Distance Control

Very too often maximizing the length of shots has become the main concern in practice. In reality realizing the carry distance and the estimated total distance from each club is much more relevant and important. Especially when there is wind in affect, too much club or too less club become the most expensive errors I have made.

To maximize the distance of each shot, I have to hit the ball clean and in the center of the club face. Probably I can produce 2 out of 10 of these shots. In real play, under different lie and disturbance from visual obstacles, the successful statistical rate of hitting a ball clean is much lower. For any miss hit shot, if not devastating, most likely I will loose 10 or more yards, this add 1 or 2 additional stroke on a score that is not very impressive to begin with.

Distance control is neglected often and this should be the main focus in practice. There is no point I can smoke a ball 300 yards at tee while it takes me 2 or more strokes to get the ball onto the green where I constantly under or over hit a short iron/wedge.

I believe this apply to putting as well, distance control is much more critical than successfully identifying where the break is.