Extract from National Club Golfer magazine
Average driving distance by handicap
Shot Scope data shows average driver distance actually varies quite significantly by handicap.
In fact, scratch golfers gain as much as 68 yards on average over a 25-handicapper. Below you can see how far you hit the ball has a direct correlation to your scoring.
5-handicap: 236 yards
10-handicap: 229 yards
15-handicap: 212 yards
20-handicap: 204 yards
25-handicap: 191 yards
It is perhaps surprising that it is only those in the scratch golfer category that averages more than 250 yards off the tee. But do remember this is the overall average with driver and not the maximum length these players can hit the ball. This data also shows a combination of driving distance for male and female golfers.
If you hit it past the 300-yard mark, you are in a minority of just 2% of golfers.
So what can we learn from these numbers?
Well, you can significantly improve your handicap by increasing your swing speed and, with it, your carry distances.
But is there a distance issue in golf? Certainly not among amateur golfers, according to the stats.
Now, how do us club players stack up against the world’s best?
In 2021 the average driving distance on the PGA Tour was 297.3 yards – and increase of 12 yards since 2003.
You won’t be surprised, Bryson DeChambeau was the longest driver in the 2021 season, averaging a whopping 323.7 yards off the tee.
That means DeChambeau hits it nearly 100 yards further than an amateur that regularly shoots in the low 80s.
We see a similar trend on the DP World Tour, where the average driving distance was 296.2 yards in 2021, a 10-yards improvement since 2003.
A scratch golfer would, on average, be 37 yards behind a tour pro off the tee. That’s a big advantage you wouldn’t want to give away to such a skilled player…