The offseason doesn’t have to be a dormant stretch where your clubs gather dust and your game slips into hibernation. In fact, some of the most valuable insights you’ll ever gain about your tendencies—and even your gear—can happen when you’re not on the course at all. I was reminded of this recently when I decided – more out of curiosity than anything – to run through an indoor combine focused on my long irons.
I’ve played enough to trust my models… or at least what I do OPINION they were. I’ve always believed that my long irons were a strength, but I wanted to make sure they were still the right tools for the job. So I raised mine Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor in a local indoor bay to get a clear and honest look at what those clubs were really up to.
After a brief warm-up, reality set in. My actual carry distances didn’t quite match the yards I had played. My 5-iron—the club I rely on for those 175-yard approaches—wasn’t traveling as far as I expected. However, not constantly. The combine exposed a noticeable gap between my best and average swings, something that’s easy to overlook on the course when adrenaline or even luck can smooth out the inconsistencies.
Dispersion told an even more interesting story. Shot after shot, a pattern emerged: a tight, predictable fade with my 6-iron, 5-iron and even my hybrid. Then I got to my 3-wood, and that trusty fade disappeared. It wasn’t exactly disastrous, but it helped explain why long approaches always felt like a gamble on the course.
The real revelation came with the ditch. I assumed the problem would be between my irons and my hybrid, but those numbers actually called. The real problem was the gap between my hybrid and my wood—a gap wide enough to disrupt my strategy and force difficult decisions. Seeing that discrepancy on the screen, the fix became obvious: adjust my setup and fill the space gap with a hybrid or matching wood.
That’s the beauty of an off-season combo. As an experienced player, I’m not trying to reinvent my swing. I am refining, validating and discovering things that I would never notice during a casual session. The quiet months give you space to do that work.
So if you think you know your long irons like I thought I knew mine, spend an hour indoors with a launch monitor. You might be surprised how much there is still to learn.
Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor
The Full Swing KIT Launch Monitor is designed with the most advanced radar technology and a high-resolution camera to give you 16 data points and video to see your swing in perfect clarity. Tested and trusted by Tiger Woods, made for everyone. Enhanced 5D Radar with Machine Learning The most innovative radar technology, patented to get the most accurate readings in a more compact design at a lower cost. Heads-Up Display The only launch monitor that lets you see what it’s measuring on a customizable full-color display. Portable construction to take to and from the course with quick and easy setup to start your practice faster. “I KNOW Full Swing is measuring my golf ball, not guessing it.” – Tiger Woods
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