My theory is that slope should impact carry distance at a 1 for 1 ratio. In other words - if the landing spot is 10 yards (or meters) lower than the tee, the ball will carry 10 yards farther. My reasoning is that much of the trajectory data for drivers shows the ball landing at an angle relatively close to 45 degrees.
Full Answer
How do slopes affect Golf Club selection?
The first thing to understand is how slopes affect club selection. 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 to hit a golf shot over a slope?
Focus on making your normal swing and letting the club's loft do the work of sending the ball up the slope. Conversely, it's easy to come up and out of shots when hitting downhill. Concentrate on keeping the left shoulder down through impact to deliver solid contact. Hitting accurate golf shots over flat ground is already a challenge.
What happens when slope takes effect?
Let’s compare these numbers in order to understand what happens when slope takes affect. My ball speed slowed a touch on the downhill shot, even though the launch angle was lower. That’s due to the smash factor dropping, since it’s more difficult to hit the ball solid from a downhill lie. Also, the lie caused my angle of attack to get steeper.
Will a scuffed golf ball affect performance?
I'm a 17 handicap. You will certainly see the difference in performance between scuffed golf balls and new clean unblemished golf balls. This obviously depends on how badly they have been scuffed. Many times on the driving range you come across a ball which has been through the ball washer about as many times as we have been mislead by politicians.
How much does slope affect distance in golf?
Slope is very important for any golfer to consider. After your shot hits its peak, it begins to fall. And as it falls it continues to move forward. Depending on the slope of the land, this could affect the distance of your shot anywhere from 20 to 50 yards.
How does slope affect golf shot?
The incline in the slope will open the clubface so you're going to add loft to a club and the shot will go higher. If you hit an 8-iron normally, you'll want to usually go up at least one club to a 7-iron. The more slope, the more club you should take.
How much does elevation effect a golf ball?
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 does uphill affect golf ball 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 do you hit a golf ball uphill slope?
1:054:28GOLF TIPS - HOW TO HIT GOLF BALL ON AN UPHILL LIE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you're on a tight lie with no cushion under the ball I wouldn't do that you might thin it thatMoreIf you're on a tight lie with no cushion under the ball I wouldn't do that you might thin it that way so play it a little bit more back in the middle.
How accurate is slope on rangefinder?
This is handy if you grew up on a course that's in meters. The Pro X2 (Amazon Link) will get accurate +/- 0.5 yardages right up to 450 yards. This makes it one of the longest range devices available to buy. Most rangefinders nowadays will only get a max of 400 yards, even the best Bushnell models .
How much difference does elevation make in golf?
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 calculate elevation change in golf?
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.
Does downhill play longer in golf?
1:063:56JUDGING DOWNHILL GOLF SHOTS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt depends on how steep that downhill is but that's a two club difference on a par 3 which is goingMoreIt depends on how steep that downhill is but that's a two club difference on a par 3 which is going to make huge of difference huge amounts of difference.
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 do you hit a fairway wood from an uphill lie?
2:075:46Fairway Woods - Hanging Lies & Uphill Lies - Shaping shots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo here's bog. Standard i lean on to my left side a little bit because i'm going down the hill butMoreSo here's bog. Standard i lean on to my left side a little bit because i'm going down the hill but then i go around the circle a touch just to help me get some cut spin.
Stickney: The only 2 ways to hit a golf ball father
If I had a dollar for every time someone walked into my Academy (myself included!) and asked how to hit it farther I’d own a bank by now. Golf course agronomy has evolved and the rock-hard fairways of yesterday are gone and have been replaced by soft conditions that require more and more carry off the tee.
Stickney: The evolution of necessary technology in golf instruction
Over time technology has improved so that we (as teachers) can see and understand motion and forces in action during the swing.
The Wedge Guy: You can change your stripes
Over my 40-plus years in the golf industry and a lifetime in the game, I have had the opportunity to observe thousands of recreational golfers of all skill levels. I believe the common thread between all of us – from scratch player to high-handicapper – is that we all would like to get better.
What is drop in golf?
The drop in golf is when the hole is not in a straight line with the place where we hit the ball. That is to say, imagine that you are on a completely smooth green, without hills, without ascents, or descents ... The place where the hole is located is at the same height as the place where you are going to make the shot, ...
What is flight distance in golf?
The flight distance in golf is the length that our ball travels after being hit. Based on the blow we make, the ball can travel a shorter or longer distance, and among the factors that determine how EXACT distance that ball will travel is the unevenness (although many more are involved than we will talk in future articles).
What does elevation change mean in golf?
For most golfers, hitting a shot that involves elevation change boils down to simply guessing at which club to use. Without a plan in mind for dealing with this situations, most players will just grab the club that they feel like may be able to handle the shot, and then they swing away while hoping for the best.
Why does my right shoulder drop when playing uphill?
When playing uphill, the tendency is to try to lift the ball into the air. This causes the right shoulder to drop, producing fat shots. Focus on making your normal swing and letting the club's loft do the work of sending the ball up the slope. Conversely, it's easy to come up and out of shots when hitting downhill.
How many yards does elevation change?
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. In other words, you must trust your yardage, not your eyes, when picking a club.
How tall is a golf cart?
For example, a golf cart is around six feet tall, so you could use a cart that is up by the green as some kind of indication of how much height you are gaining or losing.
How many irons do you need to play a 150 yard shot?
If this shot is being played over flat ground with no wind, you will simply pull your 150-yard club (maybe a seven iron) and make a confident swing. However, if that shot is significantly downhill, it may only play like a 135-yard shot, meaning you could use an eight or nine iron.
Can a variabcluble play tricks on your eyes?
If you're accustomed to flat golf courses and find yourself on a hilly track, the new variabCluble can play tricks on the eyes. Uphill shots may appear much shorter than they play, while downhill shots create the opposite illusion.
Is golf an easy game?
Golf has never been an easy game, and the challenge of even the most basic shots is a testament to the overall challenge of this sport. Of course, the game gets even harder when elevation change is added in to the equation.
How does width affect golf swing?
If the lead arm stays too stiff for too long on your forward swing, this will not only hold the club face open and making the ball s lice, but also delays the release of the club face and the speed associated.
Why do I keep slicing the golf ball?
There may be no greater power loss than a slice. The ball sometimes starts out ok and then makes this depressing curve, robbing you of all of your potential distance and power.
What are the challenges of golf?
One of the great challenges when studying golf is knowing when information is correct for you. The foot positions that are great for the the tour players, might not be appropriate for anyone with flexibility limitations. A square back foot and a flared forward foot will affect the swing path and produce a slice for many golfers who have limitations.
What is the purpose of a square face golf club?
One of the great stabilizers of a square club face is to keep your underarms relatively close to your body throughout your golf swing. If on your backswing or your downswing your underarms move away from your body, it is very easy to open the face.
How to rotate back on a golf swing?
If you slice the ball try the opposite. Flare your back foot and square your forward foot. This will help increase your ability to rotate back and also slow your body rotation down on your forward swing, both helping with path and sequencing of body and arms. 1. Open club face 2. Thumbs too on-top of the grip 3.
Why do I slice my golf club?
1. Open club face. The most common cause of a slice is an open club face. This open club face will give you contact that isn’t square and often feels like a “side swipe.”. The most common cause of an open club face is an incorrect grip as your hand position will directly reflect in the face. You can make this adjustment by turning one of both ...
What happens if you move your ball too far back?
Ball position that is too far back can cause a slice and/or a pop up. As your move your ball more forward it is also important that you allow your shoulders to tilt back and away from the target. Your lead shoulder should get higher and your back shoulder lower.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
The dimple pattern on the ball facilitates this control . The dimples reduce the drag on the surface of the ball, causing it to stay in the air longer. If you're an accomplished amateur with a low handicap you'll probably prefer a golf ball that gives you more control.
What are the limitations of the USGA?
The USGA puts limitations on the size, weight, speed and the potential distance of golf balls. The initial velocity and distance as tested using USGA equipment is limited, and the standards are updated to reflect the currently available equipment.
Key Takeaways
It turns out that even the kind of thing most of us would overlook can cause performance issues.
Mud balls
To test the impact of mud on the golf ball, we made our best effort to replicate the amount of mud that might realistically find its way onto your golf ball from landing and rolling on a wet and perhaps not perfectly manicured fairway.
Scuffs, scrapes and other disasters
To test the impact of scuffs and scrapes on ball flight, we attempted to recreate the various degrees of cover damage that result from things like hitting the cart path or a tree or a crisp bunker shot.
The takeaway
If you take one thing away from this article, it should be that any disruption on the surface of the golf ball, whether that’s mud or a scuff, has the potential to affect the flight of the golf ball.
Support Unbiased Testing
DID YOU KNOW: If only 1% of MyGolfSpy readers donated $25, we would be able to become completely independent in 12-months. With every donation, you create change.