Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. I was at the Canadian Open on Friday (before the rains), and I had a chance to stand at the 8th hole. This one is wide open, so it should not have caused anyone to hold back. For accuracy, it conveniently had yardage numbers sprayed on in 10 yd increments. With Fran at their backs (probably 20-30 mph tail wind), these guys were hitting between 250 and 270 on the fly, with a roll of between 20-50 yds. The longest drive I personally saw was 310 including roll. Ernie Els hit it 280 in the air but it went into the long rough and he only got 10 yds more. Tiger Woods (the marshall only told me about this) apparently hit it 343 yds!!! And his was the longest. The shortest drive that I saw was a 260 total (Mark Brooks). So they all had short irons into a two tiered green, pin at the back upper level. Statistics can be deceiving. The PGA Tour driving statistics are determined using all drives on only two designated holes per round. Misshits count! If its raining and there is no role out, if the ball hits a tree and bounces back 100 yrds, or the player elects to hit an iron or fairway wood it counts. Therefore, the "driving average" statistic it going to be quite a bit less than the median or typical drive of the pros. Just remember, Cory Pavin drove the 18th green (345yrds) at St. Andrews in the third round of last years Open.
I admittedly know very few facts on this subject, but my impression is that these factors may lower the average a little, but not really "quite a bit." From what I’ve seen, the Tour folks try their best to pick the two holes that are as long, straight, and open as possible (in other words, where the players are most likely to use their drivers). Sure mishits count, but they do for me when I’m playing a round as well, and I’m sure I mishit a much greater percentage of the time than the guys on tour. 
Same goes for wind, etc. I assume Rick wasn’t close enough to the tee to see exactly what clubs these guys were hitting or he would have told us, but if Tiger hit it 343 yds he was probably using his driver, so it’s a safe bet that most of the other guys were too unless someone was having a particularly bad day with it (or you’re John Daly and getting tired of hitting out of parking lots 
(it’s a joke…)) From what I’ve seen, this account sounds like a fair representation of what these guys do with their drivers. Any comments with more factual details welcome. OK, my news server wants a few more lines of new text, so I’m just gonna add a couple pointless lines down here since I don’t feel up to editing included stuff. Sorry for taking up more of your time… — DISCLAIMER: The views contained herein are solely those of my mother.
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I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver…
<snip I haven’t read the rest of what is being posted but I know why these distances are about the same. Most golf courses are watered very lightly. Counting roll on a hard fairway anyone with reasonable strength and a decent set of fundamentals can pop it out there to 275 or even more. I am a 6 hdcp and when our course is dry I have reached par 5’s with 3wood and 9iron. We’ve had some rain lately and those same holes require driver and a wood now. The tour plays on the lushest and most finely maintained courses. If you watch closely, their tee shots get very little, if any roll. So a 280 yd tee shot is 280 yds worth of carry. Very few amateurs (including me) can do that. IMVHO, in that you have the difference. Regards Ken
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I started this…but I just wanted to say, THANKS! By the way, someone commented on my 85 swing speed, but using 2.8 graphite Ultra 45’s Firesticks…all I can say is I hit them straight, the 7 iron 145-150 yards. I think part of the "comfort" is that I bought them used, and worked hard to make the clubs work. Still inconsistent as hell. Lose 10 strokes a round within 5 yards of the green. Chip, 2 putt, chip, 2 putt. Any suggestions on mid-size, or over-sized irons? I have a lot of mis-hits. I need graphite because of tender wrists. Please, no threads on knock offs or used…it’s my money and I can afford Burner Irons if I want them. I really love the Bubble 1 & 3. Can hit the 10 1/2 off the fairway, sometimes better than off the tee. By the way, average drive is about 210-220….wind, uphill, downhill, you know. Hit one 280 last week, I swear. Had to lay up with a 5 iron. Skulled it about 100 yards. I hate golf!! js – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – leaving 7 holes that I either hit a fairway wood or a long to mid iron. If I considered only holes that I use a driver, my average would fall into the 290-300 range. Don’t doubt the statistics unless you know what they mean. Another example would be Davis Love, III and Gregg Norman that both hit their drivers on average (not the average drive statistic) about 325 yards. UTTERLY FULL OF SHIT A. WAYNE HARRISON
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… <snip I haven’t read the rest of what is being posted but I know why these distances are about the same. Most golf courses are watered very lightly. Counting roll on a hard fairway anyone with reasonable strength and a decent set of fundamentals can pop it out there to 275 or even more. I am a 6 hdcp and when our course is dry I have reached par 5’s with 3wood and 9iron. We’ve had some rain lately and those same holes require driver and a wood now.
Your course must be made of concrete and all those par 5’s must be downhill with the wind to your back (or well under 500 yards). I’ve played this game for over 25 years all over the country with players from 2 handicapps to 30 handicapps. Thousands of them and only a very small handfull could reach a 500 yard par 5 in two with a driver and a wood, let alone a 3 wood and an iron. The tour plays on the lushest and most finely maintained courses. If you watch closely, their tee shots get very little, if any roll. So a 280 yd tee shot is 280 yds worth of carry. Very few amateurs (including me) can do that.
I just got back from Florida and I’m currently playing in Washington state and all those courses are far from hardpan fairways. Your argument would have held water 20 years ago but now most fairways are watered. Long ago golfers used to be taught to hit the ball with a low draw which would produce 30-50 yards of roll on unwatered fairways. Now you’re lucky to get 15-20 yards of roll and that still means you have to hit it 255-260 in the air to reach that 275 mark. 95 percent of golfers can’t do that. If you doubt that, sometimes go to a course with a 225 yard par 3. Watch how many golfers pull out a driver and still come up short. I don’t doubt your length. I’m just saying you’re putting yourself down if you think hitting an average drive of 275 is something even 25 percent of the golfers out there can do. My guess is that a good golfer that consistantly hit in the low 80’s (less than 10% of golfers) only hit their average drive 220-230. — Classic: A book which people praise and don’t read.
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The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero.
I was at the Canadian Open on Friday (before the rains), and I had a chance to stand at the 8th hole. This one is wide open, so it should not have caused anyone to hold back. For accuracy, it conveniently had yardage numbers sprayed on in 10 yd increments. With Fran at their backs (probably 20-30 mph tail wind), these guys were hitting between 250 and 270 on the fly, with a roll of between 20-50 yds. The longest drive I personally saw was 310 including roll. Ernie Els hit it 280 in the air but it went into the long rough and he only got 10 yds more. Tiger Woods (the marshall only told me about this) apparently hit it 343 yds!!! And his was the longest. The shortest drive that I saw was a 260 total (Mark Brooks). So they all had short irons into a two tiered green, pin at the back upper level. Mark Brooks was the only one who birdied while I was there. And Tiger parred the hole. Just goes to show that long drives aren’t everything. BTW, I went out to play yesterday (Saturday) morning at my course in a light drizzle, and had two Fran assisted drives of 270-280 with my old McGregor Jack Nicklaus metal driver and used the matched 5 wood to get on the green in two both times (495 yd par 5’s). I too only managed to par the holes (after 3 putting!!!). Once again, length is no substitute for accuracy. Happy golfing, rick
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. I was at the Canadian Open on Friday (before the rains), and I had a chance to stand at the 8th hole. This one is wide open, so it should not have caused anyone to hold back. For accuracy, it conveniently had yardage numbers sprayed on in 10 yd increments. With Fran at their backs (probably 20-30 mph tail wind), these guys were hitting between 250 and 270 on the fly, with a roll of between 20-50 yds. The longest drive I personally saw was 310 including roll. Ernie Els hit it 280 in the air but it went into the long rough and he only got 10 yds more. Tiger Woods (the marshall only told me about this) apparently hit it 343 yds!!! And his was the longest. The shortest drive that I saw was a 260 total (Mark Brooks). So they all had short irons into a two tiered green, pin at the back upper level.
Statistics can be deceiving. The PGA Tour driving statistics are determined using all drives on only two designated holes per round. Misshits count! If its raining and there is no role out, if the ball hits a tree and bounces back 100 yrds, or the player elects to hit an iron or fairway wood it counts. Therefore, the "driving average" statistic it going to be quite a bit less than the median or typical drive of the pros. Just remember, Cory Pavin drove the 18th green (345yrds) at St. Andrews in the third round of last years Open.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. I was at the Canadian Open on Friday (before the rains), and I had a chance to stand at the 8th hole. This one is wide open, so it should not have caused anyone to hold back. For accuracy, it conveniently had yardage numbers sprayed on in 10 yd increments. With Fran at their backs (probably 20-30 mph tail wind), these guys were hitting between 250 and 270 on the fly, with a roll of between 20-50 yds. The longest drive I personally saw was 310 including roll. Ernie Els hit it 280 in the air but it went into the long rough and he only got 10 yds more. Tiger Woods (the marshall only told me about this) apparently hit it 343 yds!!! And his was the longest. The shortest drive that I saw was a 260 total (Mark Brooks). So they all had short irons into a two tiered green, pin at the back upper level.
When I was playing in Toronto, Friday, the wind was from the North East, and closer to 15-20mph than 30mph. The 8th hole at the abbey plays into the North West. I believe most guys on tour could do better than quoted with a 30mph wind at their backs.
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I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. Very, very few average 275 yards a drive. To you that do, I apologize. To you that don’t, I’d rather hear of your experiences and opinions.
Right. I’m a 12 handicap and hit a pretty long ball, (or so the golfers I hookup with tell me) and my GOOD drives go 235-240. An average drive goes about 220-225. Now of course I’ve hit those monsters (wind at my back and downhill) of 260-270 but they don’t come too often. And buy the way, I’ve played with some real good golfers and I’m rarely out driven by more than 10 yards. Please, no e.mail… I’m not looking for a confrontation. In fact, what ball is good, cheap, for a middle aged man, with a 24 handicap, and a 85 swing speed? I’m hitting Wilson Ultra 45’s with 2.8 graphite, and Burner 1 and 3 with 80+.
The best, and I mean the very BEST ball for you to use is the one you find in the woods. These are the balls I use all the time no matter if they are xxx’d out or not. However, if I really want to treat myself I’ll buy Titelist Blata balls because they spin more which help me stop the ball on my short iron approch shots. These are expensive though so for my everyday normal round I just use one of the balls I happened to have found when walking along side the woods. — Spend each day as if it were your last; and you’ll be broke by sundown.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. Please, if you need to embellish, post to golf.exaggeration. I want to read about the average weekend golfer who is happy to break 100…playing by the rules, including all strokes and penalties. What club/ball/course are you playing. What new products have you tested, and what is for sale, and how much.What do you think of last week’s Tournament? Very, very few average 275 yards a drive. To you that do, I apologize. To you that don’t, I’d rather hear of your experiences and opinions. Please, no e.mail… I’m not looking for a confrontation. In fact, what ball is good, cheap, for a middle aged man, with a 24 handicap, and a 85 swing speed? I’m hitting Wilson Ultra 45’s with 2.8 graphite, and Burner 1 and 3 with 80+. Thanks, js
I’d recommend the Titleist DT-2 piece. Read all about it at www.titleist.com kidding. Seriously, DT-2 piece. I now hit it longer and straighter due to the very low spin and high energy core. For a 2 piece Distance ball, it feels softer than any ultra/top-flite/pinnacle I’ve ever played also. I don’t get paid to play their ball, but I wish I did, Colin
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I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… stuff deleted< Thanks, js
Golfers always bragg about driver length, just like guys with that other length. You know what they say, If men menstrated they’d be bragging to their mates about how long and how much! Cheers, Brett
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290-300….baloney!
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leaving 7 holes that I either hit a fairway wood or a long to mid iron. If I considered only holes that I use a driver, my average would fall into the 290-300 range. Don’t doubt the statistics unless you know what they mean. Another example would be Davis Love, III and Gregg Norman that both hit their drivers on average (not the average drive statistic) about 325 yards.
UTTERLY FULL OF SHIT A. WAYNE HARRISON
Response:
I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero.
Although I tend to agree with you about most golfers reported driving distances, as most people remember only their best drives. The PGA measures driving distances on two holes each day, usually in different directions to negate the effect of the wind. These holes are either par 4 or 5’s. I am a 5 handicap and my average drive is about 255 yards but consider the number of 4’s and 5’s that I would not hit a driver. In fact I only use a driver on 7 holes on my home course, leaving 7 holes that I either hit a fairway wood or a long to mid iron. If I considered only holes that I use a driver, my average would fall into the 290-300 range. Don’t doubt the statistics unless you know what they mean. Another example would be Davis Love, III and Gregg Norman that both hit their drivers on average (not the average drive statistic) about 325 yards.
Response:
I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver… The PGA Tour has about 2 dozen(?) men averaging 275 yards or above. The Seniors a handful, and the Woman zero. Please, if you need to embellish, post to golf.exaggeration. I want to read about the average weekend golfer who is happy to break 100…playing by the rules, including all strokes and penalties. What club/ball/course are you playing. What new products have you tested, and what is for sale, and how much.What do you think of last week’s Tournament? Very, very few average 275 yards a drive. To you that do, I apologize. To you that don’t, I’d rather hear of your experiences and opinions. Please, no e.mail… I’m not looking for a confrontation. In fact, what ball is good, cheap, for a middle aged man, with a 24 handicap, and a 85 swing speed? I’m hitting Wilson Ultra 45’s with 2.8 graphite, and Burner 1 and 3 with 80+. Thanks, js
Response:
I am seeing more and more posts from individuals who are AVERAGING 275 yards with this driver, and 277 with that driver…
I wouldn’t reach 275 with a driver and a seven iron, but I surely would like to learn to hit it longer. Any of you monster drivers with a tip? Please, no e.mail… I’m not looking for a confrontation. In fact, what ball is good, cheap, for a middle aged man, with a 24 handicap, and a 85 swing speed? I’m hitting Wilson Ultra 45’s with 2.8 graphite, and Burner 1 and 3 with 80+.
A good ball (for hitting and putting) is the Top Flite Strata (if you can afford it) or just the plain old Top Flite XL (now the Hot XL). BTW. Isn’t the 2.8 graphite a stiff shaft? I thought stiff shafts were for players with higher swing speeds. Anyone know? Go for it! Mike