I agree, like a caddy book for Golf tournaments. I love when courses do this. I always take distances as approximations because, like everyone is saying, you don't know who decided or by what metric they measured. That said, I absolutely use posted distances when deciding my line. I like to think I can approximate whether the sign is at least ballpark accurate or not.
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Hole lengths a need?
- Thread starter cjrogus
- Start date
I agree, like a caddy book for Golf tournaments. I love when courses do this. I always take distances as approximations because, like everyone is saying, you don't know who decided or by what metric they measured. That said, I absolutely use posted distances when deciding my line. I like to think I can approximate whether the sign is at least ballpark accurate or not.
Anyone ever notice that every course listing on here has a hole info page? Anyone think that the distances on those pages might be useful to folks to get a feel for what the course might be like before they go play it in the real world? Anyone know how probably most of the hole distance numbers got onto those pages?
So yeah, I'd say they serve a purpose.
So yeah, I'd say they serve a purpose.
For sure scarpfish. A course map, hole breakdown and directions to the course are printed off from DGCR and included in my trip package, before all road trips. The course map and hole breakdown go in my pocket to play. Hole distances help a ton on new courses. Gives ideas on how far other things than the hole are. as well. A hole that is listed at 420, but has a mando listed on a sign, without distance, can make disc decision easier.
I've only been playing for about 15 minutes and my technique has yet to evolve to the level where seeing on the teepad what a hole measures actually matters. I can pretty much eyeball it based on what I know I can throw, so it's really just a matter of the feel of the moment rather than an objective measure of distance that comes into play when I decide what disc to use on a new, specific hole.
I heard the word "hypotenuse" a few times in school, but I really don't know what it means and I'm too lazy and ambivalent to look it up, but I'd say that a hole should be measured by the most logical points down the middle of the fairway on which the par number was based.
banknwank
Eagle Member
Absolutely yes. Knowing distance is key to knowing what shot/disc to play. Can I reach it comfortably, or is it a stretch....... Ball golf ears like to lay up to a full wedge on approach. I like to lay up to a 220 thumber. I am blind in one eye, and having two eyes is part of your brains ability to estimate distance. So maybe that's why it's so important to me? If I am playing a lot and throwing consistent on a familiar course, it becomes more of a feel thing.
On new courses I really need it. I think it is even more important when I am in a different area then what I am used to playing. I live in Idaho, and am used to playing there, when I went to Florida the first time my discs did very different things then I was used to. It was nice to see how far the pin was so I could judge what I could do with each disc.
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- Jul 29, 2009
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- 15,770
What they said.
I find I need hole lengths most often on more wide open holes. It can be hard to tell whether a water carry is 275' or 325', and that's a big difference. The more obstacles in play, the easier it is for me to gauge distance.
I also like it on tweener type shots. If a hole looks 250'-275', I'd like to pin that number down, since I'll be throwing a different disc at a 240' hole than a 280'. Sometimes it's easier or harder to tell by sight, depending on the surroundings, so having the number there takes away guess work and helps me choose my disc.
I also like it on tweener type shots. If a hole looks 250'-275', I'd like to pin that number down, since I'll be throwing a different disc at a 240' hole than a 280'. Sometimes it's easier or harder to tell by sight, depending on the surroundings, so having the number there takes away guess work and helps me choose my disc.
Cadmanic
Par Member
For a 1st time visitor to a course, marked hole distances help locate pins (especially if you don't have a course map). I've played several holes where you can see multiple (unmarked) baskets from the tee pad. Knowing you're throwing at the one 257' away off to your left is better than shooting for the one 400' feet straight ahead and finding you've driven to the wrong basket.
Like others have said, I use the distances at new courses. I know exactly how far my discs will fly when I make a good throw.
I prefer the hypotenuse, especially for par-3s. Par-4s and -5s may be a different story. I say that because, again, I know how far my discs travel linearly. I can't easily go to a field and measure how far my disc will go straight before making a turn and then measure how far it travels after turning. I know that on that route, my disc went X' from where I threw it.
Par-4s and -5s, I prefer distance markers to the basket. I have played a par-70 course and it had distance markers at I think 250', 300', and 350' on the longer holes that really helped.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a hole has a dog leg fairway and the distance listed is the "hypotenuse" distance, that's the straight line from tee to basket (i.e. through the trees/obstacles on the inside of the dog leg). How exactly is that helpful for being able to choose the right disc/line to navigate the dog leg? Your disc isn't traveling linearly in this situation like it would be in a field. If it says 304 straight line from tee to basket, but the shape of the fairway forces a disc to travel ~360 feet to negotiate the turn and reach the green, isn't throwing the disc you *know* goes ~300 feet going to leave you well short?
I suppose if you're good with doing the math to extrapolate the distance (the old a squared + b squared = c squared thing), you can do it. But should courses be expecting players to do that kind of math?
Definitely. One of the handiest things about the caddy books players get at the USDGC (a par-68) is that the hole maps identify landmarks on the fairways and their distance both from the tee and to the basket. It's the only thing I've encountered that approximates ball golf and their use of sprinkler heads and the like to give approximate distances to the green. It's especially helpful on holes where there is a water or some other OB carry. Having the distance to go allows players to make a more educated decision about whether they should go for a shot or lay it up.
blackcatsmith
Double Eagle Member
Yeah judging distance(depth perception) is a technique like any other. I will say that some are inherently better at it than others. It is a weak spot for me and I struggle on approaches because of this. On drives off the tee I usually choose which category(putter, mid, driver) of disc to throw according to the posted hole length(plus other factors such as wind, elevation, windows, ceilings, etc…).
blackcatsmith
Double Eagle Member
Also, I was told there would be no math in disc golf.
ambroze
Par Member
Distance does matter. It can be the difference between the disc I use.
I'm sure that how to measure the exact distance of a hole will spark up a lot of conversation and I believe that's been discussed here before. I believe it's determined by the fairway set by the designer of the hole. I recently played Harmon Hills, TN and I tell you what there are some holes out there that do a huge horseshoe. If you draw a straight line from the tee pad to the basket some would be say 175 to 200 ft away but there's no path there at all unless you are willing to play it through the thick woods or do what the designer intended and that is to follow the fairway path. Following the intended path makes the hole say 375ft.
I'm sure that how to measure the exact distance of a hole will spark up a lot of conversation and I believe that's been discussed here before. I believe it's determined by the fairway set by the designer of the hole. I recently played Harmon Hills, TN and I tell you what there are some holes out there that do a huge horseshoe. If you draw a straight line from the tee pad to the basket some would be say 175 to 200 ft away but there's no path there at all unless you are willing to play it through the thick woods or do what the designer intended and that is to follow the fairway path. Following the intended path makes the hole say 375ft.
Basshunter
Birdie Member
I'm going to essentially echo Brad Harris from one of the early posts in this thread. Playing courses I play regularly, I don't need the distance. I know the lines I want to hit (my ability to actually do so aside).
But playing new courses, I find it invaluable, especially if the basket is blind from the tee. I also appreciate a hole map indicating dog legs, etc. i'd generally rather not have to walk the hole first just to see what it does. I like the surprise of discovering that my throw left me better of than I thought. It happens every once in a while, I swear.
But playing new courses, I find it invaluable, especially if the basket is blind from the tee. I also appreciate a hole map indicating dog legs, etc. i'd generally rather not have to walk the hole first just to see what it does. I like the surprise of discovering that my throw left me better of than I thought. It happens every once in a while, I swear.
"Math is hard!"---talking Barbie, 1990s edition :doh:
No, the disc I would throw would be one I know can travel that 300 linear feet on that route through the air.
For example, I know I can throw my teebird on a big hyzer and have it land 360' in front of me. How far did it travel if you followed its flight path? I have no idea. So if I step up to a hole that is 360 linear feet, but you have to go way right and fade hard to get to the basket, I know my teebird will make it. If the tee sign distance follows the fairway and says something like 420', that wouldn't help me any. I'd probably throw a Boss and end up way overshooting it.
There is a hole that goes over water at a course around here that is measured along the fairway because few people attempt to clear the water. The sign says I think 460, but it is really like 380 to go right at the basket. I watched Will Schusterick unknowingly clear that basket by some 75' because of what the sign says. It is a partially blind shot, so if it wasn't for some of us nearby he may have never found his disc.
Grungedude42
Double Eagle Member
Don't need them. Usually hit a tree first, anyway.
RUSSELL
* Ace Member *
all the time. my depth perception is terrible.
