Monthly Poll 1: on average, how far do you hit the ball with driver?

On average, how far do you hit the ball with driver?

  • Less than 170 yards

    Votes: 3 1.4%
  • 170-200 yards

    Votes: 19 9.0%
  • 200-225 yards

    Votes: 44 21.0%
  • 225-250 yards

    Votes: 84 40.0%
  • 250-275 yards

    Votes: 46 21.9%
  • More than 275 yards

    Votes: 14 6.7%

  • Total voters
    210

Airlie_Andy

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This poll is hilarious. Astonishing, even. I'll bet 5 of the Bank of Englands finest that less than 5% of golfers ever hit over 250 once, yet alone average this. So, to maintain this mythical average figure what about the one hit out of the heel at 190? The next one 300+???!! Of course. Brilliant. Really cheered me up, thanks.

I'm down for 225-250; A verified average of 232 from a unashamed decent hitter of the ball at Titleists headquarters using their best kit after a couple of hours being fitted. Real world.

More evidence that using the word "average" is entirely pointless in this context.
 
D

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I got in touch with the pro for the flightscope numbers from my last lesson, on a cold wet night in late November I started the lesson with average of 254, getting up to 263 after the tweaks in the lesson.

I can only quote those numbers for now and have to rely on the Belfry equipment for it's accuracy. But I know that I hit it quite long, it's my only real skill in the game, since my short game is incredibly inconsistent.
 

Spear-Chucker

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More evidence that using the word "average" is entirely pointless in this context.

Agree with this also.. Not really reliable. Figures are unverified both in terms of anecdotal evidence being used for values and some will be at the mercy of the odd less than honest retailer. Hopefully most companies are somewhere near the truth however - it's the not knowing that makes this all so much harder.

A good honest appraisal of distance should be all that's needed. I saw a chap I worked with for a short period (he was a consultant) at a local range and went to great lengths (sic) to tell me he regularly hit it out over 300. Could barely manage 220-230 at best over a couple of dozen shots. Struck me as a shame because he actually had a nice game and could be very proud of it...
 

bladeplayer

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isnt the pros average distance only calculated over two pre designated holes per round , going in opposite direction or something like that ?

or is that a myth ?
 
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I got in touch with the pro for the flightscope numbers from my last lesson, on a cold wet night in late November I started the lesson with average of 254, getting up to 263 after the tweaks in the lesson.

I can only quote those numbers for now and have to rely on the Belfry equipment for it's accuracy. But I know that I hit it quite long, it's my only real skill in the game, since my short game is incredibly inconsistent.

Flightscope figures are worked out from ball speed, launch angle and spin rate at (or fractionally after) impact so the weather conditions would have no bearing on your distances other than the temperature of the ball when you hit it. A warmer ball will compress fractionally more thereby giving a small increase in distance.

However, it is well known that these machines can be quite inaccurate. They are useful for giving comparison data between clubs for fitting purposes but not always accurate for true distances.
 

hovis

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This poll is hilarious. Astonishing, even. I'll bet 5 of the Bank of Englands finest that less than 5% of golfers ever hit over 250 once, yet alone average this. So, to maintain this mythical average figure what about the one hit out of the heel at 190? The next one 300+???!! Of course. Brilliant. Really cheered me up, thanks.

I'm down for 225-250; A verified average of 232 from a unashamed decent hitter of the ball at Titleists headquarters using their best kit after a couple of hours being fitted. Real world.

I dont understand peoples lack of belief of peoples figures. Perhaps its just the circles I hang
around in. but I see 280 yard drives everytime I play golf. I dont use my driver on the pga's 10th as I stick it in the stream that cuts the fairway at 275. (and i'm one of the shorter hitters)
I slapped a great one down the forest of ardens 10th about 270 and the guy I was paired with beat me by 5 yards with his nike vrs 3 wood.
 

garyinderry

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I would be under par regularly if someone was to walk down the fairway and put my ball at 280 yards.

Damm my slow swing :(
 
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Flightscope figures are worked out from ball speed, launch angle and spin rate at (or fractionally after) impact so the weather conditions would have no bearing on your distances other than the temperature of the ball when you hit it. A warmer ball will compress fractionally more thereby giving a small increase in distance.

However, it is well known that these machines can be quite inaccurate. They are useful for giving comparison data between clubs for fitting purposes but not always accurate for true distances.

I wasn't sure of the exactness of the equipment, or quite how it works, but I think it'll be fairly close to the right numbers so the 250-275 choice seems reasonable.
 

hovis

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I would be under par regularly if someone was to walk down the fairway and put my ball at 280 yards.

Damm my slow swing :(

I would be under par regulary if someone walked to my 280 yard drive and put it somewhere near the green!!!!!!

Damn my approach shots
 
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I dont understand peoples lack of belief of peoples figures. Perhaps its just the circles I hang
around in. but I see 280 yard drives everytime I play golf. I dont use my driver on the pga's 10th as I stick it in the stream that cuts the fairway at 275. (and i'm one of the shorter hitters)
I slapped a great one down the forest of ardens 10th about 270 and the guy I was paired with beat me by 5 yards with his nike vrs 3 wood.

Ernie Els average driving distance on the ET is 282.8 yards. That is why I don't believe what a lot of people claim. I give the ball a reasonable tonk but I wouldn't claim to be long. I've stood beside Els when he has hit driver off the tee and it's in a different league to what I can do.
 
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FairwayDodger

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mighty big factor. if you don't have the clubhead speed you cant hit over X yards carry. its impossible without wind etc.

I'm not denying it but if that was the ONLY factor under consideration the results would be inaccurate.

For example, I guarantee I could swing the driver faster..... and lose average distance due to a much more inconsistent strike.... even though the odd good one would be further.
 

hovis

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Ernie Els average driving distance on the ET is 282.8 yards. That is why I don't believe what a lot of people claim. I give the ball a reasonable tonk but I wouldn't claim to be long. I've still beside Els when he has hit driver off the tee and it's in a different league to what I can do.

If els had todays technology when he was 20 I wonder what his stats would say. At the end of the day we all have the two arms and two legs ect. If he can do it why cant others? My 6 iron speed is the same as adam scotts but he gets it out the middle everytime where as I dont most of the time.

Anyone can own a fast car. Driving it fast is a different story
 

SimonC

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Last 2 driver fittings I've been between 166 to 172mph ball speed, launch angle was between 10 & 12 degrees & spin was 2400rpm on average. These were on Foresight & Flightcope which are both reputable launch monitors. I do think I tend to swing it a little faster when I have a fitting than when I'm on the course as you get into a bit of a groove when your hitting ball after ball and not worrying too much about keeping it in play.

A lot will depend on the conditions, I've played a course in Oxfordshire in the middle of summer when almost every drive was 300 yards or more & I averaged over 300 for that day but I know there isn't a hope in hell that I average anywhere near that number. A couple of weeks ago I averaged 260 but that's in winter on my home course where the ball doesn't run so in normal summer conditions it's somewhere between the 2.

I find it hard to believe that Waitforme has never seen anyone hit a ball 270 yards, there are plenty of golfers out there who can hit it that far at least once. You only need a clubhead speed of 105mph with optimal launch conditions (in half decent conditions) to hit it 270, we have 3 juniors at our club who can do this.
 

Robobum

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If els had todays technology when he was 20 I wonder what his stats would say. At the end of the day we all have the two arms and two legs ect. If he can do it why cant others? My 6 iron speed is the same as adam scotts but he gets it out the middle everytime where as I dont most of the time.

Anyone can own a fast car. Driving it fast is a different story

Yeah, you're right......what has Ernie Els ever done in the game!!!?? Can't hit it out of his shadow compared to guys who never break 85!!!!!
 
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If els had todays technology when he was 20 I wonder what his stats would say. At the end of the day we all have the two arms and two legs ect. If he can do it why cant others? My 6 iron speed is the same as adam scotts but he gets it out the middle everytime where as I dont most of the time.

Anyone can own a fast car. Driving it fast is a different story

Because he is a professional athlete who has dedicated his life to improving his strength and technique as opposed to club golfers who only play once a week. Everyone can hit the odd good one (I've hit 300 yard 2 irons on links courses) but for people to claim their average is 270 or 280 is pretty unlikely.
 

hovis

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Yeah, you're right......what has Ernie Els ever done in the game!

Dont think we're on the same page brother. Just saying that els isnt a spring chicken and his ditance isnt what it would have been when he was a lad. So put todays balls and drivers in his hands back then and he would have been mashing it as far as rory does today
 

Robobum

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Dont think we're on the same page brother. Just saying that els isnt a spring chicken and his ditance isnt what it would have been when he was a lad. So put todays balls and drivers in his hands back then and he would have been mashing it as far as rory does today

We won't be on the same page if you miss out the point about relative distances.
 
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