Does elevation affect your golf score?
Of course, it depends on many conditions. This page will discuss and deal with the effect of elevation changes alone (without wind, rain, cold, etc) so that you can improve your club selection and lower your score. The trajectory of a golf ball is now well understood.
How do you calculate the distance to the hole in golf?
This baseline number is always a good starting point because the center of the green is never a bad spot. Measure the distance to the flag using a rangefinder. Alternatives to this are to use a golf GPS, or to employ your yardage book and calculate the exact distance to the hole.
How do you calculate club count for uphill shots?
This formula should be approached as follows: If there is an uphill or a downhill shot of 15 feet of elevation, add or subtract one club. If there is more than 15 feet, add or subtract one club for every 15 feet.
How far is a 40 yd drop on a downhill shot?
On a downhill shot, a 40 yd drop would result in an additional carry of 30-40 yd, depending on the launch angle of the trajectory. The roll would be less, due to the steeper angle of approach. Thus, the distance would be: 240 + 30 yd carry + 15 yd = 285 yd. Even if there was no roll, due to very damp fairways, the downhill drive would be longer. "
How much does elevation change affect golf distance?
As a general rule, one yard of elevation change (up or down) equals a yard of distance. For example, if you have a shot that measures 100 yards up a hill that rises 10 yards from ball level to hole, those 10 yards must be added to the total – so it's a 110-yard shot.
How is golf elevation change calculated?
The first thing is to use the 15-feet formula. This formula should be approached as follows: If there is an uphill or a downhill shot of 15 feet of elevation, add or subtract one club. If there is more than 15 feet, add or subtract one club for every 15 feet.
How much further do golf balls go at elevation?
First, figure that for about every 1,700 or 1,800 feet of elevation a ball will travel about 5 percent farther. That means that the ball will typically travel about 10 percent farther at this elevation than at sea level, give or take a few yards.
How much does elevation effect a golf shot?
Altitude, or elevation, and wind have the greatest and most apparent effect on golf ball distance. Every 1,000 feet above sea level a golf course sits, a golfer can expect their ball to travel approximately 2 percent farther.
How much distance does elevation add?
With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude.
How do you determine elevation?
How to find elevation on Google Maps in a web browserType your location into the search bar on the left side. ... Click the "Menu" bar, which is next to the search bar and is represented by the three horizontal lines in the top-left. ... Hit "Terrain" to show topography and elevation.
How can you calculate the distance a golf ball travels?
How to Calculate How Far I Hit the Golf BallTake your tee shot as per normal, and then find your ball and stand directly beside it.Turn on the range finder, hold its sight to your eye and aim it directly at the flagstick. ... Subtract the distance to the flagstick from the total yardage of the hole.More items...
Do golf balls travel further in Arizona?
It usually takes two to three rounds to make these minor adjustments and feel confident about the shot. Because you are at a higher elevation above sea level, combined with the hard fairways and the dry air, the ball travels farther.
Does a wet golf ball go farther?
Typically when the club is wet it produces slightly less spin and slightly higher shot then when the golf ball and golf club are both dry. We see very minimal differences between the club being wet or dry.
What is slope adjusted distance?
Employing ID Technology that reads the uphill and downhill slopes of a course, Golf mode displays the slope adjusted distance (Horizontal distance ± Height) which is a guide distance to how far you should hit the ball.
How does slope affect golf yardage?
Balls will travel a shorter distance with positive (uphill) slope and a farther distance with negative (downhill) slope. Knowing just how much change in elevation occurs between you and the pin is extremely important and in all honesty, it is virtually impossible to do this by eye.
How do rangefinders calculate slope?
0:221:47Bushnell Slope Technology Demo - Golfonline - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere's an example of how the Bushnell slope. Technology works the marked distance on the tee boxMoreHere's an example of how the Bushnell slope. Technology works the marked distance on the tee box shows the green is 216 yards but the tee box is elevated and the hole is well below the tee. So you
How far does a 6 iron go downhill?
Thus, the effective distance of the 6-iron is 21 yards shorter. If hitting downhill to a green, 20 yards below, the ball lands ont he green at a horizontal distance of about 180 yards. Thus, the effective distance of the ...
Why is the downhill drive longer?
Even if there was no roll, due to very damp fairways, the downhill drive would be longer. ". It's not always obvious to golfers that when hitting uphill, you need to hit more club and when hitting downhill, you need to hit less club. The question is how much more or less. Of course, it depends on many conditions.
What is the trajectory of a golf ball?
The trajectory of a golf ball is now well understood. It depends on ball velocity, trajectory, and spin as well as on air temperature, humidity and density. Below is a graphic of the trajectory of a golf ball hit with a driver, 5-iron, and 9-iron. Note that in the first part of each trajectory, the path of the ball steepens.
Which is steeper, 9 iron or driver?
The 9-iron 's impact is the steepest and the Driver's impact is the least steep. Because of this, a Driver's range is more greatly affected by elevation changes than a 5-iron and the 5-iron's is more greatly affected than the 9-iron's. For every yard of fall, the Driver ball travels farther.
How much to deduct for golf shots at high altitude?
Although the general rule is to deduct 10 percent to determine the "true" distance for shots to the green at high altitude, it's not a rule you can bank on. As "Golf Digest" put it, the 10 percent rule, even for the professionals, is "more of a ballpark figure than an exact science.".
Why does the ball fly farther at high altitudes?
The ball flies farther at high altitudes: The air is less dense, so there is less friction to slow the orb's forward motion.
How many yards does Kenny Perry hit at sea level?
If he has 200 yards to the pin, he selects a club he normally hits160 yards at sea level.
How many yards can a driver carry in 70 degree conditions?
So, if your driver carries about 250 yards in 70-degree conditions, according to Rice’s research, the same shot will travel about 254 yards in 90-degree conditions, and 246 yards in 50-degree conditions. Altitude, as you can see above, is the other big factor. With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude.
Does humidity affect golf ball carry?
Rice also found that humidity had “almost no effect on carry,” — temperature and carry were the two primary atmospheric conditions (outside of wind, which is a different matter) that effect your golf ball. So, if your driver carries about 250 yards in 70-degree conditions, according to Rice’s research, the same shot will travel about 254 yards in ...
How far can a golf ball fly in thin air?
According to "Golf Digest," the ball can fly up to 40 percent farther in the thin air of these environments. Every course is different, so experiment to find the ideal yardages. Subtract one club for every 10 feet of downhill elevation change in these thin air climates. The air provides less resistance, and the ball will generally travel farther ...
What happens when you hit a downhill shot?
With downhill shots, the ball will be in the air longer, and therefore more susceptible to the effects of the wind. You should choose more club accordingly. On uphill shots, the wind will have slightly less effect.
Why is golf so difficult?
Playing golf at elevation is very difficult because the ball travels farther in the air in elevated climates like Colorado and Utah as opposed to normal elevation areas like the Midwest or East Coast.
Why do you need an 8 iron in golf?
For instance, if you have 160 yards down hill to the pin, and you would normally hit a 7-iron, the shot calls for an 8-iron because the ball will travel in the air longer than a shot to a flat green. Add one club for every 15 feet of uphill elevation change.
When to hit golf balls farther?
Golfers will hit it farther when the temperature is warmer (both the air, the club and the ball), when the wind is following (tail wind), when the target is downhill and when altitude is high. GOLF TIP: During cooler weather, keep your golf balls warm.
Can you roll golf in the wet season?
During the wet season, there isn't much roll. GOLF TIP: During the cooler wet season, play the forward tees to shorten the course. This way, you'll be the same distance from the green as in the summer when you play longer tees.