Let’s dive into something that might be tripping up your game without you even noticing: your bag setup.
If you’re committed to enhancing your performance, it’s crucial to get familiar with the intricacies of your bag setup and the clubs you rely on.
We’ve teamed up with our on-course data partner, Shot Scope, for some insights on how valuable on-course club data can be.
Here’s what they shared:
Gapping and Bag Setup
- Detailed club stats: tee shots, approaches, short game, putting… everything.
- Club comparisons: is that new set paying off?
- Confidence on the course.
Now, the first point may seem, well, obvious.
But you might be shocked at how many players are clueless about how far each club actually sends the ball. Come on now, hitting your 9-iron 190 yards? Not likely!
There are a few ways to analyze your gapping, but using a performance tracking tool is arguably the best method to get distances that reflect real on-course situations.
Why not rely on a launch monitor, you ask? They are generally spot-on, but mostly under ideal conditions like at a driving range or indoor facility—the place where there are no stakes.
Ever hit perfectly at the range, but on the course, it feels like you’re haunted by a spirit that doesn’t know golf too well? Playing on-course means dealing with awkward stances, various lies, and the pressure of hitting targets. Just remember, the house on the left of the ninth hole isn’t one of them.
Through performance tracking, you can truly grasp how you play from different ranges with different clubs and lies, giving you a fuller understanding of your game.
Let’s move on to individual stats, where you can dive deep into how each club in your bag performs. Knowing the ins and outs of each can vastly benefit your game.
Searching for a fairway finder? Which club gives you the best shot at the short grass? Need to get up and down? Which will save you the par?
Tracking your shots can uncover these answers for you.
Having these insights might feel like sneaking an ace up your sleeve. The pros do it, and so should you when it’s so accessible.
You might realize you’re using too much loft around the green.
Did you know that the average amateur golfer, with a 15 handicap, uses a lob wedge for 23% of their chip attempts, only succeeding about one in four times?
Reminds you of banging your head against a wall, doesn’t it?
Tracking can highlight your “strong” and “weak” clubs, allowing you to tailor your practice sessions. (Assuming you do practice.)
Some golfers, however, think new clubs are the key to lower scores.
If you’re this type of golfer (no judgment here—you’re my people), you can directly compare the performance of old clubs against new ones on the course. Was that $650 driver worth it? The answer might surprise you, but at least you’ll know.
With Shot Scope’s tracking tools, you get to compare how your clubs perform, whether it’s distances or accuracy off the tee or on the green, giving you deeper insights each round.
This knowledge helps you fine-tune your bag setup and possibly highlights areas ripe for change.
Should you stick with that 3-iron or switch to a hybrid? With only 14 clubs allowed (thanks, dumb rule), each one has to earn its place.
If you’re intrigued by the iron versus hybrid debate, we’ve delved deeper into that topic here.
Finally, confidence is key with the right setup.
Having gear that supports rather than hinders you means you can swing without questioning if the club is right for you.
Some of you have likely faced moments holding a club that doesn’t fill you with confidence. It’s not a fun spot to be in, is it?
On the flip side, wielding a club you trust unequivocally? That’s a sweet feeling. (If you don’t know this feeling yet, maybe it’s time for a change.)
Golf is a game of slim margins, where tiny details can drastically affect outcomes.
Give yourself the highest chances by understanding how your clubs perform with on-course data from Shot Scope.
Better setup. Better understanding. Better scores. It’s that straightforward.
Shot Scope is the Official On-Course Data Partner of MyGolfSpy.
The post originally appeared on MyGolfSpy and delves into whether your current bag setup is aiding or hindering your game.
