The Long And Short Of Golf Club Distances
Here you are on the fairway still jazzed about just crushing a monster drive right down the middle of the fairway. You fish around in your golf bag looking for just the right club. You set up for the shot and take your swing. Unfortunately for you, your shot came up 10 yards short and now resides at the bottom of the algae-filled pond next to the green.
Judging golf club distances can be very difficult for even the most seasoned of golfers; let alone, for the inexperienced player. The key to successfully choosing the right club at the right time is consistent driving range practice. You have to understand, not only, what your clubs can do, but also what they cannot do for you.
Okay, I Got My Bucket Of Balls, Now What?
Most new players believe you have to master every club in your bag to be a successful golfer. This is just not the case. It is far better to be able to consistently and accurately hit three or four clubs at good golf club distances; rather than, just yanking a club out of the bag and taking an uneducated and ugly swing at the ball.
You should spend some time finding the clubs that allow for you to have the greatest control over both the direction of the ball and the best control over your golf club distances. It serves little purpose for you to use a club that you cannot control on the driving range out on the course where it matters most.
But, I Have A Bag Full Of Clubs. What Should I Do?
The optimal situation would be for you to have clubs that work at short, medium, and long golf club distances. For example you might have good control over a 9 iron for your short game. You could then select a 7 iron for the intermediate yardage, and 2 iron for those longer second shots. You should also practice in a variety of weather conditions to understand what they do to your golf club distances.
You should practice a variety of strokes with each club. Also, it is very useful to either videotape your range sessions, or have a partner work with you. You can then solely focus on the consistency of your swing. And, you can leave the camera or your partner to judge your accurate golf club distances.
Don't feel like you need to be perfect in these practice sessions. It is a great opportunity to work on different back swings. And, you can use the time to work on other aspects of your game, and the effect they have on your personal golf club distances. So that, the next time out on the course you can swing with confidence knowing where that ball is going to go.
