Callaway shares a clip of Xander Schauffele detailing his stock yardages. We break down why this matters—and how to build your own chart.
Callaway Golf Europe has posted a short video of Xander Schauffele running through his stock yardages—an instructive glimpse into how a major champion prepares. While the clip is brief, the idea behind it is fundamental: knowing your default carry numbers for each club is the backbone of elite course management.
What stock yardages are—and why they matter
Stock yardages are the baseline carry distances a player expects when making a neutral, repeatable swing with each club. For tour pros, those numbers guide every decision: picking safe targets, controlling trajectories, and dialing in front, middle, and back hole locations. When conditions shift—wind, temperature, lie—the stock number is the reference point from which adjustments are made.
Amateurs often guess instead of measure. That creates gaps, short-sides, and three-putt territory. The Schauffele video underlines a pro truth: precision starts with ownership of your carry yardages, not just total distance or the occasional personal best.
How the pros build and maintain their numbers
Tour players create their yardage matrix with intention. First comes a consistent, repeatable tempo. Then, with a launch monitor and a fitter, they capture carries (not roll-out) across the bag. Wedges receive the most granular work because inside 130 meters is where strokes are gained or lost; pros map multiple swings (e.g., three-quarter and half) to fill the space between full shots. Irons are checked for even gapping—typically 10–12 meters—so there are no problem zones. Woods and hybrids get attention to peak height and spin, not just distance, to ensure reliable holding power into par-5s and long par-3s.
Those tables are not static. Players re-validate when balls, heads, or shafts change, after travel to different climates, or when speed shifts mid-season. The takeaway from Schauffele’s routine is less about the exact numbers and more about the discipline of keeping them current.
Build your own stock yardages like a pro
Use this framework to create a reliable matrix you can trust on the course:
– Prioritize carry: Measure to the point the ball lands, not where it stops. Carry wins over hazards and to tight front pins.
– Standardize your swing: Use a neutral, repeatable tempo for your “stock” swing. Save hard or soft swings for adjustments only.
– Map your wedges: Record full, three-quarter, and half swings for each wedge to cover common approach distances.
– Check your gaps: Aim for consistent spacing between irons. If two clubs fly the same, consider loft/shaft adjustments.
– Validate outdoors: Start on a launch monitor, then confirm on the range and course. Note wind, temperature, and altitude—each can move numbers several meters.
– Write it down: Keep a compact chart in your yardage book or phone. Pros reference, they don’t guess.
Expect your chart to evolve. Seasonal changes, a new ball, or a small swing tweak can nudge carry numbers. Re-test key clubs monthly, and revisit the full bag a few times per year.
What to watch for in the Schauffele clip
Beyond the headline—“stock yardages”—notice the simplicity. The routine is about clarity, not chasing extra speed. Schauffele’s approach exemplifies why great players look comfortable under pressure: they are playing to confirmed numbers, not hopes. For club golfers, even a modest, well-measured matrix will cut through indecision, improve proximity, and lead to fewer stress putts.
Suggested embeds (trusted sources)
- PGA TOUR: Practice range content highlighting yardage control and wedge distance work.
- DP World Tour: Coaching clips on gapping and approach play.
- Callaway Golf: Fitting and distance control features from tour staff sessions.
Xander is dialed in. Check out his stock yardages. 🎯
— Callaway Golf Europe (@CallawayGolfEU) October 17, 2025