How Far Should Your Clubs Go?
This is Golf’s million Dollar Question. The short answer is: IT DEPENDS! There are many factors involved. Direct factors such as club delivery (Angle of Attack, Dynamic Loft, Spin Rate etc) as well as In-Direct Factors such as weather, turf conditions etc all play a big part in determining the end point of your dimpled friend (or foe 😉).
However, I felt it was worth producing a more informed answer. The result is the below chart and graph.
Now, I’m sure I’ll get pillared for this but it’s important to view the following as a ROUGH indication; it’s essential that Players are Custom Fitted to optimise their Carry Distances (i.e. Launch Characteristics/Set Composition) dependent on your ACTUAL Clubhead delivery:
Notes:
As perviously stated, calculations should be viewed as a ROUGH indication. Essential that Players are Custom Fitted to optimise their Carry Distances (i.e. Launch Characteristics/Set Composition).
Increase in Clubhead Speed results in an exponential increase in Distance for all clubs so:
Driver Carry Distance Calculation = Clubhead Speed x 2.1 (60mph) / 2.15 (70mph) / 2.2 (80mph) / 2.25 (90mph) / 2.35 (100mph) / 2.4 (110mph) / 2.45 (120mph) / 2.5 (130mph) / 2.55 (140mph)Diver Carry Distance based on 0 Attack Angle, Centred Strike and Optimal Launch and Spin Characteristics.
Crosschecked against TrackMan’s Driver Optimisation Data (see Appendix below) - Data is somewhat dated (2010) but still appears valid?
Yardage Gapping for Fairway Wood/Hybrid and Irons indicated at the bottom.
Delivery of Club (Strike Location, Attack Angle, Dynamic Loft & Spin) and Ball Type (Premium vs Range) will significantly change the data.
90mph is the point where Hybrid / 3 Iron Carry distance separates.
*Unlikely slower swing speeds (60-90mph Driver Speeds) will use these longer Irons, more likely these will be Hybrid equivalents.
Conclusion
There’s plenty to digest here so remember, we’re simply looking to optimise YOUR Distances based on YOUR current skill level and environment vs setting expectations on how far you should be hitting your ball with each club; there’s a lot involved in optimising your distances (technique, equipment, physical characteristics and concepts etc) so why not come along and let me show you how to get the best out of yourself and your clubs whatever level you play?
However, the data at least provides a loose indication and the fundamental message is clear: more clubhead speed results in more distance which improves your chances of shooting lower scores more often.
Hope this helps and I’m looking forward to some interesting discussions 😉
Thanks for reading!
Oliver C. Morton
APPENDIX: TrackMan Driver Optimisation Chart (2010)
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