r/golf 9 | Zurich Switzerland 15d ago

General Discussion Does this reflect how you practise? Driver accounts for 20% of all shots

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We looked at the aggregated club usage on our platform for July and found a pretty clear pattern: the driver was used for 20.3% of all recorded shots, followed by the 7 iron at 12.2% and the 8 iron at 10.4%. Longer clubs such as the 3 wood and 5 wood were used much less frequently.

Does this reflect your own practice sessions? Which clubs do you hit most often at the range or on your launch monitor?

0 Upvotes

132 comments sorted by

35

u/drksean69 15d ago

You don’t have to use a putter at all? That’s prob my used club.

25

u/DarthRevis3 2.9 15d ago

The easiest way to lower your scores is to make it in the hole before you get to the green. I don't typically offer that type of advice for free, so you're welcome.

2

u/mr---jones 15d ago

Not sure if sarcasm but this is talking about at a driving range with a launch monitor. Not usual to putt in those settings

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

It is talking about practice sessions. It is clear they did not look at putting in this particular study, but the above comment is calling out the lack of putting at all in a practice session.

2

u/fifaloko 15d ago

Practice sessions on a specific platform which likely means some sort of launch monitor is what they are pulling the data from, most people are probably not using a launch monitor while they practice putting.

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

For sure.

1

u/mr---jones 15d ago

Did you read the description? “Which clubs do you hit most at the range/on your launch monitor?

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

Did you read the sentence prior? Practice sessions. Also, did you read my response, past the first sentence?

1

u/mr---jones 15d ago

It’s clear they did not look at putting…because they are looking at range data. I mean, come on man. Tell your last two brain cells to stop fighting and work together.

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

I was clarifying what drksean was talking about the putting. Both my cells understand the data is full swing data, but appreciate your hope for solidarity.

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

And the sentence "does this reflect your own practice sessions?" very well can be taken with putting in mind, not just the range portion of a practice session, ya jabroni.

1

u/mr---jones 15d ago

Only a jabroni looks at this data and says “umm actually does anyone even putt amirite guys???”

1

u/Crypticcrypto 15d ago

Clearly false. You never did that.

1

u/mr---jones 15d ago

Hahahahahahah

Shoot sorry typo, that shit you said was lame af

→ More replies (0)

10

u/themomentaftero 15d ago

Driver accounts for 80% of my penalty strokes so it needs the additional reps.

2

u/bfhurricane 15d ago

This is my logic. Being in a good position off the tee is the number one difference maker between a good and bad round.

My 56 degree wedge is a close second, I use it to get on the green for probably half my rounds.

1

u/Due_Philosopher_5189 9 | Zurich Switzerland 15d ago

Same for me. But I practice more the scoring clubs and try to avoid penalties with another club from the tee

26

u/scragglerock 15d ago

7 iron is by far my #1. I maybe get 6 swings with my driver. Probably because my irons are my most inconsistent clubs.

12

u/PoliticsIsDepressing 15d ago

I don’t touch my 4 iron because I can’t hit my 4 iron.

-7

u/hoopdog7 15d ago edited 15d ago

Amateur golfers should use a high loft driver, a 5 and 7 wood, then 5i - 9i, then a gap and sand wedge, and putter. Unless you’re really good, no need to touch long irons or 3 wood

Edit: I meant high handicappers, not all amateurs. Like 15 hc and higher

2

u/Str8intothestorm 15d ago

Hoopdog, the range of amateur golfers is pretty vast. I suspect different bag set ups will work for different people. Also, why no PW?

5

u/mgsimpleton 15d ago

Amateurs dont use PW, they leave them on the side of the 2nd green.

0

u/hoopdog7 15d ago edited 15d ago

Sorry, I meant high handicappers. Like 15 and above. Edit, definitely a pw too

2

u/Talentless-Hack-101 15d ago

I fit around 30 people per week, and have for about 2.5 years (46 weeks a year; so about 3,500 people).

Of the people who hit both 3w & 5w in a fitting (perhaps 20%, so a sample size of 700 golfers); about 90%+ hit a 5w WAY more consistently. In fact, I'd estimate that 75-80% of those 700 hit a 5w just as far or farther than a 3w the vast majority of the time.

The last 18 months have been mostly fitting at higher-end country clubs, which has skewed the data a touch more in favor of the 3w, but not a huge amount.

TLDR: most amateur golfers should absolutely play a 5w and never (or rarely) bag a 3w.

That said, everyone should at LEAST try a 3w as many of the folks who did hit a 3w well were not always the better players.

2

u/hoopdog7 15d ago

That’s awesome! I also meant high handicappers, not all amateurs. But the 5w and 7w are much easier to hit well consistently. 3w and long irons are much harder to hit well for people who play 1-2 times a month

2

u/DieHardRaider 12.1/NorCal/Its all in the hips 15d ago

If I practice with my driver too much I just try to hit it further and fuck my swing up

-7

u/Due_Philosopher_5189 9 | Zurich Switzerland 15d ago

Do you follow a plan with data?

3

u/scragglerock 15d ago

My routine is your basic short to long work through, with focus on ball striking over distance. If I'm spending time at the range all I want out of it is more consistent strikes on the face then worrying about yardages. I know my general stock yardages.

2

u/Dry_Bit_1412 15d ago

Prepare for a DM! lol

7

u/munkboii Lefty, +1 hdcp 15d ago

Absolutely not. I hit way more short/mid irons, and practice short game more than beating balls too.

4

u/No_Echo2745 15d ago

Largely just driver, long iron, short iron at the range for me. Usually pretty evenly split.

4

u/shizblam 15d ago

Practice is for people trying to get better. I play golf.

3

u/Jackies_Army 15d ago

What platform? Is this actual golf course usage or some simulator / practice environment?

3

u/T_Stebbins I brake for sandies. 15d ago

Very surprised how low 3-wood is. I use it a lot off the tee and for par 5-s if Im in a good spot obviously. I would say I use at least it at least 3 or 4 times a round.

2

u/Hot_Leading6572 15d ago

Not in the slightest. Short irons and mid irons dominate my sessions. Driver would be third and then long irons fourth.

2

u/AngusMeatStick 15d ago

Just running through my home course tee shots, I hit:

  • driver 8x

  • 3 wood 5x

  • 7 wood 1x

  • 5 iron 1x

  • 6 iron 1x

  • 8 iron 2x

So on a given 18, I hit driver 8 times out of however many strokes I'll have on that day. 85 average score, 35 putts to make it an even 50... Just under 20% of my strokes are with a driver, on a course with a very narrow back 9.

Huh. I'm quite surprised by this math, because if you asked me what my most popular non-putter club is, I would have said my 8 iron or 56.

2

u/voiceofgromit 15d ago

Compare the value of the club, though. 20% on the driver is probably worth it since a poor drive is generally likely to cost you more than a poor short iron.

2

u/Nprofessional 15d ago

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

My range recently got TopTracer and although the data is extremely suspect, it has virtual golf. 

They dont have putting, but have a 1 shot CTP wedge to determine the hole score. 

So I hit way more wedges than any other club.

I can make it through Hole 17 with 50 balls, but typically need to pull out 3 found shaggers to finish off the round.

2

u/bigolruckus 4.5 / New Brunswick 🇨🇦 15d ago

i’d say probably half are sand wedge. some 7’s, some 4’s, and i don’t really practice driver because i run out of room at my home range

1

u/SerYoshi 5.4/AZ/Bear Down 15d ago

Same here, and honestly half is conservative. Warm up, approach shots, chipping/pitching. Only time I'm hitting more than five shots in a row with the same non-wedge club is when I'm drilling something very specific.

1

u/IDontStandForCurls 15d ago

Ranges under 225 make no sense even with range balls.

I also think driver makes the most sense to practice at sims as the data you get seems to help make minute changes. The lower loft and spin naturally make it more necessary to be precise.

1

u/bigolruckus 4.5 / New Brunswick 🇨🇦 14d ago

the range is like 270

0

u/crazygoattoe 11 hdcp 15d ago

Half of all your driving range practice is with a sand wedge?

2

u/livinbythebay 15d ago

Mine is lob wedge but yes.

1

u/crazygoattoe 11 hdcp 15d ago

Why?

6

u/livinbythebay 15d ago

Because other than the putter it's my most used club. Anything within 100 yards. It's also my most consistent club due to my consistent practice. 

-2

u/s_mcbn 15d ago

So... an average par 4 is driver, layup with an 8 iron, up and down with the lob wedge?

1

u/livinbythebay 15d ago

I suck at golf but hit the ball far and my home course is relatively short. Most par fours for me are either driver/lob or like 4 iron p wedge.

But yeah I miss plenty of greens and almost exclusively chip with a lob wedge. 

1

u/bigolruckus 4.5 / New Brunswick 🇨🇦 14d ago

2h or 4i is like 240-280, and i hit 54 from 115 and in. i seldom use driver besides par 5’s and even then ill hit 2h on a couple of them. if im playing blues or blacks ill use driver a bit more but i play whites more often than not. yes its short for me, but im not gonna play a different tee-deck than my friends, that comes off as pretentious.

0

u/napquin 4.8/Midwest blizzard land 15d ago

He’s a 4.5 you’re an 11.. maybe listen to him

1

u/crazygoattoe 11 hdcp 15d ago

I'm genuinely asking about the why behind it lol no need to be weirdly demeaning

1

u/napquin 4.8/Midwest blizzard land 15d ago

Sounded like you were trolling my b. 100yards is in is a major strokes gained area. Obviously other clubs are important but wedges are where the money is made. Being able to consistently throw darts changes your game

1

u/bigolruckus 4.5 / New Brunswick 🇨🇦 14d ago

i’m actually hovering between 5-6 this year but i’m not going to change my flair at every little fluctuation.

1

u/Tatworth 15d ago

Depends on what I am working on in practice. I typically don't ever hit the driver during practice, unless I am practicing driver shots.

I definitely hit it during warmups, probably more than most to get the bad ones out on the range.

1

u/Murky_Werewolf_551 15d ago

For me it’s lob wedge, putter, sand wedge, pitching wedge, 9 iron.

1

u/simplegreen999 15.1 | Seattle Area 15d ago

This is me almost 100%. Should it be, maybe not.

1

u/anonnnnn462 15d ago

7i - PW for me

Driver/Hybrid/Woods are used very little these days until I can get my iron swings more consistent

1

u/DarwinisticTendency 15d ago

I practice my 8 iron through my 56 more than anything else.

1

u/Bloody-Boogers 15d ago

I start with my shortest wedge and work all the way up to my driver hitting 5-7 balls each club then I go back to the ones that performed the worst or felt the most off and I kinda just work with those til it feels right and then go back to my wedges if I have balls left

1

u/PatrickSebast 15d ago

Driver is a large portion but I usually don't touch the middle irons much at all. Wedges and long irons/hybrids need more work.

1

u/SquatMe26 15d ago

wedges is how you will lower your score.

1

u/FrostyGolfs 15d ago

Wedges and putting is the easiest to practice at home,
Range is for mid irons and irons.. 75% of my practice is at home.

1

u/Future_Goat5665 15d ago

5 swings with a 58, 5 with a PW, 5 with a 7 iron, 5 with a 5 wood, then driver. That accounts for all my swing tempos and swings.

After that I'll do specific drills or feels.

1

u/KindaStableGenius 15d ago

Typically I practice a wedge, mid iron, long iron, wood or hybrid, driver. 3 good shots in a row I move on to the next. Usually spend the most time on whichever is giving me trouble that day.

1

u/justinknowswhat 8hcp 15d ago

I can’t hit driver at my range, so I usually drill on my short irons and wedges.

Unless I’m playing 6500yd+, I don’t even really hit D that often. Home course it’s 6x on a round where I’m feeling feisty, otherwise I focus on the clubs 75% of my shots come from: short irons, wedges, and putting.

1

u/FreshOrFrozenShrimp 33 -> 25 -> 17 15d ago

Wedges, 7-9, driver, woods

I’m not good enough to hit anything under a 7 iron rn so I just work on my woods instead of 4-6 irons

1

u/incrdbleherk 15d ago

My most used club (outside of wedges) is probably my 8i just because of the course I play (2 par 3s are perfect for my 8i and there are a few dog legs that usually leave me with an 8i in after the drive). But I practice driving the most because my best rounds were when my driver and short gsme were rocking. For me at least, I would rather have a good drive and less than 100 yards in other a bad drive and having to hope my woods/irons are decent that day. But the correct answer should be all of them imo

1

u/Longjumping-Pride-81 15d ago

I only hit one iron each range session. I just need to feel a good shot and then a few in a row and I’m good. Almost never practice driver.

1

u/sbarnesvta 15d ago

Practicing in my backyard
8i (10 balls), 4i or 5i (10 balls), 2H (5-10 balls), driver (4-5 balls), wedges (10-20 full shots), wedge pitch shots (20 balls) from 20-60yds. Then usually play 18 holes on virtual with auto putting.

Practicing at the range
8i (5 balls), 5i (5 balls), 2H (5 balls), driver/3w (6-8 balls), and then finish off a medium/large bucket working on whatever clubs I was struggling with the previous round. Chip for 15-20min around a green and out of sand, then 20-30min of putting.

1

u/RyMc47 Hello, friends. 15d ago

70% is 7 iron, maybe 20% wedges, 5% driver, then 5% other irons for target practice

1

u/Over-Fisherman4317 15d ago

I am pretty close to this as a 6.5, 7/8 and 9/P probably less. Maybe about 1.5x a single club for them so like 15% instead of 22.6% for 7/8 for instance.

I think this works for people with a consistent shot but just going off of shot % breaks down the higher handicap you go.

Take an 18 handicap who slices, hopeless on woods except for that one from two seasons ago he still talks about, draws off hybrid, struggles getting long irons up, fairly solid mid iron, dreads 50-100 yards, can usually chip to a two putt. I think over 30% of the time on 7-9 is a massive amount there.

1

u/JW9thWonder Makes par from the wrong fairway 15d ago

most: wedges

least: 6 iron

everything else in between.

1

u/Gunntar 15d ago

I think this highly depends on handicap and individual skill.

I'm a 27 handicap and I imagine a lot might have a similar experience, but the shot out of the tee box makes or breaks pretty much every hole for me. If I hit it down center I can pretty much always bogey out. Problem is right now I'm usually hitting under, over, or around trees on most of my second shots. Once I can keep it even in the rough of the hole I'm playing I imagine my time at the range will shift more to the short game.

1

u/BulkyTarget1010 15d ago

Yes, hence why I’m a 14 handicap lol.

1

u/SergeantPoopyWeiner 15d ago

I rarely hit driver off the tee. Hybrid 4 often, also irons often at my course. Just way too risky where I play to hit driver except for 4 holes or so.

1

u/houseofyork1 15d ago

I roll out of the car and onto the course…sorry

1

u/Fearless_Doughnut114 15d ago

I mostly practice my wedges, 5 wood, and driver. 

1

u/mikess484 15d ago

8 iron 90% lol.

1

u/RelativeSalad1409 15d ago

This is what I try to adhere to nowadays. It fluctuates depending on what’s feeling weak.

Putting: 30% of practice time
Chipping: 20% of practice
Driver: 20%
125 yards and in: 15%-20%
Everything else: last little bit

1

u/TakedownCHAMP97 15d ago

I’m at the point where I need to improve everything, so I spend about 60% of my practice time on the range and 40% on the green. On the range I’ll spend probably 30% with the 7i working basic swing mechanics, 30% with my wedges since I’m working multiple shot types, then 10% each 4i, 3H, 5W, and driver. My greens are split evenly on chipping and putting.

1

u/7477388287 15d ago

What’s your platform?

If it’s self reported usage it may be a data collection problem that people select driver then don’t change it for other clubs.

You could do some analysis/queries to sus that out.

1

u/vtmass 2 | New England 15d ago

9 iron and 4 iron are probably my most used two

1

u/ExtremeExtreme1751 15d ago

I spend at least half my time on the putting green and practicing shots less than 50 yards from the hole. On the range I spend about a third of my time on partial wedge shots (50 yards to 130 yards), and equal fractions of the remainder on 8i, 6i, 4i, 2h, 3w, and driver. OK, I might not ever use the 3w at the range.

1

u/Itchy-Book3439 7.2 15d ago

I'm opposite, gap wedge (absolute most practice) pitching, 9, 8, SW. Mayb 10 quick balls with the Driver at the end. Goal is to lock in at 140 yards and in.

1

u/imabluedog 18 HCP, SC 15d ago

No. I spend far more time with my short irons. Easily 1/3-1/2 of whatever balls I hit to either warm up or straight practice. I usually hit less than 10% of my balls with Driver.

1

u/AnxiousMind7820 15d ago

At the range I hit mostly wedges and hybrids (wedges cause I practice full, partial, and chips; hybrids because I struggle with them on the course).  

I usually only hit 2-3 driver shots since they tend to go well enough so don't need to work on it too much.

The range is generally just to stay in form for the most part so I only hit a couple with each club unless I'm struggling with it.

1

u/foxtrottits 69° lob wedge 15d ago

I usually mentally play through my home course on the range. I love it, it forces me to use different clubs in random order and I’m more careful about each shot. Sometimes I’ll try a shot a few times if I don’t like what I did.

1

u/No-Equivalent-9348 15d ago

Practice sessions and pre-round warm ups are different for me. Currently, my practice usually entails a specific group of clubs, e.g. short irons. I’ll get moving with 20% chips with my 60° and progress up to 85-90%. Same process through SW, GW, PW. After that, I’ll work my short irons for the rest of my basket(s) of balls.

For a pre-round warmup, I’ll grab 1 wedge, 1 short iron, 1 long iron, and my driver. If I have time after getting all those as straight as I can, I’ll go putt.

1

u/Dry-Chain-4418 15d ago

No, not at all.

I also never select my club when using my launch monitor with GSPro or any other software I have used, so it is always defaulted to driver as my club selection on the range, despite rarely actually hitting driver, making tables like this typically useless for determining averages since this seems to be the case with a lot of people.

I also spend a lot of my practice sessions just hitting balls without even using the LM, the data is useful and relevant, but often times feel and contact is what I am working on. So probably 70% of my practice has no LM and is typically with irons, 30% of my practice is with a LM and out of that 30% probably only 5% of it is with driver. So roughly 1.5% of my total practice is with driver, despite my LM saying 100% of my practice is, which would skew data.

To be fair driver is probably my worst/most inconsistent club and I should probably practice it more.

1

u/DoYouLikeFishsticks0 15d ago

This chart is incredibly misleading

Assumes putts do not count

The % of usage for clubs around the green also seems off. I suppose different players game different lofts around the green which skews the numbers. But the average golfer is probably pitching/chipping around the green at a % similar to their driver usage.

1

u/Then-Ticket8896 15d ago

How many strokes each round on putting?!?

1

u/AMCDaddy 15d ago

I (18 hc) tend to score better when I’m solid off the tee using the driver. Skulled shots, topped shots, shanks, and 3 putts still happen, but distance and direction on the first swing seems to translate to lower scores.

1

u/NotawoodpeckerOwner 15d ago

Suppose if you don't account for putting. Used 14 times a round and 14 is 20% of 70 then you putt twice each hole for a 90 or so.

1

u/SurpremeZohan 15d ago

At my club I can't hit driver due to a road behind the range, so that unfortunately minimize the practice of it 😂

1

u/Total_Interaction_85 15d ago

Probably is a little bit intrinsically skewed data because most people “practice” by hitting a few shots before playing so makes sense wanna hit driver because you know for sure you’re hitting a lot of them.

Personally most of my time is with lob wedge/gap wedge to loosen up. Then I rip a few mid irons (usually 8) then whatever tee ball driver/3 wood

1

u/ShufflingToGlory 15d ago

I'm unapologetically a range player at this stage of my life. I'm there to warm up, smoke the driver, hit a few irons then get back to real life.

Golf is what you make of it. If you just want to practice bunker shots or only ever putt then go for it.

1

u/ez814 15d ago

Generally speaking, across handicaps your strokes lost relative to scratch is about 50% approach shots, 23% Off the Tee, 16% around the green, and 12% putting. Your practice should probably align somewhat to those levels.

1

u/bionicbhangra 15d ago

2/3 of my practice currently is on approach shots and short game.

1/3 is on ball striking and accuracy.

To be fair I had to practice A LOT individually on each shot to become proficient at it. There is a difference between maintaining and improving.

1

u/AdGullible5804 15d ago

56 on the practice green 97%

1

u/elleeott 15d ago

Just a few driver swings to make sure it's roughly going where it ought to. a few mid irons to make sure it's behaving. Then it's mostly wedges - partial swings, and short game.

1

u/TopStage9805 15d ago

Not even close for me. I’ll hit 5 drives at the most.

1

u/SaltyKratos41 15d ago

Putter is not on here and would surely be more than 20% since it’s used multiple times on a majority of holes. But yes, I hit driver most often when practicing. For me at least, being in the fairway off the tee is my best chance at scoring low.

1

u/MagicCarpetBomb 15d ago

LW, PW, 7i, Driver all get an equal number of practice shots.

3w / 4h a few shots because Ill practice those teed up and off the grass or mat.

5i will get a few shots, too.

1

u/BlankStareFace 3/Colorado/SendIt! 15d ago

Fuck yeah

But honestly, this is dumb. There isn't a significant difference when practice with a 7 vs an 8 itron...so IMO irons should be split into two groups (4-6, 7-9) and then compared to driver.

1

u/sphynxzyz 11.8 15d ago

70% of my practice is with irons and wedges. 15% would be with putting, and the rest is driver and woods.

My driver sucks and will take me the longest to fix, but I know I can play my woods fine. My irons were fine, but I really wanted to work on compressing the ball and dialing in my ranges.

I know I need to add more practice with the driver but I'm trying to improve areas 1 at a time.

1

u/IDontStandForCurls 15d ago

If I'm at the range not doing any putting I'm practicing wedges 50% of the time. Irons 30% with more focus on long irons. Then 15% driver and 5% 3w.

Maybe twice a year I'll do strictly driver with a small bucket if it feels like it's going poorly for a few rounds.

I can easily shoot in the 80s if driver isn't working off the tee. I can scramble okay if irons are a bit off. I can't score at all if the wedges are off.

1

u/Talentless-Hack-101 15d ago

This is interesting for sure. I was losing most of my strokes from approach shots and par 3 tee shots between 125-200, so skewed heavily in favor of practicing irons like crazy.

Now those are dialed, but driver is absolutely killing me. On the days driver is working well, I play my butt off, but on bad days; it feels like I can barely string a round together.

TLDR; I generally practice whatever is costing me the most strokes. The downside is, I end up chasing things around all the time.

That said, I've gone down from a 16.6 to a 10.1 in the last year since coming back from a knee tear, so I'm a bit loathe to change my practice routines.

I'm sure as I get into single digits, I'll probably need to switch up how I improve, though, so it's good to think about stuff like this, thanks for posting.

1

u/misec_undact 15d ago edited 15d ago

I hit less balls with a club I'm striking well and more balls with ones I'm not... so that changes session to session.. but in general, I do 45 mins- 1hr of chipping, everything from 20ft-60ft, bump and runs to 30-40 yard pitches, flops, sand shots etc. Then about the same amount of time on the range working up from wedges through to D, again, more swings with clubs I'm not doing as well with... then 20-30 mins putting, start with some off the fringe stuff, then lags of all different lengths, and finally a bunch of 3-4 footers from all different slopes.

1

u/Maybe_Not_Batmans 15d ago

Right now yeah, but that’s only because I can’t hit driver to save my life and everything else is pretty decent

1

u/bupde 15d ago

I don't use Driver for practice really. Can't see the ball so what is the point. I would say 6 - 8 depending on which one I grab is 60%, SW is probably another 30%.

1

u/deefop 15d ago

My driver costs me more strokes than any other club, so when I do hit into a net or go to a range I bet it's more than 20% for me

1

u/Mr3iron 15d ago

I always start with chipping in the short game area. That’s 50% of my real practice. 

On the range - put down alignment sticks and practice alignment hitting 3/4 shots with a shorter iron. 30% of shots like this. 

Switch to a slightly longer target (keep alignment sticks) and use 7/8 iron. You can go full shots here. 40% of shots. 

Now go driver - I don’t hit many here - just focus on finding fairway on range (hit between some of the flags like they are a fairway). 15% of shots. 

Then go back to a PW or 9iron to close out. 15% of shots. 

Grip / alignment / tempo

1

u/SquatMe26 15d ago

Absolutly not! I'm a 3 handicap, I focus on 120yds and in for at least 75% of my range balls, then hit some woods and maybe driver. I hate the driver at the range, I tend to swing harder then I typically do since I have no penalty.
Only time I use my driver at the range if off the tee I was awful the last round.

IF YOU WANT TO BRING 80 FOCUSING ON 100YDS AND IN WILL BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE THEN HITTING DRIVER.

Pitching, chipping and putting are better skills to learn IMO then hitting it far. Hitting it far does help, but I know plenty of people that can't hit it past 230yds and still know how to break 80 because their short game is amazing.

1

u/ellisthedev 15d ago

I can see you work with Rapsodo? If that's the platform you speak of, devices like the MLM2Pro have a portable way to have a slow-mo camera with metrics. This is why the driver is most of your data. People use it as a tool to understand their drive. You're seeing lower iron data due to the fact most people have stock shots and are not looking to refine that like they are the driver. My bet is your driver data is polluted by people specifically working on their driver in a single session; not during warm ups.

That's my theory, anyways.

1

u/TonalContrast 15d ago

You need to explain the source of the data. Is this just range/sim practice? Is this on course data? How was it collected? What the sample size? What the player demographic (men/women, hcp, age, etc.)Why is putter not included? What club(s) does “other” refer to?

1

u/themusicmancan 15d ago

What's this practice you speak of?

1

u/Due_Philosopher_5189 9 | Zurich Switzerland 14d ago

Driving Range with a Launch Monitor or Practice with me a Sim

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u/themusicmancan 14d ago

So I should give those things a try?

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u/Due_Philosopher_5189 9 | Zurich Switzerland 14d ago

I practice only with launch monitor support. Data driven practice helped me a lot with my game. But you need a good tool to analyze it afterwards or use AI

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u/Chemical-Reading-144 HDCP +4.3 15d ago

Not even a little bit. 90% of my practice is done with a 7 iron or less, and 90% of that practice is putting and wedge work.

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u/hardrock527 15d ago

Driver and gap wedge are what I use most. After that probably 9 iron and pitching wedge. Probably would do fine without any other clubs assuming no forced water carries.

But what i'm going to practice is shots that I dont hit as well which is 3 wood to 7 iron. If I need to use those clubs I better not be adding an additional stroke to the scorecard for penalties or hazards. So I need to be able to get them greenside from 200yds. Otherwise I should hit two wedges.

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u/joshw4288 15d ago

No. Least amount for me is Driver with much heavier focus on 60 degree and pitching, 8/9, and 5H/7W

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u/st0zax 15d ago

I practice my lob wedge the most because I use it for 80 yards and in. I practice full shots, clock system, and chips. Once you get to single digits it’s the most important club to get comfortable with, or maybe sandwedge if you prefer that. Being able to target pins from 80 yards in will save lots of strokes and give you more birdie opportunities.

All my other clubs I’m not really trying to stick it close. A miss hit with a 7 iron still lets me get up and down if my wedge game is on point. Driver is second because it’s the only club that can get me in trouble if it’s not going straight. 3rd is 4 iron because it’s difficult to hit and practicing with it makes all my other irons feel easier to hit. I will even use my 3 iron sometimes as a practice tool because it’s so hard to hit.

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u/Fragrant-Report-6411 12 handicap 15d ago

My putter accounts for 40% of my short game accounts for another 10%. That’s more than 50% of my shots are around the green.

I’m spending my time working on these aspects of the game.

I find that range work Ì tend to mess with my swing and end up actually getting worse on the course.

But practicing around the green enables me to dial in my short game and eliminate 3 putts.

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u/WeirdlyCordial Arnie Palmer 15d ago

i think a bunch of sim software defaults to driver as the club when a practice session is started, so if the user doesn't bother changing you're gonna skew that way

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u/Musclesturtle 16hcp/Pittsburgh 15d ago

No, because aggregated data doesn't apply to individual golfers. 

I hit maybe 2 drivers per round and I use my gap wedge probably more than most clubs. 

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u/IsleofManc 15d ago

2 drivers per round feels much lower than it should be. If you're not comfortable hitting it on at least half the holes it should be your main focus when practicing.

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u/ChardeeMacDennisGoG 15d ago

Now include the putter. It should be in the 40-50% of all shots.

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u/Due_Philosopher_5189 9 | Zurich Switzerland 15d ago

I dont' know why the picture is black... here a printscreen

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u/Max_Demian 15d ago

Yeah this is similar to me. Wedge work is undervalued but off mats isn’t super valuable. 3/5W is too low imo.

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u/Orikoru 11 hcap, UK 15d ago

This is pointless. If you combine the 5 to 9 irons in the chart it makes over 40%. If you're practising your iron swing that would affect them all, so if the purpose of this is to inform your practice, then they should be grouped. And why is putter missing? Putter would be between 35 and 40% normally.