How Far Should You REALLY Hit Your Driver in 2025?

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

I’m 64 and on a good day it’s 240 but I am very consistent, mostly hit fairway. I hate KZbin videos that say if you do this maneuver you will gain 30 plus yards….all BS

[@GolfingFocus]

Ah, not sure you're going to like the next video coming up then Chris 😬. Would be great to know your thoughts on it though when it comes. It's definitely not to aiming to promise the earth or minimise the importance of consistency! 👍

[@markmark5488]

@@GolfingFocus If Chris is hitting it that far at age 64 then he probably knows the secret already. I hit the ball about the same distance, but I'm a youngster (57).

[@andynaz5631]

Or golf OEMs that claim 10y gains per year. If this were true, we would all be outdriving DeChambeau.

[@firstname2072]

@@andynaz5631not correct logic cause he would also gain 10 yards per year so…..

[@paulnewman5082]

What’s your hcp

[@leeloopatsy]

Many golfers are obsessed with distance while in fact the most important is 1) to be consistent 2) to always be more or less straight and more or less in the middle of the fairway or the green. Then it is also important to know the average distance of each of your clubs. It doesn’t matter if to do 150 yards you need a 7 iron or a 8 iron or a 6 iron. What is important is to know which iron you need to make this distance. Who will ask you at the end of the game what iron did you used on the second shot of hole 14? At the end of the game only the score at the bottom of the card is important. So good for you if you can hit 250 yards + with your driver, but I will not be able to count the number of times during my 35 years of golf, I’ve seen many of these long hitters players who couldn’t break 90 because they were going all over the place.

[@AnotherLostBall]

Yep - that’s me! I regularly hit several straight drives over 275y in a round, but I’m a 25 handicapper. I will always have a couple of holes where the drive deserts me and I hit OOB. And my short game is absolutely hopeless (great when practicing but I tense up on the course and those big drives mean nothing when I duff my approach shot 50y 🙄). So, whilst my average driving distances are pretty high and it’s a great feeling to see your ball fly 275y down the middle, i would swap that to have a better overall game.

[@Dah_J]

“More important” according to what standard? Shooting the lowest scores possible? Sure. But most golfers just want to have fun on the course, and hitting driver further is just plain fun. Everyone knows hitting straight is how to shoot low! Duh! We knew that in elementary school. But that’s not the point. Hitting far is fun

[@guyr7351]

Well according to data from the likes of shot scope, arcoss etc hitting it longer with the driver and being in the first cut is more beneficial than being 30 yards shorter but in the fairway. Typically because hitting GIR with the short drives is harder which then puts more pressure on the short game. Accepted it’s no good hitting it long but putting into serious trouble, wrong fairway etc, you are handicapping yourself.

[@leeloopatsy]

@@Dah_J yes of course hitting far is fun but don’t fool yourself 90% of golfers want to have a decent score at the end of the game. If you only like to hit as far as possible then don’t loose your money on the fairways go to the driving range instead. You’ll have more fun.

[@leeloopatsy]

Yes but recently I played a tournament with an 83-year-old gentleman, handicap 13, who played 11 that day. Despite the fact that he did not go further than 180 yards at most with his driver.

[@samcho6280]

I am 60 years old and average between 220 and 240 yards on most rounds. Once in a blue moon, I hit 260 yards. I have had many encounters where they claim they hit 280+ yards on their best days, but they are having a bad day today. The truth is that I don't see too many amateurs hitting over 220 yards straight. I was a scratch golfer in early 2000 and have a 5.2 hcp today. However, my average driving distance didn't change much due to the fantastic golf technologies. I lost about 20 yards over the years but gained 10-15 yards with a new high-tech driver with a very expensive state-of-the-art shaft. ($300+) I had to fit it multiple times to get the right combination.

[@GolfingFocus]

Think you’re exactly right and a lot of people substitute their ‘best’ drive for their true average. Great point also on how tech can help us maintain distance too 👍

[@darrellbrown9475]

Move up. I am same age and hit about same. Still scratch in summer but can’t do it in winter from the same tees. Just don’t have the same game from 150 yds plus as 20 years ago.

[@drewmcdowell7684]

This is fairly interesting, as I'm 40 yrs old, just started golfing in July of 2023. I played twice a week until October 30th. Using 18 birdies I kept track of my handicap and total distance of all clubs. I started as a 60 handicap, and dropped to a 30 by October, but my average drive is 243 total distance. I think this shows that I have alot of room for improvement in other areas, mainly wedges and putting, I'd say.

[@stevefowler2112]

I'm a 45 year old Aerospace Engineer who doesn't play but about once a week at most but I have short range practices several times a week and I am a 4 handicap who has shot under par once. i'm 5'8" 158 lbs. I once played a round with an unknown Sr. Tour player once who told me, If you can hit your driver 250 in the short grass you can shoot par golf. I think that is still a very good yard stick. I can hit it longer than 250 if I really need to but I have learned over the years to find a driver swing that you know you can put in play; for me it's a high baby fade of about 250 yards. If I want to try and hit it farther I can swing harder and hit a draw (a draw was my normal swing before I settled on a high baby fade as my go to driver swing, but it carries more risk so as I said above I almost always hit a high baby fade and just fashion it to the hole rather than trying to hit draws on holes that go left) or just swing out of my shoes and try nd hit my baby fade as far as I can. P.S. fitness as in high intensity functional strength/fast twitch muscle workout regimens cannot be overlooked. I coincidentally started in crossfit at about the same time I got serious about my golf game and becoming very physically fit and felxible and strong with great cardio from all the Workouts and running helped EVERYTHING, even including my putting.

[@GolfingFocus]

A 250 yard baby fade is a drive everyone would take all day long. 👍 A good distance and eliminates the worst part of most courses left. I draw the ball normally and would love to be able to change it but think I'm stuck now unfortunately!

[@jaytravtulsa1]

My dad was on the course rating committee of the Chicago District Golf Association from ‘95-‘05. The CDGA taught him to go to the middle of the fairway 250 yards out right down to asses any hole’s difficulty for a scratch golfer. The same thing that pro told you 👍🏼.

[@prairiehills416]

I'm age 80 with a 11.4 Index. My drives are shorter than even 10 years ago. I focus on keeping the ball in the Fairway, and a good Short Game. Inside 100 yards, chipping and putting.

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

When I started driving it over 250, I realized length was not the holding me back, it was consistency that was holding me back from scoring better.

[@donsmnc5319]

Hank Haney has said for years and I agree distance off the tee (driver) determines potential, the farther you can hit the potentially lower the score, I have been keeping stats for nearly 4 decades to back it up and it’s true . As I have lost tee shot distance particularly in my late 50’s in my 60’s my scores have suffered from it.

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely spot on with the potential point. 👍 Sorry to hear your losing some distance now though!

[@anyexpat]

Jack Nicklaus coach said learn to hit it far, you can always learn to hit it straight later.

[@Jack-xy4fy]

These number are still inflated, because not everyone has arcos sensors. Arcos sensors + app fee is expensive AF, in total is costs the same as my annual membership. The only people who have that are people who have been playing the game a while and take the game super seriously. So clearly the true average is much lower than this. Id say 200 yards or slightly less is more likely the true average.

[@GolfingFocus]

It's a great point and suspect you are right. 👍 They also say handicap averages are also inflated for the same reason in that people with handicaps inevitably take the game a bit more seriously so an handicap average is inflated compared to what you would get if you take into account golfers.

[@_K_W]

I have Arccos. Just started playing golf in October 24. Got the sensors in Nov

[@GolfingFocus]

@@_K_W Awesome, how are you finding them so far?

[@WayneCarter-x6d]

This is the most informative clip I've seen in a long time. There's lots of videos telling me I could/should be driving the ball 250+m (I'm in my late 50s). Having picked up the clubs again after 7 years away from a course, I'm certainly not doing that. I used to be on a 10 h'cap, although I'm realistically around 14-16 at the moment. So I will feel more relaxed with my 220-230m drives now, rather than feeling frustrated & feeling like I'm under-performing. Ironically, it's my short game that I'm struggling with after a long layoff. I've forgotten what distance I hit my short irons & my short putting is dreadful at present :(

[@samcho6280]

I think you can do 260 + yards 😀

[@GolfingFocus]

Many thanks for the feedback. Is very much appreciated and a very warm welcome back to the game! Hope your short irons and putting improve as you get back into things! 👍

[@AussieBob999]

Excellent summary of the realities of driving distances. I learned a long time ago that distance is good, but accuracy is more important. Plus it is always chipping and putting that decides how good my score is. The male ego thing is bad when you are trying to become a better golfer - that is why so many male golfers are much better in their 50s and 60s than when they were in 30s

[@GolfingFocus]

Many thanks Bob and delighted you enjoyed the video. 👍 Agree with you 💯 on it being easier mentally as you get older but not sure I do entirely on the accuracy is more important point. The goal is obviously both but stats also clear on how longer is better provided it's 'in play' within reason. Most players still would trade 30 yards for a shot further back in the middle of the fairway compared to a longer driver in the rough but numbers show thats a bad trade. Long game (inc driving and approach shots) more important than the short game (chipping and putting) is what the data shows.

[@anyoldphilip]

As a 70yo, 8 Hcp golfer, my average is around 200m, occasionally hit a few 220+m but rarely. My local course has 5 Par 4s at between 390 and 420m and I need Driver, #4 Wood and Gap Wedge / PW / #9 Iron to make the distance to reach the green, depending on conditions. I agree, so many players say they hit their Driver 240+m and if / when you play in their group you find they are only a little longer than me and often shorter.

[@drrob1963]

Approaching age 62, I am in the same boat with long par-4s! I play them as par5s, as that is effectively what they are for me, and my handicap of 6 helps me out in competition. If it really upset me that I could not reach these long holes in regulation, I'd simply move forward to the shorter tees for my round, and play on!

[@JojohnWick]

240 with help of wind, downhill roll 😂

[@mikecoughlin9437]

I am 62. Handicap now is 8.5. Average carry on my driver is 230 so at my course with roll, 245. 16 years ago at 46 yo, my handicap was 2.5 and if I took the week off prior to an amateur tournament, I could play to scratch as I could spend time working on pitching and putting and did take that much off my game. Did not hit it that much further than today but was more accurate with all clubs - carried the driver back then about 240 so with roll 255 - but, that was hitting a consistent fade - if I really went after it with a draw, I could fly it 255 and roll out to 270. The only reason I still kind of close to my old distances is technology - I think this adds about 10 yards. Due to my old back and loss of flexibility, I have lost accuracy and distance.

[@GolfingFocus]

Hope you can keep the distances up Mike and technology can continue to lend a hand. Sounds like you still have a decent game though 👍

[@tor-Norge]

What I get from this is, 85% of golfer should move up one tee. I have two groups of friends, one group plays about 6500 yard, the other about 6100 yard. I always enjoy the game more when playing around 6100 yard.

[@jaytravtulsa1]

Ideally we should be using lots of different clubs for our approach shots after solid drives if we’re playing the right tees. All 4-woods is no good, neither is all wedges. I end up hitting a lot of wedges because I’m a 275 yd 10 handicap, but my buddies are 230 guys, so we play at 6100 and all have a good time. If you turn in scores for your handicap the length won’t matter since the course rating is lower from the shorter tees.

[@GolfingFocus]

Couldn’t agree more. The trap, which I must confess I fall into myself now and again, is that you don’t feel your playing the true course unless you’re playing from the tips or the near back tees! The vast majority though would definitely benefit though from moving up.

[@leonardblush2557]

I play 10 whites and 8 blues for just that 6100 on my course. I could do blues on the par 5s without much penalty, but playing the whites do increase the odds ( and fun) of having a chance at birdie. I see no reason for playing 400 yard par 4s. 380 is enough!

[@Bart-rn1dp]

66 y/o 20 Handicap hitting it about 200. I am glad to see I don't suck as much as I thought (~ average it seems) thanks for the breakdown!

[@GolfingFocus]

No worries at all. Delighted you enjoyed the video 👍

[@rickgray2465]

You might just suck ?

[@rosskennedy]

I just turned 75 my driver is ping g25 used for over 10 years my distance is + or - 5 yards off 200 yards but it 99 percent in middle fairway,never tried to get more yardages consistently is game.

[@mrmoke2820]

All this jives with my experience. I’m male, 64 years old, 24hdc, averaging about 160 off the tee. The problem in not my ego, the problem is the golf courses don’t have a greater selection of tees. When I explained this to the manager of the course I play he looked at me like I was crazy. Nope it’s the golf establishment, culture, course designers, and management. Screw them, in a few years I’ll be creating my own tee boxes in the fairways.

[@GolfingFocus]

You are absolutely right to be pushing for more tees and giving people options. Helps with pace of play also 👍

[@redneckcooler]

I agree with this. For the last 3 years or so, I've been writing a "P" on the hole whenever I take a penalty. I also record the number of putts on each hole. This data has REALLY opened my eyes as to where my strokes are coming from.

[@GolfingFocus]

@@redneckcooler A golfer after my own heart. Couldn't agree with tracking these stats more. So simple and would make a huge difference to so many players! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIeQpJWbd7WshpY

[@whitey2shotpewpew825]

I like to keep mine around 250-260. Once in a while I'll get one out to 280 roll out. But I'm also 6'2", athletic build. Most the guys I golf with are around the 240 mark. Very few can crush it to the 300 mark. 10 four man teams in our league, and maybe 5 or 6 guys can consistently get out that far.

[@GolfingFocus]

Thanks for sharing. 👍 Of the 5 or 6 guys reaching 300 yards would you say that's the odd one or consistently?

[@Avan-Golf]

I am 42 years old and haven’t played golf (never touch even one ball) for ten years. I just returned to golf a little over two years ago.I just tested my driver distance using the GC3, and my total distance including mishits was around 260 yards and Carry 240. I posted the evidence on my channel but the content is in Chinese, only graphic is English. My handicap more than thirteen years ago was around 10. Two years ago was 36+, In the beginning of last year was 20-25, and now it might be around 15. I call myself a semi-beginner 😂

[@PatrickRCurtis]

Are you me? That's almost exactly my story too. Although I only carry 225-230. I wish I hadn't stopped playing.

[@Avan-Golf]

@@PatrickRCurtis Ha, what a coincidence! I used to have a lot of bad habits in my swing, so I’m taking this return to golf as an opportunity to gradually fix them, it’s easier to adjust during this time. I stopped playing for about ten years and almost forgot everything, except for the bad habits lol. So I’m working really hard now. I just posted a new video about an 18 holes sim game. I feel like I’m getting better, hope you are too!

[@PatrickRCurtis]

@ I sub'd your channel. Keep up the great content!

[@andynaz5631]

I'm old, but I really do carry 245y. When I first started playing in my 40s I could carry 255. I have lost 10 yds, but the equipment is also better in the 2020s.

[@GolfingFocus]

That’s still a superb carry distance Andy! 👍

[@halecj1]

I'm the guy with a 32 handicap hitting 280 yd drives because I can't put two shots together to save my life.

[@GolfingFocus]

That's a great distance and when you do manage to string 2 shots together single figures is easily attainable with that sort of hitting power!! 👍

[@tmgissy]

Same

[@steo-red408]

bandit

[@jamessapia]

No you don’t. Most players overestimate their distance. At 280 you would be out driving a lot of pros and most every Sienor Pro.

[@halecj1]

@jamessapia Yes I am sir. Not estimating, I do tons of sim golf on Golfzon.

[@MrDionp056]

I am 69 years old with a 13 handicap. I long ago stopped trying to kill the ball, and concentrate more on hitting fairways and greens in reg. I consistently hit my driver between 235 and 250, with 250 being maybe 2 or 3 out of 10. However, slowing my swing down just a little in favor of control has made a night and day difference.

[@TheToledoTrumpton]

I think for an amateur golfer (with limited play-time) driving distance is irrelevant. A much better system is to find which of your short irons wedge to 8 iron you are most consistent with and then drive appropriately so that you leave that number to the green. You only really care about maximizing distance on par 5s. Back in the day, I was a scratch golfer and I used to hit the ball to 150, then play a little knock down 3/4 8 iron. I would hit 14 fairways often, and 14+ greens quite frequently, on my home course. I would regularly beat other golfers that hit the ball 30+ yards past me, the worse the conditions, the better I got. If you are better with a 9 iron than with a wedge, either because that is what you play most often, or because you perhaps play in windy conditions or narrow fairways, driving the ball further is not even desirable.

[@scooter5940]

I get all that, and so many low-handicap/scratch KZbin teachers have a similar view in their “you can break 100 (or 90)” videos. Then they will proceed to show you how to leave the driver in the bag, use your 180 club off the tee, aim away from trouble, treat a long par 4 as a par 5, etc. The problem with that is people who shoot 100 almost always have great inconsistencies with their ball striking, and with their short game as well . They can just as easily dub a 5-iron off the tee as their driver. And laying up short of a long water carry, only to then fat a pitch shot into the water can actually cost strokes - its ridiculous to think they can dink and dunk their way to an 88, 150 yards at a time. Dialing back off the tee may save a few strokes a round, but that’s it for most.

[@TheToledoTrumpton]

@@scooter5940 This isn't what I am saying. The problem is that there is a prevalent fallacy that you need to pick the tee-boxes based on your handicap, which is complete nonsense. An 80year old shouldn't need to play the tips at 7000+ yards because they are a 2-handicap. I am saying you need to drive the ball as far as you can comfortably and consistently manage, at your age and physical ability. How far you hit the ball isn't about how good your technique is, not these days. Or are you suggesting that the LPGA ladies are driving the ball 40+ yards less than the men, because their technique isn't as good? Then you need to see how far that is and pick a tee-box that allows you to reach the 150 marker or inside on nearly every hole. That is the way you are going to enjoy the game most. The big problem is that the handicap system is designed to attract new players to the game of golf, and reward people playing bad golf, so that they keep playing. It isn't designed to make competitions fair. In fact the better (more consistent) you are at golf, the less chance you have at winning a net tournament. I haven't won a NET competition in 30 years, because my best 10 of 20 rounds in that period have all been within 1-2 shots of each other.

[@conradk5711]

The way of the playa 👍🏼

[@GolfingFocus]

Take your point but reality there's going to be a ceiling on average on how low people can score if they restrict how far they can hit it consistently. Hitting the fairway 100% of the time with your 180 club is great and is a pathway to break a 100 for sure but it's going to tough to make that distance let you break 90 and give you no chance of breaking 80 ever playing a 'normal' length course. There's a balance obviously with hitting it longer and keeping the ball in play but the notion you have to hit the fairway always and 30 yards shorter in the fairway is better vs 30 yards further up in the rough from where you have a shot to the green is a myth. As is laying up further back to a set number. There are always exceptions of course but stats are clear you need to try and hit it as far as you can whilst keeping the ball generally in play as much as possible.

[@TheToledoTrumpton]

@ But you are buying into the fallacy that distance is tied to ability. Given modern technology, a 30 handicapper can easily drive the ball 100yards past a scratch golfer. Driving distance is far more tied to athleticism and age. We see this with every child golfer as they grow up. A child's driving distance will go up by 100+ yards and their handicap wont drop at all, if anything it goes up. I'm not suggesting laying up. I'm suggesting picking your tee color by your driving distance, not your handicap.

[@tantanmediagroup]

Great video & I don’t blame the Pros for the ball rollback - I blame bureaucracy. Should have nothing to do with Amateurs. I don’t see a large percentage of people getting to scratch over the years - so it’s a moot point.

[@Thewaldo12345]

I’m 44, 6’5”/265. At a 18-20 hcp I am not very consistent. The best I can do is about 305 if I get ahold of it and it goes straight. Most of the time it’s a slice or a hook that goes 220-250.

[@GolfingFocus]

That's an awesome top yardage! Hope you can manage to find some consistency too and get closer that on a regular basis. If you can that handicap will come down tumbling down for sure 👍

[@scooter5940]

I’ve always wondered how this is actually calculated. For example, if you are a 25, your contact is wildly inconsistent. That means some can hit a driver 240 with solid contact, but also dribble or top every 3rd or 4th tee shot only 50-100yards. That will get you to a 180 average, but it’s a very different picture than someone who hits it in the 180 range 9 times out of 10, rarely hitting past 200 or under 150.

[@GolfingFocus]

Arccos use a system called 'smart distances' which basically removes outliers (like the 50-100 yards duff for example) from the calculation. Shotscope have a similar system I believe to give a true average and of course the more shots you hit the better it gets.

[@richdarlowgolf]

I’m 54 (15 handicap) and have been weight training for 4 years, it makes a huge difference, my distance is increasing and in dry summer conditions I can hit around 2, 300 yard (total) drives per round...if you want to increase your distance guys hit the gym it really helps!

[@GolfingFocus]

You’re spot on Rich and if you can do the training it definitely helps the golf as well as being great in general obviously. Awesome 👍

[@Sisu2280]

I'm off 8... Hit it 300y comfortably... Had 7 three putts in Saturday comp yesterday. I'd happy swap 50 yards off the tee for a better putting technique on most days! Guy I played with off 10 was 50-70y behind me on nearly every drive, had the same score as me. Plenty of ways to get around a golf course. Length is just one of them.

[@GolfingFocus]

Agree for sure but the main point is with your 300 yard distance you have the chance to get really really low and even to +handicap territory. Anyone who hits it 50 yards shorter than you consistently can still do the same but the averages say it is going to be far far far harder for them to do so.

[@colehudson6062]

Pulled the driver out and just use 3 wood for consistency. I learned 245-250 with low 150s ball speed is plenty to lower my hcp. I do pick on my buddies if i out drive them with a stinger or draw. Best ive seen on trackman was 272 total with 160 ball speed but thats not a realistic swing i can control right now

[@GolfingFocus]

Now you've got the 3-wood sorted do you think you'll ever go back and try the driver again to see if you can replicate that consistency with it?

[@colehudson6062]

@GolfingFocus eventually yes, when I have more time at the range for better technique and maybe a lesson since I've never had one. I do pull it out in a scramble if my partner hits it good and safe because I can get those 290-310 drives if I hit it good depending if it's a draw or a slice on a dog leg right par 5.

[@thehairygolfer]

I recently did a video about seniors losing distance. I got 2 replies. I guy of 72 who claimed to still hit it 280 to 290 yards and another of 65 who claimed to still hit it 330 yards. Rory McIlroy averages 319 yards. I asked both why they hadn't joined the Champions Tour at age 50 as they had missed out on earning tens of millions of dollars in prize money and endorsements. They never replied.

[@GolfingFocus]

😂😂

[@JohnnyUtah13]

44 and my average before it started getting cold was 239. (this is GPS verified with my s70 watch lol) Been golfing for a little over 1.5 years, so I am pretty happy with that!

[@GolfingFocus]

Great stuff and agree that’s a very solid distance after only 1.5 years playing 💪 👍

[@GrWin-hg4gg]

These days, I average between 180 to 205 meters at 60. If I get hold of one, with a bit of a tail wind and it goes straight I can push 220-230 meters. While I can hit further It's how far I can hit it straight that matters. 220 meters into the bush is often worse than a miss hit that goes 130m and lands in the middle of the fairway.

[@Rzagski]

I’m 60 with a 12-16 index. My drives vary 215-260. My swing speed is high 89-97/97 mph.

[@relentless1]

Very informative video but you might want to correct the Men's 5.0 to 9.9 handicap yardages/meters. It currently shows both at 234.1

[@GolfingFocus]

Delighted you found the video helpful and appreciate the spot on the 5.0 to 9.9 handicap numbers 👍

[@JeffPassageCPA]

I am 69 years old, and my average driver distance dropped in 2024 from 180 yards to 150 yards. Total, not carry. Very discouraging.

[@Ronald-l6t]

Go get a lesson. I’m 69. 3 years ago I was down to 170 yards. Within 1 year I was up to 200 and now hit it 210. Light weight training on exercises for golf muscles also helps. Keep the faith.

[@Ronald-l6t]

These things bring back your confidence

[@GolfingFocus]

Sorry to hear that Jeff and realise how discouraging that will be. Are you doing any general strength or fitness work? Know its not for everyone but @fitforgolf5082 a great channel for this sort of stuff and know Mike has a number of followers amongst people looking to maintain distance. Hope this helps and you can get some distance back 👍

[@JeffPassageCPA]

@@Ronald-l6t Thanks. Lessons and weight training have done zero to increase club head speed or distance. No one has an answer.

[@Nick5513]

@@JeffPassageCPA Last year I started Superspeed training with the speed sticks I got off ebay. I'm 68 and a 12 handicap, had some of the longest drives I have ever had. Also bought a Krank single X driver. Got my swing speed up from high 70's to high 80's when hitting a ball. Over 100 when not hitting the ball. Was really happy with the results

[@itsdaley]

Last summer I'd guess I averaged 250 with my driver where my friend is around 210 but he hit alot more fairways than I did which is a better trade off if you ask me. Been working on my technique over this winter hitting my driver 230 at the most (I know ill lose distance from summer to winter) but I'm finding so many more fairways. Also my round scores are still falling throughout the winter

[@GolfingFocus]

Great stuff and hope the practice pays off for the upcoming season 👍

[@livingtribunal4110]

Been playing golf for 20 years. Loads of courses in the UK and I havent seen anyone bomb _close_ to a 300yd+ drive yet.

[@GolfingFocus]

That can't be true given what we all read on social media 😉 😂 👍

[@thehairygolfer]

I'm in the UK also. Had a club in my hand since I was a kid 50 odd years ago. I have played scratch competitions. I have seen guys with + handicaps who can get carry and roll over 300 yards. Maybe 2 of them. But not over 300 carry like the long Pros. They did both have something in common - they couldn't hit the fairway they were aiming at unless they took their 2 iron and even that wasn't reliable. I beat them both on the 16th playing scratch instead of my 5 handicap. Fairways, greens, chips and putts beats length.

[@justinstephenson9360]

As someone whose 60th birthday is a couple of months away thanks for reminding me that distance starts dropping off once I hit 60! The data is interesting because I have always thought I might be slightly longer than most but not a big hitter. When I am playing well a decent drive is 250-260 yards, when I am not playing as well it is probably 15-20 yards less. It is nice to know that really is a lot better than I thought

[@carlr2837]

His chart actually shows that driving distances start dropping after age 40. It will drop, but it doesn't need to drop quickly, and remember, the drop from age 40 to 60 is as great as the drop from 60-70. Stay physically active to keep your flexibility up, and lift some weights to keep your strength up. I'm 70, and per Shotscope, my performance average is about 226. Fifty years ago, my average was probably about where you are today, so yes, I've lost a bit of distance, but not much.

[@MrKillahippo]

I'm 65 and I'm in the 10% . In fact it feels like i'm swinging slower but keeping up the distance , due to hitting more efficient.

[@GolfingFocus]

Sorry for the reminder Justin! 😬 😂these are just the averages of course and there are always exceptions to the rules and by the looks of your distances you are one of them! 👍

[@GolfingFocus]

Spot on Carl. The decline is definitely gradual and any general strength work for overall fitness irrespective of golf will help maintain distance 👍

[@samcho6280]

I was a scratch golfer in early 2000 and have a 5.2 hcp today. However, my average driving distance didn't change much due to the fantastic golf technologies. I am 60 years old. I lost about 20 yards over the years, but I gained 10-15 yards with a new high-tech driver with a very expensive state-of-the-art shaft. ($300+) I had to fit it multiple times to get the right combination.

[@gungagalunga9040]

The long drive competition is the one prize I'm always chasing on competition day. I'm one of those strange golfers that hits it far but my short game and putting are awful. My shotscope average driving distance is 263 yards over 2 or 3 years. I guess it's not lying right...

[@GolfingFocus]

No I don’t think it’s lying. 263 a really good average distance for sure. 👍 out of interest what are you playing off just now with that?

[@gungagalunga9040]

@GolfingFocus 15 ...Been hovering around 15 since I took up golf a few years ago..

[@GolfingFocus]

@@gungagalunga9040 That's great and with that average driving distance there is loads of scope to get that down well into single figures. Hope this season is the year! 👍

[@Divedown_25]

I will try to measure my drives this year, but I think I'm around 210-220y. I have hit almost 300y once in my life and still do not know how it went through, on a narrow course with marsh on both sides. My friends and I could not believe it, the hole was only 330y and I was just 15-20 yards from the green.. well maybe the drive was 285-290y then :-)

[@GolfingFocus]

I would definitely have given you a 300 yard drive for that one for sure 👍 😂. There's no doubt there's no better feeling on the golf course than hitting a massive drive and alot of the reason we keep coming back! Great idea on measuring your drives this year and if you can would measure all your clubs if you can. Makes a huge difference to know all your yardages when you hit the course. And hope you manage another 300 yard drive this season 👍

[@peterwilsonclarke8141]

Intersection video but the data came so fast and frenzied that I was unable to note mentally, let alone physically, how I compare with my peers for handicap, age or skill. Very frustrating sir!

[@GolfingFocus]

Thanks for the feedback Peter. It is appreciated and will definitely take it on board for future videos. 👍 Always a balance to be struck between keeping the pace of videos up to maintain interest and giving everyone time to read data heavy elements. Will keep working on this to get the balance right. Best chart for this comparison at 8.00 mins of this video I think for an overall look at things.

[@carlr2837]

I often pause the videos when the data is on display, which gives me time to stop and think about how that data applies to me, and what I can learn from it.

[@hennman1965]

Im 60, and frankly, even as a 4 hdcp, anything over 250 is great

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely right. 👍

[@robertott9925]

52, 2 handicap. Carry 260 roll to 275

[@GolfingFocus]

Many thanks for sharing. 👍 Those look like great numbers to me

[@algernonwolfwhistle6351]

Very good presentation. On all of these graphs, would this be total distance or carry distance? Also, does this take into account drives hit with fairway woods and long irons or Driver only? In terms of total driving, could it be further broken down in terms of environmental conditions, ie summer/ winter, warm/ cold/ soft/ firm etc and also by country. I would expect that most of this data is collected within the USA and therefore may not be reflective of all countries.

[@GolfingFocus]

Thanks for the feedback. Is much appreciated 👍 These are total distances and are for only shots hit with the driver. No further breakdown as yet that I'm aware of but will keep looking. We did a video previously also on the effect of weather on distance which you may find useful - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoPCkmqebMuZf5Y

[@algernonwolfwhistle6351]

@@GolfingFocus Thanks for the update.

[@gerryb5578]

I went to a Top Tracer range and it said my drive was 180 yard total the ball hit a fence that is 200 yds measured distance from my tee, using rubbish range ball as well so unless you are using decent golf balls and measure your distance against a known yardage you will get conflicting feedback😮

[@GolfingFocus]

Great point about range balls and making sure you test your yardages with the balls you use on the course 👍 We did an earlier video also on that range balls point specifically which hopefully is of interest too - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaeZi6Vmjbt4n5osi=pX3D37cCt2s3MsMY

[@davegardiner6271]

Age 58, consistent drive is 215 metres. 3 Wood 200m; 5 hybrid 190. Yes way back when I was 30, I drove 260m.

[@GolfingFocus]

Those are still good distances Dave 👍

[@SawBlade11]

34 yo 11.7 average carry 277 161 ball speed. Highest ball speed 178, according to my BLP.

[@GolfingFocus]

Great stuff. Loads of potential there to get that handicap down very low this season with those yardages and ball speeds 👍

[@dexternewton]

Can you confirm that the data set is for Tshots with the driver only? It feels shorter than I would have expected based on my personal experience over 20+ yrs. Perhaps the data set includes all Tshots on par4s and par5s but doesn't differentiate 3woods, hybrids, long irons off the T ...

[@GolfingFocus]

Yup it’s with driver only. 👍

[@XSR_RUGGER]

These numbers suggest that getting the new technology (clubs) is not as necessary as the companies would love for you to believe. I have a 3 wood from the 80’s that I hit just as far as any other 3 wood I’ve hit (that is fitted correctly). I think amateurs should focus on getting the right fit, find a swing that produces consistent and playable results, and learn course management. If you know where your ball is going to go followed by where your ball NEEDS to go for the hole and then you make that happen, your score will drop dramatically.

[@sabsab9126]

My drive distance changes by 40 yards depending on ball , fairway (bent can give 20 yards better roll), temperature, hitting a down slope, etc. Wet fairways give no roll. At a 111 swing speed I can get anything from 220 to 260, depending on conditions.

[@GolfingFocus]

That's a fantastic speed you've got there. 👍 With 111 mph you've got the potential to be hitting the 300 yard mark total with a 280 carry. No doubt the conditions play a part also for sure.

[@sabsab9126]

@@GolfingFocusThat distance would need 120 or above. When I was younger I had that length but it was 260 out and 60 right.

[@GolfingFocus]

@@sabsab9126 Sorry are you talking carry or total distances?

[@hadler42]

People get confused with the word average. Just because you have hit a couple of bombs doesn’t mean that’s your avg drive. You have to keep all data (yes even that 80m duck hook in the water)

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely. 'Consistency' is the key word in all this not the one off great drive we all hit once in a while.

[@martinwallingford3773]

You are going to get a lot of golfers contradicting the data presented, including myself. At 59 I have maintained a strict fitness regiment focusing on strength and flexibility for more than 30 years (the Gary Player approach) thus I am still capable of hitting the occasional 300 yard drive.

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely Martin and for sure there are exceptions to the rule. Think your fitness regime is definitely not the norm though especially if it’s Gary Player esque! And that’s awesome you’re still maintaining that distance now and again. Out of interest what would you say your ‘average’ is?

[@martinwallingford3773]

@@GolfingFocus I enjoyed you video, and I can't argue against statistics especially from such a large sample. My average drive is around 285'ish. I really don't hit driver much, usually a 2 iron (250yds) if the hole is under 400 yards, that leaves me an 8 or 9 iron in.

[@GolfingFocus]

@@martinwallingford3773 Delighted you enjoyed the video and that's a fantastic average distance. 👍What's your handicap at the moment?

[@martinwallingford3773]

@@GolfingFocus To be honest I don't have one. I figure the only person I have to be better than is myself, and besides for me competition ruins the enjoyment of the game.

[@michaelstockley7897]

I don't understand where they get 180 million data points from. It says "users have recorded " so is that ranges only or actual course play? In any case I have seen elsewhere that LPGA swing speeds are the same as the average male yet they hit more than 30 yards longer. This tells me amateurs can get a lot more distance with the same swing speed by hitting the middle of the face and optimising launch conditions.

[@chairmanmeow8388]

Probably from garmin/shot scope etc

[@GolfingFocus]

Great point on the LPGA vs average male distances with roughly the same swing speeds Michael. One we covered in another one of our videos which hopefully is of value - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpOlXoGNiL98i5osi=SB4ke8s6Nf3xY3tw 👍

[@carlr2837]

@ ARCCOS is a competitor of Garmin/ShotScope. I think they have the largest market share in the US, while ShotScope probably leads in the UK, and I suspect Garmin is growing the fastest. ARCCOS is the most expensive, costing about $180 a year, while Shotscope is the cheapest at $0/year, once you buy the watch with trackers.

[@djbme83]

I'm 41, 5'10" 160lbs and my average carry is around 260 on my simulator. However, I shoot around 100 because of my inconsistencies with irons and the occasional 3 putt. I'm a heck of a scramble player though. Lol.

[@GolfingFocus]

That’s an excellent distance and can’t believe you won’t break that 100 barrier soon as a result. Stopping those 3 putts the low hanging fruit there for sure! Good luck 👍

[@TheInsaneShecklador]

I'm guessing a lot of these people claiming to average 300 yards are capable of bombing one somewhat close to that from time to time. Their average would be much much less. I doubt they factor in the shots where they pop it straight up or top it and it goes 120 yards, or even the ones where they don't catch it 100% and it still goes OK but not near their max distance. Those will quickly shave off a lot of yards.

[@greasby1golf871]

Im 44 , My last season average for all drives was 289 , includes irons off tees, driver only drives 306.

[@carlr2837]

At 70, I claim 225 for good drives, 200 including popups. Maybe I should claim 300? ROFL. After all, if you pry into my Shotscope data from the last two years, there actually are 3 drives over 300, a 305, 307 and 308. Haha, you'd be surprised how far you can hit the ball when you have a 60mph tailwind, bone dry ground, and you land on a steep downhill.

[@carlr2837]

@ Very nice! Keep active, and lift weights and you can probably still be hitting the ball 260 at 70.

[@greasby1golf871]

@@carlr2837 thats a a good hit for 70!

[@greasby1golf871]

@@carlr2837 it'll be more flexibility for me

[@josh14yo]

My 3 wood Arccos data is in the top 5% for driving distance according to this. I’m curious if this is driver data or driving distance data. Because Arccos counts irons off the tee on any par 4 and 5 towards driving distance.

[@PJo336]

I live at 5400 feet elevation and in hundreds of rounds, I’ve only played with 1 single person that hit over 300

[@GolfingFocus]

You must be mistaken surely 😉. I thought everyone hit it 300 yards! 😂 👍

[@Bdog6223]

I’m 33. 275 in the fairway I will take every time. That’s all I need.

[@petermcgill1315]

Only used Arccos for a year or so. If they actually have my stats, they should know I only used it like it was a 4 man Ambrose. Average drive of 225m (but only one in 4)

[@MrBroholio]

37yo 9.7Hc bomb carry is touching 300 good is 270s and my fairway finder more of what I play carry of 250. I rarely use driver on the course I still play white tees an I tee off mostly with 5i or 7w

[@GolfingFocus]

Awesome stuff, those are great distances and give you a big big chance of getting super low handicap wise which is great. Out of interest what would say your stock average is based on those? Between the good and the fairway finder or longer?

[@davejohn255]

It's appalling how short I hit it once I had the ability to measure my drives with a Garmin watch. As a senior tho off the senior tees doesn't really affect my handicap (+3) . The only thing I practice is chipping and putting. My average drive is 180-200 with my longest drive in the last 5 years being 249 yards.

[@charlesbond4413]

77 here, 10.5 loft, 200 yards +/- 10 yards full swing, about 80% fairways. Choke down 1-1/2” for narrow fairways, 190 -5 yards, 95% fairways. Driver is far more accurate for me than 3 wood at 175 max. 5 wood more accurate but is my 165 yards club. 7 wood is 157 yards and dead straight.

[@smevox7490]

I'm almost 40, my swing speed is 120ish. Just wish that I could get more than a 1.4 smash factor :(

[@GolfingFocus]

That's incredible speed! Hope you manage to get the ball striking sorted as there are some low scores out there for sure if you can manage it 👍 Out of interest what distance is that smash factor giving you with that speed?

[@smevox7490]

@@GolfingFocus I just so happened to do a free demo of the QI35 last week, looking at the trackman stuff on average it was about 270 carry, spin was off the charts at about 3500+ on average, I think i have a low heel problem haha. Driver was at 6 degrees. I did have a handful of 1.45-1.47 smash which carried 298ish.(172-174 ball speed)

[@hammockmonk]

I'd benefit from knowing when the data is on carry distance and when it is total distance. 😢

[@GolfingFocus]

All total distances unless specifically stated otherwise. Headings on all of our charts will say total or carry also 👍

[@FlankerJackChannel]

So I'm definitely right at the average which I'm definitely guilty of not being happy about. Is there any data about driving distance and the length of the course that I might be playing? I feel that I'm probably playing off the wrong tee's given my age and ability.

[@GolfingFocus]

USGA's Tee It Forward campaign definitely something to look at when it comes to this - www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/61/issue-11/helping-golfers-choose-their--best-tees--.html. Hope this helps 👍

[@carlr2837]

@ A lot of golfers, myself included, fall in between the recommendations for white tees and those for blue. Some of the courses around here have added another tee choice alternative, the white-blue combo. That uses the White tees on the longer par 4s and long par 3s, while using the blue tees on the short holes and most par 5s.

[@GolfingFocus]

@@carlr2837 That's a good idea. Not seen it at any of the courses I've played at but think this is something more courses could try to get a better balance 👍

[@fishingnetwork8771]

so does this avg include the tops and shanks?

[@GolfingFocus]

Arccos uses something they call ‘smart distances’ which automatically filters out mishits, recovery shots, unusually long shots etc to give a true average.

[@carlr2837]

@@GolfingFocus Shotscope does the same, and calls it "performance Average". That tells me which number to compare. My complete average, including mishits, is 193. My performance average is about 228, apparently not too shabby for age 70. ;) My goal for this year is not to increase my performance average, but rather to cut down on the mishits and get my total average to stay over 200.

[@GolfingFocus]

That's a great target@@carlr2837 and agree 228 performance average is for sure not too shabby! Do you have any specific drills or programmes you're planning to follow to increase the performance average this season?

[@carlr2837]

@ Yes, I have 4. 1. I'm trying to lift weights more this winter. 2. I just put a Newton Motion shaft in my driver, which I'm hoping will be more consistent than my prior shaft, giving me the confidence to get my swing speed back to 90 rather than 85. 3. I've got a speed-stick like trainer to use at home 4. I pre-paid for 15 sessions at the indoor golf facility, so I plan on hitting the ball every weekend this winter.

[@JBec1492]

im over 300 years old and i'm one of the few people who score their age

[@GolfingFocus]

🤣 👍

[@billsteven3813]

Driving distance vs. Driver Distance: "Arccos Driving Distance: average distance off the tee on par 4s and par 5s. This is calculated using your smart distances for *ANY CLUB* that you hit on those tee shots."

[@apopisso6302]

Same as I hit it in 2024.

[@mrbuckets11]

240 and keeping it in the fairway will have you shooting in the 80s all the time.

[@GolfingFocus]

Am sure a lot of people would take 240 down the middle every time for sure 👍

[@tb20million]

I’m pretty sure they have a better way to measure a golfer’s ability than drive distance. Handicap anyone?

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely right. Main point is just though that everyone is clear of the link between the two if they are serious about getting a lot better. Unfortunately if you don’t hit the ball very far there will be a ceiling on how low you can go.

[@TiaVsTheWorld]

This is purely based on average though. A high handicap can drive 300 yard plus. However a high handicap golfer can also knob it 10 yards which brings down the averages massively.

[@stevecorey5035]

Lol! I hate to disagree with some of info. 58yr old, 50yrs of playing, high school & some college. Many injuries, 3 handicap playing 20 rounds per yr. Driver speed 108 , irons in 90s, accuracy 1st. Still using a Built shafted 20 plus yr old Cleveland Launcher. Sold every Newly built driver & went back. The Monitors are Way Off. People do hit it straighter because your target is right on top of ya! Aim small, miss small.

[@GolfingFocus]

Thanks for sharing Steve and no issue at all with disagreeing 👍 Think you prove the point yourself though in that skill is x2 as important as age when it comes to driving distances 😉

[@stevecorey5035]

@GolfingFocus Definitely! All these New Drivers out & the Pros still can't hit better than 60% of fairways?? The Shaft is the REAL DEAL! 290 straight is great! 290 off line is Double Trouble!

[@anyexpat]

Tell you 1 thing. Bad strikes on sims are massively overstated v the real world and what golfers do is dismiss the fact they hit it 220 on the course and just accept the 250 the sim says. No one has EVER dismissed an over reading sim as wrong!

[@peterobertson2086]

I am 64, and 160 yards is about standard for me. Doesn't concern me, thanks to the stableford system, I do ok in competitions, with my handicap of 29.

[@GolfingFocus]

Enjoyment absolutely the no.1 factor Peter. Hope you continue to do well in this season's upcoming competitions 👍

[@tntsuchtie9490]

the thing is wehen you ask somwoine how far you hit your drive he/ she gives you MAX not AVARAGE i mean if you ask me how far can you hit your driver i say 300m but my avarage is probably 240 - 260

[@GolfingFocus]

Yup think you’re absolutely right. 👍Lots of people confuse their longest drive for their average.

[@fishingnetwork8771]

@@tntsuchtie9490 my max is 275-280 have driven a couple short par 4's. but my avg is 220-230. I usually have at least one 245-255 per 9. and usually have a choked up fairway finder especially early in rd that is 200-210

[@encinobalboa]

New golf ball rules set to take effect in 2028 is going to shorten driving distance for pros and ams alike. It will be like playing with reduced carry range balls. We all hate those, right?

[@bbucks71]

So basically you're saying that all these new clubs that come out every year doesnt make me better? Dang!

[@GolfingFocus]

Sorry 😂 Although to be fair to the new releases they potentially do make an increasing difference when it comes to mishits.

[@aduck006]

i can drive it far, my driver just sucks. tried a few other drivers and hitting it around 20m extra carry

[@GolfingFocus]

So have you bought another driver or still planning to switch on of the others you’ve tried?

[@aduck006]

@GolfingFocus not yet, been looking at a few from 2017, 2015, etc

[@Dan-o2d]

I can drive 275 carry on my best shots, 230 on bad strikes, and it doesn't matter at all. I'm gonna stay a shit golfer until I can figure out how to hit it straight down the middle every time. I would be more than happy to hit 215 max for the rest of my life if every one of them found the fairway.

[@GolfingFocus]

Understand the point absolutely but trade off is going to be if you only ever hit it 215 max there is more than likely going to be a ceiling on how low you can go consistently. Agree you need to keep the ball in play but stats are absolutely clear you don't need to be in the fairway. 30 yards further down in the fairway in the rough and in a lie you can play a shot yields better scores than 30 yards further back in the middle of the fairway 9 times out of 10.

[@elgar104]

How far you hit the ball is so unimportant. How straight you hit it is FAR more consequential. Average lateral dispersion is the only stat worth focusing on imho.

[@GolfingFocus]

Straight is important for sure but it’s definitely not far more important. Without decent distance there’s going to be a clear ceiling as to how low you can score.

[@elgar104]

@GolfingFocus if you don't learn to hit straight first...... hitting it longer will only increase the penalty of not doing so. And I know of no one who hits a straight ball who isn't hitting it far enough. So why are there a million video clips about length.... and next to no clips about simply how to hit straight and keep it on the short stuff?

[@GolfingFocus]

@@elgar104 Interesting. All the speed systems and training now teaches to build the swing speed up without worrying about direction so your muscles get used to what's needed to generate more speed. After they want you to reign it in to something that's comfortable speed wise to build up more control and more distance.

[@elgar104]

@GolfingFocus that sounds counter intuitive to me. As a musician we are all told to play something slowly and accurately first and then build up speed.

[@coobay4786]

I'm 71 and can easily carry the ball 300 yards, hell I can carry the whole bag 300 yards.

[@encinobalboa]

Numbers don't lie. Driving distance has not changed despite new driver technology and golf balls.

[@onenight9949]

If you add like the guy at 3:44, you don’t have to hit it far!

[@TimBarnesGoneGolfing]

+4.4, 301m average driving distance.

[@GolfingFocus]

Amazing yardages and handicap. 👍Are you playing any elite amateur events with that or been a pro / planning to turn pro?

[@TimBarnesGoneGolfing]

@@GolfingFocus I played a few amatuers tournaments, team events, inter-club competitions. I'm too old and have too many responsibilities to turn pro - it was more like my sport to come back to after years of cricket, track & field, tennis, and Weightlifting - I have played for 34 years now though since the age of 5.

[@JoeMomma-yk6qb]

People are dumb, most people who say they hit it 300+ are really hitting 240. The people who say I hit it 240 are more than likely hitting it 200. Everybody cares about distance but can't find a fairway, or even post a respectable round of golf

[@bluchap43]

So you are saying not to go out and buy the latest $700 driver?

[@GolfingFocus]

You never know. This could finally be the one that makes all the difference! 😉 😂

[@anyexpat]

The usual flurry of posts. It is interesting that 100 plus people claim LONGER and Significantly LONGER distances and not a single person claims shorter distances to offset all the long hitting claims. Great topic for the YT algorithm and also for BS.

[@GolfingFocus]

😂 I hadn't paid attention to that but looking through you're right. Difficult to find a comment with shorter yardages than standard!

[@JJ_Khailha]

Carry distance is the missing but most accurate measure of driving distance. Arccos fails in providing this metric because it is a GPS gadget.

[@Gigity1107]

I actually, completely disagree with that. I play a links course and there is only one hole with a forced carry so my driver is lofted down to 8° to get more run and keep it under the wind. So carry is mostly irrelevant to me.

[@JJ_Khailha]

@@Gigity1107 Yeah but people play on different courses in different conditions and while carry tells you where your ball will contact the ground, the rollout is dependant on multiple factors. I also play a links and want the ball to roll and roll but I need to know where it will land.

[@GolfingFocus]

Think you're both right @JJ_Khailha, @Gigity1107 for sure and it would be great to know carry distance for amateurs too as well as total distances. I do wonder whether we'll get more of this as tech improves as agree it would be great to know especially for US courses. Unfortunately for now though we're stuck with this data as the best data available. PS Where do you both play your links golf? And if you've got any recommendations for good links courses near where you are would be great to know them. Just got fitted for a driving iron and looking for links tracks to test it out on this season 👍

[@carlr2837]

@ I agree that knowing carry distance is often critically important. A hole I play often take 180 yards to clear the trap. Can I clear it? It depends only on carry.

[@Gigity1107]

@ I'm in New Zealand. So its the height of summer here.

[@anyexpat]

I just find the topic of stating how far you hit your driver / 7 iron boring as fk. People do not know how far they hit and they also exaggerate. I would say the average overstatement is around 40 to 50 yards. I worked in the golf business and have a pretty good understanding of distances having worked with golf sim companies and launch tech companies. Caring what a random deluded person says about their 300 yard carry on the web is a sad state of affairs. Now this thread will be full of people claiming distances that are again boll ox and not a single person will claim lower numbers! (Those people HAVE to exist)

[@GolfingFocus]

Absolutely spot on. Knowing your own yardages absolutely key and if we can get even one person to go and confirm theirs from this video we'll take it 👍

[@julia-6195]

They should've just bifurcated the ball if it was that much of a concern.

[@GolfingFocus]

I agree Julia. I don’t think people would have cared if the pros were playing different balls. I also wish they’d reduced the size of their drivers and stopped them using any wedges more than 56 degrees as alternatives to changing the ball.

[@Dah_J]

Wow!!! 300+ is top .1% of amateurs??? So what would that make me? My average drive is 350+ yards as an amateur

[@LeightonMorgan-m7x]

B S

[@Dah_J]

@ what would I have to gain from lying about that? I’m a competitive long driver so that’s pretty normal to me.

[@watersoilsun847]

Pro golf bears no resemblance to amateurs, so why are we forced to change balls. The pro game played by few is simply about making money, not improving the game and access to it.

[@carlr2837]

We are forced to change balls because that's what we want, apparently. Initially it was proposed to change the balls only for pros, but lots or people spoke up and said that they didn't want pro golfers playing a different ball than amateurs, so we all get the ball that goes a shorter difference.

[@charlesmarshall1309]

It will make very little difference to most amateurs, because it's the biggest hitters that will lose the most distance. So while Rory McIlroy, who really compresses the current ball, might lose 15-20 yards, the amateur who only carries the ball 200 will lose only 5-10. If your average total driving distance changes from 220 to, say, 212 the impact on your scores will be minimal.

[@hikerJohn]

But does the AVERAGE amateur even use Arccos?

[@woodyboonen8675]

Misleading analysis. Carry is the number that means anything and that’s clearly worryingly shorter than what is said here! At 60 years old 5 hcap I’m hitting the ball further than I did 40 years ago. And by your stats further than the average of a 30 years ago old. It’s all about equipment. Golf is too easy now.

[@patrickmccormick4275]

This is the problem with analytics in sports ….in this case and in many other sports, the data is totally misleading….way to many variables to come up with one final number…I can appreciate the idea and information here, but seriously disagree with these generalized outcomes. I have been playing golf for 50 yrs both competitive and now mostly recreational….. I am 69 yrs old and a 0.1 index…I hit the ball as far now as I did when I was ripped at 40 yrs old….average around 97 game swing speed….proper launch angles and correct spin for that launch angle will max out your distance to around 265 carry and a ball speed of approximately 153. How much of this arcoss data is collected with optimum parameters? I would guess less than 5%? Rendering all this information completely useless. Point is, we have the tools with equipment and fittings….but most people do t give a rats ass to use it. Same old same old….anyone can build a narrative to promote or argue their point. Just go play and enjoy the game .

[@GolfingFocus]

Lots of valid points there gents but not sure I can agree with all of them. I don't think anyone can say golf is too easy now and especially for amateurs who have limited practice and playing time in a game that demands hours and hours or it consistently. I think given your standards you both vastly underestimate how good you both are compared to the 'average' amateur and therefore how much of your skill regular players simply don't have and likely will never have. Key general point of all of this is that amateurs are aware how important distance is if they want to get to your levels. If they don't care as you say though and can't be bothered with sorting out their equipment to max what they have then no worries. But they will then be stuck at the level they are more than likely and the drop offs will increase from a lower base as time passes. The key thing I absolutely agree with though for sure is just play and enjoy the game as much as you can - the tagline at the end of everyone of our videos ironically 👍😉

[@woodyboonen8675]

@@GolfingFocus Fair point. It works both ways in that golf is more accessible now to those who perhaps might have been put off by equipment of the past e.g less forgiving irons or much smaller drivers. Also the fact that the better player has gotten better because of equipment tech. I returned to golf only 4 years ago after 15y away and my hcap is lower than it was 40 years ago, I credit that to the (flawed) hcap system and golf tech, especially woods and hybrids. The driver used to be the hardest club in the bag to hit, it’s now the easiest. Interesting video all the same 👍

[@GolfingFocus]

@@woodyboonen8675 Agree with you on the driver now 💯. I used to love the feeling of hitting a persimmon driver 'out the screws' as it demanded concentration. Think its now the most boring club to play and just requires reasonable players to get it moving and hitting it almost anywhere on the face will get you heading somewhere reasonable. Wish they had looked at reducing the driver head size and sweet spot if I'm honest rather than the ball to reduce distances!

[@woodyboonen8675]

@@GolfingFocus totally agree. It’s the driver that needs reduced in size imo. Introducing a more precise strike off the tee is a great leveller. I still have all my old clubs and take them for a walk now and again. I did so last year with a Balata ball, Mizuno Blades an old Callaway Big Bertha and my 13 degree TM ‘Tour Spoon’ fairway. Was around 10 shots worse on average and that was swapping the balata ball after 9 holes as it became unplayable due to its condition. Still had a lot of fun tho! It’s not always about scoring or distance.

[@FlyRiverFly]

So to sum up this video. Your Age, Equipment, Handicap, strength, physical condition, swing speed, striking accuracy, course design, course altitude and weather conditions are all factors that help explain why your averaging driving distance may or may not correspond to the averages provided on this video. This video averages are absolutely meaningless and provide no insight to help you improve your distance

[@GolfingFocus]

Sorry you didn't enjoy it. Hopefully this one is of more value 👍 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oordhJ9rZ5ico6M

[@NKRants]

I actually find this data a bit skeptical . I'm sure it's somewhat right, but as someone who loves stats it's too generalized without enough specificity. I feel like if you really wanted nerd out on the stats, you'll find too many "apples to oranges" factors . For instance, yes pros obviously drive it farther , but they also play with the latest driver every year and pop $5 for pro v1x's. If you just match club speed for club speed regardless if you're a pro or not, having better tech and a better distance ball will on average net at LEAST 10 yards more per drive, if not up to 20 (robot testing proves this). Most pros have club staff from their sponsors constantly optimizing every inch of their gear. Take most casual players. Most the times I see people playing clubs 5, 10, even 20 years old. They'll play balls they found in the lake the previous round and who knows how water logged it is. Probably never had a fitting, and if they did it probably wasn't very good. Most people do not spend $350 on reshafting every single wood they have in the bag. Also, there are ALOT more amateurs and hobbyists providing Arccos data vs pros, so the sheer sampling size will, over time, bring the avg numbers down. There can be a big difference between a 12 handicap that plays once or twice a month vs a 12 handicap that plays once or twice a week. If this comparison were more scientific, you'd have to normalize the sample size across all test groups. Meaning, take 100 people who have 20 handicaps, 100 people who have 10, handicaps, 100 pros, etc. etc.. Give them all optimized equipment, and have them all play multiple rounds on the same days on the same courses and/or ranges. You can't sample 500 pros than 100,000 hobbyists and expect comparable averages. How often is pro data captured outside tournaments? Do they play in the dead of winter with frozen balls like amateurs do or in morning dew when the ball rolls out 2 inches? Hopefully my point makes sense, the sample size of the ams are so big that there's too many factors that may influence that driving distance number whereas pro's, by nature of it being a regulated sport, have much more controllable constants. A better scientific comparison would be to compare the data that leads to driving distance vs. driving distance itself. I.e. comparing clubhead speed, angle of attack, spin, ball speed, face contact (i.e. efficiency/smash factor). etc.. At least that would SHOW you WHY pros drive longer and the actual numeric differences and it would eliminate random factors like John in Scotland playing 1000 Arccos rounds in a hurricane. That would eliminate most variables introduced by things like equipment , environment, circumstantial situations etc.. (granted, things like smash factor can totally be boosted by equipment, but you know what I mean I hope).

[@GolfingFocus]

Agree for sure it would be great to normalise and control the comparisons for amateurs as much as you say but don't think that's realistic. Hopefully tech will keep improving and iron a few of things out for now this is as good as it gets. Absolutely agree though with it being important to know why the pros hit the ball as far as they do and we did a video on just that a while back - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJi0ZoRsbMt7hMUsi=7LjTv50XhHsI3Ycj 👍

[@stewartdillard7199]

Chat GPT wrote this script lol

[@gman0155]

Just get a lesson on launch monitor and you will know. Not hard 😂

[@GolfingFocus]

Touché 🤣 🤣

[@JerryStarmer-mr8tw]

87 and still carrying it 340.

[@GolfingFocus]

🤣 🤣