Driving distance

Tommy Dillon

Hi all,
just wondering how far on average you can drive off the tee and also what age are you?

Obviously it depends on a lot of conditions but how far can the pros drive it?

dball

not to mention whether i use a wooden or plastic tee.
I find i get an extra yardage with plastic tees

SnowDrifts

This should be entertaining. The longest on tour is Bubba Watson and his average is 313 yards. Graeme McDowell would be on the shorter side of tour pros but still a lot longer than us mere mortals and his average is 276 yards.

The google earth ruler tool is very accurate and gives you a good representation as to how far your average drives are. Prepare to be surprised.

Boskowski

Good ones are good, maybe 240, an exceptional maybe 250, but average probably no more than something between 210 and 230? Oh and I'm mid forties.

Russman

Boskowski wrote: »

Good ones are good, maybe 240, an exceptional maybe 250, but average probably no more than something between 210 and 230? Oh and I'm mid forties.

Now that is way too honest for d'interweb........:D

ftlnn

Mid 40's carry 240 never seen to get any run, often walk up to find pitch mark at ball, love to be able to get some decent run out. Sunday golfers 220 to 240 is my guess at average drives. Pros are outstanding to see hit balls, never pass up an opportunity to see them in action.

Used that Maps Ruler app to check a couple of distances, assuming it's accurate: on the first hole of the course I (used to) play in the area in which I would consider a decent drive is about 215m from the tee.

Montgolfier

Watson would get a look in with me.. To bad my short game is ****e:)
Good luck to him

Boskowski

Russman wrote: »

Now that is way too honest for d'interweb........:D

I have a small willy too (no I don't)

In all seriousness I don't think there is anything wrong with 230. I see plenty of lads on handicaps between 10 and 18 that are in my range and plenty worse. Its good enough for the length of courses we play. And if I can't reach that 460 yards signature par 4 index 1 I think thats cool for my handicap too.

Actually just measured using google ruler from our 1st tee (whites) to the brow of the drop where my drive stopped on Sunday and it says 238 metres. I'm an animal!

snaphook

With a Callaway X2Hot Pro and Project X PXv shaft.

zuutroy

The above seems strange. Flightscope Trajectory Optimiser gives a carry of 229.5 yards for those launch conditions.

snaphook

Maybe I've been had.

PARlance

I actually don't think people over estimate on d'interweb in bad faith, I think it's more to do with blind faith.

Average distances quoted tend to be averages of "good drives" (or possibly "great drives")

I can't remember the last time I measured how far it went after I knocked one down and I don't think I've ever said to my myself "must check how far I hit that one that was a bit heely".... But if I bomb one the watch is out all the time
(It's not, I don't really care tbh).

Nobody ever measures it when it's soft, the ground that is

GreeBo

zuutroy wrote: »

The above seems strange. Flightscope Trajectory Optimiser gives a carry of 229.5 yards for those launch conditions.

I'd agree, my numbers were better than that in American golf yesterday and I was getting 280's total with 20-30 yards of roll.
100 swing speed, 13 degrees launch, 2200 and under spin.
That's with sldr, covert 2 and D913.
Think you've been had mate!

I was averaging 275 out of 40 odd drives.

dan_ep82

For a thread like this I don't think ,for amateurs, the word average should be included unless its average of your good hits.

My average would be somewhere around the 100yd mark if I counted all my topped shots and I'm only playing since November.

Then you have to take into account carry or carry with roll, flat or downhill, wind etc.

I prefer to see a couple of iron distances along with the driver.

I played a round with a guy a few weeks back and he was quite short with his irons but could roll his driver out to 240yds

redzerdrog

Am actually interested to lnow how far I hit a drive id guess but have no idea.

I played palmerstown on sat and can remember most of my drives would this course to on google maps?

dan_ep82

Use Google Earth, the program you download is the handiest way - http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html

Tones69

Carry it about 280ish plus whatever roll then. 31 yrs old, 6ft 2 brown hair blue eyes lol

WHIP IT!

Have just used Google Maps to measure (approximately) a couple of drives I hit recently at my home club. I picked two drives I figured I could gauge accurately (ie, they were left side of fairway, just past fairway bunker, or whatever)... one measured at 235m (~260yds) and the other at 245m (~270yds)... these would have been two of my best drives on the day (HC 13), playing in decent conditions, with roll. I'm far from a big-hitter but when I hit a good un I'm rarely left too far behind lads I play with - and I play regularly and with all levels of golfer.

dan_ep82

Only hit the driver 4 times and these were the only ones I can say to within a couple of feet where I ended up on Sunday. The 12th I landed between a few humps on the right and on the 18th I was 71yds from the flag. The longest I've hit on that hole by about 20yds

Guess which one went high and right

Russman

All joking aside, I think that here in Ireland conditions, both weather and lie of the land, play such a huge factor that average driving distance is pretty random. We have two back to back par 4s that are the exact same length but one is usually a drive and a fairway wood or hybrid (often followed by a pitch !) and the other is often a drive/3 wood and a 7 or 8 iron.
FWIW I think I'm solidly in the "average" category, driver swing speed 99-104mph, sometimes get steep and spinny, but usually around 2,600rpm, launch about 11-12deg. No idea what distance that equates to in real world, flat conditions.

Barnaboy

Very interesting! Just tried Google Maps ruler on yesterday's drives and they all measured in or around 220 to 230m. It was a good day with the driver!

I'm 41 and fairly fit.

FixdePitchmark

I don't know how far I hit it . 220 to 250 range.
Mid thirties

But I still maintain we all have over 300 yards in us. But we only do it 1 in 20 or so.

It is irrelevant anyway. Because the better you get the less you play driver.

For me golf is about the 200 yard club.

Reganovski

I would consider myself long....:P
I imagine some people think they hit it a lot further than they actually do, I used to.
Probably hitting it further lately though on average....
Mid 30's

WHIP IT!

Reganovski wrote: »

I would consider myself long....:P
But I think people think they hit the ball a lot further than they actually do..I was one such person till I got this.
Probably hitting it further lately though on average....

What is "this"?

Russman

http://www.golfwrx.com/62549/how-far-should-you-hit-your-golf-clubs/

Interesting reading.

The_Kew_Tour

I can hit 285 when i hit on a the sweetspot, but sadly it can also go 300 yards left or right from time to time:pac:

About 260-270 average. I am 30

Boskowski

Interesting alright.

Another thing when you think about television and watching them hitting 7 irons into 195 yards is that these guys rarely play in nasty conditions. Especially on the PGA tour they will almost always play in 25º plus, on manicured places where its virtually impossible to catch an ugly lie.

I know they hit it a million miles better than I do. Always out of the middle and fantastic angles with great swing speeds,. But the above is certainly a factor.

Keano

Boskowski wrote: »

Interesting alright.

Another thing when you think about television and watching them hitting 7 irons into 195 yards is that these guys rarely play in nasty conditions. Especially on the PGA tour they will almost always play in 25º plus, on manicured places where its virtually impossible to catch an ugly lie.

I know they hit it a million miles better than I do. Always out of the middle and fantastic angles with great swing speeds,. But the above is certainly a factor.

Also got to factor in their 7 irons loft is not the same as one off the shelf.

Montgolfier

Boskowski wrote: »

Interesting alright.

Another thing when you think about television and watching them hitting 7 irons into 195 yards is that these guys rarely play in nasty conditions. Especially on the PGA tour they will almost always play in 25º plus, on manicured places where its virtually impossible to catch an ugly lie.

I know they hit it a million miles better than I do. Always out of the middle and fantastic angles with great swing speeds,. But the above is certainly a factor.

Not to mention hard fairways light warm air and warm balls.
Sure yesterday I had to club back a club and a half with the humidity and drove 330yard drive during my round. Everybody's gullibility when it comes to trackman astounds me, algorithms determine conditions, ball type, etc.
Trackman does not trace your ball carry and roll out it estimates it.

FixdePitchmark

Hit an 8 iron 200 yards for old time sake today. (Lol)

Big hitting no country for old men.

Golfnut77

I was able to hit a few on a simulator recently when I got my new driver, I was hitting my Titleist 910 D3 270 carry and 295 avg total, I got a few just over 300, but when I use the Bushnell on the course and work out my yardages I'd say I can count on one hand how many times I've gotten over 300 so I don't know how accurate simulators are since there's no wind etc. I ended up buying the SLDR, I was carrying it on average about 6 yards further which isn't much but the spin rate was way lower so it was worth the investment.

Tones69

Golfnut77 wrote: »

I was able to hit a few on a simulator recently when I got my new driver, I was hitting my Titleist 910 D3 270 carry and 295 avg total, I got a few just over 300, but when I use the Bushnell on the course and work out my yardages I'd say I can count on one hand how many times I've gotten over 300 so I don't know how accurate simulators are since there's no wind etc. I ended up buying the SLDR, I was carrying it on average about 6 yards further which isn't much but the spin rate was way lower so it was worth the investment.

I think the main thing to look for is clubhead speed, smash factor, and ballspeed. Carry/distance numbers on simulators can be a bit off alright

markthespark77

my average would be 255 meters, consistent enough with it, im mid 20's...

dan_ep82

Golfnut77 wrote: »

I was able to hit a few on a simulator recently when I got my new driver, I was hitting my Titleist 910 D3 270 carry and 295 avg total, I got a few just over 300, but when I use the Bushnell on the course and work out my yardages I'd say I can count on one hand how many times I've gotten over 300 so I don't know how accurate simulators are since there's no wind etc. I ended up buying the SLDR, I was carrying it on average about 6 yards further which isn't much but the spin rate was way lower so it was worth the investment.

I got fit on a flightscope for my old xhot pro and it was showing 260-270 carry and a decent dispersion with an average of 105mph and a top end of 109mph.

Swinging the exact same for the few months I had the driver the highest I seen was probably 260 carry with some minor roll. The PXV shaft always seemed to hit it high in the air when I went for it where as the flightscope showed a lovely arc.

If I'm on a flight scope now I look for spin numbers,launch angle and most important dispersion and contact.

My current driver is the 910 with a Kuro Kage S 46" from a cobra amp pro set to 8.75 and I'm actually seeing that flight. Next time I'm on a launch monitor with a driver it will be looking at shafts and on the range to confirm it.

IMO, use it as a guide not gospel

whizbang

I would rarely ever measure my drives, Partly because i don't want to be let down, but mostly because it does no good whatsoever. I like the 910 driver that I have, and if i'm going to spend hundreds on yards, its going to have a land registry cert.
Also, I work in meters which makes the numbers less attractive.

Anyway I had a good day on Sunday, i'm guessing average of 205M, absolute max of 245M, (downhill, with the wind.)

But, for instance, Headfort New, 12th hole, 230Meters, out clear past the tree on the right of fairway. The exact same swing on the 13th hole gets no more than 200Meters.
So why bother measuring..?

Reganovski

WHIP IT! wrote: »

What is "this"?

GameGolf

Rikand

240 - early 30's

ForeRight

Haven't a clue how far I hit it. Not really interested either as I know when I hit it right it's grand the distance it goes.

mike12

Driver swing speed is 114, can get it up into 120s. Bad one goes 220 good one I guess over 300. Used to keep stats and 272 was average

Rikand

ForeRight wrote: »

Haven't a clue how far I hit it. Not really interested either as I know when I hit it right it's grand the distance it goes.

THis is code for " im really short "

WHIP IT!

It really is almost a pointless conversation. I played Portmarnock Links on Monday. 14th hole measures 314 yds off the Greens. I hit a perfect drive right on the line I wanted, slight cut with a strong helping left-right wind. I was long and left of the green, meaning my drive may have went about 330 yds.

I'm guessing, in the conditions, this may have had as much as 100 yds of roll.

It's golf, every day, every course and every shot can give ya something new.

newport2

Tones69 wrote: »

I think the main thing to look for is clubhead speed, smash factor, and ballspeed. Carry/distance numbers on simulators can be a bit off alright

I was getting fit for a driver shaft a few years ago. I walked out of two places because the simulator was telling me I was hitting my existing driver about 30 yards further than I do. The third place I went to was pretty much spot on and interestingly the same simulator model as the first place. IMO, a lot of them are set up to massage egos.
ie Guy comes in and tries a new driver and it tells him he's hitting it as far as the pros (PGA tour average is 270). So guy buys the driver.....hits it 210 yards on the course, but thinks it's going much longer.
If you're getting fitted, always bring your existing driver and see if the machine is telling you in the region of what you actually do hit it.

A good drive for me is 250, about 50% will be less, 230-240. It's amazing how many 280 yard hitters I've played with that leave it 20 yards short of me. (that said I know several who can hit their 3 wood 20 yards past my driver)

ForeRight

Rikand wrote: »

THis is code for " im really short "

Haha I wouldn't say I am actually. I know from playing with different people that I hit it long enough. It's just not something I worry about.

No man should worry about length

newport2

ForeRight wrote: »

No man should worry about length

The only men who worry about length are the ones who think they have a reason to.....;)

BOB81

Am early 30's - probably range between 220-250 with the odd one out past that, find my slice/fade off the tee is not conducive to great distance (early 30's). Got a garmin in the last few months which has a distance measure function which has been a good reality check..."that drive must be gone 270....no that's actually 235..."

Russman

BOB81 wrote: »

Am early 30's - probably range between 220-250 with the odd one out past that, find my slice/fade off the tee is not conducive to great distance (early 30's). Got a garmin in the last few months which has a distance measure function which has been a good reality check..."that drive must be gone 270....no that's actually 235..."

That's exactly one of the things that some friends of mine found when they went to using GPS a couple of seasons ago. They said that on your own course, on any given shot, it was of very little benefit as you know the club to hit from every angle, distance etc, but they said the real benefit, for them, was over the course of the season, finding out how far you actually hit your clubs. Or, as they put it, how far you don't hit them !

hades

PARlance wrote: »

I actually don't think people over estimate on d'interweb in bad faith, I think it's more to do with blind faith.

This is so true.

I've a pretty good idea how far i can hit the ball on most days. During the winter i'd get between 200m ~ 220m on a good hit. But i was playing with a guy one day and he was actually starting to do my nut in.... "i can hit the ball so far, etc etc." Now i was consistently out driving him on every hole and as i mentioned, i'm not that long. So i asked him on one of the holes on the back nine after we both tee'd off how far he reckoned we both went. He estimated he did indeed break the 200m mark "easily" and i should be around 230m.

Out with the GPS, he was 149m off the tee and i was around 195m. People just don't know, plain and simple.

newport2

hades wrote: »

This is so true.

I've a pretty good idea how far i can hit the ball on most days. During the winter i'd get between 200m ~ 220m on a good hit. But i was playing with a guy one day and he was actually starting to do my nut in.... "i can hit the ball so far, etc etc." Now i was consistently out driving him on every hole and as i mentioned, i'm not that long. So i asked him on one of the holes on the back nine after we both tee'd off how far he reckoned we both went. He estimated he did indeed break the 200m mark "easily" and i should be around 230m.

Out with the GPS, he was 149m off the tee and i was around 195m. People just don't know, plain and simple.

+ 1

The average driving difference on a golf course is very different from the average driving distance on the internet.

hades

WHIP IT! wrote: »

It really is almost a pointless conversation.

Couldn't agree with you more, i was playing a par 5 on my home course last week its around 500m long. I measured my drive at 250m, so i had 250 to go, i decided to hit a 7i in so i could practice my short game from around 100m in. Walked up, ball was on the green. So technically i hit my 7i as far as my driver.

Tones69

hades wrote: »

Couldn't agree with you more, i was playing a par 5 on my home course last week its around 500m long. I measured my drive at 250m, so i had 250 to go, i decided to hit a 7i in so i could practice my short game from around 100m in. Walked up, ball was on the green. So technically i hit my 7i as far as my driver.

I can bone a 7i 250 too