While the majority of golfers do not generally know how far they hit the ball on average off the tee, more data is available than ever from devices such as Shot Scope and their popular V3 watch.
According to the USGA, if you average 225 yards with the driver, the recommendation is to play a course between 5800-6000 yards.
When we talk about handicaps not dropping in large amounts (they are dropping) despite better equipment available, its also important to note how much agronomy plays a role here as courses have become longer, faster and more difficult than ever before.
Going back to that note from the USGA, it simply isn’t happening. The majority of rounds for those in that driving distance are played from 6325 yards or longer based on our research of multiple data device companies.
When we want to look at times on the course increasing, while nobody thinks they are actually slow or deliberate, this is something to consider. What yardage do you play from and what do you believe you average off the tee?
per golf pad over my last 20 rounds, just 21 shots so some noise in there, 196 is my average, 190 is the median and 226 is the longest. (For fun I went and looked at all time…381shots, average 190 and median 190 with a longest of 252…just some nice backup that the swing changes are showing demonstrable results)
Going off the Tee it Forward which bases off driver, I typically play 6200-6400 and it is pretty reasonable. Recently I have for…what is it the kids say? reasons played 3 rounds at 5900 and had an all time PB 76 and should have had a 79 Saturday but will admit that, for the first time in recent memory, absolutely choked the bird on 18. still bitter. Also played at 6700 yards. It is quite wearing having so many 400+ par 4. I simply am not someone with the distance to do it reliably. It genuinely sucks some of the fun factor out of the game for me.
Doesn’t affect my speed…the only reason that round took 3:38 is I was waiting on the group ahead of me pretty much every shot. But it is definitely longer than someone rolling 253 off the tee (again, 71 shots so some noise) should play