COMMUNITY: Golf tip
Find your personal range
Editorís note: Steve Charters is in his 11th year as a pro at Twin Pines Golf Course. Born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Charters competed at Central College in Pella and has been a pro for 18 years in Dubuque and Cedar Rapids.
Students often ask me how far they should hit a particular iron. I always respond by saying ďI donít know. How far do you hit it?Ē
Each iron in your bag is designed to hit the ball a different distance. What that distance is varies from person to person, so itís important that you find your own personal distance for each iron.
To do that, hit 15 balls with each iron. When done you should have a cluster of balls in an area. Throw out both the shortest and longest two, then using the yardage signs or your own laser range finder, figure the yardage for the remaining cluster of balls.If the range is busy, figure the yardage after each shot then throw out the shortest and longest two.
This will give you a general idea how far you hit with each iron and give you more confidence in your club selection.
When youíre on the course and 164 yards out from the green, you will know that you usually hit your 5-iron around that distance.Remember, distances will vary from person to person ó what matters is hitting the ball solid and toward your intended target.