By Fred Altvater distance stats picked off a win. Another interesting fact is that no winners on tour had a driving distance average under 290. For that two-year span, 2023-24, 84% of PGA Tour tournaments were won by players averaging 300, or more. If you hit it under 290, you have no chance. We all know that the top players today, Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, Taylor Pendrith, Jhonattan Vegas, and Bryson DeChambeau average between 314 and 320. The most prolific winner, over that time span, Scottie Scheffler, averages 304. You don’t have to be the longest, but being longer than average is an absolute requirement. The short answer to that question is definitely, Yes, if you want to win professional golf tournaments, or beat your buddies in your weekly game. Compared to the average golfer you see at your club, or the local muni, every player on the PGA Tour is long. A ‘short’ hitter on tour has a driving distance of at least 280 yards. The fact is, however, most champions on tour average over 300 yards with the driver in hand. In 2023, 40 of the 45 PGA Tour events were won by golfers whose distance average for the season was 300 or more. This year 35 of 44 tournaments were won by golfers whose distance average for the season is in excess of 300 yards. Only four players from the bottom one third of the driving Is Distance Really That Important? Opinion American Golf Journal
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