How much to add for elevation changes?

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By Ryan E

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  • 7 Replies
  1. Hoping for some feedback from some more experienced players on this- i know that everyone is different but what is a good rule of thumb for tee shots when the green is either higher or lower than the tee box on par 3`s. 

  2. david b

    david b
    paso robles, CA

    Boy what came first the chicken or the egg! 

    There are so many factors involved here do you hit the ball high or low, draw or fade, technically a high fade should carry further than a lower draw so on a down hill shot it would drop more vertically and stop faster as opposed to the draw which with a less steep angel of approach should land and release more. I don't factor elevation changes until 30 feet or more at which time I add or subtract one club then plus or minus one for each additional 15 feet thereafter. That's just my approach to severe elevation changes it seems to work well for me but on these tricky distance shots I always aim for the middle of the green and play a draw to back pins and a fade to front ones assuming the lie is good and it doesn't bring a lake or something into play.

    Guesswork and good judgement is one of the most compelling things I love about our great game good luck.

    David

  3. I agree with David.  Elevation changes are all over my course and I only make adjustments for major changes. 

  4. AC RixRox

    AC RixRox
    saratoga springs, NY

    Wow, David is all over it but the elephant in the room is the yardage and your ability to shape control and distance. So many variables to accurately comment. If you are great with your irons and so-so with your hybrid, then, ta daa! Use your iron to shape to shape your shot. I'm the other way, I am better controlling the shot with my hybrid at 190+ yds. less yardage and I am back to my short irons (I hate it when that happens) I like to be on the green in one and hole out with my Scotty. Keeps my Vokey's clean and shiney that way! LOL
  5. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    Ryan E said:

    Hoping for some feedback from some more experienced players on this- i know that everyone is different but what is a good rule of thumb for tee shots when the green is either higher or lower than the tee box on par 3`s. 

    I would say an elevation or depression of 20-30 feet is one club more or less.  I have one par 3 that is 175 downhill and I use a 4H and there is another that is 175 uphill and I use a 3 wood.   For a pitch shot that is ac tually playing 25 yards and the green is above the reach of my arm, I treat it as a 40 yard shot.  I know if the green is 120 yards away and it is slightly above my head, I'll hit an 8 iron (normal flat distance on my 8 iron is 130-135).

     

  6. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Lou G said:

    I would say an elevation or depression of 20-30 feet is one club more or less.  I have one par 3 that is 175 downhill and I use a 4H and there is another that is 175 uphill and I use a 3 wood.   For a pitch shot that is ac tually playing 25 yards and the green is above the reach of my arm, I treat it as a 40 yard shot.  I know if the green is 120 yards away and it is slightly above my head, I'll hit an 8 iron (normal flat distance on my 8 iron is 130-135).

     

    [/quote] Lou is spot on with his tip but another factor is wind. Wind blowing in your face may factor out an elevation drop and the hole will play closer to the actual yardage according if it is about a one club wind. I have found that wind blowing behind you does not help as much as wind blowing into you hurts.
  7. DaveB

    DaveB
    Otisville, NY

    Agree with Carl... wind in your face hurts way more then wind at your back helps.  I find that I need to play holes with drastic elevations changes 2 or 3 times at a particular course before really feeling the distance and club selection. I do love a picturesque downhill par 3 though.

  8. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I also agree with Carl on the wind.  That can stop the ball dead or help it.  A headwind, regardless of whether the shot is downhill or uphill will kill a high trajectory shot.   A tailwind will aid a high trajectory shot.  You may find yourself doing a pitch shot with a 6H on a 140 yard downhill par  3 instead of a 9 iron (assuming one hits an 8 iron 140 yards on a flat surface with no wind). 

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