After we did our 2024 greatest golf membership testing, we strongly emphasised accuracy within the irons and wedges. Nonetheless, in relation to the motive force, distance is king. Only a few golfers are prepared to surrender 10 and even 5 yards to get the ball a little bit nearer to the middle of the green. We checked out some stats from Shot Scope to see what is healthier in your recreation: distance or accuracy. The outcomes could shock a few of you.
A take a look at fairways hit
The typical golfer hits round 47 p.c of fairways with their driver. The upper the handicap, the extra possible the drive will miss to the precise of the green (for a right-handed golfer).
Common driver distance is about 70 yards longer for the zero handicap golfer than the 25 handicap.
Let’s say, as an entire, golfers hit the green about half the time.
Fairway Hit and Miss Percentages by Handicap
| Handicap | Left Miss % | Fairway Hit % | Proper Miss % | Bunker % | Penalty % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 hcp | 23% | 50% | 23% | 3% | 1% |
| 5 hcp | 22% | 51% | 24% | 2% | 1% |
| 10 hcp | 25% | 48% | 24% | 2% | 1% |
| 15 hcp | 24% | 47% | 25% | 2% | 2% |
| 20 hcp | 26% | 45% | 26% | 1% | 2% |
| 25 hcp | 19% | 46% | 27% | 4% | 4% |
An correct golfer versus an inaccurate golfer
To find out if distance or accuracy is extra essential, we took stats on a 15-handicap golfer hitting from the tough and the green. We analyzed at a distance of 150 yards from the pin in a clear lie after which at 120 yards within the tough.
These statistics are calculated completely utilizing strategy pictures on par-4 holes to supply a targeted evaluation of this situation. You possibly can see that the common 15-handicap golfer is simply as more likely to par the outlet from 150 yards out within the fairway as from 120 yards within the tough.
Nonetheless, an important takeaway is the statistic from 120 yards within the fairway. You’ll see that hitting your tee shot 30 yards additional and being within the fairway saves a few quarter of a shot.
Common Golfer (15 Handicap) – Strategy Shot Statistics
| Distance to Pin | Lie Kind | Proximity (ft) | Photographs to End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 yds | Fairway | 75.4 | 3.7 |
| 120 yds | Tough | 84.3 | 3.7 |
| 120 yds | Fairway | 53.5 | 3.45 |
What does this imply in your recreation?
Should you attempt to hit the ball additional, buy the membership that goes longer or spend a while pace coaching to realize these additional yards: you might be giving your self a greater likelihood of scoring decrease.
Sure, you could lose some accuracy whenever you begin hitting longer drives.
Nonetheless, if you’re getting additional distance (30 yards or extra), it mustn’t price you further strokes. Should you can be taught to include some accuracy and get that longer drive within the fairway, it can save you no less than 1 / 4 of a shot.
Thirty yards, nonetheless, is the important thing quantity.
Should you can hit 30 yards additional, you received’t lose strokes even when you find yourself within the tough .
What when you can’t hit it 30 yards additional?
Shot Scope discovered 30 yards to be the candy spot for making these much less correct drives value going for. Should you can’t fairly get that a lot additional distance, a ball within the fairway is healthier.
In case you have 150 yards to the inexperienced from the green or 145 yards from the tough, you’ll end the outlet in fewer pictures when hitting from the green. The purpose is to get to 120 yards. If you may get to 120 yards, then you definately’ll discover the distinction.
The way to add these additional 30 yards
In case you are already an extended hitter and have spent a while gaining swing pace by means of varied strategies, you’ll know that including 30 yards is so much.
Listed here are some suggestions to assist add distance when you assume it’s at present holding you again.
Put the precise driver in play
Our 2024 testing confirmed that there are greater than 15 yards of distance between the very best driver for distance and the worst. Should you haven’t gone for a golf membership becoming or are enjoying a driver recognized for having weaker distance efficiency, it might price you yards. Listed here are the prime 37 Finest Golf Drivers ranked by Distance.
Verify your golf ball
One other simple manner so as to add a couple of additional yards is to play a golf ball that helps with distance. After we examined golf balls in 2023, the Titleist Professional V1x Left Sprint and Titleist Professional V1x have been the very best for distance. Not far behind was the Vice Professional Plus.
Work with knowledgeable
The overall perception is that including one mile per hour of clubhead pace can translate to 2 to 3 yards of additional distance off the tee. Subsequently, if you’re searching for an additional 20 to 30 yards of distance, you could want near 10 extra mph of swing pace.
That’s a giant change.
Nonetheless, the precise achieve from including pace is dependent upon your present swing pace and your effectivity. Some gamers with quicker and extra environment friendly swings could discover two to 3 yards of additional distance per each mile per hour enhance.
Discuss to a golf health coach about your objectives after which use a launch monitor to make sure that your launch angle and spin charges are working for you.
Remaining ideas
A 15-handicap golfer has a few 50/50 likelihood of hitting the green off the tee. Take the possibility and attempt to get 30 yards nearer to the outlet. Should you can, it received’t price you any pictures.
Should you do discover the green, you’ll achieve 1 / 4 of a shot and it solely takes a couple of of these to drop your handicap. To reply the preliminary query (distance or accuracy?), distance is the reply on this situation.
The submit What’s Higher—Distance or Accuracy? Understanding the Finest Path to Decrease Scores appeared first on MyGolfSpy.