Playing at Altitude

[BJG718]

from NJ to Colorado

I'm not the longest guy out there. Probably 7-10 times I will be the longest guy in the group. 34* 7-iron range is 162-175 in NJ where I'm from. I have family and friends in Colorado Springs and Golden area. I was bored yesterday so I decided to play 9 with my cousin. This is the first time I brought my own clubs out here instead of renting clubs. The first par 5 on the back 9 at Valley Hi is a 520 yard par 5. I hit driver, 7 iron to the back of the green (2 putted for bird). The hole probably has a 15-20* dogleg right so I slightly cut the corner. Another par 3 on the back measured 183 (tee box was up from 190). I hit a 36* 7 iron this time (second seven iron is a demo for my next set of clubs). I swung too hard because I wasn't quite confident that it was the right club. I ended up 10 yards past the green and well right (I'm a lefty) because I swung too hard and pulled it. This altitude change is amazing for my golf game. I figured the altitude change in Co Springs added about a club or two to my distances. There isn't much of a point to my rambling here. But I'm so amazed by the change in distance based on altitude. I'm a 10.9 index in NJ but I could definitely see that going down by quite a bit here in Colorado based on yardages alone.

[franklingolf07]

Im from NJ and play in CO alot 2. If you want a challenge you should play farther back in CO. I play from 6800 yards in NJ and play from atleast 7100 yards in Colorodo. If you play more back you will see the diffrence. I hit about my irons 15 yards furthur it CO. It takes a long time to get used 2. Do you find the greens so much harder?

[BJG718]

the two courses that i primarily play are both just under 6700 from the back tees in NJ (metuchen and shackamaxon). i dont think the greens are significantly harder/softer here in Co. but i dont think im getting as much spin on my iron shots as i would in NJ. im not sure if thats possible, but usually, my short irons are within a few feet of the ball mark every time. i spin the ball back a lot with 8-sw, too. here in CO, the ball will leave a nice big ball mark, but it will roll out a little more. i shot 39 so it didnt take THAT long to get used to for me. but i couldve easily shot par or better if i had a little more confidence with a few more club selections.

[hattrick3518]

being from colorado i feel i will chime in on a few spots. i guess that altitude does play some difference, because i am about a club longer than others on here, i never really noticed it, but i guess it could be because of the altitude, im not saying im longer than everyone, but its just something that came to mind. and the greens here are much different than elsewhere. they do play pretty hard and fast, it was scary how much balls were spinning back when i was playing in california, up here in colorado my pro has really taught me alot on compressing the ball and all the necessities to spinning the ball, and while its spinning back, oh 10-15 feet up here, it gets scary when i play somewhere else with softer greens, i mean the first few holes i couldnt hardly hold the greens, they were just spinning back so much, but just a couple changes and it helped out. but what i think that most people dont notice, is that colorado is pretty much desert. very hot and dry most of the time. dont know where im going with this anymore, so im done. but just my thoughts, being from colorado thought i would offer some insight

[Sean2]

If you're still in Golden see if you can play Fossil Trace. Great golf course...played it just a few days ago (I live in the Boston area).

[Jamboy72]

Living in Colorado...here is a thought or two from my experience...the altitude itself really won't affect your overall score..see, you still have to putt and one less iron in (from 8 to 7) really won't impact your game all that much...someone who understands the physics of it all might be able to put better figures on this, but from my experience you are talking about 7%-8% difference for every mile of elevation change...so, your 140 yd. (carry distances here) 9i becomes a carry of 150ish..

[MakersMarsh3]

ALL OF THE TOUR PROS AND CADDIES FIGURE IT'S 10 PERCENT PER CLUB.