Once we did our 2024 finest golf membership testing, we strongly emphasised accuracy within the irons and wedges. Nevertheless, in the case of the motive force, distance is king. Only a few golfers are keen to surrender 10 and even 5 yards to get the ball slightly nearer to the middle of the golf green. We checked out some stats from Shot Scope to see what is best on your sport: distance or accuracy. The outcomes could shock a few of you.
A take a look at fairways hit
The common golfer hits round 47 % of fairways with their driver. The upper the handicap, the extra doubtless the drive will miss to the precise of the golf green (for a right-handed golfer).
Common driver distance is about 70 yards longer for the zero handicap golfer than the 25 handicap.
Let’s say, as a complete, golfers hit the golf green about half the time.
Fairway Hit and Miss Percentages by Handicap
An correct golfer versus an inaccurate golfer
To find out if distance or accuracy is extra essential, we took stats on a 15-handicap golfer hitting from the tough and the golf green. We analyzed at a distance of 150 yards from the pin in a clear lie after which at 120 yards within the tough.
These statistics are calculated completely utilizing method photographs on par-4 holes to offer a centered evaluation of this situation. You’ll be able to see that the common 15-handicap golfer is simply as prone to par the opening from 150 yards out within the fairway as from 120 yards within the tough.
Nevertheless, crucial takeaway is the statistic from 120 yards within the fairway. You’ll see that hitting your tee shot 30 yards additional and being within the fairway saves a couple of quarter of a shot.
Common Golfer (15 Handicap) – Method Shot Statistics
What does this imply on your sport?
Should you attempt to hit the ball additional, buy the membership that goes longer or spend a while velocity coaching to achieve these additional yards: you’re giving your self a greater probability of scoring decrease.
Sure, it’s possible you’ll lose some accuracy if you begin hitting longer drives.
Nevertheless, if you’re getting additional distance (30 yards or extra), it mustn’t value you extra strokes. Should you can be taught to include some accuracy and get that longer drive within the fairway, it can save you a minimum of 1 / 4 of a shot.
Thirty yards, nonetheless, is the important thing quantity.
Should you can hit 30 yards additional, you gained’t lose strokes even when you find yourself within the tough .
What should you can’t hit it 30 yards additional?
Shot Scope discovered 30 yards to be the candy spot for making these much less correct drives price going for. Should you can’t fairly get that a lot additional distance, a ball within the fairway is best.
In case you have 150 yards to the inexperienced from the golf green or 145 yards from the tough, you’ll end the opening in fewer photographs when hitting from the golf green. The objective is to get to 120 yards. If you may get to 120 yards, you then’ll discover the distinction.
How you can add these additional 30 yards
In case you are already an extended hitter and have spent a while gaining swing velocity by way of varied strategies, you’ll know that including 30 yards is loads.
Listed below are some ideas to assist add distance should you assume it’s at present holding you again.
Put the precise driver in play
Our 2024 testing confirmed that there are greater than 15 yards of distance between the perfect driver for distance and the worst. Should you haven’t gone for a golf membership becoming or are taking part in a driver recognized for having weaker distance efficiency, it may value you yards. Listed below are the highest 37 Greatest Golf Drivers ranked by Distance.
Examine your golf ball
One other simple method so as to add a couple of additional yards is to play a golf ball that helps with distance. Once we examined golf balls in 2023, the Titleist Professional V1x Left Sprint and Titleist Professional V1x have been the perfect for distance. Not far behind was the Vice Professional Plus.
Work with knowledgeable
The overall perception is that including one mile per hour of clubhead velocity can translate to 2 to 3 yards of additional distance off the tee. Subsequently, if you’re in search of an additional 20 to 30 yards of distance, it’s possible you’ll want near 10 extra mph of swing velocity.
That’s a giant change.
Nevertheless, the precise acquire from including velocity relies on your present swing velocity and your effectivity. Some gamers with quicker and extra environment friendly swings could discover two to 3 yards of additional distance per each mile per hour enhance.
Speak to a golf health coach about your objectives after which use a launch monitor to make sure that your launch angle and spin charges are working for you.
Remaining ideas
A 15-handicap golfer has a couple of 50/50 probability of hitting the golf green off the tee. Take the possibility and attempt to get 30 yards nearer to the opening. Should you can, it gained’t value you any photographs.
Should you do discover the golf green, you’ll acquire 1 / 4 of a shot and it solely takes a couple of of these to drop your handicap. To reply the preliminary query (distance or accuracy?), distance is the reply on this situation.
The put up What’s Higher—Distance or Accuracy? Understanding the Greatest Path to Decrease Scores appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
