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how to take elevation into consideration when golf

by Arlie Effertz V Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Add one club for every 15 feet of uphill elevation change. That same shot from 160 yards, but up hill, will play approximately one club longer because the ball will be on the ground much faster than a shot to a flat green. Gauge the wind and adjust depending on your elevation.

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.Aug 8, 2018

Full Answer

How do you calculate elevation change on a golf course?

Subtract one club for every 15 feet of elevation change. 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.

Is it difficult to play golf at elevation?

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. Also, you encounter uphill and downhill shots on the course, and golfers need to adjust on the fly.

How do you adjust the length of a golf club?

Add one club for every 15 feet of uphill elevation change. That same shot from 160 yards, but up hill, will play approximately one club longer because the ball will be on the ground much faster than a shot to a flat green. Gauge the wind and adjust depending on your elevation.

How many club should I add for uphill elevation changes?

Add one club for every 15 feet of uphill elevation change. That same shot from 160 yards, but up hill, will play approximately one club longer because the ball will be on the ground much faster than a shot to a flat green.

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Does elevation affect 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 does elevation affect distance in golf?

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 add to a golf shot?

the increase is about 6% (5,280 x . 00116 = 6.1248). If you normally drive the ball 250 yards at sea level, you will likely drive it 265 yards in Reno.

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.

Do elevated greens play longer?

Playing a shot to an elevated green is basically going to flatten out your effective trajectory. All other things being equal, a shot hit to an elevated green is going to need longer to stop than a shot played to a green which is level with the fairway.

How many yards do I need for an elevated green?

Add one club for every 15 feet. On a reverse situation, where you are 150 yards to the pin and would use your 7-iron, but you are hitting to a green that is downhill, you would use your 8-iron, subtracting one club for every 15 feet of elevation.

How do you hit to an elevated green?

1:053:32HOW TO HIT A PITCH TO AN ELEVATED GREEN - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd make sure the hit is nice and soft again a little extended left wrist as I'm hitting it I'mMoreAnd make sure the hit is nice and soft again a little extended left wrist as I'm hitting it I'm letting the club slide under the ball I have a bit of pressure on that leaf foot.

How do you play uphill and downhill lies?

6:3513:16Top Tips to Hit Uphill and Downhill Lies on the Golf Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight because now I'm I'm already with my setup I'm promoting a steep angle of attack. So. If I putMoreRight because now I'm I'm already with my setup I'm promoting a steep angle of attack. So. If I put it back now I'm steep. And hitting early that's a very difficult combination.

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.

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 do you hit an uphill golf shot?

0:354:21How to Hit an Uphill Lie Golf Shot - Golf Course Management - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLine ball above your feet ball below your feet downhill uphill you name it doesn't matter if it'sMoreLine ball above your feet ball below your feet downhill uphill you name it doesn't matter if it's not a level lie. Always grab a little bit more club in general. And slow your swing.

How do you hit a golf ball above or below your feet?

2:236:09Golf Tip | How to Hit a Ball Above your Feet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipType swing as that ball gets farther and farther below my feet it would be more of a ferris wheelMoreType swing as that ball gets farther and farther below my feet it would be more of a ferris wheel this is going to be more. Level with the ground.

How does elevation affect driving distance?

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.

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 much elevation makes a difference?

For every thousand feet of elevation increase above 1,000 feet above sea level, VO2 max max dropped by 1.9%. Additionally, time to exhaustion on a constant-speed treadmill run decreased by 4.4% per 1,000 feet of altitude.

How much further does a golf ball go in Denver?

Most PGA Tour players say that the ball flies about 10 percent farther in Denver than at sea level, so up here in the mountains, I say about 15 percent longer than at sea level. So, your 150-yard club at sea level may go 165 up here, or from Denver, your 150 club may go 157.

How to get the ball to the hole in golf?

Club up - If you're in between clubs, always take the longer one and take a controlled swing rather than trying to muscle up. Taking extra club and swinging within yourself will help you get the ball to the hole and decrease unwanted spin.

Why does my golf ball curve?

The Ball Curves More - The thick air at sea level creates a lot of friction on your golf ball. Spin is magnified by this and curving the ball left or right is very easy. The smallest amount of sidespin will result in a fairly large curve of your golf ball.

Where Am I?

When you arrive at the ski slopes, there is always a sign that says the elevation. They don't have one of those signs at the golf course but it would be a big help to golfers. It is important to know what elevation you're playing at because altitude can play a huge role in how far or short your ball will travel. If you're playing golf in an unfamiliar location, look up the elevation before you play. Understanding where you are and how the altitude affects your ball will help you to shoot your lowest scores.

How far does a 9 iron go at sea level?

The Ball Goes Shorter - remember to adjust your yardages on the range. If you normally hit your 9-iron between 130 and 140 yards, count on it going no more than 130 at sea level. It is very difficult to squeeze extra yardage out of your clubs at sea level. The air is heavy, the grass is usually moist and lush, and all of these things kill distance.

What does it mean when you play golf near the ocean?

If you are playing golf near the ocean you are obviously playing very close to sea level. That means no elevation. Nowhere on earth will the ball go shorter than it does at sea level. When playing near sea level the air is thick and creates more resistance for your ball to travel through.

Does it matter how high you hit the ball at sea level?

How high or low you hit the ball doesn't matter much when playing at sea level. When playing at elevation, however, trajectory is a massive factor in controlling your distance.

Does a golf ball curve at high altitudes?

No Curve The ball doesn't curve as much at high altitudes as it normally does. The air is thinner and there is less friction. In order to make a ball curve ten yards, it will have to feel like you curved it 20 yards. The obvious advantage of this is that it is considerably easier to keep the ball online at high altitudes.

Where to base your judgments on a golf course?

Make sure you base your judgments off exact numbers to the center of the green and to the pin. Nothing throws off distance adjustments like obtaining the wrong yardages.

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.

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.

How to measure the distance to the flag?

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.

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.

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.

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 many combinations of wind and elevation change?

There are really four combinations of wind and elevation change that you will need to learn how to deal with if you are going to come up with the right distance for your shots time after time. You will have to handle into the wind shots both uphill and downhill, along with downwind shots that are going uphill and downhill. The effect on the ball and your trajectory will be different for each of these circumstances, so it is important that you have a clean plan for all four.

What is the easiest shot in golf?

Uphill and into the wind. Of all four, this might actually be the easiest shot in the group. Since you are going into the wind, the ball will want to stop faster on the green, which will help when dealing with an uphill shot. As long as you are able to carry the ball far enough to land on the green, it should put on the brakes pretty quickly after coming down. Get the club selection right and make a good swing to conquer this type of shot.

How many irons do you need for a par 4?

For example, imagine that you have 150 yards to the middle of the green for your approach shot on a par four. 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. On the other hand, an uphill shot from 150 may play like 170, meaning you will need a six or even five iron to cover the distance. All of these shots are technically played from the same distance from the green, but they can require wildly different club selections depending on the topography of the course.

How to find yardage on a par 3?

Normally, getting a yardage is one of the easier parts of the game. You can use a handheld laser rangefinder or GPS device, you can look for a sprinkler head with a yardage marked on it, or you can even look on the scorecard in the case of a par three. Good golf courses are well marked to help you know exactly how far you are from the green on any given shot. Unfortunately, when you start to deal with elevation change, you are going to have to adjust the yardage you find to accurately reflect the kind of shot you will need to hit.

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.

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.

What is the most important factor in hitting it long?

The most important factor in hitting it long is increasing your swing speed.

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.

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.

Can you apply probability golf to the course?

You can apply Probable Golf to the course with success right away, unlike swing changes.

Can you provide yardages for each club in your bag?

You can provide me with yardages for each club in your bag. I'll input your values into a program I have written, and send you a template which will outline how different speed winds will change the real yardages for each club.

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