What Would You Shoot if a PGA Tour Pro Drove the Ball for You?

[teeitup22]

OK- we're arguing symantics.

My point is that the average golfer (18-20 hdcp), playing the pro's tee shot, is still going to flair an 8 iron into the bunker or chunk one halfway to the green, where the pro is going to knock a mid-long iron onto the green and often have a makeable birdie putt.

I stand by my theory that distance is not the difference. But everything after the tee shot is a huge difference.

I have a hard time believing the average golfer would break 80 even with the pro's tee shot. Pros hit the ball around 300 yards and in the fairway on an average course 90 percent of the time. The typical shots for the amatuer would be around 60-100 yards to a par 4 and maybe 150-180 yards to par 5. I'm thinking the average golfer would shoot around 80-82 at best. Golf is hard. Pros make it look easy, but it is NOT.

[Lihu]

OK- we're arguing symantics. My point is that the average golfer (18-20 hdcp), playing the pro's tee shot, is still going to flair an 8 iron into the bunker or chunk one halfway to the green, where the pro is going to knock a mid-long iron onto the green and often have a makeable birdie putt. I stand by my theory that distance is not the difference. But everything after the tee shot is a huge difference.

The issue is if the drive ends up 20 or 100 yards from the tee box, or worse. This leaves you with 250-330 yards on your average par 4. That's at least a stroke.

[tmac20]

The issue is if the drive ends up 20 or 100 yards from the tee box, or worse. This leaves you with 250-330 yards on your average par 4. That's at least a stroke.

Or OB, or in the trees, or in the water, or in the fescue... The list goes on.

[iacas]

Read Mark Broadie's book and you'll reconsider your opinion.

Or buy and read the one in my avatar currently: http://lowestscorewins.com/

My answer to his question remains the same... Chipping and putting was the difference. The pros are ungodly good at getting up & down where even the good amateur is not as skilled.

Wrong.

The gap between a pro's driving and full swing play is significantly larger than in his short game play. A guy who shoots 90 out-putts the average PGA Tour pro 10% of the time. A scratch golfer 30% of the time.

Where are the stats that show the pros vs. amateurs only off the tees? And only on par 4 & 5 holes?

Here's the thing… you say you're open to being proven wrong, but not listening to anyone who offers evidence that you're wrong.