2022 Distance Report
A Review of Driving Distance – 2022
Introduction
This report draft has been constructed with style and content which matches the equivalentreports published annually since 2016. Data presented in this report is correct as of 16-122022.
In May 2002 the USGA/R&A adopted a Joint Statement of Principles. The purpose of thisstatement was to set out the joint views of The R&A and the USGA, together with theframework of key principles and policies which guides their actions pertaining to equipment.
Since that time, The R&A and the USGA have continued to monitor closely the effects ofadvancing equipment technology on the playing of the game and new Equipment Rules havebeen introduced throughout this period, when appropriate. This report notes that there has
been a gradual decrease in scoring average and includes a review of data associated withdriving distance on the world’s major golf tours compiled at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
This report examines driving distance on the major professional golf tours. The data contained
herein is from the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR
Champions Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour going back as far as data are
available. A more focused picture is subsequently given of distance since 20031 with particularfocus on the PGA TOUR (where Shotlink data provides additional insight), and the DP WorldTour.
The average driving distance is typically measured on two holes at each tournament and canresult in nearly 40,000 shots being measured over the course of a season on the PGA TOURand DP World Tour. There was a significant reduction in the number of measured drives on
the tours during 2020 due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a 36%
decrease in data reported for the DP World TOUR in 2020 compared to 2019, and a 23%
decrease on the PGA TOUR2. The number of shots measured in 2022 was typical of seasons
which did not experience this disruption. However, the Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR Champions
tours have combined the 2021 season with the disrupted 2020 season such that the 2021
data includes an expanded dataset. Most players on the PGA TOUR (97%) and DP World
Tour (95%) use driver on the holes used for measuring driving distance regardless of theirdriving distance rank.
A comparison of these major professional tours, both men’s and women’s, indicates that the
average driving distance across all tours included in this report has increased byapproximately 4.0% since 2003 until the end of the 2022 season.
Since 2003, variability in season to season driving distance of 4 or more yards is notuncommon.
The largest overall increase in driving distance has taken place on the Korn Ferry Tour which
was 15.5 yards longer in 2022 than it was in 2003. The average measured driving distance on
the DP World Tour (+2.4 yards), PGA TOUR (+3.6 yards), Korn Ferry Tour (+5.1 yards), PGA
TOUR – Champions (+5.3 yards) and the Ladies European Tour (+0.5 yards) were longer in
2022 than the equivalent values from the previously reported season. The Japan Golf Tour (0.1 yards) and the LPGA Tour (-0.1 yards) reported minor reductions in average driving
distance. The reported averages on the DP World Tour, PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA
TOUR – Champions and the Ladies European Tour were the longest values on record.
1 The USGA/R&A Joint Statement of Principles was adopted in May 2002. The PGA TOUR issued their Position on Equipmentin July 2003 and committed to partner with the USGA and R&A on equipment matters. Both the Joint Statement and PGA
TOUR Summary Position on Equipment are attached for reference. As a result of the adoption of these positions by mid2003, the 2003 season was chosen as the benchmark season for drive distance at the highest level.
2

For measured drives on the PGA TOUR, there were 21534 measured in 2020 compared to 27796 in 2019, a 23% decrease,
while on the DP World Tour the number dropped to 20290 in 2020 from 31511 in 2019, a 36% decrease. No drives were
measured on the Japan Golf Tour in 2020.

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The average driving distance of the longest-hitting (and shortest-hitting) players on the DP
World and PGA tours closely tracks the respective tour average driving distances, including
the season-to-season fluctuations. When viewed as percentages, there is good consistency
both between tours and seasons. The longest-hitting 10 players tend to be about 6-8% longer
than the tour average whereas the shortest-hitting 10 players tend to be about 5-8% shorter
than the tour average.
In 2022, the average clubhead speed on the PGA TOUR was 114.6 mph, with an average
launch angle of 10.3° and average spin of 2597 rpm. The mean of the fastest 1% of clubhead
speeds was 127.5 mph in 2022, while the mean of the fastest 5% of clubhead speeds was
124.2 mph.
The average driving distance of a sample of amateur male golfers in the UK was measured tobe 216 yards in 2019 with no data being collected from 2020 onwards. This represents anincrease of 16 yards over 24 years. Driver usage has increased amongst these players overthis timeframe, particularly for the highest handicap golfers. An equivalent average driving
distance for female average golfers between 2013 and 2019 was 148 yards.

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Background
The purpose of the Joint Statement of Principles (issued in May 2002) was to set out the joint
views of the R&A and the USGA, together with the framework of key principles and policies toguide their actions in relation to equipment and equipment regulation.
History has proven that it is impossible to foresee the developments in golf equipment which
advancing technology will deliver. It is of the greatest importance to golf’s continuing appeal
that such advances are judged against a clear and broadly accepted series of principles. While
generally welcoming this progress, with the adoption of the Joint Statement of Principles, The
R&A and the USGA committed to remaining vigilant when considering equipment Rules toprotect golf’s best traditions, to prevent an over-reliance on technological advances rather thanskill, and to ensure that skill is the dominant element of success throughout the game. The
PGA TOUR issued its Position on Equipment in July 2003 and committed to partner with the
USGA and R&A on equipment matters. Both the Joint Statement and PGA TOUR Summary
Position on Equipment are attached for reference
As the governing authorities for the Rules of Golf including equipment Rules, R&A Rules Ltd(The “R&A”) and the United States Golf Association (the “USGA”) have continued to monitor
closely the effects of advancing equipment technology on the playing of the game.
Furthermore, new equipment Rules have been introduced throughout this period, whenappropriate, including restrictions on the performance and dimensions of clubs and refinementof the testing methodology utilized for testing golf balls to ensure that it is representative of theequipment used by and performance of elite golfers, Figures 1 and 2.

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Figure 1. Average driving distance on the major tours with significant innovation milestones
overlaid

Figure 2. Average driving distance on the major tours with significant Rule change milestones
overlaid

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The R&A and the USGA are also aware that this subject has attracted wide-ranging commentand a number of conflicting views, even though changes in scoring average have been steady,characterised by a slow “creep” downward over this period of around 0.04 strokes per year
across all of the tours over the timescale for which data have been available, Figure 3.

Figure 3. Scoring average on all tours. Note: the data utilized for the PGA TOUR and Japan
Golf Tour are the actual scoring average values which are not normalized by the performanceof the field.
This report includes a review of data associated with driving distance on the world’s major golf
tours compiled with data up to the conclusion of the 2022 season. These are compared tohistorical values where they are available. A more focused picture is subsequently given of
distance since 2003 with particular attention on the PGA TOUR, where Shotlink data provides
additional insight.
Also included for comparison are driving distance data for amateur ‘club’ golfers in the UK
which were collected annually by The R&A between 1996 and 2019.

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2022 Distance Report
Definition of Driving Distance and Methodology of Data Collection
It is important to define the data which form the basis of this report. The driving distance is thetotal distance measured from the teeing ground to the point where ball comes to rest –regardless of the location (fairway, rough, bunker, putting green etc.) These data are collectedon the major tours using one of two methods:
1. Tournament officials will measure incremental distances from the teeing ground which
are then marked on both edges of the fairway of the hole(s) being used for thecollection of data. These distance marks are then used by the player, caddie orvolunteer collecting the data to determine the distance for a given drive.
2. A combination of GPS and laser measuring equipment is used to directly measure thedistance of each drive on a hole.
Driving distance data are typically collected on two holes (“measured” drive holes), which are
selected considering three criteria:
1. The holes should be oriented in opposing directions (to minimise the impact of the windon the average distance).
2. The holes should preferably both be selected such that the landing area for the drives
is flat. Where this is not feasible, the holes would preferably have opposing topography
to minimise the effect of slopes on the average driving distance.
3. The holes should be selected to maximise the potential that the golfers will choose to
hit their driver (ensuring that the data most closely reflects the distance hit by players
using drivers).
The PGA TOUR introduced the Shotlink system in 2003 which is used at most of its
tournaments. This system measures every shot during a tournament which means that, in
addition to the traditional “measured” driving distance on two holes, data are also available forall other Par 4 and Par 5 holes.
The PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Champions Tour calculate the average
driving distance based on all available shots by all players competing in their events. However,
only the players who have played a predefined number of qualifying rounds are included forpresentation in the end of season summary statistics. In recent years a player would typicallyneed to play 50 rounds on the PGA TOUR, 35 rounds on the Korn Ferry Tour or between 35
and 40 rounds on the PGA TOUR Champions Tour for inclusion in the end of season summary
statistics.
The DP World Tour only collect data for full members of the tour and subsequently only players
who have played 10 or more rounds will be included for presentation in the end of season
summary statistics.
The Ladies European Tour typically collects data for only full members of the tour, although
the data for non-members who fill in a stats card may be included within the raw data.
The LPGA reports data only for players who over the course of a season have participated ina minimum of 10 events or 1/3 of the total number of official events, whichever is fewer.

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Driving Distance – All Years
The average driving distance for each year that data have been collected on the major tours
for which data are available are shown in Figure 4. The average driving distance from allmeasured Par 4 and Par 5 holes for the PGA TOUR is also included for comparison. It should
be noted data from the 2020 and 2021 seasons on the Korn Ferry Tour, the Champions Tour
were combined into a single reported value by the tours whereas the Japan Golf Tour did notreport any data from 2020.

Figure 4. Average driving distance on the major tours
The USGA/R&A Joint Statement of Principles was adopted in May 2002. The PGA TOURissued its Position on Equipment in July 2003 and committed to partner with the USGA andR&A on equipment matters. Both the Joint Statement and PGA TOUR Summary Position on
Equipment are attached for reference. As a result of the adoption of these positions by mid2003, the 2003 season was chosen as the benchmark season for driving distance at thehighest level.

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2022 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Since 2003
The average driving distances measured on the major tours for all complete seasons since2003 is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5. Average driving distance on the major tours since the first full season after the
adoption of the Joint Statement of Principles.
A comparison of the end of season distance averages for 2022 to those from the 2003 season
are presented in Table 1 along with the equivalent data from 2021 for comparison (Note: the2004 season is used for the Ladies European Tour as the first season for which data arepresented by the tour). These data indicate that there have been increases in driving distanceon all the monitored tours since 2003. Since 2021, there has been an increase in the average
driving distance in 2022 for all monitored tours except the Japan Golf Tour and the LPGA Tour
which reported minor decreases of 0.1 yards. It is however important to note that the data
usually exhibit season-to-season fluctuations.

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Table 1. Comparing the 2022 driving distance data to the 2003 and 2021 seasons. Note: The 2004 season is used as the comparison point for theLadies European Tour. Where raw data are available, the standard error in the mean has been calculated and included.

2003

2021

2022

Season Change
with(YardsLongestsince
Average2021)

Change
(%
since
2021)

Change(Yardssince
2003)

Change
(%
since
2003)

Yards
per
year
(since2003)

PGA TOUR(Measured Holes)
PGA TOUR(All Holes)

286.3
±0.15
285.9
±0.12
277.9
±0.06

Japan Golf Tour

279

Korn Ferry Tour

292.3

302.7±0.15 307.8±0.21

2022

5.1

1.68%

15.5

5.30%

0.82

PGA TOUR Champions

269.9

275±0.19

280.3±0.25

2022

5.3

1.93%

10.4

3.85%

0.55

LET (2004)

245.3

253.8

254.3

2022

0.5

0.20%

9.0

3.67%

0.47

LPGA Tour

249.6

257.2

257.1

2019

-0.1

-0.04%

7.5

3.00%

0.39

DP World Tour

296.9±0.17 299.3±0.18

2020

2.4

0.81%

13.0

4.54%

0.68

296.2±0.14 299.8±0.15

2022

3.6

1.22%

13.9

4.86%

0.73

289.9±0.06 290.5±0.07

2022

0.6

0.21%

12.6

4.53%

0.66

2019

-0.1

-0.04%

5.7

2.04%

0.30

284.8

284.7

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Range
(Yardssince
2003)
282.2 –
301.9
285.9 –
299.8
277.9 –
290.5
276.2 –
287.6
287.8 –
307.8
268.7 –
280.3
239.7 –
254.3
245.6 –
258.6

Magnitudeof range(Yards)
19.7
13.9
12.6
11.4
20.0
11.6
14.6
13.0

2022 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Distance of the Longest Hitting & Shortest Hitting 10, 20, & 50
Relative to the Average Driving Distance on the PGA TOUR and DP World TourThe average driving distances of the 10, 20 and 50 longest hitting and shortest hitting players
who qualify for inclusion in the end of season statistics on the DP World and PGA tours areplotted in Figure 6 along with the average driving distance for each tour. The data for each ofthese groups of players tracks the trends and annual fluctuations observed for the average oneach tour.
PGA TOUR

DP World Tour320

Distance (Y)

310

300

290

280

270

2005

2010
Average

2015

2020

2005

Bottom 50

Bottom 20

Bottom 10

2010
Top 102015
Top 202020

Top 50Figure 6. The average driving distance of the 10, 20 and 50 longest hitting and shortest hitting
players on the DP World and PGA tours along with the respective average driving distance oneach tour.
These same distance changes expressed as the percentage increase over the average arepresented in Figure 7. Once again, the data demonstrate consistency both between seasonsand tours; the longest-hitting 10 players tend to be around 6-8% longer than the tour average
while the shortest-hitting 10 players are generally around 5-8% shorter than the tour average.

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PGA TOUR

DP World Tour

10
9
8
7
6
5
3

% Longer than average% Longer than Average

4
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
-8
-9
-10
2005
Top 102010
Top 202015
Top 502020
Bottom 50

2005

2010
Bottom 20

2015
Bottom 10

2020
Average

Figure 7. The percentage difference in the average driving distance of the longest-hitting andshortest-hitting 10, 20 and 50 players on the DP World and PGA tours relative to the respective
tour averages.

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Driving Distance – Distribution of Driving Distances on the DP World and PGA Tours
The distribution of the length of drives on the “measured” driving holes on the DP World andPGA tours in 2003 and 2022 are presented in Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively. These datafrom both tours during the 2003 season show very similar, normal distributions. There appears
to be a slight difference between the distributions in 2022, with the DP World Tour
demonstrating a broader distribution of drives than the PGA TOUR.

Figure 8. The distribution of distances on “measured” driving holes on the DP World Tour and
PGA TOUR in 2003.

Figure 9. The distribution of distances on “measured” driving holes on the DP World Tour and
PGA TOUR in 2022.
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The lengths of drives on the “measured” driving holes since 2003 on the DP World and PGA
tours have been placed in 20 yard distance bands between 240 and 320 yards (with additional
bands representing all drives over 320 yards and all drives shorter than 240 yards) These data
are presented in Figure 10 and Table 2 &Table 3 (for the DP World and PGA tours respectively). The percentage of shots in the shorterbands (240-260 and 260-280 yards) has decreased on both tours whereas an increase in thepercentage of drives in the longer bands (280-300, 300-320 and 320+ yard bands) has also
been observed. The number of shots <240 yards has decreased from 2% in 2003 to 1% in
2022 on the PGA TOUR, however it has increased slightly from 1% to 2% on the DP World
Tour. The percentage of drives longer than 320 yards has increased from 9% in 2003 to 21%
in 2022 on the DP World Tour, and from 8% to 20% on the PGA TOUR. There has also been
an increase in the number of drives longer than 300 yards, rising from around 26% of drives
in 2003 to 46% of drives in 2022 on the DP World Tour and from 27% to 50% on the PGA
TOUR.

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Figure 10. The distribution of drives on “measured” driving holes on the DP World and PGA
tours 2003-2022.

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Table 2. The distribution of drives on “measured” driving holes on the DP World Tour 20032022.
≤240Y

240-260Y

260-280Y

280-300Y

300-320Y

≥320Y

2003

1.38%

9.06%

29.64%

33.44%

17.07%

9.07%

2004

1.62%

8.67%

28.26%

34.13%

17.59%

9.08%

2005

1.99%

9.46%

30.35%

33.41%

16.44%

7.81%

2006

2.39%

11.47%

31.26%

31.72%

14.56%

8.16%

2007

2.30%

11.44%

33.68%

33.02%

13.66%

5.45%

2008

1.43%

9.37%

31.93%

34.94%

15.88%

5.96%

2009

2.15%

8.50%

29.81%

35.08%

15.53%

8.48%

2010

1.56%

9.00%

30.67%

34.60%

16.48%

7.36%

2011

1.18%

8.80%

30.29%

34.24%

16.62%

8.43%

2012

1.46%

9.40%

28.51%

34.12%

17.93%

7.91%

2013

1.64%

9.69%

27.50%

34.01%

18.54%

8.17%

2014

1.99%

10.26%

27.67%

33.67%

17.57%

8.28%

2015

1.94%

7.87%

26.91%

34.86%

18.80%

9.62%

2016

2.13%

7.77%

26.02%

36.15%

20.00%

7.95%

2017

1.29%

5.76%

22.88%

35.72%

22.47%

11.89%

2018

1.79%

6.15%

20.46%

33.26%

23.70%

14.65%

2019

2.06%

6.05%

19.05%

33.07%

25.75%

14.02%

2020

0.93%

4.57%

16.49%

30.02%

25.95%

22.04%

2021

2.30%

6.30%

18.85%

30.10%

24.72%

17.72%

2022

2.51%

5.41%

17.35%

29.03%

24.86%

20.85%

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Table 3. The distribution of measured drives on driving holes on the PGA TOUR 2003-2022.
≤240Y

240-260Y

260-280Y

280-300Y

300-320Y

≥320Y

2003

2.24%

9.76%

27.53%

32.52%

18.79%

7.77%

2004

2.48%

9.44%

28.07%

33.70%

18.91%

7.36%

2005

1.82%

9.06%

26.98%

33.92%

19.73%

8.47%

2006

1.52%

7.53%

26.63%

35.20%

20.50%

8.61%

2007

1.93%

8.75%

26.08%

33.07%

20.39%

9.78%

2008

2.23%

9.07%

27.24%

33.40%

19.81%

8.26%

2009

1.95%

9.21%

24.90%

33.77%

21.17%

8.99%

2010

1.81%

8.86%

27.49%

35.01%

19.55%

7.27%

2011

1.59%

6.18%

23.44%

36.23%

23.29%

9.28%

2012

1.41%

6.89%

24.86%

36.12%

21.83%

8.89%

2013

1.93%

7.24%

26.04%

37.08%

20.64%

7.08%

2014

1.64%

6.60%

24.31%

37.25%

22.65%

7.54%

2015

1.60%

6.83%

24.41%

37.41%

21.31%

7.63%

2016

1.27%

5.71%

24.49%

37.39%

22.43%

8.71%

2017

1.41%

5.81%

21.23%

34.98%

24.71%

11.87%

2018

0.98%

4.25%

18.25%

35.11%

27.14%

14.27%

2019

1.31%

5.11%

19.59%

36.16%

25.90%

11.92%

2020

1.17%

4.70%

17.37%

34.31%

28.34%

14.11%

2021

1.06%

4.09%

16.75%

34.60%

27.14%

16.36%

2022

0.85%

2.92%

13.97%

32.01%

30.44%

19.80%

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2022 Distance Report
Driving Distance - Driver Usage
Driver usage statistics have been collected by the PGA TOUR as part of the Shotlink systemsince 2012. These data are recorded at all tournaments which collect full Shotlink data.
Positive identification of the club used from the teeing ground (as driver or not driver) was
made for 24652 shots which make up the “measured” driving distance statistic on the PGA
TOUR in 2022. When considering the average driver usage for “all” drives (par 3s excluded),positive identification of the club used from the tee was achieved for 168,818 shots in 2022.
Similar driver usage statistics have been collected by the DP World Tour on driving holes.
These data from both tours are presented in

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Table 4.
On the PGA TOUR in 2022, 96.9% of drives hit on “measured” driving holes (where the clubhas been positively identified) were with driver while 94.6% of drives on the DP World Tour
driving holes were hit using driver. These very high values indicate that the average drive
distances presented by the tours are a good indicator of the average distance achieved by theplayers when using driver. When considering “all” drives on the PGA TOUR, 74.8% of tee
shots were hit with driver (where the club used was positively identified). It is interesting tonote that the average driving distance when considering only shots hit using a driver is similar
whether considering driving holes or non-driving holes.

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Table 4. Club usage on the DP World and PGA tours.

PGA TOUR“Measured”
Driving HolesPGA TOUR
Non-Driving
Holes

PGA TOUR“All” HolesDP World Tour
Driving Holes% Driver Usage
Distance - All drives(yards)Distance - Drivers(yards)% Driver Usage
Distance - All drives(yards)Distance - Drivers(yards)% Driver Usage
Distance - All drives(yards)Distance - Drivers(yards)

2013
93.6

2014
94.2

2015
95.4

2016
95.4

290.2

288.1

289.3

291.2

291.2 292.4 297.2 294.6 297.3 297.3 301.7

290.9

289.2

290.0

291.6

291.6 292.8 297.9 295.0 298.1 297.7 302.1

67.8

67.0

67.0

67.8

67.8

280.9

278.9

280.2

282.1

282.1 283.4 285.7 282.9 286.9 287.4 289.1

289.5

287.5

288.8

291.2

291.2 292.7 296.2 292.9 297.3 297.0 299.0

71.7

71.0

71.2

72.0

72.0

282.3

280.3

281.6

283.5

283.5 284.9 287.3 284.6 288.4 288.9 291.0

289.7

287.8

289.1

291.2

291.2 292.7 296.5 293.3 297.4 297.1 299.6

96.2

96.7

96.0

96.4

96.4

% Driver Usage

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2017
94.4

66.9

71.3

96.4

2018
94.0

64.5

68.6

91.6

2019
95.8

67.9

72.4

86.5

2020
94.7

67.3

71.2

96.4

2021
96.6

2022
96.9

2012
93.3

70.4

74.4

89.5

71.1

74.8

94.6

2022 Distance Report

Driving Distance - Driver Usage by Distance Rank on the PGA TOURThe percentage driver usage (both for driving holes and for all Par 4s and 5s) for the individual
players who qualify for inclusion in the 2022 driving distance rankings on the PGA TOUR ispresented in Figure 11. Most players use driver more than 90% of the time on the “measured”
driving holes. In 2022, only four players (approximately 2% of the 193 listed) used a driver onthese holes less than 90% of the time.

Figure 11. Percentage Driver usage vs distance rank on the PGA TOUR in 2022.

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Driving Distance – Launch Conditions on the PGA TOURThe PGA TOUR has used a TrackMan RADAR system to measure launch data at
tournaments as part of the Shotlink system since 2007. While historically data were typicallycollected on one or more par 4 or par 5 holes at each tournament, in recent years RADAR
data have been collected on most par 4 and par 5 holes. The holes where RADAR data havebeen measured do not always align with the “measured” driving holes. Since the introductionof logging club selection for tee shots in 2012, these launch data are only reported for shots
hit with driver. In practical terms this results in the exclusion of approximately 500-600 shots
each year (from a population of 12,000-16,000) and as such has only a very minor effect on
the value of the average launch conditions.
The average launch conditions by year are shown in Table 5. Average clubhead speed has
increased by 2.2 mph from 2007 to 2022 and ball speed by 6.5 mph. Launch angle in 2022 is
0.5° lower than the 2007 value, while spin is 217 rpm lower in 2022.
Table 5 Launch Conditions measured on the PGA TOUR.

2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022

Clubhead Speed
(mph)
112.4
112.3
111.7
112.6
112.8
113.0
113.2
113.0
113.2
112.9
113.9
113.7
114.2
114.0
114.4
114.6

Ball
Speed
(mph)
165.4
165.2
165.2
166.2
166.8
167.2
167.4
167.2
167.7
167.7
168.8
169.2
170.3
169.7
170.4
171.9

Launch Angle (°) +/- 1
Standard Deviation

Spin (RPM) +/- 1 Standard
Deviation

10.8 (8.4 - 13.2)
11.3 (9.2 - 13.4)
11.3 (9.2 - 13.4)
10.7 (8.7 - 12.7)
10.8 (8.8 - 12.8)
10.9 (8.9 - 12.9)
10.9 (8.9 - 12.9)
11.0 (8.9 - 13.1)
10.8 (8.6 – 13.0)
10.5 (8.2 - 12.8)
11.1 (8.8 - 13.4)
11.1 (8.9 - 13.3)
10.0 (7.7 - 12.3)
10.5 (8.1 - 12.9)
10.5 (8.2 - 12.8)
10.3 (8.0 - 12.6)

2814 (2251 - 3377)
2670 (2218 - 3122)
2670 (2231 - 3109)
2714 (2249 - 3179)
2667 (2195 - 3139)
2686 (2162 - 3210)
2639 (2135 - 3143)
2619 (2139 - 3099)
2599 (2132 - 3066)
2544 (2064 - 3024)
2578 (2075 - 3081)
2641 (2119 - 3163)
2636 (2106 - 3166)
2542 (2067 - 3017)
2527 (2046 - 3008)
2597 (2107 - 3087)

A better understanding on the distribution of clubhead speeds reported on the PGA TOURcan be achieved by considering the fastest and slowest 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% of
measured clubhead speeds by season, Figure 12.

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Figure 12. The mean of the fastest and slowest 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% of measured
clubhead speeds by season on the PGA TOUR.
While there is some season-to-season variability in these values, there is a consistent trend
towards faster clubhead speeds. The mean of the fastest 1% of clubhead speeds has
increased by 1.2 mph from 126.3 mph in 2007 to 127.5 mph in 2022, while the mean of thefastest 5% of clubhead speeds has increased by 1.6 mph from 122.6 mph in 2003 to 124.2
mph in 2022. Increases are also seen between 2007 and 2023 for the slowest 1% of clubhead
speeds (0.9 mph from 101.4 mph to 102.3 mph) and the slowest 5% of clubhead speeds (1.5
mph from 103.2 mph to 104.7 mph).
To account for the season-to-season variability, three-year trailing means of the fastest 1%
and 5% of measured clubhead speeds are taken. The 1% and 5% values are taken to be
indicative of the fastest clubhead speeds measured on the PGA TOUR. These data are shownin Figure 13.

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Figure 13. The mean of the fastest 1% and 5% of clubhead speeds on the PGA TOUR
between 2007 and 2022 calculated as a three-season average.
In 2022, the trailing mean of the fastest 1% of clubhead speeds measured was 128.5 mph
compared to 125.2 mph in 2009, an increase of 3.3 mph, while the trailing mean of the fastest
5% was 124.5 mph in 2022, an increase of 2.6 mph from 121.9 mph in 2009.
Similar trends are seen in ball speed on the PGA TOUR. Figure 14 shows the fastest andslowest 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% of measured ball speeds by season.

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Figure 14. The mean of the fastest and slowest 1%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 50% of measured ball
speeds by season on the PGA TOUR.
As with clubhead speed, there are season-to-season variations in these values. The mean of
the fastest 1% of ball speeds has increased by 3.4 mph from 186.5 mph in 2007 to 189.9 mph
in 2022, while the mean of the fastest 5% of ball speeds has increased by 5.4 mph from 180.2
mph in 2003 to 185.6 mph in 2022. Increases are also seen between 2007 and 2022 for theslowest 1% of ball speeds (3.1 mph from 148.8 mph to 151.9 mph) and the slowest 5% of ball
speeds (4.9 mph from 151.8 mph to 156.7 mph).

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Driving Distance – Amateurs
Driving distance data have been collected for both male and female amateur ‘club’ golfers in
the UK. Six venues were used for collecting male amateur data, each usually visited once
between May and September annually between 1996 and 2019 while eight venues werevisited since 2013 to collect data from female amateur golfers (one of which has been visitedannually between 2014 and 2019). Wherever possible, the similar time of year and competition
was utilised for each venue as for preceding visits where applicable. The methodology of datacollection was similar to that utilised by the PGA TOUR for the Shotlink system described
previously. A typical season would result in 1,700-2,000 drives measured for the male amateur
golfers and 200-300 shots for the female amateur golfers.
Male Amateur Golfers
The (mean) average driving distance for the amateur ‘club’ golfers measured in 2019 was 216
yards while 88% of the shots were hit using a driver. These data are summarised in Table 6,along with the data separated by CONGU handicap category. The average handicap of thegolfers measured was 10.8. Unsurprisingly, the lower handicap groups averaged longer
driving distances than the higher handicap groups.
Table 6 Summary of the amateur driving statistics for 2019. The standard error of the means
are included.
Handicap

<6

6-12

13-20

21+

Overall

Average
Distance(Yards)239.2 ± 2.7

219.8 ±
1.8

200.0 ±
2.5

176.6 ±
6.8

215.6 ±
1.4

Longest
Drive
(yds)

335.3

317.0

321.3

266.5

335.3

DriverUsage(%)

84.5 %

88.6 %

89.3%

96.7 %

88.2%

No. Shots

207

499

375

60

1141

Amateur drive distance data were collected at the same venues for twenty-four consecutive
seasons between 1996 to 2019. Figure 15 shows both average driving distance and average
distance by handicap group.

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Figure 15. Driving Distance for the different handicap groups vs. Year

While there were year-to-year fluctuations, overall, the average driving distance increased
from 200 yards in 1996 to 216 yards in 2019 with a maximum average distance of 217 yards
being observed in 2005.
Figure 16 shows the percentage of drivers used over the 24 years of data collection. There
was a general increase in driver usage, particularly for the highest handicap groups. In 1996,
64% of shots hit by golfers with handicaps between 13 and 20 were hit using a driver while
only 54% of shots by a player with a handicap of 21 or higher used a driver. In 2019, thispercentage was 88% for the population with 97% of the 21+ handicap category using a driver,a significant increase. The percentage of category 1 players using driver dropped from 94%
in 2017 to 86% in 2018 and 84% in 2019, which were the lowest values since 2010.

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Figure 16. Percentage driver usage for the different handicap categories.
Given the significant increase in driver usage for higher handicap golfers since 1996, thedriving distance data were recalculated for only shots hit with a driver. These data arepresented in Figure 17. While there were fluctuations in the average driving distance between
1996 and 2019, the average distance in 2019 was 11 yards longer than in 1996 (compared toa 16-yard difference when considering all clubs used). The overall distance increase from1996 to 2019 observed for the highest handicap golfers and the 13-20 group was 11 yards,
the increase for the 6-12 group was 1 yard and the increase for the <6 group was 7 yards.

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Figure 17. Driving Distance by handicap group (Drivers only).

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Female Amateur Golfers
A study of the driving distance of female amateur ‘club’ golfers commenced in 2013 and by
2019 comprised around 2500 data points. The average driving data recorded between 2013
and 2019 (by handicap categories) are shown in Table 7. The main conclusion which can be
drawn from this developing dataset is that the like-for-like driving distance for female amateur
golfers is considerably shorter than for their male counterparts.
Table 7 Summary of the ladies amateur driving statistics for combined data from 2013 to 2019.
The standard error of the averages are included.
Handicap
Average
Drive (yds)LongestDrive (yds)Drivers
Used (%)
No. Shots

<6

13-20
155.0 ±
1.1

21-28
141.5 ±
1.0

29+

Overall

196.7 ±
2.6

6-12
177.5 ±
1.3

119.8 ±
1.9

147.9 ± 0.7

261.5

254.2

255.6

227.1

207.1

261.5

97.4

96.1

97.1

98.0

94.8

96.9

76

356

819

937

325

2513

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Appendix
USGA/R&A JOINT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLESAs the governing authorities for the Rules of Golf including equipment Rules, The Royal andAncient Golf Club of St Andrews (the “R&A”) and the United States Golf Association (the“USGA”) have continued to monitor closely the effects of advancing equipment technology on
the playing of the game. The R&A and the USGA are also aware that this subject has attracted
wide-ranging comment and a number of conflicting views. History has proved that it is
impossible to foresee the developments in golf equipment which advancing technology will
deliver. It is of the greatest importance to golf’s continuing appeal that such advances are
judged against a clear and broadly accepted series of principles.
The purpose of this statement is to set out the joint views of the R&A and the USGA, together
with the framework of key principles and policies which guides their actions.
In an historical context, the game has seen progressive developments in the clubs and balls
available to golfers who, through almost six centuries, have sought to improve their playing
performance and enjoyment.
While generally welcoming this progress, the R&A and the USGA will remain vigilant when
considering equipment Rules. The purpose of the Rules is to protect golf’s best traditions, toprevent an over-reliance on technological advances rather than skill, and to ensure that skill
is the dominant element of success throughout the game.
The R&A and USGA continue to believe that the retention of a single set of rules for all playersof the game, irrespective of ability, is one of golf’s greatest strengths. The R&A and USGA
regard the prospect of having permanent separate rules for elite competition as undesirable
and have no current plans to create separate equipment rules for highly skilled players.
Golf balls used by the vast majority of highly skilled players today have largely reached theperformance limits for initial velocity and overall distance which have been part of the Rules
since 1976. The governing bodies believe that golf balls, when hit by highly skilled golfers,
should not of themselves fly significantly further than they do today. In the current
circumstances, the R&A and the USGA are not advocating that the Rules relating to golf ball
specifications be changed other than to modernise test methods.
The R&A and the USGA believe, however, that any further significant increases in hitting
distances at the highest level are undesirable. Whether these increases in distance emanatefrom advancing equipment technology, greater athleticism of players, improved player
coaching, golf course conditioning or a combination of these or other factors, they will havethe impact of seriously reducing the challenge of the game. The consequential lengthening or
toughening of courses would be costly or impossible and would have a negative effect on
increasingly important environmental and ecological issues. Pace of play would be slowed
and playing costs would increase.
The R&A and the USGA will consider all of these factors contributing to distance on a regularbasis. Should such a situation of meaningful increases in distances arise, the R&A and the
USGA would feel it immediately necessary to seek ways of protecting the game.
In determining any future amendments to the Rules, or to associated procedures which mayfrom time to time prove necessary, the R&A and the USGA will continue their respective
policies of consultation with interested parties, including the use of notice and comment
procedures, and will take account of the views expressed. The achievement and maintenanceof worldwide uniformity in equipment rules through close co-ordination between the R&A andthe USGA is a clear priority.

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The R&A and the USGA are concerned that, on an increasing number of occasions, newproducts are being developed and marketed which potentially run counter to the principles
expressed in this statement. These product launches, without prior consultation with thegoverning bodies, can lead to considerable difficulties in formulating appropriate equipment
rules and to undesirable conflicts between manufacturers and rule makers. The R&A and the
USGA intend to bring forward proposals designed to improve procedures for the approval of
new products.
The R&A and the USGA believe that the principles stated in this document will, when carefully
applied, serve the best interests of the game of golf.

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Summary of the PGA TOUR's position on equipment July 1, 2003
General Philosophy
Appropriate limitations on technology are essential to preserve the inherent value andpopularity of the game of golf at the professional level.
PGA TOUR is committed to partner with the USGA and the R&A to:
•
•
•
•
•

Conduct necessary research in the technology area;
Develop appropriate equipment rules;
Communicate to the media and the public the actions taken and results achieved;
Monitor whether the equipment rules have achieved our intended purposes; andModify the equipment rules and/or develop new rules, as appropriate

Proposed Rules Relating to Spring-Like Effect•••

The TOUR supports the new Characteristic Time (CT) measurement method andPendulum Tester
Implementation of the Pendulum Tester on the PGA TOUR should occur by Jan. 1, 2004
If the USGA fails to implement the Pendulum Tester by Jan. 1, 2004, the TOUR willconsider adopting the CT measurement method and the Pendulum Tester for PGA TOUR
competitions

Proposed Rules Relating to the Golf Ball••

The TOUR supports the Indoor Test Range (ITR) Phase II as currently proposed by the
USGA
The TOUR strongly urges the implementation of the ITR Phase II by no later than June 1,
2004

Monitoring, Communications and Research
I.
•
•

II.
•

III.
•

Data Collection and Opinion Monitoring:
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A to collect relevant data, including but notlimited to, golf ball distance, club selection, and swing speeds
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A to gauge media and public opinion relative
to the effect of technology on professional golf
Communication:
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A to develop a variety of methods tocommunicate with the media and fans relative to equipment testing, equipment rules, andthe impact of those rules on players' performance.
Further Rule Modifications:
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A relative to further rule modifications if golfball distances continue to significantly increase or if general views of the game arenegatively affected by technology (i.e., technology is more a factor in excellent
performance than skill and athleticism).

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