NEW Arccos Driver Distance Report 2023

Ah, the driver. The “big stick.” The “sledgehammer.” The club that has more nicknames than your dog. We golfers only use this beauty, on average, 14 times (or less) per round, but somehow it steals all the spotlight. Maybe it's because it's usually the longest, loudest, and most attention-grabbing club in the bag. Or maybe it's because absolutely smashing a driver down the fairway feels like winning a mini-Olympics event.

There’s no better feeling than launching one straight as an arrow, hitting it right on the sweet spot, and then casually pretending not to notice as you outdrive all your buddies. But we’ve all heard the chatter:

“Did you hear about Jim? He got that new driver and picked up 15 yards!” Or “I just upgraded, and now I’m bombing it 10-15 yards further!”

A pro once told me though, if I truly gained 10 to 15 yards every time he got a new driver, he should be hitting it 700 yards by now… somehow makes sense… but no one on tour is driving it that far!

So, are we really gaining yardage? We’ll let you see for yourself. We’ve compiled the 2023 Driver Distance Report. Using over 1 billion shots tracked and 180 million of those being driver swings on par 4s and 5s, we can help answer the question: How far are we actually hitting the ball?

So, How Far Are We Going?

Looking at the data over the years, not much has changed in terms of distance for the average golfer. Today, the average male—regardless of age or handicap—is driving the ball around 225 yards. For the average female, that number is about 178 yards.

“Wait,” you say, “I hit it 260 on average!” That’s awesome! We’d love to know your secret. But before you start strutting, let’s break it down based on age and skill.

If you’re 26 years old, a scratch golfer, and driving the ball 260 yards, congrats—you’re right in line with other scratch golfers in their 20s. But if you’re 50 with a 2 handicap and bombing it 260, you’re killing it! The average 50-year-old 2 handicap is only driving it 241 yards, if that’s you you're doing better than great. See our Arccos Distance Report below to find how you stack up against golfers your age and skill level (you might be surprised!)

Men's 2023 driving distance by age and handicap:

Age and handicap go hand-in-hand when it comes to driver distance. Younger golfers and those with lower handicaps tend to hit it further (shocking, right? Must be those flexible, springy joints). But hey, if you’re still swinging the same driver you bought a decade ago or haven’t tracked your stats in years, maybe—just maybe—you’re genuinely picking up those extra 10-15 yards. Or, well... maybe Father Time has been sneaking a few yards away from you.

So, whether you’re bombing it past your buddies or thinking about finally upgrading that trusty old driver, the numbers don’t lie—age, skill, and a little tech may all play a part in how far we’re hitting the ball. But no matter where you stand on the distance spectrum, there’s always room to improve, and tracking your game is the key. So go ahead, give your driver a well-deserved pat, and maybe even treat yourself to some shiny new gear. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about those 14 tee shots—there’s a whole lot more to the game beyond the big swings.