Well I've read this whole post and wonder how the author wants the answers. They can be skewed any way you like.
I would suggest that the question is actually "If you teed up and drove a reasonably straight ball, what would you expect to reach out?" No mid to high hcp could possibly calculate the average of duffs, tops or out-of-state shots (they always look like they went 500 yds! :)!). Also, wind, dry fairways and down hill rolls should be ignored. Besides, who really wants to know that a guy who can reasonably hit 250 yds but states a true 'average' of 180? or less! Wouldn't mean much to me. I am interested in comparing what guys reasonably expect to do when they take out their drivers.
Given that, I expect to land out about 250-260 including roll. It doesn't seem reasonable to consider carry since a high shot won't roll like a low trajectory. Where the ball eventually stops is all that is pertinent, unless you are carrying a hazard. And marking the carry point from 200+ yds away at the tee box is also inconsistent at best.
I've been told I hit quite long but know lots that out drive me. Not by 50 yds very often, but 20-30 ocasionally.
Many years ago, my wife's boss took me out golfing. A scratch who considered going pro but decided to stay in something more secure. Anyway, we came to a 320 yd par 4 and he stated "never do this". He then drove the green and lost his ball to the water hazard behind. He was capable of the distance, but his advice had to do with smart play. Just last year, a work associate who was on the jr circuit a few years ago drove the green on a 340 yd par 4 with a slight leg left. If the fairway was straight, he was screwed. These guys could make those distances but did not play that way when serious, it's usually a bad play.
I lose a few drives but have raised my average to 80% or more, playable, not necessarily in the fairway. I track a lost or rough as -1, playable/1st cut as 0 and fairway as +1. I have one round wih 11 +1's and a 0 and average score about 8 +1's, 3 0's and a -1. (my home course is 6 x par 5, 6 x par 4 and 6 x par 3) Last year was my 'driver' year, this year is woods and irons. My putting and short gme is quite good but mid range sucks! Good drive, several to the green, a chip and a putt :(.
My story is done.
Cya