Driver distance vs. Handicap

[leo3]

Average 230, index 8.5

[mjtoal]

There is obviously a relationship between handicap and distance, although it is not a perfect correlation.

In general terms, lower handicappers hit the ball further than higher handicappers. Not ALL lower handicapper are farther than ALL higher handicappers, of course, so you don't need to cite the example of the 24 handicapper at your club who hits it 310 yards through the air. With his 7 iron.

There are some genuine exceptions. UK 2 times Amateur Champion Gary Wolstenholme, now a senior pro, barely hits it 240 carry. But he hits it awfully straight.

Me: driver swing speed 100-102mph, carry distance about 245. 6 iron 165 carry. UK handicap 8.

[SouthernILGolfer]

Not too many low handicappers are not long hitters, they just simply have a better swing than high handicappers. That doesnt mean high handicappers cant be long hitters, but if they are then the rest of their game doesnt measure up, irons and short game and putting especially. Not being able to hit long drives does put more pressure on the rest of your game as it makes for longer 2nd shots on longer holes and much less likely to hit greens from farther away. Im a pretty high handicapper myself, not exactly sure just put 25 on profile as a guess and I'll probably average about 220 with driver, occasionally getting up to 240-250 with a really good one, maybe once every 9 holes or so. If i could hit my irons more consistently, i would be a much better player as i have a pretty good short game and can putt pretty good. Its just getting those iron shots on or near the green that i have trouble with, especially out of the rough.

[mdbuschsr]

Like most have said there is a minor relationship between hc and driver distance. IMHO handicap has more to do with what happens after your tee shot. I'm a 21 handicap driving 250ish on "average" with the occasional 280 bomb, and 200 duff/slice/hook.

Prime example was yesterday, I hit a drive 287, leaving +/-60 to the hole. Duffed chip, long chip on but way past the hole, three putt. Two holes later, drive 305 pin high but left and behind a bunker. Chip into bunker, blade sand shot out and across green, chip back on, 2 putt. My long game was spot-on yesterday, but my short game was garbage. Many holes that should have been par at least turned into doubles or worse!

[Range King]

I have good and bad driving streaks. At the moment I am straight but short. Not hitting the sweetspot.

I would say my total overall average is 210, my hcp is 17,7

[wubskis]

I took my driver out of my bag for a while due to horrific inconsistency, but last time I used it regularly I'd say I was at about 220 carry, 230 roll on average, and my handicap will have been oh, let's say 25 at a guess. I haven't done a good job of logging my stats/scores this summer, I've just been trying to get out as much as possible.

I think this also needs to take age into account. Without youth on my side, I think my terrible driver swing would result in something more like 190-200.

[iacas]

275, 0. Add that to the chart.

[michaeljames92]

I Think people overestimate their distances too much. Having said that though I usually keep track of drive lengths with my gps and with no wind flat ground and roll out(I like to hit my driver mid-low as it gets really windy in perth), I'd say 235m average. obviously you skank some that go about 220 and absolutely flush some over 280m when you are swinging well. HC index: 3.9

EDIT: Btw I pretty much swing out my shoes with the driver as the fairways at my home course are huge and even bad shots can still find fairways

[Harmonious]

I guess I'll lower the average:

handicap +0.2, average distance 260.

The good news is I'm at about 75% fairways hit for the year.

[tm22721]

My 'driver' is actually a Nike CPR 18 deg hybrid that I hit 230 yards with a knuckle fade at the end.

[Keith412]

I am only 185 to 190 off the tee, but thats because i use a 4 iron since i am still struggling with the longer clubs. That being said, i have dropped from a 36 to a 19.6 this year using just my irons, so im super excited for next season

[James_Black]

I am only 185 to 190 off the tee, but thats because i use a 4 iron since i am still struggling with the longer clubs. That being said, i have dropped from a 36 to a 19.6 this year using just my irons, so im super excited for next season

do you play on a really short course or something?

What are you hitting into the green? another 4i? it's going to be hard to get past 18 just hitting a 4i on a medium-long course

[Zeph]

13.2 - Average 230

[max power]

do you play on a really short course or something?

He's learning, and improving-as clearly evidenced by the 16 point handicap drop. He didn't say he's never going to hit driver.

[jamo]

Handicap at this very moment: 1.9
Normal driving distance: 260-275 (average about 265)

[colin007]

handicap 10
average 240

[Cornbread]

Carry 230, roll depends.
Handicap 5.

[B-Con]

275, 0. Add that to the chart.

Not to go off topic, but I noticed that you stopped displaying your handicap in your profile a couple (few?) months ago, roughly corresponding to the time you changed your status to "pro". Any particular reason?