How Far Does an Average Golfer Drive the Ball?
Discover the average driving distance for amateur golfers, factors that impact your drive, and tips to improve your distance off the tee. Boost your game!
by Jake Tingey & Judd Lyon · Updated: 5/28/23
Are you curious about how your driving distance stacks up against other golfers? In the quest to improve their game, many golfers wonder how far the average golfer drives the ball. Understanding the typical driving distance can help you set realistic goals and gain valuable insights into areas where you can improve. In this article, we'll explore the average driving distances for amateur golfers, discuss the factors that impact your drive, and share essential tips to help you maximize your distance off the tee. Get ready to elevate your golf game to new heights!
To start, let's have a look at the average drive across all handicaps according to the USGA's 2021 Distance Report:
Average drive for a male golfer across all handicaps
| 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 (Yards) | 335.3 | 317.0 | 321.3 | 266.5 | 335.3 |
| Driver Usage (%) | 84.5% | 88.6% | 89.3% | 96.7% | 88.2% |
| No. Shots | 207 | 499 | 375 | 60 | 1141 |
So what's the magic number here? You might think the overall average of is 216 yards is pretty achievable, but keep in mind that for handicaps of 6-12, the average is still just barely above this at 220. If your handicap is at the higher end of the spectrum, 200 yards is an appropriate target to start with (remember, consistency is king.)
You may be wondering what the difference is here for women instead of men.
Average drive for a female golfer across all handicaps
| Handicap | <6 | 6-12 | 13-20 | 21-28 | 29+ | Overall |
| Average Distance (Yards) | 196.7 ± 2.6 | 177.5 ± 1.3 | 155.0 ± 1.1 | 141.5 ± 1.0 | 119.8 ± 1.9 | 147.9 ± 0.7 |
| Longest Drive (Yards) | 261.5 | 254.2 | 255.6 | 227.1 | 207.1 | 261.5 |
| Driver Usage (%) | 97.4% | 96.1% | 97.1% | 98.0% | 94.8% | 96.9% |
| No. Shots | 76 | 356 | 819 | 937 | 325 | 2513 |
Predictably perhaps, there is a decrease in the average drive for women golfers. In this case, 200 yards is not a great goal unless you have a truly excellent handicap - instead, we recommend starting with hitting 150 yards consistently and going from there.
But how does all of this compare to the big leagues - exactly what is the average for the PGA Tour pros? Advancements in technology for equipment and training - as well as the upward trend of improvements in skill and technique - have resulted in considerable increases over the years:
As you can see, even 30 years ago, the average in the 1980s was a more than respectable 255 yards before climbing to a gargantuan 295 yards in 2020. Of course, we would expect no less from legends such as Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy, but it shows how impressive your results can be when you dedicate yourself to your passion.
And there you have it. We hope you found this glimpse into drive ranges informative, but remember - comparing yourself to the best won't improve your results unless it inspires you to keep training. If you found this information helpful, you might be interested in our recommendation for drivers that will help you improve the distance of your drive.