Club gapping session protocol
Warm up first
Hit enough shots to reach a normal playing speed before recording clubs.
Lock the setup
Keep the iPhone, tripod, ball position, lighting, and ball type unchanged for the entire session.
Work through the bag
Capture a consistent set of normal swings with each club. Do not chase a maximum-distance swing.
Label obvious mishits
Keep mishits in your history, but separate them from the representative set used for a stock carry.
Use the median carry
Order the representative carry estimates and use the middle value. A median is less sensitive to one unusually long or short shot.
Record the range
Keep the shortest and longest representative values beside the median so the number does not imply false precision.
What belongs in the final chart?
Record the club, median carry estimate, representative low and high, shot count, ball type, and session date. Repeat the test when your swing, equipment, or environment changes materially.
Do not confuse carry and total distance
Carry distance is the distance the ball travels through the air before its first landing. Total distance adds bounce and roll, which change with ground firmness, slope, wind, and the simulated course model. Use carry for club selection and gapping.
Measurement caveat
True Carry values are camera-based estimates and should be treated as a practice reference. Review the current validation results and limitations before using small differences to make equipment decisions.