| I work it out by experience, conditions and feel.
Experience comes into play when you hit the same holes on the same course two or three times a week, and especially on the par 3 holes.
Let me use one of our par 3s as an example. It is 153 yards off the white tees and 143 off the yellows. But it has a long tee box and so those distances can vary quite a lot. Add to that, the pin can be at the front of the green, or 30 yards further near the back. Essentially therefore, it can play anything from around 170 yards to 135. Where is it today? A 9 iron or a 5 iron??? (for me).
Then factor in the wind! It can play with a strong wind from behind to strong in front. +/- 2 clubs.
It came home to me even more the other day when I played a "three clubs and a putter" competition, and I was armed with only a 4i, 7i and SW. I had to go for it with the 7i, and it was definitely too short a club! The hole was playing about 160 yards to the pin.... and I wanted a 5i or perhaps a 6i.
I have never hit a 7i so far! This is where the "feel" comes in. I did it! What it really proved is that I always "under hit" my clubs by taking it steady and comfortably. In this instance I had to take a bigger faster swing and really go for it. I knew I did! I put it 4 yards past the pin.
........by experience, conditions and feel.
ON THE COURSE.
R.  |