brogies Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 As I get better, I'm increasingly running into issues with using the GHIN app's GPS distances because they don't include slope. Apparently I'm a dummy and can't judge incline/decline. What do you guys use to get "plays like" distances? Or are you not dummies and can judge incline/decline? And just for more context, I won't ever be playing in USGA tourneys, so I don't need a tournament-legal device. tony@CIC, revkev and TR1PTIK 3 Quote Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K 9º | Ping Tour 2.0 Black 75S Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max 3W 15º | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 75S Hybrids: Ping G425 Max 3H 19º | Tensei Orange 80S & Ping 4i iCrossover 22.5° | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 85S Irons: Mizuno JPX921 Forged (5-GW) | Dynamic Gold 120 S300 Wedges: Ping s159 54º & 58º | PING Z-Z115 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: 2023 ProV1x / 2024 Vice Pro Plus Link to comment
DaveP043 Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 1 minute ago, brogies said: What do you guys use to get "plays like" distances? Experience. Every player has different shot trajectories, so an elevation change affects players differently. Make a guess, and the learn from the results. Its not an exact science. TR1PTIK, brogies, Kansas King and 5 others 8 Quote Irons Titleist T200, AMT Red stiff Rogue SubZero, GD YS-Six X T22 54 and 58 wedges 7-wood 5-wood B60 G5i putter Right handed Reston, Virginia Link to comment
cnosil Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 8 minutes ago, brogies said: As I get better, I'm increasingly running into issues with using the GHIN app's GPS distances because they don't include slope. Apparently I'm a dummy and can't judge incline/decline. What do you guys use to get "plays like" distances? Or are you not dummies and can judge incline/decline? And just for more context, I won't ever be playing in USGA tourneys, so I don't need a tournament-legal device. Until I started testing the Shot Scope Pro LX+ I always just used experience. There are multiple rangefinders on the market that do slope calculations so anyone of them should work. brogies, TR1PTIK, tony@CIC and 1 other 4 Quote Driver: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven Fairway: Paradym AI Smoke Max HL 16.5* w/MCA TENSEI AV Series Blue Hybrids: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype 915H 24* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype Irons: TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite Wedge: 54/12D, 60/8M w/Accra iWedge 90 Graphite Putter: Render w/VA Composites Baddazz Backup Putters: Sacks Parente MC 3 Stripe, Milled Collection RSX 2 Member: MGS Hitsquad since 2017 Link to comment
DawgDaddy Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 I use a Precision Pro rangefinder with slope built in. tony@CIC 1 Quote Driver - Rogue ST Max Woods - Rogue ST Max 3, 5 & 7 Woods Irons - Rogue ST Max Wedges - Zipcore RTX 6 50° CBX2 54* & 58* Putter - Evnroll ER2 Rangefinder - NX-10 Slope Ball - Pro Tour Drip Bag - Xtreme Cart 7.0 Bag Heather/Red/White Link to comment
Tom the Golf Nut Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 Someday I might get a lazer with slope. But I have just guessed based on experience. My course has a lot of elevation changes so I just got used to estimating how many clubs more or less to use to compensate for the elevation change. After a while you get pretty comfortable making a judgement. The other thing to consider is you have to know your average distances with each club. Even if you have a lazer with slope it won't do you any good if you can't hit a club to that distance. I see that all the time. As an example a guy says he hits his 9 iron 145 yards. He has 145 to the flag and he makes good contact and puts it 130 yards into the front trap. No need for exaggeration, who cares if it takes you a 9 iron or a 7 iron. Getting on the green is all that matters. TR1PTIK, Kenny B, cnosil and 3 others 6 Quote Driver, TSi 1 S Flex 3 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 5 wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 7 Wood, Aerojet Max UST Helium Nanocore R Flex 5 Hybrid King Tec MMT R Flex Irons, Vice VGI01 Mitsubishi Wiz 60-gram regular flex (6 - PW) VGW01, 50 Degree. Mitsubishi Wiz 60-gram regular flex, Wedges, Snakebite KBS Hi- Rev2.0 54* & 60* Putter, Sacks Parente Drac Center Shafted 35" Ultralight 14-way Cart Bag Link to comment
brogies Posted July 25, 2022 Author Share Posted July 25, 2022 49 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said: Someday I might get a lazer with slope. But I have just guessed based on experience. My course has a lot of elevation changes so I just got used to estimating how many clubs more or less to use to compensate for the elevation change. After a while you get pretty comfortable making a judgement. The other thing to consider is you have to know your average distances with each club. Even if you have a lazer with slope it won't do you any good if you can't hit a club to that distance. I see that all the time. As an example a guy says he hits his 9 iron 145 yards. He has 145 to the flag and he makes good contact and puts it 130 yards into the front trap. No need for exaggeration, who cares if it takes you a 9 iron or a 7 iron. Getting on the green is all that matters. So true! tony@CIC and Tom the Golf Nut 2 Quote Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K 9º | Ping Tour 2.0 Black 75S Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max 3W 15º | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 75S Hybrids: Ping G425 Max 3H 19º | Tensei Orange 80S & Ping 4i iCrossover 22.5° | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 85S Irons: Mizuno JPX921 Forged (5-GW) | Dynamic Gold 120 S300 Wedges: Ping s159 54º & 58º | PING Z-Z115 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: 2023 ProV1x / 2024 Vice Pro Plus Link to comment
Kenny B Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 11 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said: Someday I might get a lazer with slope. But I have just guessed based on experience. My course has a lot of elevation changes so I just got used to estimating how many clubs more or less to use to compensate for the elevation change. After a while you get pretty comfortable making a judgement. The other thing to consider is you have to know your average distances with each club. Even if you have a lazer with slope it won't do you any good if you can't hit a club to that distance. I see that all the time. As an example a guy says he hits his 9 iron 145 yards. He has 145 to the flag and he makes good contact and puts it 130 yards into the front trap. No need for exaggeration, who cares if it takes you a 9 iron or a 7 iron. Getting on the green is all that matters. Well, it would have been 145y if he landed on flat ground and it rolled out normally. I play that shot all the time. TR1PTIK, brogies and Tom the Golf Nut 3 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment
Kansas King Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 I grew up on a course with some elevation change, so I guess I've always been used to it. I do use a laser but it doesn't adjust for slope. If you're just trying to estimate the effect of slope, I would argue that it makes a little less of an impact than you may believe. Outside of the most extreme elevation changes on courses that do it for show, I generally never go up or down by more than one club, if I change my club at all. It could be that elevation doesn't affect me as much since I have a higher ball trajectory but it's not something that dramatically impacts my game unless I'm on an extremely hilly course like something in the Ozarks. I think there is a reason that slope rangefinders aren't a hot product because slope doesn't necessarily have that great of an impact on the game. There are also other factors being that many people play on flat courses and they aren't legal for tournament play. If you play on hilly courses, get a laser with slope. A laser rangefinder, even without slope, will probably do more for your game than anything. However, if you get a laser, you might as well get one with slope. The special thing with lasers is that every shot at the pin becomes an exercise in distance control. GPS is fine for everyday recreational/casual golf. However, when you can laser every pin, your brain will constantly be making mental adjustments to what your clubs actual distances are. If you laser a pin at 153 yards and you pull out a 9 or 8 iron because you think that is your 150 or 155 yard club and it goes 7 yards by the pin, now you know you just hit it 160. Where lasers really shine is inside 100 yards. I would argue that everything 30 yards and out should be lasered if you're trying to get dialed in for competition. It may feel dumb standing what you think is 45 yards away lasering a pin but when you find out that the pin is actually 52 yards, you'll realize how valuable that information is. Eliminating bad yardage information is one of the easiest things to do in the game and lasers are one of the, if the best way, of accomplishing that. TR1PTIK, brogies and cnosil 3 Quote Link to comment
TR1PTIK Posted July 25, 2022 Share Posted July 25, 2022 I use the GHIN app for all of my distances as well. I'm not sure what your normal routine is, but I always look at the "Green View" (not available for all courses) to rough in where the pin is and get a better feel for distance. If you find yourself routinely coming up short, you can always target something 5-10 yards longer depending on the severity of slope. In most cases this should be enough. Aside from that, a laser with slope like others have stated is your best bet. Just make sure it's a reputable brand if you don't want any headaches or have to replace it anytime soon. Precision Pro has definitely proven itself as a solid bang-for-buck option, but you could also snag one of the new Shot Scope lasers as well. Shelling out much more than that for Bushnell just doesn't seem to be worth it these days. brogies 1 Quote Driver: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S Fairway Wood: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S Hybrid: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB Irons: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 Wedges: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200 Putter: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34" Bag: Players 5 Stand Bag Ball: Maxfli Tour Link to comment
brogies Posted July 25, 2022 Author Share Posted July 25, 2022 Thanks for all the suggestions! Sounds like I just need to get better with my judgment of slope and love the advice that one club up or down should be enough in most cases. I live in Cincinnati though and it's quite hilly, so there are some courses that have holes with 20-30 yard declines/inclines. TR1PTIK 1 Quote Driver: Ping G430 Max 10K 9º | Ping Tour 2.0 Black 75S Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max 3W 15º | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 75S Hybrids: Ping G425 Max 3H 19º | Tensei Orange 80S & Ping 4i iCrossover 22.5° | Ping Tour 2.0 Chrome 85S Irons: Mizuno JPX921 Forged (5-GW) | Dynamic Gold 120 S300 Wedges: Ping s159 54º & 58º | PING Z-Z115 Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Ball: 2023 ProV1x / 2024 Vice Pro Plus Link to comment
foreknox Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 On 7/25/2022 at 10:57 AM, TR1PTIK said: I use the GHIN app for all of my distances as well. I'm not sure what your normal routine is, but I always look at the "Green View" (not available for all courses) to rough in where the pin is and get a better feel for distance. If you find yourself routinely coming up short, you can always target something 5-10 yards longer depending on the severity of slope. In most cases this should be enough. Aside from that, a laser with slope like others have stated is your best bet. Just make sure it's a reputable brand if you don't want any headaches or have to replace it anytime soon. Precision Pro has definitely proven itself as a solid bang-for-buck option, but you could also snag one of the new Shot Scope lasers as well. Shelling out much more than that for Bushnell just doesn't seem to be worth it these days. I will have to check out the GHIN app for future round tracking. Do you share your data excel sheet? I am looking to track my rounds to ensure proper focus for improvement. Thanks! Hit them long & in the short grass! Quote Ryan www.9irongolf.com Link to comment
revkev Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Early on there was a reply that everyone's trajectory is different - that is incredibly true and it makes the slope function on a GPS less than useful at times. I really think this one comes down to experience. What I have learned from GPS is that the slope is not as much as I think it is. I may have had an an uphill shot that I assumed was 60 feet (20 yards) only to discover that it was 25 feet once I had the GPS function. Still that will play a good club longer, for me. I live in Florida and there's not a lot of elevation change here but I grew up in Connecticut and then lived in upstate NY where there was so I learned how to deal with it in my formative golfing years. Generally speaking you are going to need to take more club than you think you need uphill because you don't launch the ball as high as you think that you do. Once your start hitting it long more than half the time, you can adjust for that. Great question - brogies and Kenny B 2 Quote Driver: Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 R flex - 44.25 Fairways: Ping G410 5, 7, 9 wood Alta CB red 65 R flex Hybrid: Ping G410 26 degree Alta CB Red 70 R flex Irons: Ping G430 7-PW, 45, 50 Alta CB black 65 soft R flex Wedges: Ping 195 S54, E58 Wedges and irons are - 1/2” and one degree flat Putter: Sacks Parente Duke 32.5” Ball: Titleist Pro VI or Callaway Chrome Soft X ls While not at the same time I was fit for every club in my bag as well as the Pro VI ball. I use the chrome soft x ls on my league course. It has much softer softer greens than the club that I belong to. I’m on a mission to shoot my age - lifetime lowest round is 66 and I’m currently 67. Link to comment
MDGolfHacker Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 On 7/25/2022 at 11:22 AM, brogies said: Thanks for all the suggestions! Sounds like I just need to get better with my judgment of slope and love the advice that one club up or down should be enough in most cases. I live in Cincinnati though and it's quite hilly, so there are some courses that have holes with 20-30 yard declines/inclines. Precision Pro...any of them with the slope function. What you can do is use the slope function to double check what you thought the distance you should be hitting would be. Once you get verification then you can start depending on the laser less. I have the precision pro NX7 and it's been great! MDGolfHacker cnosil and brogies 2 Quote What's In This Lefty's Bag? Driver: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex Fairway Woods: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft Fairway Woods: Hybrid: TSR2 18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft Irons: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex Wedge: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot Putter: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75" Bag: Three 5 Ball: PRO V1x / Z*Star RangeFinder: Titan Elite Social Media: Facebook: MD Golfhacker Twitter: @mdgolfhacker Instagram: mdgolfhacker Current MyGolfSpy Review - Precision Pro Titan Elite Rangefinder: https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/64979-testers-announced-precision-pro-titan-elite/?do=findComment&comment=1082733 Link to comment
Pandaman Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 I use a Garmin S62 with tournament mode turned off if I want 'plays like' distances. That said, I have absolutely no idea how accurate it is. Nor would I know how to verify it anyway, and the same would be true regardless of what device I used. brogies 1 Quote Link to comment
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