I have a driver with specs that (ideally) gives me the longest possible distance off the tee, carry and roll combined. Also it is important for me to have a face angle (open / neutral /closed)that fits with how I address the ball.
When I get on the wrong side of ca 135 meters, the approach shot gets increasingly more difficult. So if I can only get inside 135 with a driver I use a driver - unless there's a high risk involved.
The three wood probably has around 15 yards shorter carry of the tee and far less roll. It is also the longest club I have from fariway lies.
The 5 wood is the longest club in my bag that has something near a stop & drop performance on the green - and thus reasonably good distance control. I don't hesitate to use a 3 wood towards a green if there's room for a lot of roll - and I can get about the same result with a 3 wood with a little breeze into my face as a windstill 5 wood, but if I need a precise carry, 5 wood is usually the longest club I have from the fairway.
I have a hybrid that covers the 3-4 iron region. It also works reasonably well from light rough from around 150-160 meters. I also use the 5 wood from rough if I need some distance.
The rest of the bag - except the putter - is there to cover the spectrum from 75 - 165 meters full shot. I don't really care how far I hit a 6 iron as long as I have a good trajectory and a predictable distance.
But I do care how far I hit the driver, the 3 wood and the 5 wood, because all of them are my max distance option in different situation.
I am very picky about woods and hybrids. Lie angle, face angle and the shaft must fit the golfer. And getting the right gear here can make you a better golfer. The same goes with irons, but I find it much easier to get a reasonable fit there.
Thanks. Very informative. I haven't had anything with club fitting to do, so I have no idea how well fitted my clubs are.
When was the last time someone invented a new school of mathematics to support his observations of "the way things work"?
Ain't happened.
Today, three centuries later, golfers everywhere ignore those laws, and their high handicaps evidence their ignorance.
Air is a born educator and a retired professional teacher. He is a curious and ardent explorer of many things, not the least of which is his own golf stroke. In this regard, he respects and seeks valued help along the way. Help that precedes -- and augments -- the work he does "on his own".
With due respect to Yogi Berra:
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
We ain't there yet.
I*m not quite sure I understood what you are saying here. I think you are defending me. In that case - thanks. But "the fork in the road" and "we ain't there yet" is a little unclear for me. If it means that I must stick to what you have taught me - and not try anything else - I agree. Any news about the video?
The student must absorb and apply. The student senses his teacher’s steadfast belief and quiet resolve: “This is doable. It is doable by you. The pathway is there. All you need is determination and time.” And together, they make it happen.
Thanks. Very informativ. I haven't had anything with club fitting to do, so I have no idea how well fitted my clubs are.
I don't think my post did fully justice to the important of club fitting. It influences the result of any shot in very distinct ways, but it also forms your stroke in important and permanent ways.
I am a big fan of club fitting but I don't trust any and all club fitters. The problem with a lot of the club fitting that goes on is that players are fitted to the swing they are hoping to improve from and not the swing they want to end up with. So they leave the club fitter with clubs that has damage control inbuilt for OTT, downstroke deceleration, a steepening of the sweetspot plane towards impact and what have you. Basically clubs that support bad habits and not clubs that will support and reinforce the changes they want to do in their stroke.
It doesn't require military precision to get in the ball park of a reasonably good fit. But a little knowledge about how lie angle, face angle, shaft flex & shaft weight can get you a long way.
I don't think my post did fully justice to the important of club fitting. It influences the result of any shot in very distinct ways, but it also forms your stroke in important and permanent ways.
I am a big fan of club fitting but I don't trust any and all club fitters. The problem with a lot of the club fitting that goes on is that players are fitted to the swing they are hoping to improve from and not the swing they want to end up with. So they leave the club fitter with clubs that has damage control inbuilt for OTT, downstroke deceleration, a steepening of the sweetspot plane towards impact and what have you. Basically clubs that support bad habits and not clubs that will support and reinforce the changes they want to do in their stroke.
It doesn't require military precision to get in the ball park of a reasonably good fit. But a little knowledge about how lie angle, face angle, shaft flex & shaft weight can get you a long way.
I'll keep this in mind. But first I'll have to see how the ball striking - and the scores - goes when the season eventually begins (before it's winter again !!? )