⛳ Does this hole really need a draw?

Water left. Start it right and draw it back. Sounds sensible.

But what if your fade is much more reliable?

​Adam Young’s latest example illustrates why the shape alone can’t make that decision for you. He places different shot patterns over the same hole, then adjusts their aim.

The tighter fade produces a better projected score than the wider draw, even though some fades miss the intended shape. Tighten the draw pattern instead, and it can match the fade.

These are modelled examples. They’re useful because they make you consider where the whole bunch of shots finishes, including the ones you’d rather forget.

So before manufacturing a different shape to suit a hole, consider how reliably you hit it. Give your usual spread of shots room when choosing a target.

That fits our course-management guide: stop planning around shots you rarely pull off. The occasional beauty is lovely. But it’s a poor basis for a game plan.

🏌️ Their 7-iron might be a different club

Before comparing your 7-iron distance with someone else’s, check the lofts.

​Golf Club Reference’s October study lists 50 current iron sets. Their 7-irons range from 27° to 34°. That’s seven degrees between clubs carrying the same number.

It’s a catalogue sample, not every iron on sale, and loft is only one influence on distance.

But a longer 7-iron shot deserves context before anyone awards themselves bragging rights.

In July we covered gaps within your own set. This is a different comparison: check the specifications when comparing sets, then test the flight and carry you 'actually' get.

🌧️ Same wedge, different wet-weather spin

Earlier this month we looked at wet wedges. Now MyGolfSpy has compared 48 balls with the same wedge, dry and wet.

Average spin loss was about 30% for ionomer covers (i.e. typically cheaper golf balls) versus 11% for urethane (i.e. the Pro V1s etc). Results varied within each group.

The test used full sand-wedge shots at 90 mph, so those percentages aren’t a forecast for your chips.

Our ball-comparison video adds another reason to choose from the green backwards: consider stopping power alongside distance.

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