Has Driving Distance On Tour Actually Increased?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 8 January 2018

The distance the golf ball is travelling these days has been a large talking point over the past few months

Has Driving Distance On Tour Actually Increased?

The distance the golf ball is travelling these days has been a large talking point over the past few months, with talk that modern day equipment is making our classic golf courses obsolete.

Dustin Johnson's near ace of the 433-yard par-4 12th at Kapalua only added fuel to the fire

Pros have been weighing in on the argument too, with Tiger Woods recently saying he expects 8000 yard golf courses soon.

Jack Nicklaus is another who has been outspoken on the modern day golf ball.

But has driving distance on Tour actually increased? And is a perceived increase in distance more about the physiques of the modern day players who spend hours upon hours in the gym and tailor their diets to achieve the maximum power and flexibility out of their bodies and swings?

Here we look at some figures and standout stats from across the years to see: Has driving distance on Tour actually increased?

John Daly

1997: 302 yards 2017: 297.6 yards

Daly is the longest hitter on the Senior circuit

Daly is an interesting one having been one of golf's longest hitters for some time now. Long John was averaging over 300 yards back in 1997 and has only lost around four yards by the age of 51.

Fred Couples

1997: 283.5 yards 2017: 294.2 yards

Couples' effortless rhythm still yields distance

Despite turning 58 in October, the 1992 Masters champion was hitting the ball 10 yards further than he was at the age of 38.

Phil Mickelson

2000: 288.7 yards 2015: 293.5 yards

As he approaches 50, Mickelson is around 5 yards longer than in his early-t0-mid 30s

Lefty has put on around five yards in 15 years according to the PGA Tour statistics.

Tiger Woods

2000: 298 yards 2013: 293.2 yards

Tiger Woods was only second to John Daly in terms of hitting 20 years ago and could regularly get it out there 300 yards before the turn of the century. Interestingly in 2013, a year in which he won five times, he had lost five yards compared to his driving distance in 2000. You could put that down to his aggressive nature in 2000, his surgeries and his will to hit a cut off the tee.

Dustin Johnson

2008: 309.7 yards 2017: 315 yards

DJ is one of professional golf's true power hitters. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

DJ was bombing it in 2008 and 10 years on he still is. Like Mickelson, he's put on around five yards - although that is over a shorter period.

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Driving distance through the years on Tour...

1980

Longest hitter: Dan Pohl - 274.3 Shortest hitter: Michael Brannon - 238.7

1985

Longest hitter: Andy Bean - 278.2 Shortest hitter: Tom Jenkins - 241.7

1990

Longest hitter: Tom Purtzer - 279.6 Shortest hitter: Calvin Peete - 244.2

1995

Longest hitter: John Daly - 289 Shortest hitter: Bill Britton - 246.6

2000

PGA Tour:

Longest hitter: John Daly - 301.4 Shortest hitter: Corey Pavin - 251.3 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 1

European Tour:

Longest hitter: Emanuele Canonica - 295.3 Shortest hitter: Ronan Rafferty - 257.9 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 0

2005

PGA Tour:

Longest hitter: Scott Hend - 318.9 Shortest hitter: Corey Pavin - 258.7 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 26

European Tour:

Longest hitter: Angel Cabrera - 306.5 Shortest hitter: Andrew Oldcorn - 265.2 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 12

2010

PGA Tour:

Longest hitter: Robert Garrigus - 315.5 Shortest hitter: Brian Gay - 266.4 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 12

European Tour:

Longest hitter: Nicolas Colsaerts - 307.7 yards Shortest hitter: Christian Cevaer - 256.8 yards No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 10

2015

PGA Tour:

Longest hitter: Dustin Johnson - 317.7 Shortest hitter: David Toms - 270 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 25

European Tour:

Longest hitter: Merrick Bremner - 313.8 yards Shortest hitter: S.S.P. Chawrasia - 263.4 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 25

2017

PGA Tour

Longest hitter: Rory McIlroy - 317.2 Shortest hitter: Jim Furyk - 271.4 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 43

European Tour:

Longest hitter: Ryan Fox - 318.2 Shortest hitter: S.S.P. Chawrasia - 262.5 No. of players averaging 300+ yards - 35

Has Driving Distance On Tour Actually Increased?

The answer here is, clearly, yes. But it hasn't really increased as much as you might think it has in the last 10 years or so.

Whilst it may be uncomfortable for some to see Dustin Johnson nearly acing a 400+ yard par-4, it was downhill and downwind on firm ground.

The reality is that we're still closer to the 300 yard average than anywhere near to 350, and thanks to Tiger, players are athletes and long hitting machines these days. The improved modern day sports science available is another aspect that breeds long hitting.

The additions of improved driver and ball technologies, and the introduction of launch monitors, allow professionals to find their optimum setting that those in previous generations just did not have access to.

Players hitting it such distances is a sweet science that has to be appreciated.

But in the end, a shorter course with tight lines off the tee with tricky bunkering and green complexes will ensure that it's not just a long drive competition.

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Location: Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club

Alistair is Director Of Coaching Hit Golf Academy, based at the Forest of Arden in Birmingham. He has coached numerous county squads, including Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Derby.

Roles:

Former Academy Coach Wales South West Squad

Performance Director Midland Performance Golf Academy

Birmingham University Head Coach

Solihull College AASE England Programme Coach

Greatest teaching success story:

Ben Russell's best round was 126 when he first came to me. Within a year he shot 65 gross; within three he'd achieved a playing handicap of plus 2; and within five years he was playing full time on the mini tours. Now Ben is a fully qualified PGA professional. I was absolutely delighted to play a part in his development and journey.

Typical lesson:

It all starts with the player - their goals. This is followed by an assessment or evidence gathering exercise. I watch them hit balls, assess ball flight, movement, gather video and collect TrackMan data. Firstly, we discuss the good bits and the opportunities for growth. Then, I challenge them to make changes, if appropriate, and I try to match their learning style to support their journey to better.

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Driving distance through the years on Tour...

Has Driving Distance On Tour Actually Increased?