How Far Do Golfers Really Hit Drives

"I hit my drives 270 yards."

Hah! Maybe once, with the wind behind you, on a rock-hard fairway, when the ball bounced off a cart path and a squirrel advanced it an extra 10 yards. On no subject are golfers, especially male golfers, more deluded than on the distance they hit their drives.

Here are the brutal facts, accumulated by Dave Pelz over several years of monitoring thousands of players at amateur tournaments. He used the same ShotLink equipment used by the PGA Tour to determine that, in 2023, the world’s best players averaged 291 yards off the tee. Male amateurs who play to a 30 handicap average drives of 166 yards; 20-handicappers average 183 yards; 10-handicappers average 214 yards; scratch amateurs average 235 yards. So, be realistic.

Average Drive in the Air Distance on Level Ground at 1,000 ft. Above Sea Level (not including run out on the ground)

PGA Tour Pros average drive is 291 yards
Players who score mid 70's average drive is 235 yards
Players who score 82 - 88 average drive is 214 yards
Players who score 92 - 99 average drive is 183 yards
Players who score 100 + average drive is 166 yards

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Average 7-Iron Distance on Level Ground at 1,000 ft Above Sea Level (not including run out on the ground)

PGA Tour Pros average 7-Iron shot is 180 yards
Players who score mid 70's average is 155 yards
Players who score 82 - 88 average is 140 yards
Players who score 92 - 99 average is 125 yards
Players who score 100 + average is 110 yards