Distance control is a vital part of golf. There’s no point in hitting powerful shots if you’re unable to position them where you want. This is true for all the shots with all your clubs. You should be able to properly control your drives just as you have to know how to control the shots with your 60 degree wedge.
However, this is also the portion of the game many high and mid handicap golfers struggle most with. To be honest, learning how to control the distance of your shots is not easy, but it is certainly manageable and you can learn it. However, you have to know where to start and you have to know how to do it. Here’s a detailed guide on mastering distance control.
Why is distance control important?
First and foremost, being able to control the distance with a variety of your clubs, especially those you would use within 100 yards is essential for achieving consistently low scores. It doesn’t matter if you’re using your irons or your 60 degree wedge – knowing how far you can take your shots will help you:
- Hit a lot more greens than before.
- Ease your finishing shots with closer putts.
- Intentionally miss the green in certain situations, for example eliminating the need to pitch over a bunker.
How can I enhance my distance control?
There are numerous ways to enhance your distance control, but here are the five most useful ones:
1. Using a rangefinder
Rangefinders are devices that allow you to see how far your current position is from the flag, and also allows you to see where your pin is on the green. Knowing these two parameters helps you design a strategy for your next shot without having to take a more or less educated guess. Using a rangefinder is the first step towards monitoring and enhancing your distance control.
2. Shot planning
When you learn how to properly use rangefinders, it’s time to take that knowledge and transform it into a clear strategy for each of your shots. First, you need to understand that you should not calculate all your shots to get on the green. You should control your distance in other ways as well, such as missing the green to avoid the short-sided misses that would come after.
3. Learning distance by practicing
Also, you need to get to know yourself and your game better too. This means learning your average distances by putting in the hours at the course to practice different shots. This means using all the clubs at your disposal, not just your trusty 60 degree wedge.
Go out, use your clubs, take several shots with each of them, and see what distances you’re achieving for full-swing and other types of shots. This is the beginning. Once you know your average distances you can start modifying your shots to go farther or nearer.
4. Focusing on the tempo
The tempo of your shots is vital for ensuring they travel as long as far as you want them. Your tempo should be smooth throughout the entire motion, with acceleration through the point of impact. Make sure you have a smooth transition between your motions, and that you never slow down before hitting the ball.
5. Adapting to the weather
Finally, you have to take the weather conditions into account when playing golf and controlling distance. Weather has an enormous impact on the distance a golf ball travels. The usual golfing conditions can be separated into three categories:
- Dry and hot weather: The ball will fly farther, approximately one to two club lengths more than average.
- Muggy and wet weather: Such conditions make the air thicker and heavier, which sends the ball flying shorter distances, about one to two club lengths less than normal.
- Cold weather: These conditions also make the ball fly about one to two club lengths less than it normally would.
What drills should I perform to improve distance control?
Finally, there’s no mastering distance without practicing and doing certain drills that will allow you to get the most out of your every shot. Knowing the right strategies for improving distance control is nothing without taking the time to practice it. These are the two best drills to do so:
1. Clock drills
The length of the swing affects the length of the shot, and the point of clock drills is to practice and see how swing lengths affect the distance the ball travels. Many golfers take huge backswings only to decelerate as they hit the ball, when they should do the exact opposite.
Use a sand wedge or a 60 degree wedge to practice your swing until you achieve a constant follow-through and tempo during each shot, as well as a uniform distance.
2. Target drills
Another great way to practice achieving the distance you desire with your shots is to set up targets around the course and attempt to intentionally hit them from different positions and distances. This will help you achieve better distance control through repetition.
Where can I purchase a high-quality 60 degree wedge for sale?
Learning proper distance control is vital, but it is only the cherry on the cake of what makes a good golfer. First, you have to pay attention to the golf clubs you buy. And, when you buy them, you should take care of your clubs and clean them properly and regularly. While you’re doing all that, it could be wise to learn more about the rules of golf handicap, just for fun.
Well, not just for fun – knowing how to calculate your handicap is important, and so is being physically fit for pulling off those long, precise drives. Plus, there are a lot more habits you should try to develop to become a more proficient and stable golfer. As you can see, there’s plenty to learn about golf, and so little time. That’s why we’re here to help you.
We can’t teach you how to play, but we can give you the best possible tools for the job. BombTech Golf makes modern golf clubs per advanced specifications. Our equipment will give you the edge over your competitors and advance your game further. And all this at a reasonable price we achieve by selling exclusively online and eliminating our overheads. Take a look at our stock and order your equipment today. If you don’t like it, return it in 60 days.
