212 yards on 15 at Augusta. What would they hit today?

[Jim Nelson]

Watching the replay of Faldo's victory over Norman this am, I was struck by the clubs being used.  I know this is old news, but fascinating nonetheless.  Faldo hit his 4 iron into 15 from 212 yards after backing off a fairway wood.  It didn't seem particularly windy.  He also hit a 7 iron into 12 during the same round, albeit over the green.  Need any more proof of how the game has changed in 15 years??

[Dean Stokes]

I would think most of them would hit 6 iron from there on 15 nowadays. The shot that was most impressive and that I would like to see a few modern day players attempt would be the 2 iron on #13......what a golf shot. Hanging lie and he hit it like a bullet. That shot takes talent......

[BCrosby]

I would like to see a few modern day players attempt would be the 2 iron on #13......what a golf shot. Hanging lie and he hit it like a bullet. That shot takes talent......

And guts.

[PCCraig]

Remember, Faldo was playing mizuno irons with lofts that would be almost a club less. His 2 iron was really a modern day 3i and so on. The irons the pros use today are not too much different... but the ball is!

[Mark Pearce]

And Faldo was never long.  Straight, yes but not long.

[Andy Stamm]

I agree with the above posters that Faldo's 4 iron would be very similar to a 'modern' 5. And there are plenty of players that would use a 5 from that distance. Others might use a 6, but as stated above Faldo was never a long hitter. When comparing apples to apples, I don't think iron distances have changed very much, and all that change has been because of the ball. Woods, and particularly drivers, are night and day with hotter faces that are more forgiving with lighter, longer shafts.

[Ronald Montesano]

One word:  Adrenaline.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Choked down 3-wood, I'm not going to be short.

[Richard Choi]

The ball really doesn't factor in that much with irons compared to balatas of old. The biggest difference is with less driver spin, but spin difference isn't that much as you go down the irons.

[Patrick_Mucci]

What would "they" do today from 215 ?

Well, it's downhill, and the wind might be a factor, but, mid-irons seem likely in still conditions.

The ball probably travels less, late in the day.

Don't forget, you're seeing the leaders, the guys who didn't make the cut didn't play as well.

[mike_beene]

in Faldo"s instruction book,he said he hit a normal condition 7 iron 155. He was with Mizuno at that time.My guess is that the medium long hitters are a club and one half to two longer on the irons,especially when it's warm.I think temperature makes more difference now.The driver and especially three wood carries are the biggest difference.The number of three woods hit off the tee on long holes is amazing.The three wood has become a second tee club.

[jeffwarne]

Lots of good answers here....but,

Lofts are now stronger (and standard length is often longer)
faldo was never long
15 is downhill

It's hot as hell in Augusta and the ball is REALLY carrying-- a golf ball goes a LOT farther in 90 degrees and humidity than it does in 65 degrees-esp for a long hitter

[Pat Burke]

For the OP, everything from a hybrid to a 7 iron depending on the creature hitting it, and adrenaline surging through that creature.

Regarding Faldo.  I only played one tournament round with him.  We were in the last group on saturday of the
JW Asian Masters.  He was leading, and hit the ball beautiful.  I was a little surprised that all 5'5" of me hit one less club
on the par threes, and was past him on most driver holes.  His precision off the tee for approach angles,
as well as working the ball in to the wind on approached was absolutely phenomenal.
So, in regards to OP, much less club in from that yardage, but in 10 shots, I'd say Nick would likely have a way higher %
of successful shots IMO

[Scott_Burroughs]

In 1986, Nicklaus hit a 5-iron to the back left pin on #16....I remember at least one player hitting 8-iron yesterday to the same pin and have they lengthened the hole since then?

[jeffwarne]

In 1986, Nicklaus hit a 5-iron to the back left pin on #16....I remember at least one player hitting 8-iron yesterday to the same pin and have they lengthened the hole since then?

Nicklaus was always a club shorter than most, even in his long hitting prime.
The hole has not been lengthened(they use various lengths throughout the event), if anything it is usually played shorter the last day than it used to be

[Doug Siebert]

Inthe '86 broadcast they said it was a 5 iron.  I also recall hearing Nicklaus talking about it years later and said it was a 7 iron.  So who knows?  The ball bit pretty good, I could see that with a 7 iron but not a 5 iron.  Of course, I'm not Jack Nicklaus

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