The Distance Debate – How Age and Handicap Affect Distance

The story of distance at the amateur level is, surprise, surprise…for all intents and purposes unchanged since forever – or at least since people started caring about it.

That fundamental fact is the rallying cry for amateur golfers every time the USGA, R&A, and anyone mentions anything about a distance rollback.

Amateurs don’t hit the ball too far. They never have…and if you’re into death and taxes sort of guarantees, you can probably add “average golfers obsoleting anything longer than a pitch and putt” to the list.

The Lack of Distance Problem

In 2020, the Arccos database average for shots hit with a driver on par 4s and par 5s was 219 yards. When we narrow it down to just men it jumps all the way to 221. Women averaged 171.

At this point, saying distance isn’t a problem at the amateur level is little more than stating the obvious, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other insights worth discussing.

Distance, Handicap, and Age

It should come as no particular surprise that there are correlations to be found between distance, handicap, and age.

While the Arccos data confirms that Father Time is undefeated, it’s perhaps notable that Skill (handicap) is twice as impactful as age when it comes to gaining, or I suppose maintaining distance.

The bad news is that Driving distance invariably declines with age, but the skill of the golfer has a much greater influence than age. If you’re like me, that last part is also bad news.

As we work our way through the following charts, here are a few big-picture points to keep in mind.

1) As noted, skill is 2X as impactful as age when it comes to gaining/maintaining distance. What this means is driving distance changes with age, but more skilled golfers still hit it farther. And skill has 2x the impact on distance as compared to a change in age.

2) The Highest rate of distance increase happens in single-digit handicaps. For example, the % change in driver distance comparing a 25 HCP to a 20 HCP is 3.8%, but from a 10 to a 5 it’s a change of 5.2% and from 5 to 0 is a 5.5%.

3) As we age, we all start hitting the ball shorter, but the data suggests women lose distance more rapidly than men do.

As you review the charts, please note, that men’s data uses a predictive model. Data shown is for golfers of the age and handicap show in the chart. It is not based on a range.

Data in the women’s chart represents a range of handicaps and ages. The number displayed in the chart represents the lower end of the range. For example, “15” represents golfers with handicaps of 15.1-20. Where the age is listed as 40, for example, it includes female golfers from 40-44 years old.

Arccos data suggests there’s a strong correlation between distance and handicap. Better players hit it farther across all age brackets. The best players are typically around 60 yards longer than the highest handicap group, and while the rates of decline are similar, better players are most typically longer players.

As handicap decreases, distance typically increases. There isn’t a massive difference between 25-year-olds and 35-year-olds of similar abilities, but as we move into our 40s the gaps begin to widen. Sadly, it’s reasonable to predict further declines into ours 70s and 80s, but the upside is you can play it forward and still have a good time.

It’s a morbid expression, but it’s not untrue that as soon as we’re born, we’re dying. While distance is reasonably consistent from mid-teens into our late 20s, as we approach 30, the Arccos data suggests distance starts to dip. By age 70, male golfers typically have lost between 15% and 16% of their total distance.

The number is notable for being in the ballpark of what the USGA is said to be considering for a rollback. Age will cost you 15%. Imagine losing another 15.

Driving Averages by Age

The following series of charts show the rate of distance increase across handicaps at different ages.

At each age, we find roughly a 30% difference in driving distance between 30 handicap and scratch male players.

Women’s Driver Distance

Women’s driver distance data from the Arccos system is less linear and while there are points of convergence that we don’t see in the men’s data, the basic rules are the same.

As women improve beyond a 15 handicap, we again find better players are longer players. Among scratch golfers, 40-year-old women hit it nearly as far as their 30-year-old counterparts.

The Arccos data suggests that by age 60 best female golfers have are hitting it 22% shorter than their younger counterparts. Curiously, by 60, distance for 10 and 15 handicaps has evened out.

While better players still enjoy a significant distance advantage, 165-yard drives don’t suggest much need for a rollback.

While men about 30% longer across age brackets, women’s driving distance appears to be a bit less predictable.

At 30 years old, the best female players are about 45% longer than 20 hcp. At 40 the gap climbs to more than 56 %, before dipping into the high mid-40s and high-30s as women move into their 50s and 60s.

The Battle of the Sexes

The next series of charts compares the rate of decline across genders. It may raise some eyebrows, so allow me to remind you that I’m just the messenger.

With that said, the Arccos data suggests that women lose distance more rapidly with age.

Among scratch golfers, women’s distance trails men by between 27.1 and 48.5% depending on age. The gap is narrowest around 40 years old (26.6%), but by age 50 it’s pushing 40%. By age 60, women are nearly 50% shorter than men.

As handicaps increase, the gaps widen further. At a 10 handicap, women are 38% shorter at age 30, and 65% shorter at age 60.

For 20 handicap golfers, the gaps are massive. At 30-years old, the highest handicap women golfers in the dataset are 53% shorter on average than their male counterparts. By age 60 the difference is 77% – nearly 100 yards.

Unpleasant Truths and Upside

At a minimum, the data confirms what we’ve said all along. Distance isn’t a problem for the average golfer, and as we age, there’s an argument to be made that lack of distance is of greater concern.

Father time remains undefeated but even with the lost distance, golf remains something we can continue to enjoy (and keep tracking with Arccos) into our 70s, 80s, and beyond.

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Six Testers Wanted – Tommy Armour Impact Putters

When the Tommy Armour Impact No. 3 won the Most Wanted Mallet title in 2018, we all took notice.

When it did it again in 2019, we knew this putter was special.

Since then, the Impact No. 3 has generated a bit of a cult-like following.

For 2021, the Tommy Armour Impact line includes revised No. 1 and No. 3 models and a new No. 2 wide.

With that, we’d like to get some feedback from MyGolfSpy readers.

TESTERS WANTED

We’re looking for six MyGolfSpy readers to test, review and keep a 2021 Tommy Armour Impact putter.

Head to the Tommy Armour Impact No. 3 testing thread in the forum to apply.

This testing opportunity is open only to golfers who live in the U.S.A.

The post Six Testers Wanted – Tommy Armour Impact Putters appeared first on MyGolfSpy.

THE BEST DRIVER FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS

INDEPENDENT & UNBIASED

All products featured on MyGolfSpy are independently selected and tested by our staff. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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The Best Drivers for Slow Swing Speeds

Today, we reveal our test results for the best drivers for slow swing speeds. If this applies to you, you owe it to yourself—and your game—to read on.

Our mission is to understand and discover which piece of equipment best serves each  individual golfer. Our 2021 Most Wanted Driver Test featured 38 different models—34 real human testers with 34 uniquely different swing characteristics. In the end, 18,000-plus shots of data allow for a breakdown of the best drivers for three different swing speed categories: high, mid and slow.

Today, we will feature the data surrounding the best drivers for slow swing speeds (up to 90 mph). If your driver swing speed falls in this range, this article is for you.

The Best Driver for Slow Swing Speeds: Callaway Epic Speed

The Callaway Epic Speed rose above the crowd in 2021.

• 1st in strokes gained
• 1st in total distance
• 6th in forgiveness

This driver is well worth your consideration if you are in the slow swing speed category. Its performance is undeniable.

BEST TOTAL DISTANCE FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS – CALLAWAY EPIC SPEED

At 1.84 yards longer than the closest competitor, the Callaway Epic Speed brought the speed. Topping the total distance ranks, the Callaway Epic Speed provides an undeniable opportunity to gain distance, especially for slower swinging golfers.

Driver Buying Considerations

Performance should be your primary concern when looking for the best driver for your game but there are some additional considerations you may want to think about before you buy.

Cost

The 2021 Most Wanted Driver Test features drivers ranging from $229.99 to upwards of $700, excluding any exotic shaft upgrades. The 2021 Most Wanted Driver, Callaway Epic Max LS, will set you back $529.99. If that’s more than you’re willing to spend, the PXG 0211 ($249) and Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro offer tremendous value. Splitting the difference, COBRA’s RADSPEED and RADSPEED XB are stellar performers. Their price point of $449 makes them all the more intriguing.

EXPERT TIP – How To Improve Accuracy

Shaft selection matters. Not only can it be used to optimize launch and spin conditions, but it can also have a significant influence on accuracy. Key factors, such as, weight, stiffness, and torque can dictate how the clubhead bends and twists as it is delivered to the ball, which ultimately impacts your ability to deliver the club consistently and hit straighter shots.

Shaft Selection

Several manufacturers continue to provide low-cost, made for shafts as stock options in their drivers. The performance is often adequate (though not likely what you’d get from a properly fitted aftermarket shaft) but, make no mistake, made for shafts are usually selected to boost margins, not performance.

While we recommend working with a competent fitter, we understand that many of you will buy off the rack. With most manufacturers offering two or three stock shafts to choose from, it’s still important to find the best fit within a stock lineup.

Finally, while we always recommend taking a performance-first approach, when comparing prices, golfers should understand there’s more value to be found from brands that don’t water down their shaft offerings. Titleist continues to offer a robust selection of featured shafts. Mizuno and COBRA also deserve mention for featuring “real-deal” Fujikura Motore X F1 and F3 shafts among their stock offerings.

Distance Versus Dispersion

Distance is king. We understand the temptation to prioritize an extra yard or two but, given the similarities in distance between drivers, we believe golfers should prioritize tighter dispersion and greater consistency over minimal additional yardage.

For most golfers, it may be worth forgoing those couple of yards in favor of smaller numbers (tighter standard deviations) and smaller circles (better dispersion).

Shot Shape Correction

If you struggle with a slice, it’s important to know you have options. Dedicated draw-bias drivers (no moveable weights) are typically the most effective at reducing right-side misses. However, if you’re looking for something that will work for you as you try to improve your swing, a moveable-weight driver may be the better option.

BEST FORGIVENESS FOR SLOW SWING SPEEDS – PXG 0211

If you are a golfer who struggles to hit fairways, the PXG 0211 might be your golden ticket to hitting more fairways. Throughout testing, the PXG 0211 hit the fairway 76.19% for testers with slower swing speeds. The data tells the story.

The Best Drivers for Slow Swing Speeds: Data

To filter and compare by club, use the drop-down list and checkboxes to select only the drivers you wish to compare. Mobile users should rotate their phones to landscape mode.

EXPERT TIP – Movable Weights

Moving weight forward can decrease ↓ launch angle and reduce spin by up to 250-500 RPM. Moving weight back will increase ↑ launch and spin, while boosting MOI (forgiveness). Heel positions are less forgiving than back positions, but help golfers fight a slice.

Moving weight forward often introduces a bit of fade bias, while back weight positions tend be more draw-biased (though not as much as heel positions)

Slow Swing Speeds: What You Need to Know, Simplified.

Congratulations, you’ve read further than most of your peers. So if you’re here, you get bonus in-depth information. Tell your friends. If you swing under 90 miles per hour, take these notes into consideration

• If you’re looking for more swing speed, consider testing drivers offering lighter and longer shaft options. The XXIO Eleven, XXIO X and Titleist TSi1 all feature lighter-weight shafts. TaylorMade SIM2 Max D also comes stock with a lighter shaft option.
• Throughout our data, these lighter options tend to produce more spin. Proceed with caution in your search for speed, especially if spin is an enemy of yours already.
• Callaway Epic Speed is the No. 1 driver for slow swing speeds and rightfully so. It displays phenomenal performance across several key metrics. And, if distance is your goal, it excels in that area.
• Now, if forgiveness is your goal, PXG’s 0211 is the product for you. It is the best in forgiveness for slow swing speeds. Additionally, it ranks fifth in forgiveness overall in the 2021 Most Wanted Driver Test.
• Finding the fairway is a game changer. Many drivers in the slow swing speed category excel at finding the fairway. With this in mind, take a look at COBRA’s RADSPEED XB and XD. Although outside the top five in strokes gained, both hit the fairway more than 70 percent of the time.

Driver Tips

• Distance Versus Accuracy: Don’t sacrifice accuracy for a few more yards. Manufacturers know you want distance and often cheat distance through longer shafts. A 46-inch shaft will almost always get you more yards but it typically leads to a loss of accuracy and increased dispersion.
• Adjustable Loft: Adjusting loft changes the face angle. Adding loft ↑ closes the face while decreasing loft ↓ opens the face. By understanding the relationship between loft and face angle and the influence face angle has on where your ball starts, you can leverage loft adjustability to improve accuracy.
• Looks Versus Performance: Don’t overvalue looks. Golfers tell us all the time they can’t hit a club well if they don’t like how it looks but we’ve found very little evidence to suggest this is true. Very often, golfers produce outstanding results with clubs they claim to despise. Keep an open mind about a club that you may not find visually appealing.
• Adjustable Weights: Not all adjustable weighting systems are created equal. You can leverage moveable weight to its fullest potential by looking for systems that allow you to move significant mass over a wider area of the clubhead while keeping the weight close to the perimeter of the golf club. Lighter weights moved over small distances or moved between central locations will have a minimal impact on ball flight.

How We Test

Our mission is to help you find the best driver for your game.

We are 100% independent and unbiased, and we always put the #ConsumerFirst.

About our Testers

Our pool of testers consists of 35 golfers with handicaps ranging from plus to the mid-teens. As a group, they span a broad range of swing characteristics (head speed, attack angle, etc.).

Over the course of several sessions, each golfer is required to hit 10 to12 “good” shots with each club. Club order is randomized on a per-tester basis.

Limiting Variables and Gathering Data Reliably

To minimize variables, all testers hit Bridgestone Tour B X Golf balls.

Both club and head data are captured using Foresight GCQuad launch monitors.

Crunching the Numbers

Before determining our rankings, we identify and remove outliers using a proprietary detection methodology.

To arrive at our final results, we calculate the averages of key metrics (ball speed, distance, dispersion, etc.), while also considering the standard deviation and the statistical reliability of those values.

GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT

Unbiased. No Guesswork. All Major Brands. Matched To Your Swing. Advanced Golf Analytics matches the perfect clubs to your exact swing using connected data and machine learning.

SEE MY RESULTS

2021 Most Wanted Driver: Product Specifications

2021 Most Wanted Driver Product Specs

	Product	Stated Loft	Measured Loft	Measured Length	Measured Swing Weight
	Ben Hogan GS53 Max Check Price	9	9.4	45.875″	D6.6
	Callaway Epic Max Check Price	9	8.9	45.5625″	D3.2
	Callaway Epic Max LS Check Price	9	9.2	45.625″	D4.0
	Callaway Epic Speed Check Price	9	8.9	45.5″	D3.4
	Cleveland Launcher HB Turbo Check Price	9	9.3	45.6875″	D5.9
	Cobra RADSPEED Check Price	9	8.2	45.375″	D0.8
	Cobra RADSPEED XB Check Price	9	8	45.875″	D2.3
	Cobra RADSPEED XD Check Price	10.5	10.1	45.875″	D1.3
	Honma T//World GS Check Price	9.5	9.9	45.6875″	D2.7
	Honma TR20 440 Check Price	9.5	9.8	45.3125″	D3.2
	Honma TR20 460 Check Price	9.5	9.9	45.375″	D3.5
	Inesis 500 Check Price	12	11.2	45.375″	D4.2
	Mizuno ST-X Check Price	10.5	10.6	45.125″	D3.7
	Mizuno ST-Z Check Price	9.5	9.8	45.0625″	D3.9
	PING G425 LST Check Price	9	8.4	44.875″	D5.1
	PING G425 MAX Check Price	9	9.1	44.875″	D3.8
	PING G425 SFT Check Price	10.5	10.6	44.875″	D2.3
	PXG 0211 Check Price	9	9.3	45.25″	D1.8
	PXG 0811 X Gen4 Check Price	9	9.3	45.25″	D2.2
	PXG 0811 XF Gen4 Check Price	9	9.3	45.375″	D2.2
	PXG 0811 XT Gen4 Check Price	9	9.5	45.3125″	D2.3
	Srixon ZX5 Check Price	9.5	9.6	45.4375″	D3.6
	Srixon ZX7 Check Price	9.5	10	45.4375″	D4.0
	TaylorMade SIM2 Check Price	9	9.2	45.625″	D6.5
	TaylorMade SIM2 Max Check Price	9	8.9	45.625″	D4.5
	TaylorMade SIM2 Max D Check Price	9	9.3	45.625″	D3.6
	Titleist TSi1 Check Price	9	9.5	45.625″	D4.2
	Titleist TSi2 Check Price	9	9.2	45.5″	D4.0
	Titleist TSi3 Check Price	9	9.2	45.5″	D2.7
	Titleist TSi4 Check Price	9	9.4	45.5″	D4.8
	Tour Edge Exotics C721 Check Price	9.5	8.2	45.375″	D2.0
	Tour Edge Exotics EXS Pro Check Price	9.5	9.4	45.5″	D4.2
	Tour Edge Hot Launch C521 Check Price	9.5	8	44.9375″	D3.2
	Wilson Staff D9 Check Price	9	9.4	45.3125″	D4.4
	Wilson Staff Launch Pad Check Price	9	9.5	45.125″	D2.9
	XXIO Eleven Check Price	9.5	10.1	45.8125″	D3.8
	XXIO X Check Price	9.5	10.2	45.5″	D1.7

The Best Drivers for Slow Swing Speeds – FAQ

Buying a New Driver

Q: How often should I buy a new driver?

A: While on rare occasions there are quantifiable year-over-year breakthroughs, typically it takes three to five years for manufacturers to make any significant performance gains. With the USGA further tightening restrictions on manufacturers, it’s possible, even likely, that it will take longer still moving forward. Our recommendation is to buy a new driver only when it appreciably outperforms what is already in your bag. Of course, if you want a new driver because you want a new driver, that’s fine, too.

Q: With all the talk of new face technology, is there one driver that produces significantly more ball speed?

A: Across our test pool as a whole, we found no significant ball speed advantage that can be attributed to face technology. It’s true that some drivers worked significantly better for individual golfers than others but thus far we’ve found no evidence to suggest any one brand has a significant ball-speed advantage over its competitors.

Q: Does the shaft matter?

A: Absolutely. While changes to spin and launch and spin differences are rarely massive, shaft changes frequently lead to improved accuracy, tighter dispersion and greater overall consistency.

Q: What should I look for when testing drivers?

A: While golfers have been conditioned to consider distance to the exclusion of nearly everything else, we recommended looking at the little numbers and small circles. When comparing metrics like distance and ball speed, be sure to look at your standard deviations (the small numbers usually found under the big ones on the data screen). Smaller numbers mean better consistency which will usually mean more than an extra yard or two on the golf course. Similarly, look for tighter dispersion ellipses (small circles). We can’t overstate the importance of consistency with the driver.

Q: Is there any downside to adjustability?

A: Yes, but … With many designs, adjustable hosels weigh significantly more than their glued alternatives so manufacturers have to find workarounds to offset the additional weight in an area where additional weight is undesirable. Furthermore, moveable weight systems require complex physical structures that eat up otherwise discretionary mass and often have sound and feel consequences. That said, in most cases, the fitting versatility more than offsets those negatives. This is especially true for golfers who choose not to work directly with a fitter.

Upright and Flat Settings

As it does with irons, the lie angle of your driver matters. Lie angle has a strong influence on where the ball starts. If you find yourself missing right, something as simple as an upright lie angle can help. Conversely, a flatter lie angle can help mitigate a left miss.

Most Wanted

Q: How are the drivers in test fitted to each golfer?

A: We use a fitting process that we call “fit from stock.” Drivers are fitted to each tester using the stock no up-charge options from each manufacturer. We test with stamped lofts between nine and 10.5 degrees and fully utilize the fitting capability within each manufacturer’s lineup. This includes leveraging loft, lie and face angle adjustability (hosel), moveable weights and available shafts.

Q: How is the “Most Wanted Driver” determined?

A: To determine the Most Wanted Driver, we look at a variety of performance metrics based on data collected with Foresight GCQuad Launch Monitors. For each tester, we calculate strokes gained across all testers. The Most Wanted Driver is the one that produced the highest strokes gained relative to the average across the entire test cohort

Q: How do you break down the test by swing speed?

A: In order to determine the best performing drivers at a given swing speed, we broke the data down into even groups based on testers’ average swing speed.  For the slow swing speeds, 12 testers in our Most Wanted Driver Test produced driver swing speeds below 95 mph.

Q: How is the “Longest Driver” determined?

A: To determine the Longest Driver, we consider the average total yards across the test pool along with the statistical reliability of that data. We also look at a narrower subset of the data that included only the longest few shots hit by each tester with each club.

Q: How is the “Most Forgiving Driver” determined?

A: To determine the Most Forgiving Driver, we focus on a narrower set of metrics that includes shot area (dispersion), accuracy and the average standard deviation for ball speed and carry yards.

Q: How much does subjective feedback like looks, sound and feel factor into your rankings?

A: ZERO. Our rankings are based purely on launch monitor data and quantifiable performance metrics.

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