2018 Distance Report
A Review of Driving Distance – 2018
Introduction
In May 2002 the USGA/R&A adopted a Joint Statement of Principles. The purpose of this statement
was 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 pertaining to equipment. Since that time, The R&A and the
USGA have continued to monitor closely the effects of advancing equipment technology on the playingof the game and new equipment Rules have been introduced throughout this period, when appropriate.
This report notes that changes in scoring average have been steady and includes a review of dataassociated with driving distance on the world’s major golf tours compiled at the conclusion of theirrespective 2018 seasons.
This report examines driving distance on the major professional golf tours. The data contained herein
is from the PGA TOUR, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Web.com 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 2003 1 with particular attention to the PGA TOUR
(where Shotlink data provides additional insight), and the European Tour.
The average driving distance is typically measured on two holes at each tournament and can result innearly 40,000 shots being measured over the course of a season on some tours. The vast majority ofplayers on the PGA TOUR (94%) and European Tour (92%) use driver on the holes used for measuring
driving distance regardless of their driving distance rank.
A comparison of these major professional tours, both men’s and women’s, indicates that the average
driving distance on the men’s tours has increased by approximately 2.9% since 2003 until the end of
the 2018 season with a more modest average increase of 0.9% being observed on the women’s tours.
Since 2003, variability in season to season driving distance of 4 or more yards is not uncommon.
The largest overall increase in driving distance has taken place on the Web.com Tour which was morethan 12 yards longer in 2018 than it was in 2003. The average driving distance on each of the men’s
tours monitored was longer than at the end of any previous season for the second season insuccession.
The average driving distance of the longest (and shortest) players on the European 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 10 players tend to be about 7% longer than the tour average whereas the shortest 10
players tend to be about 5-8% shorter than the tour average.
In 2018, the average clubhead speed was 113.7 mph, with an average launch angle of 11.1° and averagespin of 2641 rpm. The 90th percentile for clubhead speed was 119.7 mph. These values are very close
to the test conditions for the Overall Distance Standard (launch angle of 10°, backspin of 2520 rpm
and a clubhead speed of 120mph) which regulates ball distance.
The average driving distance of a sample of amateur male golfers in the UK was measured to be 215
yards in 2018. This represents an increase of 15 yards over 23 years. Driver usage has increased
amongst these players over this timeframe, particularly for the highest handicap golfers. An equivalent
average driving distance for female average golfers between 2013 and 2018 was 148 yards.

1 The USGA/R&A Joint Statement of Principles was adopted in May, 2002.

The PGA TOUR issued their 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 a result of the adoption of these positions
by mid-2003, the 2003 season was chosen as the benchmark season for drive distance at the highest level.

Version 1.0

1/24

2018 Distance Report
Background
The purpose of the Joint Statement of Principles (issued in May 2002) was to set out the joint viewsof the R&A and the USGA, together with the framework of key principles and policies to guide theiractions 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 thisprogress, with the adoption of the Joint Statement of Principles, the R&A and the USGA committed
to remaining vigilant when considering equipment Rules to protect golf’s best traditions, to preventan over-reliance on technological advances rather than skill, and to ensure that skill is the dominantelement 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 theeffects of advancing equipment technology on the playing of the game. Furthermore, new equipment
Rules have been introduced throughout this period, when appropriate, including restrictions on theperformance and dimensions of clubs and refinement of the testing methodology utilized for testing
golf balls to ensure that it is representative of the equipment used by and performance of elite golfers,
Figures 1 and 2.

Version 1.0

2/24

2018 Distance Report

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

Version 1.0

3/24

2018 Distance Report
The R&A and the USGA are also aware that this subject has attracted wide-ranging comment and anumber of conflicting views, even though changes in scoring average have been steady, characterisedby 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.
European TourPGA TOURJapan Golf TourWeb.com TourLPGA TourPGA TOUR - Champions

74

Scoring Average

73

72

71

18

16

20

14

20

12

20

10

20

08

20

06

20

04

20

02

20

00

20

98

20

96

19

94

19

92

19

90

19

88

19

86

19

84

19

82

19

19

19

80

70

Figure 3. Scoring average on all tours. Note: the data utilized for the PGA TOUR and Japan Golf Tour are theactual scoring average values which are not normalized by the performance of the field.
This report includes a review of data associated with driving distance on the world’s major golf tours
compiled at the conclusion of their respective 2018 seasons. This is compared to historical values
where they are available. A more focused picture is subsequently given of distance since 2003 withparticular attention on the PGA TOUR, where Shotlink data provides additional insight, and theEuropean Tour.
Also included for comparison are driving distance data for amateur ‘club’ golfers in the UK which havebeen collected annually by The R&A since 1996.

Version 1.0

4/24

2018 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 the total
distance measured from the teeing ground to the point where ball comes to rest – regardless of thelocation (fairway, rough, bunker, putting green etc.) These data are collected on the major tours using
one of two methods:
1. Tournament officials will measure incremental distances from the teeing ground which arethen marked on both edges of the fairway of the hole(s) being used for the collection of data.
These distance marks are then used by the player, caddie or volunteer 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 the distanceof each drive on a hole.
Driving distance data are typically collected on two holes (“measured” drive holes), which are selectedtaking into account three criteria:
1. The holes should be oriented in opposing directions (to minimise the impact of the wind on
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 theirdriver (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 for all other par 4 and par 5 holes.
The PGA TOUR, Web.com 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 for presentation in the end of
season summary statistics. In recent years a player would typically need to play 50 rounds on the PGA
TOUR, 35 rounds on the Web.com Tour or between 35 and 40 rounds on the PGA TOUR
Champions Tour for inclusion in the end of season summary statistics.
The European 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 in aminimum of 10 events or 1/3 of the total number of official events, whichever is fewer.

Version 1.0

5/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – All Years
The average driving distance for each year that data have been collected on the major tours for whichdata are available are shown in Figure 4. The average driving distance from all measured Par 4 and Par
5 holes for the PGA TOUR and is also included for comparison.
Japan Golf TourWeb.com TourPGA TOUR - Champions

LET
LPGA Tour

305
300
295
290
285
280
275
270
265
260
255
250
245
240
235
230
225
19
68
19
8
19 0
8
19 2
8
19 4
8
19 6
8
19 8
9
19 0
9
19 2
9
19 4
9
19 6
9
20 8
0
20 0
0
20 2
0
20 4
0
20 6
0
20 8
1
20 0
1
20 2
1
20 4
1
20 6
18

Driving Distance (Y)European TourPGA TOUR - Measured HolesPGA TOUR - All Drives

Figure 4. Average driving distance on the major tours
The USGA/R&A Joint Statement of Principles was adopted in May, 2002. 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 forreference. As a result of the adoption of these positions by mid-2003, the 2003 season was chosen
as the benchmark season for driving distance at the highest level.

Version 1.0

6/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Since 2003
The average driving distances measured on the major tours for all complete seasons since 2003 isshown in Figure 5.
European TourPGA TOUR - Measured HolesPGA TOUR - All Drives

Japan Golf TourWeb.com TourPGA TOUR - Champions

LET
LPGA Tour

305
300
295
290

Driving Distance (Y)

285
280
275
270
265
260
255
250
245
240

20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
20
09
20
10
20
11
20
12
20
13
20
14
20
15
20
16
20
17
20
18

235

Figure 5. Average driving distance on the major tours since the first full season after the publication of the Joint
Statement of Principles.
A comparison of the end of season distance averages for 2018 to those from the 2003 season arepresented in Table 1 along with the equivalent data from 2017 for comparison (Note: the 2004 season
is used for the Ladies European Tour as the first season for which data are presented by the tour).
The data indicates that there have been increases in driving distance on all of the monitored tours
since 2003 and for all tours since 2017. While it is important to note that the data do exhibit seasonto-season fluctuations, it is also particularly noteworthy that all of the men’s tours which aremonitored concluded the 2018 season at their longest average distances (as was the case at the endof the 2017 season).

Version 1.0

7/24

2018 Distance Report
Table 1. Comparing the 2018 driving average data to the 2003 season. Note: The 2004 season is used as the comparison point for the Ladies European Tour. Where raw data
are available, the standard error in the mean has been calculated and included.

2003

2017

European Tour
286.3 ±0.15 291.7±0.14
PGA TOUR (Measured
285.9 ±0.12 292.5±0.13
Holes)PGA TOUR (All Holes) 277.9 ±0.06 285.1±0.06
Japan Golf Tour
279
282.6
Web.com Tour
292.3
302.9 ±0.21
PGA
TOUR
269.9
275.4 ±0.24Champions
LET (2004)
245.3
246.1
LPGA Tour
249.6
252.6

Version 1.0

294.7±0.15

Change(Yards
since
2017)
+3.0

Change
(%
since
2017)
1.0%

Change(Yards
since
2003)
8.4

296.1±0.13

+3.6

1.2%

286.9±0.06
282.9
304.9±0.2

+1.8
+0.3
+2.0

277.6±0.24
246.7
252.7

2018

2.9%

Yards
per year(since
2003)
0.53

10.2

3.4%

0.6%
0.1%
0.7%

9
3.9
12.6

+2.2

0.8%

+0.6
+0.1

0.2%
0.0%

Change(% since
2003)

Range
Magnitude(Yards sinceof range
2003)(Yards)282.2 – 294.7

12.5

0.64

285.9 – 296.1

10.2

3.1%
1.4%
4.1%

0.56
0.24
0.79

277.9 – 286.9
276.2 – 282.9
287.8 – 304.9

9.0
6.7
17.1

7.7

2.8%

0.48

268.7 – 277.6

8.9

1.4
3.1

0.6%
1.2%

0.09
0.19

239.7 – 252.9
245.6 – 253.4

13.2
7.8

8/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Distance of the Longest & Shortest 10, 20, & 50 relative to the Average
Driving Distance on the PGA TOURThe average driving distances of the 10, 20 and 50 longest and shortest players who qualify for inclusionin the end of season statistics on the European and PGA tours are plotted in Figure 6 along with theaverage driving distance for each tour. The data for each of these groups of players tracks the trends
and annual fluctuations observed for the average on each tour.
European Tour320

PGA TOUR

310

Distance (Y)

300

290

280

270

2004

2006

2008

2010

Average

2012

2014

Bottom 50

2016

2018

Bottom 20

2004
Bottom 10

2006

2008
Top 102010
Top 20

2012

2014

2016

2018

Top 50Figure 6. The average driving distance of the 10, 20 and 50 longest players on the European and PGA tours
along with the respective average driving distance on each tour.
The distance changes as the percentage increase over the average are presented in Figure 7. Onceagain the data demonstrate consistency both between seasons and tours; the longest 10 players tend
to be around 7% longer than the tour average while the shortest 10 players are generally around 68% shorter than the tour average.

Version 1.0

9/24

2018 Distance Report
European Tour10

PGA TOUR

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
2004

2006

Top 1020082010

Top 2020122014
Top 50

2016

2018

2004

Bottom 50

2006

2008

Bottom 20

2010

2012

Bottom 10

2014

2016

2018

Average

Figure 7. The percentage difference in the average driving distance of the longest and shortest 10, 20 and 50
players on the European and PGA tours relative to the respective tour averages.

Version 1.0

10/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Distribution of driving distances on the European and PGA tours
The distribution of the length of drives on the “measured” driving holes on the European and PGA
Tours in 2003 and 2018 are presented in Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively. These data from bothtours during the 2003 season show very similar, normal distributions. There appears to be a subtle
difference between the distributions in 2018 whereby the European Tour data has a broader
distribution of measured drives than the PGA TOUR (as demonstrated by the higher standard
deviation).
10

V ariab leE u rop ean T ou r 2 0 0 3
P GA T OUR 2 0 0 3

9M ean St Dev
N
2 8 6 .2 2 3 .9 0 2 5 3 9 0
2 8 5 .9 2 4 .0 7 3 8 7 5 3

8Percent

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0
0 0
0 0
0
0
0
16 18 2 0 22 24 2 6 28 30 3 2 34 36 38 40 42 44

Distance (Y)Figure 8. The distribution on distances on “measured” driving holes on the European and PGA TOUR in 2003.

Figure 9. The distribution of distances on “measured” driving holes on the European and PGA TOUR in 2018.
Version 1.0

11/24

2018 Distance Report
The lengths of drives on the “measured” driving holes since 2003 on the European 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 European and PGA tours respectively). The percentage ofshots in the shorter bands (240-260 and 260-280 yards) have decreased on both tours whereas a small
increase in the percentage of drives in the longer bands (280-300, 300-320 and 320+ yard bands) havealso been observed. There has been an increase in the number of drives longer than 300 yards, risingfrom around 25% of drives in 2003, to approximately 40% of drives in 2018.
European TourPGA Tour100

80% of Drives

60

40

20

0
2004

2006

2008

2010
>320Y

2012

2014
300-320Y

2016

2018

2004

280-300Y

2006

260-280Y2008
240-260Y

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

<240Y

Figure 10. The distribution of drives on “measured” driving holes on the European and PGA tours 2003-2018.

Version 1.0

12/24

2018 Distance Report
Table 2. The distribution of drives on “measured” driving holes on the European Tour 2003-2018.
≤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%

Table 3. The distribution of measured drives on driving holes on the PGA TOUR 2003-2018.
≤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%

Version 1.0

13/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance - Driver Usage
Driver usage statistics have been collected by the PGA TOUR as part of the Shotlink system since2012. 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 86% of
the 34,400 shots which make up the “measured” driving distance statistic on the PGA TOUR in 2018.
When considering the average driver usage for “all” drives (par 3s excluded), positive identification of
the club used from the tee was achieved for over 88% of the 208,207 shots in 2018. Similar driverusage statistics have been collected by the European Tour on driving holes. These data from bothtours are presented in Table 4.
It can be seen that on the PGA TOUR in 2018, 94% of drives on “measured” driving holes (where theclub has been positively identified) were with driver while the equivalent value for the European Touris over 91%. These very high values indicate that the average drive distances presented by the tours
are a good indicator of the average distance achieved by the players when using driver although both
represent a decrease from the equivalent values in recent seasons. When considering “all” drives on
the PGA TOUR, 68.6% of tee shots were with driver (where the club used was positively identified).
It is interesting to note that the average driving distance when considering only shots hit using a driveris similar whether considering driving holes or non-driving holes.
Table 4. Club usage on the European and PGA tours.

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

PGA TOUR“All” Holes
EuropeanTour
Driving Holes% Driver Usage
Distance –All drives (Y)Distance –Drivers (Y)% Driver Usage
Distance –All drives (Y)Distance –Drivers (Y)% Driver Usage
Distance –All drives (Y)Distance –Drivers (Y)% Driver Usage

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

93.3

93.6

94.2

95.4

95.4

94.4

94.0

290.2

288.1

289.3

291.2 291.2 292.4 297.2

290.9

289.2

290.0

291.6 291.6 292.8 297.9

67.8

67.0

67.0

67.8

280.9

278.9

280.2

282.1 282.1 283.4 285.7

289.5

287.5

288.8

291.2 291.2 292.7 296.2

71.7

71.0

71.2

72.0

282.3

280.3

281.6

283.5 283.5 284.9 287.3

289.7

287.8

289.1

291.2 291.2 292.7 296.5

96.2

96.7

96.0

96.4

Version 1.0

67.8

72.0

96.4

66.9

71.3

96.4

64.5

68.6

91.6

14/24

2018 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 2018 driving distance rankings on the PGA TOUR is presented in
Figure 11. The majority of players use driver more than 90% of the time on the “measured” driving
holes. In 2018, 32 players (approximately 17% of 193 listed) used a driver on these holes less than 90%of the time, and only 3 players used driver less than 80% of the time on measured driving holes.
Not surprisingly there is a fairly strong correlation between percentage driver usage and driving
distance rank when considering the percentage driver usage on all par 4s and 5s.
100% Driver Use

80

60

40

20
Driving HolesAll Par 4s and 5s
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Distance Rank
Figure 11. Percentage Driver usage vs distance rank on the PGA TOUR in 2018.

Version 1.0

15/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Launch Conditions on the PGA TOURThe PGA TOUR has used a TrackMan RADAR system to measure launch data at tournaments as partof the Shotlink system since 2007. Data are typically collected on one or two par 4 or par 5 holes at
each tournament; although these holes are not always the “measured” driving holes. Since theintroduction of logging club selection for tee shots in 2012, these launch data are only reported forshots 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 valueof the average launch conditions.
The average launch conditions by year are shown in Table 5. It can be seen that average clubhead
speed has increased by 1.3 mph from 2007 to 2018 and ball speed by 3.8 mph. Launch angle in 2018
is 0.3° higher than the 2007 value, while spin is 173 rpm lower in 2018. It is also noteworthy that thelaunch condition set-up for the Overall Distance Standard is 10° and 2520 rpm at a clubhead speed of
120 mph.
Table 5 Launch Conditions measured on the PGA TOUR
2007
Clubhead
Speed (mph)
90th Percentile
Clubhead
Speed (mph)Ball Speed(mph)
Launch Angle(°)
Spin (RPM)

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

112.4 112.3

111.7

112.6 112.8 113.0 113.2 113.0 113.2 112.9 113.9 113.7

118.5 118.3

117.4

118.5 118.6 118.8 119.1 118.8 119.2 119.3 120.1 119.7

165.4 165.2

165.2

166.2 166.8 167.2 167.4 167.2 167.7 167.7 168.8 169.2

10.8

11.3

11.3

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.9

11.0

10.8

10.5

11.1

11.1

2814

2670

2670

2714

2667

2686

2639

2619

2599

2544

2578

2641

Version 1.0

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

16/24

2018 Distance Report
Driving Distance – Amateurs
Driving distance data have been collected for both male and female amateur ‘club’ golfers in the UK.
Six venues have been used for collecting male amateur data, each usually visited once between May
and September annually since 1996 while eight venues have been visited since 2013 to collect datafrom female amateur golfers (one of which has been visited annually since 2014). Wherever possible,
the similar time of year and competition is utilised for each venue as for preceding visits whereapplicable. The methodology of data collection is similar to that utilised by the PGA TOUR for the
Shotlink system described previously. A typical season will result in 1700-2000 drives measured forthe 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 2018 was 215 yards
while 87% of the shots were hit using a driver. These data are summarised in Table 6, along with thedata separated by CONGU handicap category. The average handicap of the golfers measured was
12.0. Unsurprisingly, the lower handicap groups averaged longer driving distances than the higher
handicap groups. It should be noted that there were fewer shots contributing to the average in 2018
due to only four of the venues being visited.
Table 6 Summary of the amateur driving statistics for 2018. The standard error of the means are included.
Handicap

<6

6-12

13-20

21+

Overall

Average
Distance(Yards)239.8 ± 3.5

220.0 ± 2.0

204.3 ± 2.0

187.3 ± 5.6

214.7 ± 1.3

Longest
Drive
(yds)

310.0

341.4

320.1

278.8

341.4

DriverUsage (%)

86.0 %

87.0 %

87.2%

91.4 %

87.2 %

No. Shots

129

464

429

81

1103

This is the twenty-third consecutive season in which amateur drive distance data has been collected
at the same venues. Figure 12 shows both average driving distance and also average distance byhandicap group from 1996 to 2018.

Version 1.0

17/24

2018 Distance Report

Figure 12. Driving Distance for the different handicap groups vs. Year

It can be seen that while there are year-to-year fluctuations, overall, the average driving distance has
increased from 200 yards in 1996 to 215 yards in 2018 with a maximum average distance of 217 yards
being observed in 2005.
Figure 13 shows the percentage of drivers used over the 23 years of data collection. It can be seenthat there has been 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 2018, this percentage was
87% for the population with 91% of the 21+ handicap category using a driver, a significant increase.

Version 1.0

18/24

2018 Distance Report

Figure 13. Percentage driver usage for the different handicap categories.
Given the significant increase in driver usage for higher handicap golfers since 1996, the driving distancedata was recalculated for only shots hit with a driver. These data are presented in Figure 14. It can beseen that while there have been fluctuations in the average driving distance between 1996 and 2018,the average distance in 2018 is 11 yards longer than in 1996 (compared to a 15 yard difference when
considering all clubs used). The largest overall distance increase from 1996 to 2018 has been observed
for the highest handicap golfers (22 yards) with the changes observed for both the <6 and 6-12
categories being 9 yards and the 13-20 handicap category averaging 17 yards longer in 2018 than in
1996.

Version 1.0

19/24

2018 Distance Report

Figure 14. Driving Distance by handicap group (Drivers only).

Version 1.0

20/24

2018 Distance Report

Female Amateur Golfers
A study of the driving distance of female amateur ‘club’ golfers commenced in 2013 and currently
comprises nearly 2000 data points. The average driving data recorded between 2013 and 2018 (byhandicap categories) are shown in Table 7. The main conclusion which can be drawn from thisdeveloping 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 2018. The standard
error of the averages are included.
Handicap
Average
Drive (yds)LongestDrive (yds)Drivers Used(%)
No. Shots

196.4 ±
2.7

6-12
178.4 ±
1.3

13-20
152.6 ±
1.1

21-28
138.3 ±
1.0

117.6 ±
1.8

147.9 ± 0.7

261.5

254.2

255.6

216.7

188.1

261.5

98.6

96.4

97.4

98.1

95.3

97.2

73

329

729

831

297

2259

<6

Version 1.0

29+Overall

21/24

2018 Distance Report
Appendix
USGA/R&A JOINT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLESAs the governing authorities for the Rules of Golf including equipment Rules, The Royal and Ancient
Golf Club of St Andrews (the “R&A”) and the United States Golf Association (the “USGA”) havecontinued to monitor closely the effects of advancing equipment technology on the playing of thegame. The R&A and the USGA are also aware that this subject has attracted wide-ranging commentand 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 ofprinciples.
The purpose of this statement is to set out the joint views of the R&A and the USGA, together withthe 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 andenjoyment.
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, to prevent an overreliance on technological advances rather than skill, and to ensure that skill is the dominant elementof success throughout the game.
The R&A and USGA continue to believe that the retention of a single set of rules for all players of thegame, irrespective of ability, is one of golf’s greatest strengths. The R&A and USGA regard the prospectof having permanent separate rules for elite competition as undesirable and have no current plans tocreate separate equipment rules for highly skilled players.
Golf balls used by the vast majority of highly skilled players today have largely reached the performance
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 emanate from advancing
equipment technology, greater athleticism of players, improved player coaching, golf course
conditioning or a combination of these or other factors, they will have the 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 ecologicalissues. 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 regular basis.
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 may from 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 maintenance of worldwide uniformity in equipment rules
through close co-ordination between the R&A and the USGA is a clear priority.
The R&A and the USGA are concerned that, on an increasing number of occasions, new products arebeing developed and marketed which potentially run counter to the principles expressed in thisstatement. These product launches, without prior consultation with the governing bodies, can lead toconsiderable difficulties in formulating appropriate equipment rules and to undesirable conflicts
Version 1.0

22/24

2018 Distance Report
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.

Version 1.0

23/24

2018 Distance Report
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 and popularity 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 and Pendulum
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 will consider
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 USGAThe 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 not limited
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 tothe effect of technology on professional golf
Communication:
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A to develop a variety of methods to communicate
with the media and fans relative to equipment testing, equipment rules, and the impact of thoserules on players' performance.
Further Rule Modifications:
The TOUR will partner with the USGA and R&A relative to further rule modifications if golf balldistances continue to significantly increase or if general views of the game are negatively affectedby technology (i.e., technology is more a factor in excellent performance than skill and athleticism).

Version 1.0

24/24