Average Driving Distance of Amateur Golfers: "Men 216 Yards, Women 148 Yards"

by Roh Woolae

Published 07 Feb.2020 08:16(KST)

USGA and R&A Announce 'Joint Distance Study Report' "Better Players Have Longer Distances"

Last year, the average drive shot distance for amateur golfers was 215.6 yards for men and 147.9 yards for women.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Men 215.6 yards, women 147.9 yards."

This is the average drive shot distance for amateur golfers. These figures come from the recent joint distance study report released by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A). For men, data was collected annually between May and September since 1996 at six locations in the UK. For women, eight locations have been visited annually since 2013. The data was gathered using a method similar to the Shotlink system used on the PGA Tour.

Last year, the average distance for male amateur golfers was 215.6 yards. This result comes from analyzing 1,141 shots from golfers with various handicaps. Interestingly, the lower the handicap, the longer the distance. Handicaps 6 or below averaged 239.2 yards, 6 to 12 averaged 219.8 yards, 13 to 20 averaged 200 yards, and 21 or above averaged 176.6 yards. Female amateur golfers averaged 147.9 yards, with much greater inconsistency according to handicap.

Women with handicaps 6 or below averaged 196.7 yards, 6 to 12 averaged 177.5 yards, 13 to 20 averaged 155 yards, 21 to 28 averaged 141.5 yards, and 29 or above averaged 119.8 yards. For men, the average was 200 yards in 1996. It steadily increased until 2005, reaching 217 yards. Notably, there were significant jumps between 1999?2000 and 2004?2005, thanks to equipment advancements. Golf balls evolved from liquid-filled to advanced new models, and club faces were adjusted in thickness and weight.

The distance gap between amateurs and professionals is huge. This season, the PGA Tour average distance is 297 yards. The leader in this category is Cameron Champ (USA), who hits a massive 322 yards?over 100 yards farther than amateur golfers. Even those with shorter drives need not worry. Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) averages only 273 yards but recently won the European Tour’s Saudi International, marking his 11th victory on the European stage and earning 700 million won in prize money.