All golfers know the frustration of coming up short with a club they were sure was “perfect.” We usually blame the conditions, a faulty rangefinder, or the assumption that we didn’t hit it as well as we thought.
But the truth is, it’s usually not the club or the circumstances – it’s the player. And solving the problem starts with understanding one key concept: the difference between carry distance and total distance.
For those who don’t know, carry distance is the distance the ball travels in the air, while total distance includes the distance your ball gains after it lands. Unfortunately, most amateurs focus only on total distance – and that mistake not only distorts their understanding of their game, but also causes them to overestimate how far they actually hit the ball.
As Joey Wuertemberger, a GOLF Top 100 teacher, explains, “a majority of amateurs always think they’ll get further than they actually do.”
To solve this, Wuertemberger says to focus on your carry distance rather than the total distance.
“I rarely focus on total yards, because players need to understand what it takes to carry a bunker, a hazard or other penalty area – rather than how far the ball rolls afterward.”
To determine your carry distances, Wuertemberger says you can use a launch monitor to find out exactly how far the ball flies. But there are a few extra keys that will help you dial in your irons just like the pros.
Don’t just use your best photos
When most amateurs calculate their carry distances, they tend to focus only on their very best shots: the shots that travel the furthest. But if you ask any high-level player, they will tell you this is a mistake. To get an accurate number, you need to take into account the off-center shots and the slightly shorter distances, as that’s a fairer reflection of how far you’re actually hitting on the track.
“Players need to understand that they won’t always do it perfectly,” Wuertemberger says. “If you rely only on your best shots, the numbers will be distorted. Sure, if you hit the ball perfectly you can go the full distance – but nine times out of 10 it won’t be that solid and you’ll come up a few yards short.”
Follow your ball marks
If you really want to put your irons to use, Wuertemberger has a clever trick he learned from Zach Johnson’s former caddy: follow your ball tracks.
Here’s how it works: After you reach the green, make note of where your ball mark is in relation to the pin and where the ball actually came to rest. This way you can see if you had the right club. Did you land short and roll up to the pin, or were you pin high? Tracking how far your ball rolls also gives you insight into how shots respond to course conditions, such as if firm greens give you extra roll.
“All this is a reference point to work from,” says Wuertemberger, “then you can draw on these earlier shots later in the round. Remember that shot you had on four that was 400 feet? This is that shot again.”
It’s a simple, tour-tested system: know your carry, record your ball marks and play to the middle. This way, caddies keep their players informed – and you can hit more greens.
FullSwing KIT launch monitor
The Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor is designed with the most advanced radar technology and a high-resolution camera to give you 16 data and video points to see your swing in perfect clarity. Tested and trusted by Tiger Woods, made for everyone. Machine learning enhanced radar combined with powerful dedicated radar and media processors give you the cleanest and most accurate data in the industry. A customizable heads-up OLED display designed to show you exactly what you want to see and what’s happening with every move, or use the free included app to view your data and video on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and even hear your selected data through your Bluetooth headphones. Use the included durable case to take it to the track and set it up in under a minute. Up to 5 hours of battery life allows you to get the most out of your swing whether you’re at the shooting range or with a net at home in your backyard, garage or basement. Included items: FS Kit Launch Monitor Charging pad USB-C charging cable Protective travel case Tracking: Proprietary, 24GHz Dual-Mode, ML Enhanced Radar display: 5.3” Ultra-clear, Full HD (1920×1080) OLED with 16.7 million colors Camera: Full HD 1080p, 60 fps Processor: Dual-core A9 Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth® 5.0 BR/EDR/LE Battery: Built-in lithium-ion 8000 mAh; Approximately 5 hours of use (depending on conditions) Carrying case: Lightweight, water and shock resistant Charging port: USB-C Charger: 45 W USB-C, 110-240 V, 50-60 Hz 3′ (1 m) unit; Dimensions: 10.23” H x 6.57” W x 2.32” D (3.74” with extended support leg); x 206 mm x 98 mm) Unit weight, case, charger: 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs) Package dimensions: 419 mm x 273 mm x 122 mm (16.5 in L x 10.75 in W x 4.8 in H) Package weight: 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs) Eligibility for returns If you are not satisfied with your Full Swing device within For the first fourteen (14) days from the date of delivery, the Full Swing device may be returned for a full refund or replacement. For users with a perpetual license for E6 Connect software used in conjunction with a Full Swing, if you are not satisfied with the E6 Connect software within the first fourteen (14) days from the date of activation of the perpetual license, the license may be returned for a full refund. This section applies only to users with a perpetual license; all other subscription types are no longer eligible for a refund after 14 days from the date of delivery. All returns involving devices originally received outside the US will be handled through your local sales channel. To return your device, you must contact The Net Return sales support by phone at +1 (973) 636 -7354 or by email at sales@TheNetReturn.com RMA number is not accepted by The Net Return. The device is returned with all accessories, including AC adapter and cables with travel case, and in the original manufacturer’s box. Returns Processing Upon receipt of a returned device, the device will be inspected by The Net Return https://www.affirm.com/lenders. iPhone® (10 and later), with iOS 14 and later iPad® (7th generation and later), with iOS 14 and later iPad® Air (3rd generation and later), with iOS 14 and later iPad® Pro (all models), with iOS 14 and later Apple Watch® 3 or later, with watchOS 7 or later Apple AirPods® or virtually any Bluetooth® headphones.
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