By Jaacob Bowden

Member Question:

Hello Jaacob,

In the past (10 years ago) I wasn’t short, but now at 60+ it is not the same.
But, playing with the same friend, for 30 years, he is a member of the team France in senior competition. If he hits a 7-iron, I know that I have a 6 to play.

But when he drives, he is 6o yards longer?!

My swing speed with an 8-iron is 80-88mph and with the driver it is 94 mph.

How do you explain?

Jaacob’s Answer:

It’s a bit difficult to tell for sure without seeing both you and your friend swing in person, but if your friend were only 1 club longer with his irons but is 60 yards longer with the driver, I would initially suspect either that you swing slower in general and de-loft your irons to lower the flight to get more distance…and/or that his driver launch conditions are better than yours. That is, for his swing speed, he launches his drives at a more optimal launch angle and spin rate.

Using the same driver, you could easily experience a 40-50 yard difference in driving distance by hitting down on the…

Read the rest of what Jaacob has to say about Your Questions Answered in the May 2016 Monthly Handicap Improver here:
https://www.swingmangolf.com/register.php