Know your yardages
Carry and total distance: what’s the difference?

Knowing only your ‘carry’ may help you clear the fairway bunker, but it’ll send you rolling off the back of the green. And knowing only your ‘total distance’ may help you stop your approach shot on the green, but it’ll probably land you in that fairway bunker. The key is knowing the difference and when to use each.

Distance from the spot you hit the golf ball to the spot it first hits the ground.

“Carry” + distance that the golf ball rolls out.

‘Carry’ is your focus when trying to clear obstacles like water and bunkers, as well as hitting into an elevated green. ‘Total distance’ is fine for straightforward shots, but something to keep in mind is that it can be influenced by aspects out of your control, like whether the course is wet or dry.

This week’s benchmark

Play from the tee to within 100 yards in 2 less than the par on each hole.

If you don’t manage to achieve this benchmark, we have a massive opportunity to transform your tee shots and lower your scores. If you’ve completed last week’s challenge and haven’t shared your score, you can do so now.

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