Rory McIlroy Blasts Drive Over Range Net At Castle Pines After Hitting 370-Yard Shots In Practice Round
The PGA Tour's second-longest hitter has been sending his drives a considerable distance in Colorado - with the increased altitude helping McIlroy produce incredible numbers


Rory McIlroy was filmed smashing a drive over the top of Castle Pines' range netting on Tuesday as he prepares for a week of potentially record-breaking hitting at the FedEx Cup Playoffs' BMW Championship in Colorado.
The PGA Tour's second-longest hitter in 2024 - behind Cameron Champ, who leads by almost two full yards - has averaged 319 yards so far this season but could be set to extend that number by some way following four days at 6,000 feet above sea level.
Castle Pines Golf Club's maximum measurement for its championship layout is 8,130 yards, marking it down as the longest course in PGA Tour history and exceeding the total TPC Colorado boasted during The Ascendant in July on the Korn Ferry Tour.
However, a variety of factors will ensure that players' shots travel further, with the altitude, loft of club, heat and humidity all playing a part. The general rule is that for every 1,000 feet of elevation, the thinner air adds 1.7% of distance. So, in theory, a 300-yard drive should go about 332 yards.
McIlroy has already exhibited the science involved during his practice sessions, booming a drive out the back of the range while also carrying a tee shot on the course 371 yards for a total of 378.
Rory McIlroy hitting absolute bombs on the range at Castle Pines! Clearing the fence and then some. McIlroy always powerful with his driver and this week he's got altitude too 💯@BMWPGA @McIlroyRory #BMWCHAMPS pic.twitter.com/MO4JUrVpIbAugust 20, 2024
A video on social media showed the four-time Major winner also blasting drives 347 yards (362 total) and 341 yards (352 total).
And in his press conference on Tuesday, ahead of a state homecoming for the Denver-born player, Wyndham Clark admitted you can "sometimes just hit one forever in Colorado."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
He said: "I think everyone starting Thursday will have a good -- they'll feel comfortable with it. A lot of guys, we play a few events at altitude and have played them.
"The tough thing with elevation is it's not as consistent as sea level. So if you hit your 7-iron always about 185 at sea level, it constantly goes 185. Here at altitude, now let's call it 205.
"Well, it can go 205 one shot and then 210 the next shot and then 200 the next shot. There's a little inconsistency in the thin air and altitude depending on how high you hit it.
Rory McIlroy is carrying it 370 yards this week on the PGA Tour at 6,400 feet of elevation 😅pic.twitter.com/ZpSayNiVL2August 21, 2024
"If anyone seems to err, go long or short, it's probably because of trajectory. That's going to be the challenge."
While McIlroy's focus will, of course, be on trying to improve his current FedEx Cup standing, he could also find himself in the top-10 longest drives in PGA Tour history if he can just fire one 455 yards or more at some point during competition.
Four of the record holders in that particular category produced their extraordinary shot at Kapalua's Plantation Course, but monster drives can be taken elsewhere - especially with helpful conditions.
Castle Pines' 12th hole
Commenting on the hilly nature of Castle Pines, which may lead to 400-yard drives, Patrick Cantlay believes it will be physically demanding on everyone involved as - even though fewer strikes will be required - players and their caddies still have to walk that extra distance.
The 2021 and 2022 BMW Champion said: "It's a longer walk, I'll tell you that. There's going to be some tired caddies at the end of this week with the uphill and the downhill and the 8,100 yards. The ball is going farther, but we've got to walk all that way."
He continued: "Fortunately, I only played nine holes today, but there are some serious climbs out there."
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Three
Jacob Bridgeman leads a number of big names going into the weekend of the Valspar Championship, with the American searching for a maiden PGA Tour title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'They Can Feel Free To Leave Some Waffle House Gift Cards' - Neal Shipley Makes '12 New Friends' As Final Hole Bogey Moves Valspar Championship Cutline
A late bogey from Shipley meant the cutline moved to two-over-par, thus allowing 12 MORE players to make it into the weekend at the Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Three
Jacob Bridgeman leads a number of big names going into the weekend of the Valspar Championship, with the American searching for a maiden PGA Tour title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'They Can Feel Free To Leave Some Waffle House Gift Cards' - Neal Shipley Makes '12 New Friends' As Final Hole Bogey Moves Valspar Championship Cutline
A late bogey from Shipley meant the cutline moved to two-over-par, thus allowing 12 MORE players to make it into the weekend at the Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
6 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The Valspar Championship
Friday at the Valspar Championship saw some big moves being made by various players, but some big names would also miss the weekend at Innisbrook Resort
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The Valspar Championship
The Valspar Championship is the final event of the Florida Swing and, with an $8.7 million tournament purse, it's not just the players who are playing for big money
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Basically They Said Act Like A Moron As Much As You Possibly Can, And I Said Well, That's Pretty Easy For Me' - Will Zalatoris on Happy Gilmore 2 Filming After Valspar Caddie Bib Joke
Will Zalatoris had fun with his caddie's bib at the Valspar Championship to revel in his role in Happy Gilmore 2 and his likeness to one character in the original
By Paul Higham Published
-
Watch Bizzare Patton Kizzire Meltdown As He Punts His Putter 20 Yards Before Pulling Out Of The Valspar
Patton Kizzire had a moment of madness at the Valspar Championship as he angrily booted his putter 20 yards, breaking it in the process, before then withdrawing from the tournament
By Paul Higham Published