lpga tour average driving distance

LPGA Tour player average distances: Driver, irons, wedges through the bag

The average LPGA Tour player doesn't hit their driver 300-plus yards. In fact, very few players on the LPGA hit any 300-yard drives. On average, an LPGA Tour player hits their ball longer than most recreational golfers, but their average distances are somewhat closer to how the average younger amateur experiences the game.

How far LPGA Tour players hit the golf ball with each club in their bag isn't an exact science, however. Every player is different, with a different swing, a different angle of attack, different swing speeds and more. Every situation -- off the tee, from the fairway or rough -- is different. So, we wanted to give you an idea of how far is far and how short is short among LPGA Tour players.

We'll take you through the bag to show you LPGA Tour players' average distances with their driver, irons and wedges.

Remember, these are general numbers that don't account for special late-in-tournament situations where a player may be particularly jacked with adrenaline and hit it farther than normal. It's also worth noting that there does appear to be a bigger spread in possible distances off the tee for LPGA Tour players compared to PGA Tour players.

Of course, elevation can affect how far the ball travels as well, though most LPGA events are not played at significant elevation.

LPGA Tour player average distances: Driver, irons, wedges

• Driver: 230-290 yards
• 3-wood: 190-260 yards
• 3-iron: 185-215 yards
• 4-iron: 170-200 yards
• 5-iron: 160-190 yards
• 6-iron: 150-175 yards
• 7-iron: 140-160 yards
• 8-iron: 135-155 yards
• 9-iron: 120-140 yards
• PW: 100-120 yards
• SW: 70-95 yards

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is currently a +2.6 USGA handicap, and he has covered dozens of major championships and professional golf tournaments. He likes writing about golf and making it more accessible by answering the complex questions fans have about the pro game or who want to understand how to play golf better.

Ryan talks about golf on various social platforms:

X or Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanballengee Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryanballengeegolf Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanballengee YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ryanballengeegolf

Ballengee can be reached by email at ryan[at]thegolfnewsnet.com

Ryan occasionally links to merchants of his choosing, and GNN may earn a commission from sales generated by those links. See more in GNN's affiliate disclosure.

Trackman Tour Averages

At Trackman, we're dedicated to providing the most accurate and up-to-date data to enhance your golfing experience. That's why we're excited to announce the release of our new Tour Averages, reflecting the latest insights from leading professional golf tours.

How We Gathered the Data

Our team has been hard at work collecting data from a wide range of pro players, utilizing Trackman technology to capture every swing and shot with precision.

Explore the New Tour Averages

Discover the latest numbers for both PGA and LPGA Tours, now presented in a redesigned format for easy reference. To see how the game has progressed over time, check out this link to see what’s changed compared to the last Tour Averages.

What's Changed Since Last Time

Since Trackman last revealed the Tour Averages, certain areas of the game have changed. When driving, for instance, players are now hitting further, with greater ball speed and less spin rate. See how your figures compare to the pros.

The Impact of Trackman

Trackman's role in driving performance gains cannot be understated. From influencing club manufacture to revolutionizing training methods and making data more accessible, Trackman continues to shape the future of golf. Additionally, integrating Trackman technology with advanced golf simulators offers players an immersive experience, allowing them to practice and improve their skills in a virtual environment.

Stay Informed

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a weekend warrior, Trackman is here to help you reach new heights on the course. So stay tuned for more updates and insights from Trackman as we continue to push the boundaries of golf technology.

Get the New Tour Assets

The updated Tour Averages data is available for download here in various formats (incl. in meters or yards), whether you're a coaching professional or simply want them handy on your phone when you're on the range.

Key Insights:

Male data is captured across 40+ different events and 200+ different players.

Data is captured at both PGA TOUR and DP World Tour events with majority coming from PGA TOUR events.

Female data is captured across 30+ different events and 150+ different players.

Data is captured at both LPGA and LET events with majority coming from LPGA events.

Averages are based on data from competition as well as on the range.

There are multiple processes in place to eliminate shots hit with a non-driver during competition.

There could be a small number of non-driver shots in the dataset (less than 0.5 percent).

Official stat holes are picked going in opposite directions to reduce any effects from wind.

LPGA Vs PGA Tour Pros - How The Stats Compare

We look at the 2023 stats for the PGA Tour and LPGA and see how the best of the men's and women's game compare in everything from driving to putting

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The world of pro golf is littered with stats, almost every aspect of the game can now be measured in some way, and it makes interesting reading to compare the figures on the PGA and LPGA Tours.

With the upcoming golf ball rollback as reference as well, let's see what the main differences are in the stats categories for the main tours in the men's and women's games.

Driving distance

Breaking news, PGA Tour players hit it further than LPGA players do - I know, not exactly new information but a few little takeaways from the stats.

LPGA big hitter Polly Mack averages 10 yards further than the last placed Brian Stuard on the PGA Tour, and is within 20 yards of the PGA Tour average off the tee.

The top 10 in the women's game all managed to outdrive Staurd, with Lexi Thompson almost identical at just over 271 yards for her average off the tee.

And as Thompson showed playing on the PGA Tour that distance is almost good enough to make a cut, as she came agonisingly close to making the weekend.

Driving accuracy

Maybe due to slower swing speeds having more control, or more thought about placement off the tee with longer second shots, we've known for a while that finding fairways is a much bigger deal on the LPGA than the PGA Tour.

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It's a criticism of the men's game at times, the 'bomb and gouge' argument that PGA Tour players just smash it as far as they can and then worry about it from there, and there certainly seems to be less emphasis on finding the short stuff.

Remarkably, the player finishing in dead last in the LPGA fairways found stats is only just below the PGA Tour average, while men's leader Russell Henley would rank exactly 100th in the women's game with his fairways found percentage.

Greens in regulation

Not much to split them here which is interesting, with LPGA stars playing from the fairway more often but likely further away than their PGA Tour counterparts - the women's leader Olivia Cowan only just edges out Scottie Scheffler .

There's a slightly lower floor on the LPGA but all in all similar numbers, so despite differences off the tee the men and women are both finding the dancefloor at around about the same rate.

So who's the best at getting out of the sand? Well, Matt Kuchar is head and shoulder above everyone really, as second-placed Justin Rose isn't too far ahead of Mi Hyang Lee.

From the LPGA list 31 players would be above average on the PGA Tour, and while again the floor is lower in terms of the bottom number in the women's game, only the top three in the men's ranks have a better sand save percentage than women's leader Lee.

Pretty close in the overall average number of putts taken per round, but only the top five on the LPGA list duck under the PGA Tour average.

There's a similar gap between top to bottom as well interestingly, with about three shots separating the top spot and last place in each standings.

Scoring average

Scottie Scheffler unsurprisingly leading the way after his ultra consistent season, and Ludvig Aberg showcased his ability by finishing ahead of Jon Rahm in the PGA tour standings.

There's a shot and a quarter between Scheffler and LPGA leader Atthaya Thitikul, while 24 players in the women's standings dip below the PGA Tour average. 

Overall, there are 72 players in the PGA Tour list who average under under 70 compared to seven on the LPGA.

Birdie average

We've put a 50-round minimum on the LPGA to match-up to the PGA Tour standings, and we see that there's not much at all between the leaders on their respective tours.

Ludvig Aberg again leads the way on the PGA Tour with less than half a birdie per round between him and women's leader Atthaya Thitikul.

There are 13 LPGA players who average over four birdies a round compared to 46 on the PGA Tour.

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website.  Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush. 

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Here are 10 lpga stat leaders from 2023, including nelly korda and a rookie who bombs it, share this article.

Several years ago, KPMG officials asked former LPGA commissioner Mike Whan a simple question: What’s the LPGA’s No. 1 pain point?

Answer: The lack of statistics and analytics.

KPMG stepped up to the challenge, launching the KPMG Performance Insights technology in 2021, which introduced strokes gained metrics to the LPGA for the first time. The data, collected by caddies, was first made available to the public earlier this year with the launch of a new website .

It’s not ShotLink, but it’s a step in the right direction as the LPGA tries to narrow the great data divide between the men’s and women’s game. Last July, the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach became the the first women’s professional tournament to provide ShotLink data, meaning fans could track every shot from every player in the field.

What would it take to get ShotLink every week? A whole lot of money.

In the meantime, here’s a look at 10 stats leaders from the 2023 season:

In Gee Chun of South Korea reacts to a putt on the 18th hole during the final round of The Chevron Championship at The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa on April 03, 2022 in Rancho Mirage, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Three-time major winner In Gee Chun didn’t win a title this year, but she enjoyed some special moments at the tour’s biggest events. The only player on tour to record two aces this year, Chun’s first came when she holed out at the Chevron Championship on the 164-yard, par-3 17th hole in the third round.

Her second came at the historic U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, when she struck a perfect shot on the 154-yard par-3 fifth hole during the final round. She then high-fived the crowd down the gallery ropes. It was the 33rd ace in USWO history.

Perfection at Pebble! 1️⃣ That's a #USWomensOpen ace for @ingeechun_dumbo ! pic.twitter.com/bc6zpqpG4N — U.S. Women's Open (@uswomensopen) July 9, 2023

Mack attack

Polly Mack of Germany plays her shot from the sixth tee during the final round of the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational at Midland Country Club on July 22, 2023 in Midland, Michigan. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Germany’s Polly Mack topped the driving distance category this year with a 281.750 average. The former Alabama player from Germany played in 17 events this season. The LPGA only measures two holes per tournament for distance off the tee.

China’s Xiaowen Yin, another rookie, came in second at 277.264 yards.

Straightest hitter

Lizette Salas of the United States hits a tee shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on June 22, 2023 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

LPGA veteran Liz Salas led the way in driving accuracy this season, hitting 88.9 percent of fairways. The 34-year-old Salas only made 12 starts this season, making her total number of possible fairways (558) considerably lower than Ayaka Furue, who hit 84.8 percent of 1,214 possible fairways.

Salas has finished in the top 10 of this category the past nine seasons.

'Shy kids don’t get sweets'

Nelly Korda of the United States looks on from the second tee during the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 17, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

For the past two seasons, Nelly Korda has finished second on tour in par-5 scoring. This year, however, the American star topped the category with a 4.54 average.

England’s Charley Hull finished third on the list with a 4.56 average and delivered one of the more memorable attempts at reaching a par-5 in two at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, when she knew that she needed to do something special. Coming down the stretch on Sunday, Hull took an aggressive line under a tree with a 3-wood trying to reach the iconic 18th green in two to put pressure on leader Allisen Corpuz.

“You know the saying, shy kids don’t get sweets?” Hull asked her caddie shortly before taking a mighty big swing.

It marked a fun glimpse into the mindset of the two-time LPGA winner.

Shy kids don't get sweets. 🍭 A shot and a conversation to remember from @HullCharley at Pebble Beach. #USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/SVFijjyYee — U.S. Women's Open (@uswomensopen) July 10, 2023

Most eagles

Bailey Tardy of the United States plays her shot from the third tee during the second round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican at Pelican Golf Club on November 10, 2023 in Belleair, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Three players finished the season with 12 eagles: Bailey Tardy, Jennifer Kupcho and Carlota Ciganda.

Many golf fans got acquainted with Tardy for the first time after she led the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach at the midway point. Tardy got there in large part thanks to back-to-back eagles on the par-5 sixth hole in the first two rounds. On Friday, the powerful Tardy hit a 306-yard drive on No. 6 to reach the par 5 in two and make eagle for a consecutive day. Tardy ultimately finished fourth at the USWO and made $482,136.

“I love this place,” said Tardy of her inspired play at Pebble. “It’s heaven on earth.”

Most birdies

Nasa Hataoka of Japan reacts after making birdie on the 14th green during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 19, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, a six-time winner on the LPGA, led the tour in birdies with 369 over the course of 90 official rounds. Hataoka averaged 4.1 birdies per round, but she didn’t win a title this season. Her best finish, a share of second, came at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.

Hae Ran Ryu finished second with 333 total birdies.

Putting prowess

Angel Yin of the United States laughs after being presented with a Deion Sanders shirt during a press conference 2023 AON Risk Reward Challenge Presentation prior to the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 14, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Angel Yin led the tour in strokes gained putting, gaining an average of 1.40 strokes on the field. Yin broke through with her first career victory this season at the Buick LPGA Masters in her 159th LPGA start. And the American did it in style, taking down Solheim Cup teammate and World No. 1 Lilia Vu in a playoff to collect her first title.

The long-hitting Yin also won $1 million for clinching the season-long Aon Risk Reward Challenge, saying a more conservative approach helped her claim the prize.

Bunker bliss

Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea plays a shot from a bunker on the 12th hole during the first round of the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G at Kenwood Country Club on September 07, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee led the tour in sand saves, getting up and down 63.89 percent of the time. Lee found the bunker 72 times over the course of the season.

Rookie Grace Kim finished second at 63.53 percent, getting up-and-down in 54 of her 85 attempts.

Top-10 topper

Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand smiles on the 11th tee during the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 17, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Thai player Atthaya Thitikul led the tour in top-10 finishes by a mile with 13 in 21 starts. Three players, Hyo Joo Kim, Nelly Korda and Ruoning Yin posted nine top-10 finishes this season.

Thitikul also led the way in top-10 finishes by percent, at 62 percent.

While Thitikul didn’t win on tour this season, her consistent play did earn her the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average (69.533).

Ball-striking clinic

Minjee Lee of Australia reacts on the third tee during the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 19, 2023 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Minjee Lee led the tour in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining an average of 1.53 strokes per round over the field. The two-time major winner averaged 75.2 percent of greens in regulation.

China’s Ruoning Yin, who rose to No. 1 in the world after winning the KPMG Women’s PGA, finished second in Strokes Gained: Approach for the season.

Lee, No. 5 in the Rolex Rankings, won two of her last four starts on the LPGA this season at the Kroger Queen City Championsip and BMW Ladies Championship.

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What is The LPGA Average Driving Distance?

Make no mistake, the LPGA ladies can drive. The average driving distance is impressive and getting better all the time.

If you are wondering about the LPGA average driving distance, we have done a bit of research to bring you the facts.

A Little More About the LPGA

The LPGA or Ladies Professional Golf Association has been going since 1950. It is the oldest professional women’s sports association. They are headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, and feature local as well as international lady golfers.

Who is in the lead?

A quick look on the LPGA site will show you the stats on the average driving distance for 2020 for the top 162 players.

Topping the list is Dutch golfer Anne van Dam. At 23 van Dam is relatively new to the LPGA and, according to association stats, she has an impressive average driving distance of 284 yards.

Next up is American Angel Yin at just under 282 yards.

The LPGA average driving distance leaderboard shows the top 162 players and at position 162, Louise Ridderstrom still has a respectable average of 240 yards.

While there are only 2 players averaging over 280 there are 21 with a 270 plus average and 67 that are 260 and above.

If you want to see how they do with the other clubs in their bag you can check it out here . They are fairly rough averages but will give you some idea.

How Has The LPGA Driving Distance Increased?

In 2018, at the top was Yani Tseng with a distance of 275 yards and the previous year Canadian Maude-Aimee Leblanc lead with an average of 279 yards.

What is interesting to note is how volatile the rankings are. While there is a gradual but consistent increase towards the top of the leaderboard, the average distances overall increase fairly dramatically year on year.

In 2010, for example, there were only 13 ladies hitting more than 260 yards compared to 67 now.

Many of the leading ladies are young and early in their careers. You can expect the average to continue to grow, possibly at an even faster rate.

This video from a few years ago will give you some insights…

How Does Distance Compare To Accuracy?

While it is great to hit far it is important that the drives are accurate. The LPGA site also gives stats on driving accuracy .

Top of the current LPGA driving accuracy leaderboard is American Dana Finkelstein.

While her average distance is just over 247 yards she has an 83.1-percent accuracy rate. She found 497 out of 598 fairways in the current stats.

Conversely, our current top hitter, Anne van Dam, has an accuracy of 64.6-percent.

What is important to understand is that both aspects are important and relevant. One is no good without the other so balance is critical.

How Do The Ladies Compare To The Men?

The current PGA average driving stats show Cameron Champ to be in the lead with an average distance of 316.6 yards.

This is significantly further than the highest lady driver’s 284 average. The top 180 players on the PGA leaderboard all average more than 284 yards.

The trends also show an ongoing increase in the average driving distance for men in the PGA.

LPGA Stats Controversy or Confusion

Some people following the stats have noticed an anomaly when comparing stats across different sites or platforms. Trackman, for example, puts the average a lot lower.

While the LPGA site does not specify, it does state “average driving distance.” This generally means the full distance the ball moves from the tee to where it lands. Other sites are quoting carry.

Carry is the distance a ball covers in the air and is measured as a straight line distance to the same height it was hit from.

One then has to adjust for height difference up or down. Players can improve their average driving distance depending on spin, launch angle and ball speed.

Two players with a similar carry could have a rather different average driving distance if one has optimized these factors and the other has not.

The LPGA ladies are quite good at optimizing what is necessary in order to maximize their potential.

The condition of the course, length of the frass, firmness of the ground, amount of or lack of water on the fairway, weather and other factors will also have a significant impact on the total distance a drive will roll.

What Does All This Mean?

The first point to note is there are a number of ways to measure and compare players and various external factors can also affect these statistics.

What is also relevant is that both men and women are constantly improving their average driving distance.

Lastly, while the top men do drive a lot longer than the top women, the ladies still have a significant and impressive average distance.

They will certainly put the average male golfer and even many of the better men to shame off the tee.

Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.

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GOLF CLUB DISTANCES: PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pros vs Men and Women

How much further do PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pros hit the ball compared to us amateur golfers? The average distances might surprise you. 

Ever wondered how much further a PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pro hits the ball compared to male and female amateur golfer? Well you will want to check out the latest shot data below, which higlights the average distance for each club in the bag. 

The following average distances for men and women and PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pros have been calcuated by The Golf Mentor , and they measured in yards.

AVERAGE DISTANCES FOR MEN

The three different yardages provided for each club below are based on the averages for short hitters, mid hitters and longer hitters.

DRIVER:  200, 230, 260  3-WOOD: 180, 215, 235 5-WOOD: 170, 195, 210 3-IRON: 160, 180, 200 4-IRON: 150, 170, 180 5-IRON: 140, 160, 170 6-IRON: 130, 150, 160 7-IRON: 120, 140, 150 8-IRON: 110, 130, 140 9-IRON: 95, 115, 130 PW: 80, 105, 120

AVERAGE DISTANCES FOR PGA TOUR PLAYERS

DRIVER:  289-323 3-WOOD: 243-304 5-WOOD: 230-288 3-IRON: 212-265 4-IRON: 203-254 5-IRON: 194-243 6-IRON: 183-229 7-IRON: 172-215 8-IRON: 160-200 9-IRON: 148-185 PW: 80, 105, 120

AVERAGE DISTANCES FOR WOMEN

DRIVER:  150, 175, 200 3-WOOD:  125, 150, 180 5-WOOD: 115, 135, 170 3-IRON: 100, 125, 160 4-IRON: 90, 120, 150 5-IRON: 80, 110, 140 6-IRON: 70, 100, 130 7-IRON: 65, 90, 120 8-IRON: 60, 80, 110 9-IRON: 55, 70, 95 PW: 50, 60, 80

AVERAGE DISTANCES FOR LPGA TOUR PLAYERS

DRIVER:  246-258 3-WOOD:  195-217  5-WOOD: 185-205 3-IRON: 180-192 4-IRON: 170-181 5-IRON: 161-173 6-IRON: 152-163 7-IRON: 141-154 8-IRON: 130-143 9-IRON: 119-132 PW: 107-121

How far do you hit the golf ball with each of your clubs? Are you above or below the averages highlighted above? Share your thoughts and comments over on our social media platforms - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter - or come and visit our GolfMagic YouTube Channel. 

Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.

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Amateurs vs LPGA golfers – average scores, driving distance & more

6 March 2022 0 0 Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

How do Amateur Golfers compare to the LPGA Tour Professionals?

This article looks at 12 key performance metrics to compare a scratch golfer against LPGA golfers. The data for the scratch golfer is from Shot Scope ’s database of over 160 million shots hit by amateur golfers and the data for the LPGA golfers is taken directly from the LPGA website . This article does not look at individual LPGA players, but looks at the statistics for the golfer who is ranked 1 st , 10 th , 50 th and 100 th in each category.

Of the 12 performance metrics analysed, scratch golfers perform better than the 100 th ranked LPGA player in 6 areas, and better than the 50 th ranked player in only 1 area. See the breakdown of each performance metric below. It is worth mentioning that the average course length on the LPGA is 6,400 yards and the average course length that scratch golfers play is 6,200 yards.

These 12 performance metrics were chosen as the LPGA has a limited number of statistics about their player’s performance on their website.

Playing a slightly shorter course, scratch golfers have an average score of 71.35 which is excellent in its own right. Comparing this against LPGA players and we can see that scratch golfers are a full shot better on average than #100 on the LPGA scoring list. Nearly able to compete against the 50 th ranked LPGA players.

Score Breakdown

Everyone scoring under par on Par 5s which is to be expected of all these players. However it is impressive to see both the #1 and #10 ranked LPGA players scoring under par on both the Par 3s and Par 4s. It is Par 3s that let the scratch golfer down compared to all the LPGA players, but they would rank between #50 and #100 on Par 4s and 5s.

How often is Par broken?

This is where the key difference between LPGA players and scratch golfers come to light, but also a big difference between the LPGA players themselves. LPGA #1 scores under par more than twice as often as those ranked at #100, however #10 also breaks par nearly twice as often. This is a surprisingly big jump between the players on the LPGA.

The number of birdies per round plays a huge role in this metric, and again the top players are making 1 more birdie per round on average than #100. Comparing this against scratch golfers, it is evident that birdies are much less common with LPGA #1 making 1.5 more birdies per round on average.

 Driving Accuracy and Distance

While the average scratch golfer nearly hits it as far as the LPGA player who is ranked 50 th in driving distance, it is accuracy where the biggest gap lies. LPGA players are known for hitting the ball straight off the tee, but by comparison to a scratch golfer they are way ahead hitting on average 5 more fairways per round (assuming 14 tee shots excluding Par 3s). Perhaps you are surprised at how far the LPGA golfers actually hit their Driver?

How does approach play compare?

Again this is another area of the game where all rankings of LPGA players are performing better than an average scratch golfer. For amateur golfers, approach play and in particular ‘Greens in Regulation’ is the area of the game that provides the most room for improvement. A scratch handicap golfer hits 62% but as handicap increases, the % of greens hit drops dramatically to only 9% for a 25 handicap. So while the scratch golfer is worse than #100 on LPGA, they are still performing extremely well compared to other amateur golfers.

Putt for Dough?

These putting statistics are somewhat restrictive in their analysis. You really need to understand more about the game in order to gain a better understanding. Putts per round is the only statistic where the scratch golfer outperforms the 50 th ranked LPGA player – but there is a reason for this.

For example, the scratch golfer has fewer putts per round on average than both the players ranked #50 and #100 in this category. However the scratch golfer also hits less greens in regulation, so will have more short game shots when the LPGA player would be on the green putting. The putts per GIR is a slightly better metric to focus on, as it accounts for this difference in number of greens hit per round.

What about bunker play?

This is the last metric in the comparison between LPGA players and scratch golfers and it too is an area where the scratch golfer is slightly better compared to the #100 player. There is quite a difference again in this area amongst LPGA players, with #1 getting up and down from the sand 23% more than #100.

The main difference is that the typical scratch golfer generally plays golf for fun, competing against friends or members of their club. Sometimes there is a financial gain at the end of it, but that is dependent on circumstances. LPGA players on the other hand play golf for a living. If they have a bad round or fail to make the cut, they make nothing.

It is interesting to see that the average scratch golfer performs slightly better than the players ranked #100 for 6 of the 12 of the metrics discussed. However would they perform as well with all the added pressure of trying to make a living from it? You decide.

To summarise…

Looking at the number 1, 10, 50 and 100 in each of these performance metrics allowed for comparisons to be made against a scratch golfer. Overall the scratch golfer outperformed the #100 in 6 areas, but it was close. There was only one area where the scratch golfer performed better than the #50 player and that was in putts per round, however reasons for that were mentioned in the article.

The statistics were similar with LPGA coming out just ahead, but this would suggest that the scratch golfer or anyone aspiring to become a scratch golfer should take an interest in the LPGA. It provides a platform where amateurs can relate to the game better compared to the PGA tour where the golfers play a totally different style of game.

On the whole, I think it is safe to say the LPGA golfers do hit the ball further, hit the ball straighter, make more birdies, putt better and ultimately score better than your typical scratch golfer.  

Are you interested in learning these types of statistics about your own game? Shot Scope enables golfers of all abilities to track their game on the course and view 100s of performance statistics like the ones mentioned in this article. Products such as the V3 GPS watch , H4 GPS handheld and PRO LX+ laser rangefinder all allow you to track your game quickly and easily. Tracking your game is the first step to improving your golf .

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Discover How Far LPGA Players Drive The Ball: An In-depth Analysis

• November 1, 2023

How Far Do LPGA Players Drive the Ball: A Comprehensive Look

The game of golf is not just about the finesse and strategy involved but also about the power and distance one can achieve, especially off the tee. In the professional realm, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) showcases some of the best talents in women’s golf. The driving distance of LPGA players is a testament to their skill, strength, and technique. In this article, we delve into the specifics of how far LPGA players drive the ball, and how it compares to their male counterparts in the PGA.

Average Driving Distance of LPGA Players

• 2023 Average: The average driving distance for LPGA players in 2023 stood at 252.3 yards . This is an increase from previous years, indicating the upswing in physical conditioning and technique among female professional golfers​.
• Player Variance: The driving distance can vary significantly among different players. For instance, Anne van Dam, a notable player in the LPGA, had an impressive average driving distance of 284.5 yards in 2023​.
• Comparison with PGA: When compared to the male professional golfers in the PGA, there is a notable difference. The average driving distance on the PGA Tour was around 296.4 yards , showcasing the physical differences and also perhaps the different focuses in training and conditioning between the two tours​​.

Factors Affecting Driving Distance

The driving distance in golf is influenced by several factors. Here are a few key elements:

• Technique: A proper swing technique is crucial for achieving maximum distance. The coordination between the hands, legs, and torso, along with a smooth, powerful swing, can significantly impact the driving distance.
• Equipment: The type of club used, especially the driver, along with its specifications like loft, shaft flex, and material, can affect the distance the ball travels.
• Physical Conditioning: Strength, flexibility, and overall fitness play a vital role in how far a player can drive the ball. Professional golfers often have tailored fitness regimes to enhance their driving distance.
• Ball Type: The construction and material of the golf ball also play a role in how far it can be driven. Different balls have varying characteristics that can either enhance or hinder driving distance.

Evolution of Driving Distance in LPGA

The driving distance among LPGA players has seen a gradual increase over the years. This is partly due to the advancements in equipment technology, better understanding of golf biomechanics, and improved physical conditioning of the players. The trend is expected to continue as more emphasis is placed on power and distance in the modern game.

Comparison with PGA Players

One of the intriguing aspects of professional golf is the comparison of driving distances between LPGA and PGA players. The disparity in driving distance is often a topic of discussion among golf enthusiasts and analysts.

• Average Driving Distance Disparity: The average driving distance on the PGA Tour was around 296.4 yards, as compared to the LPGA average of 252.3 yards in 2023​. This difference of over 40 yards is significant in the professional golf realm, showcasing the variance in physical prowess between male and female golfers.
• Physiological Differences: Men generally have greater muscle mass and physical strength, which contribute to longer driving distances. The swing speed generated by PGA players tends to be higher due to these physiological advantages.
• Equipment Differences: Both LPGA and PGA players have access to state-of-the-art golf equipment. However, the customization of this equipment, such as the loft and shaft flex of the drivers, may be tailored differently to suit the physical attributes and swing mechanics of male and female players.

How LPGA Players are Bridging the Gap

The LPGA and its players have been diligently working to bridge the driving distance gap. Through focused training, equipment optimization, and technological advancements, notable strides have been made.

• Focused Training: Many LPGA players have incorporated specialized strength and conditioning programs aimed at increasing their driving distances. Training regimes often focus on enhancing core strength, flexibility, and swing mechanics.
• Equipment Optimization: Players work closely with equipment manufacturers to tailor their drivers and other clubs to optimize for distance. Advances in golf club technology have also played a part in helping LPGA players achieve longer drives.
• Technological Advancements: The infusion of technology in training, such as the use of golf simulators and swing analysis software, has provided valuable insights that help players improve their driving distance.
• Notable Achievements: Players like Anne van Dam, with an average driving distance of 284.5 yards, are setting new standards and inspiring other players to push their limits​​.

The golf course is a testament to the blend of technique, strength, and strategy, with driving distance being a crucial element of the game. The evolution in LPGA driving distance is a reflection of the broader development within women’s golf, marking an exciting era for the sport.

The insights into the LPGA vs PGA driving distance , the golf equipment used, and the golf training methodologies adopted highlight the multidimensional approach towards improving LPGA driving distance . The LPGA driving distance improvement is a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence by these athletes, making the LPGA players driving distance a fascinating aspect to follow in the sport of golf.

Mark Perry: Editor-in-Chief of Golf News Nation Mark Perry, with 15 years in sports journalism, is the latest addition to Golf News Nation, bringing deep experience despite only starting golf in 2021. His fresh love for the game complements his expertise in sports analysis, offering a novel perspective to golf journalism. Even as a new golfer, Mark's dedication to providing insightful, factual, and engaging content is unwavering. He adeptly blends respect for golf's traditions with an understanding of its evolving aspects. At Golf News Nation, he's become instrumental in nurturing a community for golfers of all levels. Mark's passion for the sport and commitment to its community enriches his writing, ensuring a broad appeal to all golf enthusiasts. EMAIL: [email protected] Quote from Mark Perry "Despite my recent introduction to golf, my years in sports journalism allow me to blend a fresh enthusiasm with deep analytical insight, enriching the golfing narrative for enthusiasts at every level." ""

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This is how far PGA and LPGA Tour players hit it with every club

How far do PGA Tour players hit the golf ball? It’s a common question — one of the most common GOLF Magazine readers ask me — and the answer, of course, is that it depends. Every player is different. They all swing the club at different speeds, with different attack angles and spin rates that result in all kinds of different Trackman stats.

But thanks to the bright minds over at Trackman, now we can at least try to answer that question somewhat definitively.

Below is a list of PGA Tour averages for every club in the bag. As you can see, the club speed for the average PGA Tour pro is 113 mph with driver. Cameron Champ currently leads the club-head speed charts this season with a 129.72 average.

You’ll also notice that the average PGA Tour player hits  down on their driver (attack angle -1.3 degrees), resulting in a launch angle of about 10.9 degrees.

You might look at those Trackman stats and quickly deduce that you, too, should begin hitting down more on your driver.

But not so fast!

Remember, these are PGA Tour players. The reason their Trackman stats look like this are because they are swinging the club so fast, and the ball is coming off the face even faster —  see their average ball speed of 167 mph.

Apply these numbers to an average golfer’s swing speed, and they’d struggle to get the ball in the air long enough for maximum distance. So unless you have a comparable swing speed, chasing these PGA Tour-style figures might not be the best thing for your game.

That’s why some instructors look toward LPGA Tour players’ Trackman stats as a better reference point…

The LPGA Tour’s 94-mph average driver swing speed is closer to the speed many golfers swing the club. And notice how the the attack angle has turned positive along the way —  it’s now 3 degrees up. It also brings the launch angle up to 13.2 degrees. 

So, the takeaway? That your optimal launch Trackman Stats are dependent in part on the way you swing the club — how fast, and in which direction. So don’t go blindly chasing PGA Tour numbers just yet.

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Driving-distance quest comes up short on LPGA Tour compared with PGA Tour, and for good reason

Adam stanley | oct 20, 2020.

At the recent KPMG Women’s PGA Championship , former world No. 1 Lydia Ko talked about using the COVID-19 break to work on her fitness and put on a little muscle.

But don’t think she was entering Bryson DeChambeau territory.

“I am a one-protein-shake-a-day person,” Ko said with a smile. 

While Ko, a major champion herself, said what DeChambeau did in winning last month’s U.S. Open was “pretty incredible,” she wasn’t quite sure whether his approach was one she’d be following, too.

In his total body transformation, DeChambeau has inspired many of his contemporaries to chase swing speed, but it hasn’t quite become what the women of the LPGA Tour are doing – yet, at least.

DeChambeau has seven top-10 finishes since June, when the PGA Tour returned from a three-month COVID-19 break, including two victories – one his first major. His feats prompted many of the game’s top players to begin taking to social media to post their “gains.”

Fitness and strength-building long have been part of the regimen for top golfers on the LPGA Tour , as well. A quick browse of the Instagram accounts for Lexi Thompson, Nelly Korda and Ko, who posts photos from the gym, yoga studio, and recently the tennis court and rock-climbing center, confirms it. But we’re unlikely to see any golfer on the LPGA Tour do the Bryson bulk-up.

“With females … just tightening the core and getting core strength is a huge deal for them,” said Leah Miller, an assistant professional at Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park, Fla. “I see a lot of ladies doing yoga and barre and building up that core strength to generate speed and get distance.”

Tristan Mullally, Golf Canada’s national women’s team head coach, says the women’s game is moving in the same direction as the men’s in terms of distance and speed. The average swing speed of an LPGA Tour member a decade ago is now the minimum expectation for one of Canada’s junior-team members, he said.  

Mullally expects the average swing speed on the LPGA Tour – it’s 94 mph, according to TrackMan data, compared with 114 on the PGA Tour – to exceed 100 mph in the next few years.

“Longer hitters in the female game have potentially more to gain than their male counterparts as rough and overall length play a bigger factor,” he said.

However, there is less of a bomb-and-gouge attitude on the LPGA Tour for now. And, Miller said, it doesn’t sound as if female golfers are keen to go the route taken by DeChambeau, who added 40 pounds of muscle, to build strength.  

“The females I teach are always wanting more distance …, but it’s hard to tell ladies to bulk up 20-40 pounds,” she said with a laugh.

South Korea’s Sei Young Kim, who put on a DeChambeau-like clinic at the KPMG Women’s PGA to win by five shots, averaged just 266 yards off the tee (that’s still a good 20 yards longer than a low-handicap male amateur, according to the USGA Distance Insights report ). That put her near her season-long average of 266.83 yards, which ranks 13th in LPGA driving distance . It’s not short, relative to her colleagues, but it’s 20 yards shorter than tour leader Bianca Pagdanganan, a rookie from the Philippines, who averages 286.21 yards per drive.

Pagdanganan, who notched her first top 10 as a professional at the Women’s PGA, is one of only three LPGA members averaging more than 280 yards off the tee.

Pagdanganan said at the KPMG Women’s PGA that she has not tried to follow DeChambeau’s approach to gain distance.

“I kind of just rip it,” Pagdanganan told Golf.com at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. “I try not to think about it too much. I just try to hit it hard.”

Though none of the three longest-driving women on the LPGA – Pagdanganan, Mexico’s Maria Fassi (282.12) and the Netherlands’ Anne van Dam (281.63) – has won on the LPGA Tour, hitting it farther than opponents always will be regarded as an asset in golf.

Three LPGA players rank among the top 10 in driving distance and also among the top 10 in the Rolex Rankings : Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson and Lexi Thompson. That fact parallels the PGA Tour, on which three players ranked among the top 10 in driving distance and the Official World Golf Ranking : DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson.

But there’s a big difference on the accuracy side.

Webb Simpson was the only golfer ranked in the top 20 on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy during the 2019-20 season and also in the top 10 in the world. On the LPGA Tour, three of the top 10 in the world – including No. 1 Jin Young Ko – count themselves among the top 10 in accuracy, as well.

“[Length] is an advantage out there, but it’s not all about distance,” Pagdanganan said. “You’ve got to have everything intact. There’s still a lot of things to work on.”

So, while DeChambeau attempts to change the men’s game with a physical transformation, the top women on the LPGA Tour are taking a more balanced approach to getting better. 

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Adam Stanley is an award-winning Canadian golf journalist who's covered the game for nearly a decade. He has been part of the coverage of the LPGA, PGA, Korn Ferry and Mackenzie tours and more for the extent of his journalism career. Stanley has a passion for telling the stories of those who don’t yet have their share of the spotlight. He frequently is called upon as a golf analyst by radio and TV programs across North America. Stanley holds a degree from Canada’s top journalism school, Carleton University, and is a millennial (but don’t hold that against him).

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DRIVING DISTANCE

The average distance of tee shots. ※Distances are measured on 2 holes during every round. The holes chosen are from opposite directions so that the wind does not become a factor. The distance of the tee shot is measured whether or not the ball stays in the fairway. Only the players who have played the required number of rounds are included.