In 1991 John Daly lead the USPGA driving distance averages with a distance of 288.9 yards and by 2005 the same distance was good enough for 97th place in driving distance and things have continued to develop with some golfer such as Bryson Dechambeau hitting the ball close on 400 yards at times BUT just how do they do this?
Physical conditioning
All top golfers now work out in the gym developing muscles that allow them to swing the club harder and faster but while still maintaining accuracy and control.
Ball and Clubhead Speed
All top golfer practice endlessly to see how hard they can swing the golf club in such a way that they can dramatically increase clubhead speed and the speed the golf ball leaves the club face but beware because Rory McIlroy crossed this line and with it control of his swing for most of 2021.
Golf Shaft Length
The standard driver has a shaft with a length of 45” but some tour professionals are using shafts of up to 48” and longer shafts that can be hit with control will result in longer driving distances.
Golf Club Loft
The standard golf club is manufactured with a range of lofts from 8 degrees to 11 degrees but under the current rules there is no minimum club loft specified by the PGA and as a result many tour professionals are now using drivers with lofts of only 4 or 5 degrees and by changing the ball position slightly forward in the stance they hit the ball on the up and this reduces the amount of spin imparted on the ball and hence greater distance.
The Future
I think that most genuine golf enthusiasts have seen golf in recent years turn into a long driving and putting competition with the art of hitting high flying long irons being lost to hitting 150 yard wedges with spin from the rough.
The answer to return golf back to normality is simple, change the golf ball design, limit shaft length to 45” and establish a minimum loft rule of 9 degrees and the driving distance averages will reduce significantly.
The longest hitters will still be longest hitters because of their physical conditioning and ball and clubhead speed BUT these changes will bring the golf course designer back into the play making the courses longer to play with more emphasis on skill rather than distance.