Once we did our 2024 greatest golf membership testing, we strongly emphasised accuracy within the irons and wedges. Nonetheless, in the case of the driving force, distance is king. Only a few golfers are keen to surrender 10 and even 5 yards to get the ball somewhat nearer to the middle of the green. We checked out some stats from Shot Scope to see what is healthier in your sport: distance or accuracy. The outcomes might shock a few of you.
A take a look at fairways hit
The common golfer hits round 47 p.c of fairways with their driver. The upper the handicap, the extra possible the drive will miss to the suitable of the 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 an entire, golfers hit the 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 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 pictures on par-4 holes to offer a targeted evaluation of this situation. You possibly can see that the typical 15-handicap golfer is simply as more likely to par the outlet from 150 yards out within the fairway as from 120 yards within the tough.
Nonetheless, an important 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) – Strategy Shot Statistics
What does this imply in your sport?
In case you attempt to hit the ball additional, buy the membership that goes longer or spend a while velocity coaching to achieve these further yards: you might be giving your self a greater probability of scoring decrease.
Sure, it’s possible you’ll lose some accuracy once you begin hitting longer drives.
Nonetheless, in case you are getting further distance (30 yards or extra), it mustn’t price you extra strokes. In case 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.
In case you can hit 30 yards additional, you gained’t lose strokes even when you find yourself within the tough .
What in the event 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. In case you can’t fairly get that a lot further distance, a ball within the fairway is healthier.
When you have 150 yards to the inexperienced from the green or 145 yards from the tough, you’ll end the outlet in fewer pictures when hitting from the green. The aim is to get to 120 yards. If you will get to 120 yards, then you definately’ll discover the distinction.
Learn how to add these further 30 yards
In case you are already a protracted hitter and have spent a while gaining swing velocity via numerous strategies, you’ll know that including 30 yards is quite a bit.
Listed here are some ideas to assist add distance in the event you assume it’s at present holding you again.
Put the suitable 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. In case you haven’t gone for a golf membership becoming or are enjoying a driver recognized for having weaker distance efficiency, it may price you yards. Listed here are the highest 37 Greatest Golf Drivers ranked by Distance.
Test your golf ball
One other straightforward manner so as to add a number of further 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 an expert
The final 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, in case you are searching for 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.
Nonetheless, the precise achieve from including velocity depends upon your present swing velocity and your effectivity. Some gamers with sooner and extra environment friendly swings might discover two to 3 yards of additional distance per each mile per hour improve.
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.
Last ideas
A 15-handicap golfer has a couple of 50/50 probability of hitting the green off the tee. Take the prospect and attempt to get 30 yards nearer to the outlet. In case you can, it gained’t price you any pictures.
In case you do discover the green, you’ll achieve 1 / 4 of a shot and it solely takes a number of of these to drop your handicap. To reply the preliminary query (distance or accuracy?), distance is the reply on this situation.
The submit What’s Higher—Distance or Accuracy? Understanding the Greatest Path to Decrease Scores appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
