Between clubs: hit it hard or take some off?

[chisag]

... Several thing but first and foremost is you should swing with the same acceleration on every shot. If you are a hard, aggressive hitter or a smooth swinger attempting to "ease off a little" you are inviting trouble trouble. Even with chipping and pitching you alter the length of the stroke not the acceleration. That out of the way...

... I hear players on golf forums say long is trouble so they hesitate to take more club. If it is a back pin I certainly understand that, but a middle or front pin should disregard trouble long (unless you have a flier lie). How many of you actually take a normal full swing and hit it 10 yards farther than you intended? 

... Next I would recommend most higher index and some mid index ignore in-between distances and just take more club as being 5 yds long with a perfect strike isn't gonna be bad at all. Again, back pin excluded. Taking a club that comes up 5 yds short isn't a bad option either and a front pin with trouble short the exception. Being honest with yourself is an important factor so how often do you have an iron shot you hit the exact distance needed? Just take a normal swing and play for the green, not the pin.

... This question is probably aimed more at the better mid index ball striker or the low index players and again, acceleration is always the key. It is a are individual that doesn't practice "easier swings" that can decelerate their normal swing with positive results. Taking less club and swinging with more acceleration than normal is equally difficult to pull off consistently if that shot isn't constantly practiced. Learning to hit a lower trajectory with a 3/4 or even 1/2 swing is very valuable for tweener yardages. Personally I like using more club and choking down a full inch while taking a normal swing. But in the wind I will use 3/4 swings. 

... Finally course management is a factor as well. We have several holes with 4-6 foot tiers and a pin near the base means it you go long on the top tier, your putt is gonna roll 10 feet past the hole so short of the green is a better position. We have 2 holes with a graveyard just past the green. Very hard ground the slopes quickly into a fence or dense desert brush as again, just short of the green is never a bad play. So understanding g which shot is best combined with your ability to pull off the shot is a crucial part of the equation. 

 

 

[AdoraBill_Lefty]

I'll almost always take more club, and take a little off.  As soon as I'm trying to monkeyswing an extra 5-15 yards out of any club, I'm definitely going to mishit because pace/tempo is far from what you're practicing every day.

Let's be honest, if we all knew we could get more yardage out of every club, we'd likely be swinging it like that every time.

[TitleistMike]

If you choke down, 3/4 swing, and hit it flush, that should be the swing thought ongoing.

 

I do agree, short irons 8i and up hitting hard isn't as effective.

The real question should be am I ok long or short of pin ?

If longer is better ,(don't be short), hit 5 instead of 6.

If shorter is better, hit your stock club. 

[CaptStang]

Hit it hard,,,every time I choke down or try to take some off, it never seems to work out...and the result is usually far worse than a hard hit that comes up short (but straight)....

[6 Million Dollar Man]

Quote

On 1/24/2023 at 11:03 AM, fozcycle said:

I read somewhere that if you are using an 8 iron through wedge just lean on it. If you are using 7 iron or less take an extra club.

This.  If I take more club and swing easier it mucks with my timing.  But it depends on where the trouble is.  At my course here in SC, you don't want to be above the hole most of the time.

 

Edited January 25, 2023 by 6 Million Dollar Man

[rmswenson747]

never a fan of not swinging at least normal speed.  anything less is a disaster for me.  i will go with longer club, and shorten backswing or choke up, or both, but never try to swing less than 100%.

[Preeway]

For me it depends on the situation but 75% of the time I am going to take a little bit off. If it's a longer shot needing a 6-iron or higher I am probably going to swing hard and try to muscle one. If I am under 150 yards then I am far more likely to take a little off and try a 3/4 swing. 

[ArizonaLogan]

If I'm within 165 I would normally play a longer club and do a "half shot". But slight wind, trouble behind the green, and green slope will also have a factor in what club I choose.

If I'm further then 165-ish yards I would definitely choose a shorter club (as long as there is no front bunker). Usually the only thing in front of a green is fairway. Also, sometimes the ball can have a good bounce onto the dance floor.

[Bang60]

I only carry 5irons max, I prefer to go down the shaft 2inches and swing as smooth as I can. Wedges I can go after but struggle with the rest, but it depends if I have to carry water or bunkers and what's behind the green..

[G56788]

Thanks for all the great responses! I went through the posts and did a very unscientific analysis. Here is what I have found:

The vast majority of us say we will take something off the longer club (25 responses compared to only 2 who said definitely hit the short club harder. For most others, it depends). 
 

Factors that play into decision (most to least mentioned):

Trouble location (16 responses)

Shot length/club selection (8)

Pin location (7)

Wind (6)

Course conditions/Layout/lie (3 each)

[mackdaddy]

It depends on the pin.  A back pin, I would play the shorter club and cover the front of the green and take going long out of the picture.  A front pin, I would take the longer club and choke down an inch taking short off the table and play to the middle.  Middle pin, I would make sure I cover the front with ease with the shorter club or won't risk going off the back with the longer club, if both apply I play the shorted club because it is easier to hit flush.  In all cases I play a normal swing and take the longer putt over a higher risk of mishitting.

[Willie T]

On 1/24/2023 at 9:28 AM, G56744 said:

All other things being equal, if you are between clubs, are you more likely to try the “hard” shorter club or take something off the longer club?

Tend to do the latter more than the former.  I tend to block shots when I swing “hard” and end up not so good.  Learning that longer clubs choked down offers better dialing - but only if I drill on those shots.  

[RATOUR7]

Depending on pin location, trap locations , I  would over club and choke  down allowing for 10 yards per 1 inch choke with my regular swing speed.

[Oudefart]

For the sake of this answer, let's make the assumption one is between a 9i & PW (although it applies throughout).

You can grip down (1/2" or so) on the 9i or longer club. The way most club sets are built in 1/2" length increments, you are now effectively swinging a stronger lofted (by 3-4°) PW or shorter club. The ball will spin a bit less and fly a little lower. This should easily cover the situation, PROVIDED you still swing the club the same way, with the same intention as the PW. It's when trying to swing a little smoother, or slower, or "take something off it", because you have "more" club that the problem arises. Typically that result is lost ball speed as the quality of the strike is diminished and you come up short with a mishit. Sure it's possible to nuke one and fly the green target, but not that likely.

Another option which sometimes works is take the shorter club option, move ball back in your stance a couple ball widths and deloft the club with your normal intentioned swing. However this is probably a bit more risky and for better players, as the miss will tend to be a combination of hitting it fat and left.

[MuniGolfer]

I used to be a hit it hard type, but I have worked on becoming more comfortable with taking off a longer club. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Interesting to see how many prefer to club up vs club down. 

For those of you who play in colder conditions or winterish conditions, how do you make this approach in this type of season when you are already clubbing up due to the weather being colder and ball not flying as far?

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Interesting to see how many prefer to club up vs club down. 

For those of you who play in colder conditions or winterish conditions, how do you make this approach in this type of season when you are already clubbing up due to the weather being colder and ball not flying as far?

club up more if you have to. If you play enough during that time of year you know how much distance is affected by the cold and wind and adjust accordingly. Sub 45°F is about 2 club difference from normal playing conditions for me.

[RickyBobby_PR]

Something I learned on GG’s website when I was a member.

Find the swing with a lw that gets you 60 yards. Use that same swing with and the distances goes up about 15 yards from there. So if you need to take distance off a longer club you can use this method

7i becomes 135 yard club using a 60 yard lw swing 

[Andrew75]

I don't even know how to hit it hard. I never swing at more than 85% of my strength with any club and prefer to swing at 70% at all times. Hitting it hard is a foreign concept. I wouldn't know what to do. 

[in3948]

Great conversation starter.  

I learned how to hit two distances with each club from 7 iron to gap wedge.  My thought is that the less I have to swing the fewer dynamics in the swing.  May not work for everyone but I have become comfortable with it. 

[saz0418]

I just watched a recent YouTube video by Coach Lockey (Mark Crossfield's partner in crime).  He demonstrated using the width of stance to control distance on wedge shots.   But, the ball doesn't know what club you are hitting and the concept works just as well for short irons as it does for wedges.  I have used the clock-face concept for a few years, but I was not always confident hitting the right position in my backswing.   With adjusting the stance width, I can make the same controlled (3/4)  swing and vary the yardage standard, plus or minus.   My gaps are just about 10 yards-- so plus 5 or minus 5 yards just by standing more narrow or wider.   I took me literally 2 times trying this  to get it down, and I hit about 75 or 80% of my greens on my SkyTrak app (random 60 to 125 yards varying each shot).    Its my go-to now for controlling distance-- and hitting in between yardages.   I get to try it on the course for the first time today -- first round of the season in Ohio, USA.  

[Tim McCarthy]

I don't like to "take some off" - I tend to pull it when I do. Choke up (don't forget you are choking up to dodge the skull) and go get it! 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Tim McCarthy

[TMAG-FIREMEDIC]

@saz0418 is the only person  I believe to mention the BALL type ......which to me is VERY important in this decision...... as we know , each ball react differently with each shot type .....one hop and stop , fly higher and still run out some etc etc..... so me , I play the prov1 series just switched into the newest ball which spins less than previous generation and actually goes further..... 

So all things considered,  adding ball type is also a huge factor.  

[BMDubya]

On 1/24/2023 at 11:53 AM, YourKillingMeSmalls said:

When you say "take some off" does that mean you swing easier or choke down on the longer club? I find when I try to swing easy it doesn't generally go well, I do better taking the longer club and gripping down a bit.

This . It never worked out for me, trying to take some off or get after something else. Played with a guy, that used to play Nationwide Tour. He asked what I was doing on a par 3, in between clubs. Told him was prob going to step on a 9i, instead of babying a 8i in there. Both weren’t going to be good results. Usually when I got after a club, it was a pull & if it was trying to baby one, I would come out of it & block it. He said take your 8i out, choke down an inch/inch & half, swing normal. Ever since, this is what I’ve stuck with. This little advice has helped me tremendously. To the point, that I’ve only played 2 wedges for the past 15 years. Used to play 54/60. Now I’m 53/59. But learning that gripping option,  was a total game changer for me. 

[Markjr100]

Choke down and maintain the same swing speed

[Jim Shaw]

4 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Interesting to see how many prefer to club up vs club down. 

For those of you who play in colder conditions or winterish conditions, how do you make this approach in this type of season when you are already clubbing up due to the weather being colder and ball not flying as far?

in colder conditions, for me, it is just a mathematical calculation and of course not 100% accurate, example, anything under 10 degrees Celsius I add 10% to my yardage, if I am 100 yds to the pin, no wind, no rain, even lie, (which pretty much never happens) I will hit my 110 shot which is an in between clubs for me. If I am 180 to the pin with conditions as previously noted, add 10% or 18 yards equals 198, that is my 200 yd club which I have a number for etc. etc. Does that make sense?

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, Jim Shaw said:

in colder conditions, for me, it is just a mathematical calculation and of course not 100% accurate, example, anything under 10 degrees Celsius I add 10% to my yardage, if I am 100 yds to the pin, no wind, no rain, even lie, (which pretty much never happens) I will hit my 110 shot which is an in between clubs for me. If I am 180 to the pin with conditions as previously noted, add 10% or 18 yards equals 198, that is my 200 yd club which I have a number for etc. etc. Does that make sense?

Where I play everything is in meters so I'm already doing to much math haha

[Jim Shaw]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Where I play everything is in meters so I'm already doing to much math haha

yikes...

[dlygrisse]

It depends on where the trouble is, if I’d rather miss long go with more club.   Also the wind plays a big factor.  Downwind swing harder, into the wind more club always.  

[Caddie1966]

Lots of wind where I play so I club up on those shots anyway when it is into me.  but in doing so over the past few years, I have developed a feel for taking something off and it has helped the general game.  I used to just hit it hard all the time.  Now I can finesse it a little more.