PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Final

The PGA Tour kindly provided the final numbers on driving distance average, though I'm not really sure why their number is always slightly lower than the average that you can compute using the same numbers online.

Anyhow, I had the final number at 289.5 yards, they are officially going with 289.3.

In 2006, there were 2,183 drives of 350 yards or longer.  There were 2059 in 2005.

20 players averaged over 300 yards, down from 26 last year (problem solved!).

30 drives of 400 yards or longer were struck in 2006. There were 18 400-yard+ drives in 2005.

The conclusion? Well we already know that the USGA President says distance has been flat or declining the last few years, but with the 2002 average at 279.8, we've seen nearly a 10-yard increase since the USGA drew the line.  Expect a press release soon touting the positive effects of tighter regulation.

Oh, and that ban on those evil U-grooves! Though I must say, if they go that route, it's going to be fun to watch that play out.
 

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 39

The PGA Tour driving distance average dropped from 289.7 yards to 289.5 after the Innisbrook event.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 38

The PGA Tour driving distance average rose from 289.5 yards to 289.7 after the Disney event. I would comment on whether the conditions were fast or soggy, but that requires watching it.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 38

The PGA Tour driving distance average rose from 289.2 yards to 289.5 after Las Vegas.

With one more full field event to go, it's worth noting that there have been 909 drives over 360 yards this year (816 in 2005).  And there have been 412 drives over 370 yards (334 in 2005.)  We'll get the over 350 tally in a couple of weeks. I know you can't wait.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 38

The PGA Tour driving distance average dropped from 289.6 yards to 289.2 after the cold and wet Greensboro event.

A few have emailed asking about these big shifts in recent weeks. You've wondered how there could be such big jumps or dips this late in the season, but do keep in mind that besides the impact of some extreme weather lately, there is also fluctuation week-to-week thanks to the number of players eligible for the season average.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 38

The PGA Tour driving distance average held steady at 289.6 yards following the WGC event in England and the stop in Mississippi.

No 400-yarders were hit, but the Tour average remains headed for something in the high 289 area, meaning a 10-yard increase since 2002 when the USGA drew a line in the sand. Well, in theory anyway.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 38

The PGA Tour driving distance average jumped to 289.6 yards from 289.3 following the Texas Open.

There were 6 drives over 400 yards bringing the season total to 30, two shy of the PGA Tour high mark in 2004.

There were 18 400-yarders in 2005.

FYI, the long bombers in Texas were Scott Gutschewski (425), Bubba Dickerson (420),  Harrison Frazier (416), Charley Hoffman (411), Brandt Jobe (404 and 401).

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 37

The PGA Tour driving distance average dropped to 289.3 yards from 289.6 after the soggy and final 84 Lumber Classic, won by Ben Crane Curtis.*

With this win Crane becomes the first ever two-time winner of lame duck events in the same year. And just think, the notoriously shy former British Open Champion won't have to do two media days next year. Take that Tiger!

*too many hours in the hot So Cal sun today made me type this incorrectly. Really.

Update on 2006-09-18 03:39 by Geoff

Ouch, Mike Dudurich in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette wrote this on the eve of Sunday's final round:

Curtis, the 2003 British Open champion, hadn't won until the Booz Allen Classic in Washington in June. If he prevails in the birdie fest today, it has been suggested that he will have completed the Tim Finchem Slam, winning two tournaments in the same year that won't exist in 2007.

In Finchem's defense, he did try and give the 84 Lumber a better date, only to be rebuffed by the company. 

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 36

The PGA Tour driving distance average remained steady at 289.6 yards after the Canadian Open, which aired on ESPN on ESPN.

On another note, reader JT pointed out this story on 16-year-old Gipper Finau qualifying for and making the cut at the Nationwide event in Utah. Finau led the field in driving distance, averaging 339.6 for the week. Just imagine what'll happen when he starts working out.

Holmes Sets One-Week Distance Record

From the PGA Tour:

Rookie J.B. Holmes set a new one-tournament record for Driving Distance at last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with a 350-yard average off the tee.  The old mark was 347.3 by Scott Hend at the 2005 Bank of America Colonial.  His eight measured drives were 307-405-338-413-321-364-272 and 380 yards.  Holmes finished in a T50.

Imagine what would happen if he actually worked out! 

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 34

The PGA Tour driving distance average jumped from 289.1 yards to 289.4 yards after the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone.

Tiger Woods jumped from 305.5 to 308 after Firestone.

The number of 400-yard plus drives for the season rose from 17 to 23, with all 6 coming at Firestone (Cabrera 426, Holmes 413, Holmes 405, Holmes 405, Stenson 402, Stenson 402, Love 400).  

David Toms was the only Top 10 finisher at Firestone who did not average over 300 yards for the week.  

2006 PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 33

The PGA Tour driving distance average jumped from 289.0 yards to 289.1 yards after the PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods jumped from 304.1 to 305.5 after finishing second in driving distance at the PGA. 

Sal Johnson notes, "even though he only hit the driver about 25% of the time on 14 driving holes, he was 2nd in driving distance average at 318 yards."

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 32

The PGA Tour driving distance average remained 289.0 yards following The International. Yep, you learn something new every day. The PGA Tour does not include The International in its statistics because of the Stableford system and players possibly picking up on a hole. Of course, what that has to do with driving distance, I don't know. 

We do know from CBS that Bubba Watson hit a 426-yarder (and a 92-yarder because those trees on 17 are in the way of his draw!).

And here I was thinking that all of those 400-yard drives in past years were registered at Castle Pines. Guess not. 

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 31

The PGA Tour driving distance average plummetted to 289.0 yards following the Buick in Michigan, down from 289.1 yards after Milwaukee. Next stop, Castle Pines!

According to PGATour.com, winner Tiger Woods led the field in driving distance (316.0 yards), the highest average by a winner this season.

Just imagine if the course wasn't drenched! After all, it is the "agronomics" driving this distance madness.

PGA Tour Driving Distance Watch, Week 30

The PGA Tour driving distance average jumped to 289.1 yards following the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee, up from 288.7 yards after the British and B.C. Opens.

There are currently 16 players averaging over 300 yards for the season. A feat managed by 26 players in 2005.