Jordan Spieth was 19, leading the Masters, and four yards short of the green. That mistake had a name — and a simple fix.
In our pre-shot routine, we analyze shot conditions, choose a target and select a club. But according to Mike, we need more data to make more accurate decisions.
For example, how strong is the wind today? When you drive into a 10-mile-an-hour wind, you lose 10 to 15 yards. If that wind blows left across the fairway, it pushes the ball 4 to 6 yards left.
What’s the temperature today? Let’s say your distances are based on an average day in your city, about 70 degrees. For every 10 degrees the temperature drops, you lose about half a club. For every 10 degrees it rises, you gain about half a club.
What’s the elevation? The ball travels 1% farther for every 500 of elevation. So if you live in Florida and you’re on vacation in Denver, you just added 16 yards to your 7-iron.
Mike says we need this data, and more, to calculate the difference between Gross Yardage and Net Yardage.
Gross yardage is the physical distance to your target. Then you add or subtract yards based on the shot conditions. That’s the Net yardage. And Net yardage is your yardage.
Jordan Spieth was 19 years old at the 2014 Masters. On Sunday, he led the field by two strokes. He got off to a solid start with four birdies on the first seven holes. He made a few bogeys, but he was in good shape—until he came to the par three 12th.
The gross distance to clear the water was 141 yards. But it was windy, so many players added distance. 141 gross yards became 145 net yards.
Jordan did not make that adjustment. His shot came up short, rolled back into the water and sank his score. He finished tied for second.
This may sound like pro-level stuff. But it’s pretty basic. You can check wind, temperature and elevation on your phone before the round. When you arrive at the course, notice the firmness of the fairways and greens, and add that to your calculations as well.
It takes only a few seconds to turn gross yardage into net yardage. Mike says, “Proper knowledge will significantly decrease doubt and mental distractions, and allow you to be confident and commit.”
The philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “What is important is not the quantity of your knowledge, but its quality.”
Mike isn’t trying to overwhelm us with data. Some information—like wind, temperature and elevation—can be checked at home. Other stuff, like the condition of the fairways and greens, can be evaluated before teeing off.
Whether you use yardage markers or a range finder, try Mike’s calculation. Gross yardage, plus or minus shot conditions, equals Net yardage. The difference might only be a few yards, but in this game, a few yards can go a long way. And as for Jordan Spieth, he’s a fast learner. Just 12 months later, he won the 2015 Masters.
That’s all for today. Tomorrow, we’ll discover the difference between targets and target areas. Until next time, keep imagining what’s possible.
