How far does the average golfer at your home course hit the ball off the tee?

It depends, right? Age and skill level are the two key criteria. But according to the Arccos 2022 distance report, skill has a greater impact than age.

You’ve likely heard something about the distance rollback proposal announced jointly by the USGA and R&A. If not, here’s the skinny. For their part, the ruling bodies seem intent on leaving the ball alone for recreational golfers, reserving any changes for those who intend on playing in professional events and elite competitions.

I mention that as an important context because while “distance” is routinely part of the equipment dialog, it’s squarely in the crosshairs as the industry prepares for what could become a serious line of demarcation.

That aside, let’s take a closer look at amateur driving distance in 2022.

Disclaimer: The following information is sourced from the Arccos database which includes 650 million total shots and 20 million shots (driver only) on par-4 and par 5-holes.

OVERALL DISTANCE TRENDS

Year-over-year variation isn’t significant. Men’s driving distance in 2022 (225.9 yards) is up 1.6 yards over 2021 but 0.5 yards less than in 2018. Women’s driving distance in 2022 (177 yards) is one yard less than in 2021 and two yards less than in 2018.

MEN’S DISTANCE ACROSS AGE & HANDICAP

Unsurprisingly, golfers with the lowest handicap have the longest driving distance. The longest driving distance belongs to golfers with “plus” handicaps (better than scratch) in the 20-29 age group. This group also loses the largest percentage of driving distance (25.51%) by the time they reach the 70-79 age bracket. As a percentage, the 10.0-14.9 handicap segment loses the least amount of distance over the same time period (19.95%).

MEN’S ACCURACY ACROSS AGE & HANDICAP

Golfers become more accurate over time as driving distance decreases. The most skilled group (plus handicap golfers), in the 20-29 age bracket, have the highest percentage of fairways hit for any handicap range in that age group (47%). However, plus handicap golfers hit a higher percentage of fairways in their 20s than at any other age. The most accurate golfers (60% fairways hit) are in their 70s with a handicap of 0.0-4.9 The least accurate golfers (35% fairways hit) are in their 20s with a handicap of 30+.

WOMEN’S DISTANCE ACROSS AGE & HANDICAP

Golfers with the lowest handicap have the longest driving distance. The longest driving distance belongs to golfers with a handicap of 0.0-4.9 in the 20-29 age group. This group is the only handicap bracket that maintains a driving distance of over 200 yards throughout the measured period. As a percentage, the 15.0-19.9 handicap segment loses the least amount of distance over the same period (10.53%).

WOMEN’S ACCURACY ACROSS AGE & HANDICAP

Golfers become more accurate over time as driving distance decreases. The most skilled group (0.0-4.9 handicap), in the 20-29 age bracket, have the highest percentage of fairways hit for any handicap range in that age group (49%). The most accurate golfers (58% fairways hit) are in their 50s with a handicap of 0.0-4.9. The two least accurate groups of golfers with (44% fairways hit) are in their 20s with a handicap of 30+ and those in their 30s with a handicap of 10.0-14.9.

FINAL THOUGHTS

What’s clear is that when assessing driving distance, the difference between recreational amateurs and competitive professionals is stark. Additionally, recreational golfers don’t appear to be experiencing year-over-year distance gains which is contrary to what we often hear from manufacturers when launching new equipment. But these realities are not mutually exclusive.

The disparity is likely due, in part, to the degree to which golfers are optimally fitted for equipment. Beyond that, it’s fair to question how many recreational golfers actively train and work to improve driver distance.

As always, please share your thoughts.

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