540 replies to this topic

[Goldy]

I constantly read threads around here, where people are claiming to hit their drivers around 240-250m or more, and consistently. And a significant number of them often have handicaps in the high teens, anywhere up to the high 20s, low 30s.

 

Does anyone actually do this? Or believe it? Or do those claiming it actually know how far it is?

 

I for one call bullshit.

 

The biggest hitter I've seen at an ISG day I reckon is good for about 250ish on a regular basis...and gets the odd one out there about 270. Most of the others that I would consider to be big hitters max out at about the 250 range...and consistently would be overstating it a touch.

 

Everyone else...probably 230 at most.

 

So...have your say...do you claim to smash the thing consistently HUGE...and if so, tell us why you're on the handicap that you're on, seeing you're getting tour-like distances.

[BumpunGrind]

I hit several longer than 250m on Saturday, I think....

I don't have any measuring thingos though so I am pretty much going by the feel, the vibe and/or Mabo.

My handicap is in the top 3% of regular posters on here* 

 

I do use a driver that has a LadyBeetle sticker on it, so that alone means I need to it the thing well.

 

 

 

 

 

*based on graded bell curve of 2015 ISG handicap census results

[Weetbix]

I know a couple of blokes who regularly drive it 250m plus, but it's pretty rare.

[Weetbix]

*based on graded bell curve of 2015 ISG handicap census results

Do you have an average and maximum driving distance curve from the census?

[Joe79]

I have GPS recordered 2 of my longest drives of 276 and 300 both total and both uphill on the 9th at Bat. That was 18 months to 2 years ago. That was middle of summer with dry as dry fairways and basically bouncing golf balls of concrete type fairways\dirt at Yarrambat.

 

My average is anywhere in the 240ish to 260ish total depending on how I am swinging and how well I connect. I have pulled a 275 out a couple of months ago. Again in Summer.

 

My problem is putting with a cap of 16.2 that is about to blow out big time with my next flag dropping off and unless I pull a rabbit out of a hat I don't see me getting it better than any of my currents that will take its place.

 

The question is are we talking to 250 carry or total?

 

250 Carry yes I would agree with you 250 total I don't think would be that hard to do.....

Edited by Joe79, 18 May 2015 - 01:21 PM.

[BumpunGrind]

based off nearmap dot com, I hit one on the first that was about 285, one on the 3rd that was 255, one on the 6th that was 240 (that I though was waaay longer) and one on 15 that was about what appears to also be around the 280 mark, but that one I purposely hit it wider to use a bank to get me another 25 or so.

And I still have the web page open with the lines on the screen to prove it.

[BumpunGrind]

Do you have an average and maximum driving distance curve from the census?

those results were unavailable to time of print.

[Jolls]

Provided that there isn't a headwind, my normal well struck drive is usually around 250-260m including roll out with the odd bomb with a tailwind around 280m. When I hit what I feel to be a "big" one I sometimes use my rangefinder to ping the bin, sign, etc next to the tee box. My GA is currently 10.2 but short game (putting especially is holding that back, usually on or around the green in regulation). I use a Titleist 910 with an x-flex shaft as the pro I saw when I bought it said my swing speed (can't remember exact mph) was at the top end of the scale, being 6'6'' probably helps a bit. It's obviously a great feeling smashing a big one down the middle but lately I've been trying to focus on just making what I feel to be a smooth swing to ensure my 2nd shot is in play.

 

I play Saturday comp each week and usually with a new bunch of blokes each week and agree that only 1 or 2 would hit it 250m+ consistently, most around the 210m-230m range with driver.

[Smergen]

I agree Goldy... very rare thing indeed, particularly from what I've seen on the ISG Tour.

 

Biggest consistent hitter was easily Parsandbirdies... I could lock him into 250m. But he was a low marker. The rest... Hmm... There's some big hitters for sure, but 250m consistently... and down the guts... Delusions of granduer (sp?) most of the time.

[MaxB]

I've seen the odd professional Rugby player play at my old course. These guys were all large units and could belt a 5i close to 200m whern they connected.

 

Their drives were impressive, both in terms of distance but also in how far left / right from the fairway they could actually stray. I'm talking about hitting OB's that are two holes away (left / right). 

 

So yes I believe it. 

[peak_sy]

About 230 for a standard, occasional 250 when flushed, really rarely 280ish when everything freakishly aligns, off 7 at the moment. Got a mate who regularly hit 300+, crazy long, realistically in range of all of our par 5s most of the time. Seen him hit 9 iron into a 490m hole for his second (admittedly down wind), he's off +1 or 2.

[ozdevil]

its interesting how people read  say a par 4

 

 

Take the 11th hole at Bacchus marsh its a par 5 however if you take the short cut (which is not allowed anyway) the green is only a par 4), I have only seen 1 person take this hole on and it wasn't no amateur golfer... or you take on the dam which is a 200 metre carry  which I have seen many do and I have done it myself(depending on tee position of the day)

 

 

because a hole may say its 320metre par 4 but it may only  need a 200 metre drive  to get to 300metres because it was a dog leg  hole

 

so does that mean I have just hit a 300 metre drive or was it 200 metre drive  but I only had 20 metres left to centre of green

 

 

 

I think most average golfers in the grade are a round:

 

A graders 230 -250m

 

B graders 215- 230

 

c graders  200 - 220

 

certainly there is some that will out drive what i think would be average consitant drives

[Itchy4Scratch]

In my experience most people who claim to be big hitters look at the scorecard distance and go from there, when the reality is A) line of site from tee to the balls final resting place is not measured the same way as the hole is, and the tees are forward so what is a 350m hole on the score card is really only 320m on the day and is really only 310 with a direct line from tee to the middle of the green. 

 

Anyway, who cares if you can't hit keep them in play?

[Goldy]

I've seen the odd professional Rugby player play at my old course. These guys were all large units and could belt a 5i close to 200m whern they connected.

 

Their drives were impressive, both in terms of distance but also in how far left / right from the fairway they could actually stray. I'm talking about hitting OB's that are two holes away (left / right). 

 

So yes I believe it. 

 

I hear what you're saying Max...but I'm saying a lot of guys here make those claims...surely they're not all ex-professional Rugby players.

 

Having played with probably 70 or more of the guys on here...I'd say maybe a dozen of them at most were even capable of 250m, let alone all the time. 

[Drive4Show]

The time of year definitely impact how far the ball travels, but in my Saturday morning group of 15-20 people, over half would be driving the ball 240-260 consistently with handicaps ranging from +2 to 14. It's more about age and athleticism than handicap.

Edited by Drive4Show, 18 May 2015 - 02:12 PM.