Golf Simulator Gapping Session: Find Your True Distances in 60 Minutes (Simple Step-by-Step Plan)
June 2026 • FlexTee
If you've ever stood over a shot thinking, “Is this a smooth 7-iron or a hard 8?”—this is for you.
A gapping session is one of the fastest ways to improve your scoring because it replaces guesswork with real numbers you can trust.
In this guide, you'll learn a simple 60-minute golf simulator gapping session you can run at FlexTee to find your true carry distances, spot overlaps (clubs that go the same yardage), and build a practical distance note you can use on the course.
What is a gapping session (and why it matters)?
A gapping session is a structured test where you hit a consistent set of shots with each club and record the results—mainly carry distance and dispersion (how tight your misses are).
It matters because:
- You’ll choose clubs based on carry, not “total distance on a good one”
- You’ll discover clubs that overlap (e.g., 6-iron and 5-iron going the same)
- You’ll learn your stock swing yardages (the swing you can repeat under pressure)
The one number you should prioritise: carry distance
On the course, carry is what gets the ball:
- Over hazards
- Onto greens
- To a specific landing spot
Total distance changes with ground firmness, wind, temperature and lie. Carry is the stable baseline.
The 60-minute golf simulator gapping session (step-by-step)
0–10 minutes — Warm-up (don't skip this)
Goal: get loose and find your normal tempo.
- 10–15 easy swings with a wedge/9-iron
- 5–8 swings with a mid-iron
- 3–5 swings with a longer club (optional)
Tip: don't chase speed. You're building repeatable distances.
10–45 minutes — Build your “carry ladder”
Pick 6–8 clubs you actually use a lot. A simple set:
- PW, 9i, 8i, 7i, 6i, 5i, hybrid/3w (optional)
For each club:
If you're short on time, do 4 shots per club and keep the best 3.
45–55 minutes — Check your gaps (the “so what?” moment)
Now look at the carry gaps between clubs:
- Ideal iron gaps are often 8–15 yards (varies by player)
- If two clubs are within 5 yards, you’ve got an overlap
- If there’s a 20+ yard jump, you’ve got a problem gap
Common fixes (without changing equipment)
- Choose one club as a smooth swing club
- Choose the other as a full swing club
- Note a “choke down” option for one of them
55–60 minutes — Save your distances (simple format)
Create a quick note like this:
My stock carry distances
PW: ___
9i: ___
8i: ___
7i: ___
6i: ___
5i: ___
Hybrid: ___
That's it. Don't overcomplicate it.
Mistakes that ruin gapping sessions (and how to avoid them)
Trying to "hit it" instead of swinging normally
Fix: Keep tempo consistent. Your stock swing is the one you can repeat under pressure.
Using total distance instead of carry
Fix: Carry is your baseline. Total changes with conditions.
Not enough shots
Fix: 4–6 per club is the sweet spot. Fewer than that and one bad shot skews everything.
Mixing clubs randomly
Fix: Go in a logical order (shortest to longest or vice versa) so you can spot patterns.
How to run this session at FlexTee (what to expect)
When you arrive, you'll enter using your booking instructions/access details, head to your assigned bay, and get set up. If you need a hand getting started, guidance is available.
Want faster improvement? Turn your gaps into a simple plan
Once you've got your numbers, you can practise with purpose. A great next step is a structured plan that uses your new distances.
Recommended next reads
Ready to learn your real distances?
Book a bay and run the 60-minute gapping session.
Interested in a structured improvement plan? Explore coaching.
Want 24/7 practice access? See membership details.
By FlexTee