HOW TO REDUCE YOUR HANDICAP - EPISODE 3 - GAP TESTING

[@jordanevans6685]

I’ve noticed my carry distance varies quite a bit seasonally, requiring Winter and Summer Gapping. When the temperature drops in the winter, the ball just doesn’t go as far and requires an extra club or two. The course conditions also change. In the winter the grass goes dormant and the fairways and green surrounds are much tighter. Much easier to hit the ball fat. Especially if it has rained recently and the ground is wet. Bounce becomes more important. By contrast the rough is much thinner and if it is dry and firm, the ball rolls out much more, encouraging bump and runs as opposed to going up. The biggest changes this year in my bag make up was to improve my gapping. Focusing more on height and carry instead of total distance. Now using a 4 wood, 7 wood, 25 & 28 degree hybrids. They have given me much more height and carry. Removed my 3 wood, 21 deg hybrid, 4, 5 & 6 irons. On the other end, removed my 54 deg. Wedge and replaced it with a 52 & 56 to complement my existing 48 & 60. Smaller gaps now, less often between clubs, more confidence with full swings. Over the winter will be working on 40-65 yard partial swing wedge shots. Handicap index on 1/1/20 was 11.3 now as of 12/21/20 it is 4.1

[@templemat]

That is a fantastic improvement in a year well done

[@Praisethelordjesusgod]

Not to mention where can u do this on real grass cuz I got much different off mats

[@banditbaker1675]

Yep, me too! I hit my wedges into orbit and can't flight them down even if my life depended upon it! Any tips Mr Hendriksen, will be gratefully received 😉

[@simegog]

Great vlog I recently got fitted for new iron from a jpx 900 forged kbs tour taper lite stiff and knew my yardages pretty well on my new set callaway cf19 apex nippon stiff I got gap tested using the quad and found my distances through all my iron have gained and average of 11 yards so I now have to look at managing my delivery ie dynamic loft or getting or just hitting smooth rather than full shots I guess.

[@garysmith6994]

Always good to see you both in the studio (get up and sideways together)

[@davepalmerton2429]

I am working hard on my swing path on the back swing. I sometimes swing out to in, and cut under my short irons in particular, causing the ball to balloon, and come up short. Coming in with a more in to out, and with a slower swing, I get a much better strike with way more distance.

[@andrewsauter8749]

Great video thanks! I use Arccos for constant gap management.

[@robertchugg1101]

A pro years ago told me focus on the front of the ball with lofted clubs back of the ball longer clubs. Helped a lot with leading edge.

[@retired8123]

TXG fitting centre in Toronto uses 2 different mats for wedge fits indoors. Tight turf and soft turf to make hitting indoors more realistic. You may hit on the tight turf and think you don't need more bounce in your clubs but using the soft turf your club will dig in. He uses both to make sure he gets the bounce right. I was wondering if a player who practices off mats a lot may want to get the soft turf for his own practice . If he likes to take good divots on the course he wont feel a need to change his attack angle with the club as much with the soft turf. Maybe the mat doesn't last as long but might be worth experimenting with for a players own personal use.

[@marksefton751]

I wouldn't be comfortable doing a gap test indoors! My clubhead speed is 5-10% lower indoors and my angle of attack changes, becoming a bit shallower. Generally, this leads to shorter carry distances. I use a Mevo+ and the distances it gives me on an outdoor range (on a mat) are exactly what I would expect on the course....not so indoors. That said, my distances indoors for wedges and perhaps upto a 9 iron are pretty accurate indoors!!! I would be interested to see you repeat Lee's gapping outdoors....

[@superduperawesome6858]

I only carry 56° s/w and 52° gap wedge and struggle getting distance with s/w so only use it inside 60/70yds but mainly around greens and bunkers. One thing I have learned is to actually check yardages on short shots to greens, it surprised me that the actual yardage was quite a bit more than what I thought/felt.

[@tylerlove2052]

Glad you mentioned hitting off the mat, especially after what we saw with Wilbur’s numbers. I’ve never had the lofts checked on my irons but I know I should. Those gaps were massive so something strange is going on there. Love to have an early morning video 👍🏻

[@davidpollard3921]

Gapping has been really difficult as I have worked really hard to deliver the correct loft at impact. When I get it right, there is sometimes a 10-15 yard difference between hitting down and the scoopy shots. Watching Lee its good to know I am not alone !. Good video as ever.

[@DAoutdoors]

Great informative video. I was struggling with the high wafters. After a 15 minute session with my pro we fixed it......where I thought I had the ball in the middle of my stance, it wasn’t, it was to far forward. We moved it back so slightly to where actual middle of the stance was and it’s improved my strike no end. 👍🏌️‍♂️

[@Maxrebow]

Nice to see this vid. Just started a gaping this week. It's been a year since last one. Such an important part of this game. Thanks Dan

[@golfaddicts2877]

Got my new P790's last week and I'm booked in for a gap test on Thursday , really looking forward to seeing my new distances

[@geoffbridge6204]

In the vlogs Paul has been half a club longer than Lee on most occasions, you do wonder how accurate these launch monitors are.

[@LWG]

Those vlogs were filmed in august. A lot has changed with my delivered loft since then mate.

[@geoffbridge6204]

@@LWG i have seen 2 trackmans side by side give totally different results. I have no faith in any of the since.

[@LWG]

@@geoffbridge6204 was it indoor or outdoor? Indoor track man is fundamentally flawed. The good thing about quad is optical sensors are taking 6000fps and track the actual club data, through those sensors. Track man and it’s radar are calculated and indoor it’s a lot worse. Trackman guys will swear by it. Foresight guys will swear by it. Either way you have to trust something because outdoor there are too many elements changing in minutes to accurately determine distance

[@LWG]

@@geoffbridge6204 also 2 track mans side by side can’t read the same ball properly as there is a target line and both can’t be on that target line

[@matthewstoltzfus6688]

Dan Lester and lee amazing content really gets the mind working as too what could be be up with the game for people as u show the journey. It would be cool in my opinion to fully show how the adjustment comes to Lee’s bag including how u as a professional use loft and lie machine and how things are checked and changed

[@grahamchandler300]

Hi Dan, Wow such a light bulb moment, same as Lee come up short far too often with the shorter clubs and struggle when trying to hit full shorts with my wedges, so the need is to deliver less loft to get the yardages that in theory I should be getting. Have to admit that yardages are difficult to track monthly as you recommend, as I do not own the fancy tech you have in your studio and it is not available at my golf club either. I would have to travel 25 miles to my nearest range that has just installed TopTracer technology, maybe that's one for the Xmas holidays, or do you have a less expensive alternative suggestion maybe ?

[@nigelwatson2273]

Knowing the distance is so important and I keep an eye on the yardage each game. Temp changes the distances all the time and people so often forget this

[@JLMedialtd]

Great video gents. Would be really good to see this on the course in general conditions come spring. Does Lee allow for shorter flights in cooler conditions etc? Would be good to see a playing lesson or indoor GC lesson where you show what Lee is doing to change the delivery lofts etc.

[@James_Vaughn]

Good video. I'm looking forward to see how he works it out. I also have a tendency to hit 'wafty' shots with lofted clubs at times. Working on delivery seems to be the only way out of that. People tell you to 'club up', but trying to account for the possibility of fluffed wedge shots when choosing a club is frustrating at best. I mean, it works sometimes, and the next you're flying the green.

[@josey777cat]

Liked this video. I can relate with this when I play. Is this due to tall players and short clubs.

[@dinodocus7691]

Like Lee’s rain coat, what make is it?

[@andywalker3144]

I did do it in April but since swapped clubs and need to do it again but it isn't really the weather, will be interesting to see if I have created a gap near the bottom, I had pretty consistent 12-15yd gaps, which was nice to know.

[@Coinhunter-km4qo]

I think for Lee his issues with the shorter clubs is mainly an issue of practice. Now that the winter season is here if he could just spend a half hour 3 times a week hitting practice balls and rotating through his wedges, he would find that he will greatly dial in his feel for distance. As for myself, I just use a pitching wedge and either add loft or de loft the club as needed (much like what Will does with his chip shots, just with a fuller swing). Unconventional, but I’ve been doing it for 35 years so I’m used to it. It is very interesting watching Lee’s progress as he works on his game. All the best to you and family, have a great Christmas.

[@markhilton4920]

Had my new irons 2 months now and having my first gapping on the 27 , have noticed a few gap issues myself so will see then , noticed lee does step on his longer stuff a bit more but his longer game has improved a lot the last few months 👍

[@jonclay1563]

Did a gap test recently and definitely found some areas I need to work on. Also will be checking lies and lofts soon too.

[@scottwalker3822]

Just booked a indoor trackman for this very reason ❤️ I currently use shotscope V3 which give me an idea yardage between clubs however it's the carry I need to know. I am also sure I have a very similar issue with my 7i. Good job lads

[@chipshotz1]

Great stuff. Would like to see a gap test on 3/4 shots and full on blast mode. Something like, how far does my 7i go if I am full on power mode, compared to stock shot, and how far is my 3/4 7i

[@richardmason7728]

I'm looking forward to hitting the ball further now I've got my Sunday morning show headcover! 😉👍

[@Andrew-ds9ms]

Usual amateur scenario with reality being differ to belief, you can see all this in the amount of times he comes up short on irons especially, great lesson to many and something to do regularly 👍

[@tinytoons2517]

very interesting. .

[@snarlysausage4604]

Definitely need get myself a GapTest soon

[@glennpalmer4672]

Love the video Dan, I havent a clue what in degrees the loft of my clubs are except the 60 degree, would love to see how to measure the degrees on loft of each club as these clubs are well over 20 years old and to see if there is a big difference with the degree

[@StevenMossGolf]

I’m working on speed and strike this winter so the gapping test will come end of March ready for the start of the season 🏌️.

[@templemat]

Wow, that is some interesting gaps, the distances with the longer irons seem too long & shorter clubs a tad short, almost two very different swings. Paul controls his distance very well, in one Vlog he named his distance with a club & then delivered a distance within 2 yards of that. The stock swing delivering stock distance delivering lower scores. I threw my winter plan out of the window a month or so ago to work on impact & strike. I use the TRS stick quite a lot best thing I ever bought.

[@andrewjohnston5942]

No surprises with the shortages on lower end clubs, it’s there for all to see. I think if I had the practice equipment available to me that Lee has, I’d have known these numbers off by heart. January usually starts my yearly gap check for distances. May be delayed slightly due to Covid-19 this year coming.

[@tonywestwell]

I have let this slip Dan since our go at a few years ago. My distances are not the same, I've even changed irons and not had another gap test, one is due though I think, will have to have a word with my coach.

[@shauntaylor7244]

Never had a gap test, hcp dropping nicely sure a gap test would help as hitting loads of shots out the back of the green even in the winter . ⛳️. 🏌🏻‍♂️

[@adrianscott6005]

Really interesting - obviously the distances differ between winter / summer and I assume between indoor and hitting balls off grass I’d be really interested to see the gapping differences between studio and grass ?!?!?

[@mattchiles7631]

8 iron down goes really high for me and have been working on lowering ball flight , tried forward shaft lean but just hook everything

[@muzza1683]

How many of your subscribers have coaches. Most of us have to do gapping on course without access to GC Quad or trackman.

[@paulmangat9884]

Big difference between summer (warmer so air less dense = more carry, drier/firmer lies, less clothing) and winter (colder, wet lies, layered up) - I'm allowing 10yds less carry in winter

[@paulbull3431]

I gap test every 6 weeks wedges distance for 1/2,3/4, full swing and hardest swing. Then distances for draw and fade. I trust my yardages and pin high most off the time.

[@kinburn1015]

Nice video! First by the way 🙂

[@briankinread2293]

How about video lowering his delivered lofts on high lofted clubs

[@andyelkins3960]

Interesting stuff.. I am one of those guys delivering too much loft with my wedges and also somebody who hits off mats a lot.. you seemed to be implying there might be a correlation? Either way, delivering less loft with short irons sounds like a good idea for a vid ;-)

[@greeniek5vids]

great video ,confession ive never done a gap test lol

[@Stephenpettitt198]

Spin numbers looked a bit funky on those wedges, is he hitting them off the top of the club?

[@martinblackmore4515]

I found gapping so important. Not just average but I want to know how far a club goes if I really flush it particularly if there is a hazard behind the green and build that into my club selection. BTW I write the average carry distance on the club with a Sharpe, works really well as you instantly see the carry distance on each club, I think it was Lee Westwood that was doing that.

[@paulmilsom1346]

I think you right Dan, Lee will hit the ball straighter with his driver..........if he left the headcover on 🤣🤣 Sorry Lee, only a joke, I'm still with you on your journey, good luck

[@bretgutknecht1313]

Golf is hard! I give Lee credit for all the progress he has made!

[@NineEyeRon]

My 8 iron goes 120 yards, I’m happy with that as it mostly spins back from that.

[@jacobmccain8082]

Done quite a bit of work here on my carry gapping. 90-102-114-125-136-146-158-170-183-205-220-240 for 58-Driver last I tested.

[@simonyoung8730]

Were you using the same ball as last time?

[@maamold]

I've noticed that Lee really try's to KILL the ball with every club and goes down after it, you can see when he does it because his knees suddenly unlock as he dips down to get the ball. If he overdoes the dip he then has to do a chicken-wing/hold off move to keep the club from digging into the dirt. Either way that dip seriously restricts his left hip from clearing and he flips the club. I remember a video a month back where you had told lee to hit a smooth one and to steady his lower body, There was no dip and his left hip cleared perfectly - Lee hit one of the best shots he's ever made. Mind you I have my own problems that I can't figure out, in fact I almost hung up my clubs this year.

[@robertcourt8593]

Could well be a similar mental block to what wil has with angle of attack when hitting off mats. I'd have thought that someone like Lee who has a goal like scratch would be using arcos or shotscope all the time.

[@jojobradley7433]

Time to order him some T200/T100 combo set.

[@tom-fp7vi]

interesting vid

[@dancorun6650]

It seems to me that gap testing has become a hot item the past few years especially for us amateur's. I think I'll look into a gap fitting in 2021 since it seems as though things can change from your iron fitting over time.

[@hbyrdut]

Curious to know what you found out when you checked his lofts?

[@garyhague5882]

Would it be better to gap test off grass as mats hide strike deficiency?

[@MrAnders1000]

so gaptesting on a mat instead of real grass? how much will it give? so many hit different leangth on grass vs matt. i am wondering since i am mostly traning on my range that has toptracer and has done some gapping there with my clubs.

[@Welsh_alien]

Are you basing these on one shot per club? Some of the disregarded shots are probably those that should be accepted.

[@LWG]

No these are based on my best shot. Because that’s what I want to know. I can work back from that. An average for me can be anything taken from shots of a 20 yard gap. That helps no one. So I work on my best shot and know that’s that club maxed out. As for the shots on there that weren’t counted, I won’t take fatted shots into any account 😂

[@Welsh_alien]

@@LWG just checking Lee. Could only see one shot on the pad in most cases. Didnt think it would be. Love watching these vids though. I got to 2.1 then it got hard. Either up my practice or settle for it. I chose to settle.

[@LWG]

@@Welsh_alien yeah I see your original post point though. Each person wants something different from a gap session. I want to know the limit. Have a great Xmas 🎅

[@Welsh_alien]

@@LWG i'm like you. I'd go until i was happy i'd hit a few out of the screws. Have a good one too!!

[@markkirk3049]

Is gap testing best done on a grass surface as a final check Afterhours a mat test!? I am usino Shot Scope to give a realistic on course gap check on esche shot

[@LWG]

I will confirm outdoor. The problem with things like shot scope etc is they are total distance. Depending on wind, temp and ground conditions etc it can vary massively. I had arcoss and found it personally off putting. However the stats those systems give are priceless

[@craigclemans966]

Is indoor testing accurate compared to outdoor? I thought I saw Mark Crossfield video where he said they would be different

[@bradfordcotta5925]

I am a huge believer in gap testing. Unfortunately, for most people, they just don't have the equipment to do it. You can't really do it on the range, using range balls and trying to visualize how far they are carrying (which is, basically, impossible). I am lucky enough to be able to afford an indoor simulator, so I do gap testing A LOT - I actually enjoy it. It is too bad that most driving ranges don't have a GC2, GC Quad or Trackman to use (for a fee) to do their own testing. Some do, but it is rare. Also being able to hit your own balls that you normally play is a plus but need to be indoors to do that.

[@jonathanmayes4731]

Hurry up part 2. 6pm can’t come any quicker.

[@lesleypeterkelly365]

a gapping test is worth the monies, now my eyesight has lessened !

[@MrAshtute]

I'm not a coach and cameras can be deceiving but when i watch your playing videos with Lee "it appears" to me that he flicks his wrists at the ball coming into impact which might?? Mean he is getting inconsistent lofts at impact? I could just be talking rubbish but that is how it looks in the videos. I remember - when i was younger 😁- hitting alot off mats getting very different ball flights from the mat to the course and particularly with my wedges. Gap testing on a regular basis is pretty essential lol I was typing this when you said that.

[@johnfrancis8913]

Dan, is it right to say that with forged irons, the loft weakens / changes as time goes by due to the nature on the steel, would that have any impact?

[@DanHendriksenGolf]

Definitely can do and mine have over the years, all depends on how hard you hit them and how much you practice

[@MrAnders1000]

Whenever i see lee swing I want to give him a couple of gforce clubs. He always hits it with what looks like max force. Gforce clubs coule really help him get a smother swing

[@briankinread2293]

15 clubs with the putter

[@rcg1469]

About time golfers referred to the actual degrees of loft used rather than the big number stamped on the sole of the club! It's ridiculous!

[@travisg.1310]

Lee def gives me hope being a high handicapper. If he can shave strokes we all have a chance!

[@douglassmith8334]

What is the optimum gap??? Is there such a thing?

[@jamiepreacher4978]

Hi Dan! Does your distance and delivery change week to week? Just your comment at the end. Great video!

[@DanHendriksenGolf]

I find that it can do 👍

[@petehedrick1723]

How should you gap test if you don't have a reliable launch monitor?

[@DanHendriksenGolf]

When we were younger we had a bag of balls and a practice ground and measured out how far they flew 👍

[@briantreadwell2206]

Hi Dan, I subscribed today (Lee’s recommendation) and this is my first v-log. I’m going to enjoy this series with Lee. I hope to find the training programs re his journey to scratch, particularly in light of goals cited by him for 2021. Mainly spot see the relationship between player and coach - it’ll be great to see the relationship from e perspective of coach and player. I liked the gapping, highlighting the differential between reality and expectation 👍

[@markr77uk]

Would be good to see the results of a handicap golfer doing this session every day for a week to see what the consistencies/gapping is like?

[@DanHendriksenGolf]

Good idea Mark 👍

[@ajaytuk7416]

You have to do gap testing on grass as well in my view.

[@Welsh_alien]

He needs to learn from Wilbur and stick with equipment for longer. Switching so often is not always beneficial.

[@randmaw4298]

Virtually matching Lee up to 7 iron, then he goes bonkers! My wedges do not go into orbit like his though!

[@JP-si6ok]

Interesting stuff this. I find I cut across the ball with short irons, increasing loft losing distance. I think some of this is due to the shorter shafts. Maybe consider longer shafts??

[@oscarbacktotourlife8527]

Gaping so important I do it every 3 month

[@billdunlop8683]

Nice video Dan. " How far does each club go ?", Interesting question, Depending on how far I hit my shot and how far off line it goes my club will generally fly after thrown between 15-20 yards until it sticks into the ground.

[@mitchmorris8973]

You need to take Lee to the range but only take 9 to 60 and hit lots of balls with a technique to help delivering the correct loft 👍, definitely the part of lee's game that could drop him some shots oh and the driver but that is another video 👍

[@LWG]

You mean that’s another 20 videos 😂

[@mitchmorris8973]

@@LWG your a bit too hard on yourself mate KZbin golf must be hard for confidence but you got some skills just need to get your mindset right 👍

[@cpcanales76]

Always nice to watch a Dan Hendrikson and friends Video in NC

[@craigharrison4954]

How can I do a gap Test with know Launch monitor and what do you Think is the best/ Most reliable launch monitor under £500

[@LWG]

Visit your local pro/fitting centre and IMO none under £500 are reliable.

[@craigharrison4954]

@@LWG ok mate thanks

[@ruperttilley1963]

What golf tech can you rely on to do this accurately? Keen to get a test done ✅

[@michelnickles1527]

Lee you should be proud of your progress any negative comments are just jealousy of how far you hit it. Get it out there as far as you can and straighten it up later 👍

[@ybach64]

mind the gap!

[@peteireland9294]

Hope Lee doesn't carry all 14 of those

[@tombaker4382]

SCRATCH...😂😂😂

[@alancleaver3143]

Lee needs to concentrate on swing speed so he swings the same each stroke.

[@keenanvanzile]

Once Lee figures out how to compress his wedges thru -8 iron his game will be forever changed...

[@antheahall3797]

Lets be honest. You are a great coach but he will never be scratch. Just take putting. You need feel to put well. If you cannot judge how hard to hit a put for the distance scratch is out of the question. Lee will never put well.

[@JP-si6ok]

Interesting stuff this. I find I cut across the ball with short irons, increasing loft losing distance. I think some of this is due to the shorter shafts. Maybe consider longer shafts??