A lot has been written in the past few weeks about how far PGA Tour players hit the golf ball, how golf courses are being emasculated, how distance is all we are concerned about, and the older golf courses are obsolete. In this article I want to discuss how distance control is the most important part of the distance aspect of golf. Controlling your distance is more important than increasing your distance.

If you play 18 holes, you will try to hit a golf ball as far as you can 14 times a round. Drivers off par-4 and par-5 tee boxes are designed for distance and accuracy, mostly distance. If you shoot 90 and you take two putts per hole and try to hit your drive on those 14 holes as far as possible, that leaves you with 50 shots that you are trying to hit a set distance, or shots that require distance control.

When was the last time you tried to hit a 7-iron as far as you can in a round of golf? On a par 3, you select clubs to cover the distance of the hole. From the rough or fairway on a par 4, you select the appropriate club to cover that distance. So, these facts beg the question, why does the average player not know how far they hit their 8-iron?

If you want to improve your scores, determine what clubs travel what distance. Practice making sure those clubs go that far. Know and practice the average.

If you once flew a 6-iron 210 yards, you are not going to do that each time.

What is your average distance? What can you count on? Develop a range, not an ego.

A good player I know hits his 9-iron between 138 and 142 yards. His 9-iron can fly 150 on occasion, but he places confidence in 138-142. My former Tour-winning student Jeff Julian once told me that “I don’t care how far it can go, I need to know how far it will go.” You must know your averages and know your ranges.

Once you have those written down or memorized, now you can manage the golf course. Now yardages mean something. You hit a solid drive to 168 yards from the green, now you have confidence in club selection.

You know if you hit your club of choice and experience your average, the ball will be on or near the green. Distance control, distance knowledge, is hugely important in improving your scores.

As an aside, please remember that nationally, upwards of 80% of tee shots that miss the green on par 3’s is short of target. So, the front bunker is crowded, but the back fringe is vacant. Why?

Because players let their ego say, “I can hit a 7-iron that far”, when they should just attempt an average 6-iron shot. As I have said numerous times, this game is hard. Your own individual lack of control and knowledge of your distances just makes it that much harder.

Rich Conwell is the General Manager & PGA Head Golf Professional at Wheeling Country Club and can be reached with questions or comments at rconwell@wheelingcountryclub.com or 304-232-2000.