Driver distance vs. Handicap

[birdiedream]

Post your driver distance (carry + roll) and handicap here. My average distance is 230 and my handicap is around 14. I wonder if I can get to single digit handicap without being longer from the tees.

[O.B. Right]

In my opinion, experience and observation, you can't hit really long drives without a good swing. Just can't.

So I think by the time you get to be a single digit you will automatically be longer from the tee because you will have better swing. 230 is good, though . .really. I don't think you need to worry about your distance at all . . . it will just come.

But anyway - my handicap, if I kept one, would probably be about 24 at this point. My average drive that lands in the fairway is 150. My swing speed when I really go at it on a simulator is about 105 with bad technique so, once my technique improves, I expect to automatically start driving closer to 250. Those same improvements should also get me into the high single digits. So I don't even worry about hitting the driver - I actually have been teeing off with a 5 iron lately.

[alo1984]

Absolutely you can. I'm a 6 handicap and a good drive is around 240-250 for me. Most days I'm hitting it about 230-240 and some days I can push 260 on a couple of holes. Handicap is not really dependent on your distance. It's dependent on your ability to make good contact. Distance comes from good contact, but only to the extent that you are physically capable. If you aren't physically capable of swinging the club fast enough to hit the ball 275+ then don't worry about it. Focus on making the proper swing to maximize your potential ability. Don't fall prey to the doctrine that you must hit long bombs all day long to be any good. Practice, and play the appropriate tees and your handicap will get lower.

[Heroe123]

I'm around 290 off the tee with a handi of 1.8 atm.... Distance to handicap does have some factor I suppose. I mean your handicap gets adjusted for playing the different tee boxes due to slope. But playing the tips compared to the front/middle mens tees is totally different. Ahh also if your consitently straight and you continue to hit your tee shot that distance you will be hitting longer irons into the greens instead of hitting easy wedge shots. But just keep practicing and mid irons will be dead on and you will be able to stick your irons close as well. But, all in all there are just a lot of factors into this topic.

[right handed phil mickelson]

Average about 250-260. I can crank out one to about 275 if I really let loose. I'm a +1 handicap.

[golfro]

280 average, 5 handicap.

[nearwater]

I think driving the ball off the tee is a stronger part of my game. Handicap is 17.1 so far this season.
I average about 250-260 w/ 52.6% hitting the fairway.
I do have those occasional pull/hooks that ends up in a penalty stroke though.
Accuracy in iron shots and putting is just terrible.

I don't think driving distance has much to do with handicap. I know several single digit handicappers who average about 220~230.

Dan

[MJP]

Know a 5 handicap who hits 210-220 (he's 60+ tho) and hits every fairway.

[PiustheDrGolf]

Me: +- 260 / 55% 3.4 HCP
Dad(70): +- 210 / 85% 2 HCP

[soloredd]

230-250 / 19.2

[WUTiger]

220 Carry + 20 Roll | HDCP = 19.6

Last season was the first time I used a true jumbo driver, and it took me most of the season to get used to it (proper tee height was problematic).

Scorecard says I'm hitting 58% of fairways - plus two or three per round in the first cut - so my driving has improved. Problem: I still skyhook a drive OB about 1.5 times per round.

[max power]

255-265, down to @ 6 handicap currently, my lowest to date.

[B-Con]

24.4 handicap, 205 carry with 15 roll (roughly).

[mcgriff]

240-250 with 12ish HCP (gotta go through the cards and nail down my final cap for the year)

I don't think one has anything to do with the other. Put me out at 275 and 10 to 1 my cap would be the same.

[khale]

Here is the data so far, there is a correlation between Driver Distance and Handicap

[CrazyXGolfer]

Me: +1 HC 280 avg
My Dad: 20Hc 250 avg

I belive lower handicaps would usually hit the ball a little bit futher. Lower handicaps will ALWAYS have a better golf swing and a good golf swing will usally mean you will swing the club abit faster because of weight transfering at the right times and getting a more flatter penatrating ball flight.

[snowsurfer]

Average 240. Handicap index 9. SS 100mph. I can hit it 270 occasionally, but I can also hit it 220. R9 460 w/ Oban Devotion 6/4

[James_Black]

A junior golfer I know hits it 300+ yards on most drives.
He plays off of 3.
I played with another junior who drives it around 280 and he's off 4.
And another junior I know is off 6 and hit's it 280 as well.

I don't know any single digit handicappers who can't hit the long ball.