The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour gathers the most skilled female golfers in the world. Just like within the PGA tour, driving distance has continued to grow and serve as a key advantage to those who lead the category.
Today, we aim to share the driving distance averages of the players on the tour, explore other records, discuss technology's impact on the growth of those distances, and review some considerations to help you achieve longer drive averages yourself.
How Far Do the Ladies Average?
In 2024, the following stats were achieved
Average Drive Distance: 260 yards
Highest Drive Distance: 286 yards (Auston Kim)
Lowest Drive Distance: 205 yards (Ariya Jutanugarn) - 30yds lower than next highest
The Evolution of LPGA Driving Distances
Distances in History
Over the years, we saw a significant growth in LPGA driving distances. Reasons for this include growing technological advancements in the equipment itself, player fitness and strength, and even technique/swing mechanics themselves.
Current Trends
Today's LPGA players are hitting the ball farther than ever. The leading drivers on the tour are hitting an average driving distance of well over 270 yards. This distance increase has not only changed how players approach the game from a strategy perspective but also led designers to consider changes to how they architect golf courses themselves.
Many players have even made headlines with their distances on tour. Maria Fassi and Anne van Dam are players who consistently topped the longest hitter charts. Setting new benchmarks for the tour is another common reason that growth happens. As players see new distances becoming possible, the flock to try and replicate that power becomes a goal of aspiring tour winners.
Technology and Equipment
The role of technology in this growth cannot be overstated. From drivers designed to cut through wind and air resistance to balls intended to go farther and farther every year, advancements have been a key factor for hitting long shots. Custom fitting for clubs has also continued to be a game-changer; players and companies working together to build equipment for their unique swings.
Tips to Help Your Distance Grow
Technique
While power and strength are critical, technique is still arguably the most important element of achieving long drives. Understanding the mechanics of the golf swing, from grip to release to follow-through, is non-negotiable. Creating power at the bottom of your swing is a concept that all the top players understand and can replicate.
Mental Approach
The mental aspect of golf, especially when aiming for long drives, is often overlooked. There's nothing more nerve-wracking than that first drive off the tee of the day, but ignoring the noise is a crucial ability. Mental resilience can often be the difference for the longest hitters on tour, and it's something that average or casual golfers can certainly replicate with enough practice.
Training Tips
Focus on Core Strength and Flexibility
A strong core paired with good flexibility are a couple of focus points in your workouts to consider. Make sure to stretch in your workout routines, and ensure your core is not ignored. This helps create the strength needed for higher rotational speed.
Swing Speed Training
Increasing swing speed may also feel foreign at first since it can make players feel like they are swinging out of their shoes. But practicing it with balance over and over again can make it feel more natural.
The Future of LPGA Driving Distances
As equipment and training continue to advance, average driving distance will likely increase. The challenge for golf organizations and golf courses will be how to anticipate this and consider it when creating or editing courses, setting up tournaments, tees, etc.
Conclusion
The growth and expansion in distances is more than just a quest for hitting bombs; it's a general movement of the sport, given the advantages it actually creates on the scorecard. As players continue to push the boundaries, we should expect more and more changes to how we think about golf strategy.
