Average Drive

[dang3rtown]

Golf Digest got their hands on some data on how long people really drive the ball. I think the MGS crowd is pretty realistic but the general public may be a bit surprised!

Drives

[Rusty1885]

Most golfers have selective memory when it comes to distance. We tend to remember the longest shots we ever hit on each clubs and suddenly it became our avg.

 

I've been using the laser yardage for a long time and remember how shock I was to learn that my distance is about 20 yards off per clubs because if I hit the front of the green I automatically register that it's the distance I hit to the flag, never mind that's it's a back pin and I was 25 yards short.

 

Nowadays, I can't do it. I'm using the game golf live which keeps track of every shots I hit on the course. It's a humbling experience but also made me a better golfer who play high percentage shots.

[revkev]

Good luck with this thread. I did one last year from an article that demonstrated that the biggest difference between a scratch player and a touring pro was distance. That didn't go over well.

 

My league round on Tuesday was the classic. I'm sure that if you asked my opponent what his average drive was he would say 250-260.

 

Well yes we're in a drought and when he hit a good straight drive down hill down wind he hit it 260. But I hit more drives longer than he did even though his potential distance was greater then mine. My average is a shade under 230. Its closer to 240 right now because of the drought.

 

 

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[Kanoito]

I don't think it's that critical to average the good shots only.

 

Look at the Most Wanted Driver Test, data is normalized, counting 10-12 "good" shots and outliers are removed.

 

It's definitely wrong to count your longest drive as average, but I think it's acceptable to dislodge the ladies and worm burners and calculate based on the normal shots.

[ngsimon09]

I used to be one of those guys who thought they hit it 300 consistently... not even close.

 

 

 

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[Big money]

People over estimate their distance(s) big time.Not out of spite,but more out of slight ignorance.Anything 250 plus off the tee is really a long way.Many that say they hit 300 are actually 250-260 when scanned.Even some older tracks have their holes measured wrong.And flight monitors aren't something I go by as well.Played with a youth who was 290 on the monitor.On the course I had him at 261 to 267 with roll with my gps.He was also swinging very well that day

 

But if someone wants to say they are a 300 hitter than more power too you.

[PlaidJacket]

I haven't taken the time to do any checking of my driver distances in the past year. I'm 62. I haven't noticed any loss in distance either. I'm still around 300 yards. JK. LOL

I used to claim 248 with my driver on any course in my region. That means same course conditions. Which are generally hard and fast. So if I were measuring my driver distance in FLorida or New York I'd probably be hitting it 247. 

[ole gray]

Internet golfers are always longer!   That's what she said last night right?  Heck I know I'm short, well off the tee that is.  Frankly I would consider accuracy more of a good thing than the long bomb.  With that being said, I think golfers as a whole will always see them selves hitting the ball further than what their true averages are.  

[silver & black]

My driver distance was based off of my home course yardage markers on the tee box. 2 years ago they were almost all found to be wrong. Since then, I have found my average distance to be around 230 - 240.

 

When I'm having a really good day with the driver.... 250-260 isn't out of the question. Unfortunately, I'm finding age is winning and those days are rare for me any more. If I'm honest, I'm probably 230+ most of the time. Father Time  sucks!

[MDGolfHacker]

I average about 308.2 yards. Then the power went out and my ps4 with Tiger Woods playing shutdown.. 😂😂

 

MDGolfHacker

[mrsmith123]

Golf Digest got their hands on some data on how long people really drive the ball. I think the MGS crowd is pretty realistic but the general public may be a bit surprised!

Drives

This is a great thread dang3r 👍. One of my favorite things to chat about because it is realistic. The impressive stat isn't how long something was but the actual carry. When Dustin Johnson carries the ball 300+, that is impressive. Most guys who actually reach 300 yards do it on accident with that occasional swing or getting 30 yards of roll on a draw fairway downhill.

 

I will be honest with anyone to say that I don't hit it 300 yards most of the time. I have the capability and swing speed to do it, but it isn't worth the loss of accuracy. If I make a good 85% swing with driver I'm gonna be in the 285 range which is more than enough on any course I play.

 

The funny thing is you don't hear guys brag about the shorter areas of the game. Everyone uses distance off the tee as a benchmark.

 

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[Peaksy68]

I always find it amusing when guys say they carry it 280. Sure some do, but of the long guys I play with, only a couple hit it around 300 regularly. One of them is a former tour pro who can get it out around 330, occasionally out to 370. Another one is a guy who played college golf and made an All American list (although he is an Aussie!)

 

I get one out around 300 about once a year, and wonder what went right. My solid ones are 275, but my average is significantly less.

 

People never seem to include their bad ones in the average, but don't hesitate to include their best.

[Bigbear]

I used to be one of those guys who thought they hit it 300 consistently... not even close.

 

IMG_2934.PNG

 

 

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What app are you using?

 

 

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[chershey]

What app are you using?

 

 

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He's using Gamegolf. It has tags screwed into the grips that you tap to a gps unit you were on your belt before each shot. It's a great tracker to see your true distances.

 

 

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[KCLeo12]

He's using Gamegolf. It has tags screwed into the grips that you tap to a gps unit you were on your belt before each shot. It's a great tracker to see your true distances.

 

 

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I only have one round with mine but I like it. I forgot to tag about 1/3 of my shots though. I averaged 293 with the driver for the first round with a long of 344yds

 

 

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[Keyser]

I still use the mark feature on my sky caddie. Since I don't get much rollout on my drives it's fairly accurate. Still I take 10 yards off to account for roll when figuring my average. By doing so, I can comfortably rely on my carry distance to get over hazards.

 

 

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[Canucklehead]

I always find it amusing when guys say they carry it 280. Sure some do, but of the long guys I play with, only a couple hit it around 300 regularly. One of them is a former tour pro who can get it out around 330, occasionally out to 370. Another one is a guy who played college golf and made an All American list (although he is an Aussie!)

 

I get one out around 300 about once a year, and wonder what went right. My solid ones are 275, but my average is significantly less.

 

People never seem to include their bad ones in the average, but don't hesitate to include their best.

It's called "Selective amnesia"

 

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[Rusty1885]

The funny thing is you don't hear guys brag about the shorter areas of the game. Everyone uses distance off the tee as a benchmark.

Sent from my Sprint LG G5 mobile device

Agree. people like to pounds their drives at the range. Golfers has not changed. Most people still likes their driver, hence most golfers are still 15+ handicap. I'll take up your invitation and brag about the short game.

[kardboard.kid]

What's the expression, "drive for show.. putt for dough"? I really don't care how far I hit, but how accurate I can be. If a 220 drive puts me in position to hit a better shot into the green I'll go that route every time. What kills my score, you got it. PUTTING.

 

planet earth

[revkev]

What's the expression, "drive for show.. putt for dough"? I really don't care how far I hit, but how accurate I can be. If a 220 drive puts me in position to hit a better shot into the green I'll go that route every time. What kills my score, you got it. PUTTING.

 

planet earth

Actually this entire thread argues the opposite. If people actually hit it as far as they say they do they'd be much better. There is a far greater gap between a scratch golfer and a touring pro with driver than with putter.

 

 

 

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[dang3rtown]

Actually this entire thread argues the opposite. If people actually hit it as far as they say they do they'd be much better. There is a far greater gap between a scratch golfer and a touring pro with driver than with putter.

 

 

 

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So... Talk for show, drive for mediocrity?

[kardboard.kid]

All points are valid, based on each view point. Yes you are correct in saying average putts per round are close between pros and ametuers. My only point was too much emphasis is put on distance. And for me putting is more important, than driving distance.

 

planet earth

[Canucklehead]

Agree. people like to pounds their drives at the range. Golfers has not changed. Most people still likes their driver, hence most golfers are still 15+ handicap. I'll take up your invitation and brag about the short game.

Show off...

 

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[GolfSpy_APH]

As much fun as it is to pump a drive 250+ yards down the fairway say 50% of the time. I'd take going 20 yards less for being in the fairway a lot more. It's amazing how much easier the game is when the ball is in the short grass. Seems like common sense, but way too many times have I gone out with friends and we spend more time look for long drives in the woods then actually enjoying putting up good scores.

My father in law has a average drive of about 210 up to 230 on a good day, but he's straight as can be. He's tough to beat when his short game is working because he's always has relatively easy shots into the greens.

Distance so often dominates headlines, but could you imagine how much better golfers in general would be if they just focused on putting decent drives down the middle rather then hit the ball as far they can?

 

 

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[ole gray]

As much fun as it is to pump a drive 250+ yards down the fairway say 50% of the time. I'd take going 20 yards less for being in the fairway a lot more. It's amazing how much easier the game is when the ball is in the short grass. Seems like common sense, but way too many times have I gone out with friends and we spend more time look for long drives in the woods then actually enjoying putting up good scores.

My father in law has a average drive of about 210 up to 230 on a good day, but he's straight as can be. He's tough to beat when his short game is working because he's always has relatively easy shots into the greens.

Distance so often dominates headlines, but could you imagine how much better golfers in general would be if they just focused on putting decent drives down the middle rather then hit the ball as far they can?

 

 

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You speak the truth! 🏌️⛳️

 

 

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[Stillnumber1]

Most people still likes their driver, hence most golfers are still 15+ handicap. I'll take up your invitation and brag about the short game.

Good work Rusty1885. If I hit 85% of greens and averaged 1.7 putts per hole, I would be very pleased. Get those putts per round under 30, like 1.6 per hole, and you are scratch. You are right there!

[Stillnumber1]

While I am the first to admit that I like outdriving my friends, the problem I find is that when the 1 Metal is working well I tend to use it on holes that I should not.

 

A good drive, in the fairway, sets you up for a GIR and builds confidence. However, I would generally agree with the posters who say they would trade better accuracy at the cost of some distance.

 

One of my buddies (whom I consistently out-drive) has beaten me pretty regularly for the past year. Whenever I am puffing my chest over a bomb (relative) I hit off the tee, he says, "My only opponent is the golf course." It reminds me that I need to mature.

[Camcmart]

I'll never lie about how far I drive the ball. I'm short, average build and still learning the game so if I can get a ball down the fairway 220 carry, I'll be perfectly content.

 

As long as I can get it on the green in 2-3 strokes depending on the hole, I'll have a chance at making par or better. Par or better and Cameron is a happy man

 

 

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[mrsmith123]

A lot of my best rounds have come from using long irons and fairway metals off the tee. My thought off the tee isn't about how far can I hit my tee ball, but how far do I want to hit it so my next shot is to my strength?

 

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[Rusty1885]

Show off...

 

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Hey now...

 

I'm the proved that you don't need long drives to score well. Playing the high percentage shots may not feel heroic but it helps me avoid big numbers. I do dedicate a one or 2 pure ego round(s) a month to flush it out of my system. Some says those are my sandbagging rounds.

 

It's not a patented secret, if I can do it anyone can. Avg LPGA carry their drives 218 yards, that's what I'm comparing my game against, not the PGA.

 

Good work Rusty1885. If I hit 85% of greens and averaged 1.7 putts per hole, I would be very pleased. Get those putts per round under 30, like 1.6 per hole, and you are scratch. You are right there!

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Thanks, I'm trying to get there. It was easier to do when I was playing 4-5 round a week dropping down to 2-3 is much harder to keep the touch sharp enough for scratch golf.