300Yards

I'll admit, I'm not always scratch..there have been times when I shoot above my handicap..it happens. I consider my cap, more of a potential that anything..and i don't think that everyone is a pro..I would NEVER consider myself one, and frankly as much as I respect the pros, I would find it outright disrespectful to do so.

Lead Tape

Yes, the red was my input to the statements right above it. As far as the PGA "AVERAGE" driving distance goes which is listed on their site or TGC...the AVERAGE is not derived from every par 4 and par 5 on the course where they may be using a fairway wood, iron, or even cutting back slightly on their driver swing, and I do mean slightly. Pros prefer putting a full swing on most everything from the tee box which is why they'll hit fairway woods or irons instead of powder puff drivers that have a big variance in their normal driver swing.

Driving distance stats are based on two (2) predetermined holes on the course that are either par 5's, long par 4's, straight away, and just about a guarantee that EVERY player will be pulling out the driver and whaling the dog crap out of it. They also try to pick two holes that go in opposite directions, such as north/south or east/west just in case they're playing into a headwind on one hole and a tailwind on the next. THAT WAY they can get a FAIR average.
The stats from those 2 holes are used for the remainder of the tournament or up to the cut for players that don't go all 4 rounds.

Btw, I wasn't jumping on you about claiming to be a scratch golfer. It was just a broad generality regarding the impressions that a large number of forum members try to portray with their responses, when in actual fact they'll never come close to sniffing it or have any idea what it takes to get there and maintain it. It's the make believe world of forums, a place where you can be whatever you want to be and act out your fantasies, give all the opinions in the world - right or wrong, and even if it's dead wrong you (plural) can argue your ass off and maintain your position of "right" and superiority.

It's just difficult at times to determine who DOES know what they're talking about and who is disseminating the correct information.

Lead Tape

It genetics to a large degree. At that level it's either there, or it's not.

I really don't know if you could be in the LDA. I do know that you wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell at a long drive competition using a standard length driver. You'd have to learn how to hit something longer. Yeh, I know about the height thing. But it takes practice. 130 miles an hour won't cut in for long drive competition at the higher levels. It COULD win a local qualifier though and I was pushing you just for the experience. The rush that you get out of competing, the excitement, the challenge, the adrenaline flow, the fun...there's nothing like it.

If there's a way to boost your speed up to 140 miles an hour over some time...you COULD compete at higher levels AND WIN. WHY? Because you can hit some monster drives at 140 mph. Remember, you only get 6 balls. 140 mph blasts that are solidly struck IN THE GRID will BEAT a 155 mph ball that is hooked/sliced out of bounds, popped up, or hit on the toe or heel in the grid. It's about hitting it long, straight, and solidly under pressure.

I know from long experience that 130 mph with a standard length club has the potential for more if you can in fact learn to swing a longer one that should produce higher speeds. Again 130 mph at the local level should do some real damage. You owe it to YOURSELF. You're young only once and WE ALL have let too many opportunities slip away without ever trying and then it's too late.

Lead Tape

No, my long ball hitting friend, those measurements AIN'T EVEN CLOSE!
But, don't feel bad because that's what about 99.9% of the golfing population would have said and believe as the gospel truth.

Actually, I'm proud of you for having the balls to at least step up to the plate and give your thoughts.

I would liked to have seen more responses. I'll give you the stats on it, but what's going to piss me off is that those who AREN'T in the industry will come across as stating, "YEH, I KNEW THAT. IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE" Or, they'll still argue with me and say that I have no idea what I'm talking about. LMAO

The following are Medians, as well as the kick point range for CUT SHAFTS in a driver and 5-iron which is measured FROM THE TIP.

Steel Driver Shafts: Median kick point/Kick point average
High Kick point 18.70"/ 18.51" - 18.88"
Mid Kick point 18.64"/ 18.46" - 18.83"
Low Kick point 18.59"/ 18.47" - 18.75"


Steel #5-Iron Shafts:
High Kick point 16.08"/ 15.70" - 16.20"
Mid Bend point 16.22"/ 15.84" - 16.31"
Low Bend point 16.07"/ 16.02" - 16.22"


Graphite Driver Shafts
High Bend Point 18.77"/ 18.54" - 19.73"
Mid Bend Point 18.53"/ 18.29" - 18.79"
Low Bend Point 18.57"/ 18.18" - 18.88"


Graphite #5-Iron Shafts
High Bend Point 16.35"/ 16.16" - 16.44"
Mid Bend Point 15.96"/ 15.51" - 16.58"
Low Bend Point 15.94"/ 15.72" - 16.06"


So as you can see, for a graphite driver shaft the LOWEST kick point is 18.18" and the highest kickpoint is 19.73" from the TIP. NOTHING in the way of a kickpoint is near the grip. That's a difference of a little over 1 1/2". And what really determines that is how FLEXIBLE or STIFF the shaft is along with either very high or fairly low TORQUE measurement COMBINATIONS. When compared to flex, torque, and weight of the shaft...kick point is a negligible and somewhat immaterial measurement in the entire scheme of things.
But that's OK...believe whatever you want and dispute it to death.
However, be prepared to PROVIDE some hard core factual reasons otherwise and not just myths, wives tales, and stuff grandma told you.

300Yards

Interesting..thanks for that..I always wondered precisely where they were..at least I knew the low was high, the high was low, many people wouldn't even have known that..

300Yards

I see what your saying there...and I do believe with a bit more trining and what not, I could get more speed. But, right now, I am really trying to get a carrer in the medical field..probably in Radiography...maybe after I get a steady career going, in 3 to 4 years, I woul do something like this. As of now, I don't have the resources, nor the money to do something like that. I am interested though, I just feel like I have other priorities at the moment.

Lead Tape

Well, you are correct about the resources and the money. It does take some coin and time to practice and experiment.

I'm at least glad it's your career and not some chick that has you wrapped around her finger whining..."You'd rather spend more time hitting golf balls and be on the golf course than with meeeee!"
(has anyone else here heard those lines before?) LOL