clubs less coming in.

Not upset, just pointing it out.

I'm off to golf soon, hit my 14 drivers a round, take my gimmes, preferred lies and reloads and enjoy myself.....

Not all your drives will be straight, and on missed drives, you'll probably suffer more due to the extra distance.

[golfnguru]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

No mas..... Agreed too many facets to the game, which was not the point, but I keep saying you hit it just as straight with the extra 50 yards (30 yards with the 3W)......... Guess what,for me on par 5's, I'll hit 2 a round on many courses and should never have worse then a wedges on the other 2..... That should be worth 3-4 shots a round...... That 420 yard Par 4, I will be 140, not 190, that is worth 2 shots a round.... The trap that I can't fly and gobbles my ball if I'm just off line..... That par 3 180, I have a 5I, not a 5W....

Those hitting 3W off the tee, probably still out drive me 20-30 yards and have 5 clubs less coming in.

Not upset, just pointing it out.

I'm off to golf soon, hit my 14 drivers a round, take my gimmes, preferred lies and reloads and enjoy myself.....

I agree.

If a 15 handicap can take 6 shots off a round he will be a 9.

[Petedv]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction...2459-2,00.html
It also covers more of the differences of players at different levels. After reading it I set two goals for myself this year. One was to get the ball past the pin on most approach shots and to get all putts past the hole.

Good idea ... I am also going to try out these swing thoughts for the remainder of the season and see how it works for me !!

Thanks

[golfnguru]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction...2459-2,00.html
It also covers more of the differences of players at different levels. After reading it I set two goals for myself this year. One was to get the ball past the pin on most approach shots and to get all putts past the hole.

I love this one.

Hit for accuracy
Do whatever it takes to hit the fairway, even if that means hitting 3-wood or a hybrid off the tee. If you give up 10 percent of distance for 10 percent more accuracy, you'll shoot lower scores.

[Richd]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

I agree.

If a 15 handicap can take 6 shots off a round he will be a 9.

that math is sound...but will length off the tee save you those 6 strokes?

[Samick]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

Somebody...please....make it stop!

[BdaGolfer]

Re: If you hit it 250-300 off the tee shouldn't you have a single digit HC

My game is my game because I am a lousy putter and while okay from 130 in, I do not stick it close. Also not very good from the bunker or a great chipper. I do have games where I put all together and can have a great run (case in point 8 of 9 GIR's last time out).

My short iron play 9-PW I hit well, but certainly no pin-seeker (15-20').... Appreciate the offer and I may take you up on it as I love playing with good golfers and watching go low.

Played with a golfer trying to qualify for the PGA. My assessment of his play when I mentioned this to a golf pro who knew him (and the 70 he shot). What a beautiful game, too bad he hits it too short. He agreed that was the one problem holding him from a chance at the PGA. Just too short off the tee (250-260).....

Anthony,

You are convinced that being 50 yards longer off the tee would be a huge benefit, but from what you postedI don't see how it would significantly improve your score? Instead of being 175 out, at 125 it's still a 7 iron and either GIR and 2-3 putts (lousy putter) or missed green, chip and 2-3 putts. Balance the yin with the yang and you're looking at about the same score.

Having the opportunity to hit a wedge rather than something longer is meaningless unless you can hole the putt, and few putts outside 15 feet are made (check Pelz research). If you consistently hit your wedge inside 15 feet I suggest you stop going for greens from 170+ and hit 2 wedges.

Flipping it around though, what would I shoot from 50 yards further back? Depends, do I keep the solid ballstriking of a 4, or the usually inconsistent contact of a mid h/c? Is my shortgame my own or (as an example) yours? Big difference in expectations. I played a few rounds in the early season with a busted knee i.e. no rotational speed, giving up at least 3 clubs in length - best round was still a 74 of 6200 yard tees.

I agree that being longer off the tee CAN make the game easier, but it still requires the control and execution. From your own comments above on your game, I would say it's not your length (or lackthereof) that makes your game what it is, but not being able to execute the simple stuff on and around the greens - a fault we all suffer from.

Alan