Shot Scope Case Study: 30 Year Olds versus 60 Year Olds – Putts Per Round + Driving Distance
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Shot Scope Case Study: 30 Year Olds versus 60 Year Olds – Putts Per Round + Driving Distance

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Shot Scope Case Study: 30 Year Olds versus 60 Year Olds – Putts Per Round + Driving Distance

30 Year Olds versus 60 Year Olds. What’s Changed in Your Game?

Key Takeaways

  • Golfers, on average, lose 30 yards of driver distance from age 30 to age 60.
  • Older golfers have a better putts-per-round average than younger golfers.

Improved Performance Through Data

Big data is a powerful tool. Not only does it allow golfers to assess individual parts of their game but it provides an opportunity to examine performance from a variety of perspectives.

Golf stat tracking and performance management companies like Shot Scope help golfers better understand their on-course performance. However, by aggregating data from golfers around the world, we get a more complete picture of the realities of amateur performance.

So, as we delve into a relatively straightforward topic, think about where you find the most difficulty on the course. Does age matter when it comes to handicap?

Driving Performance Average Distance By Age

Shot Scope driving distance

Observations

  • You lose nearly 30 yards of driving distance if you’re in your 60s compared to when you were in your 30s.
  • Handicaps from age 30 to age 60 are nearly identical despite an ever-increasing distance gap.

While there is close to a 30-yard gap in driving distance, that difference doesn’t always equate to a lower handicap. The phrase “drive for show and putt for dough” may still have some merit at the amateur level.

Number of Putts Per Round by Age

Shot Scope putts per round

Observations

  • Ages 19 and under have the same number of putts per round compared to golfers who are 70-plus, give or take .1 of a shot.
  • The highest number of putts per round is from golfers in their 20s with 35.3 putts per round on average.
  • The lowest average number of putts per round comes from golfers in their 50s with 27.9.

The youngest and oldest golfers in this data set have the same putts-per-round average. It is yet to be determined why the lowest putts-per-round average comes from golfers in their 50s but it could equate to them missing the green in regulation a lot and then chipping the ball close to the hole. It could also be the opposite, whereby they hit the green in regulation more than any other age.

Number of 3 Putts Per Round by Age

Shot Scope 3 putts

Observations

  • The average number of three putts per round is 2.7 across all ages.
  • The lowest average of three putts per round comes from golfers in their 50s with 2.1 3-putts per round on average.
  • Golfers in their 20s three-putt 3.4 times per round on average.

The trend continues with golfers in their 50s averaging the lowest in handicap, putts per round and three-putts compared to other golfing ages. Could the older generation be playing more and therefore have more practice on the greens or could this be that the older the golfer becomes, the wiser they become?

Make Percentage From Six Feet by Age

Shot Scope make percentage from 6ft

  • The “make percentage” from inside six feet is 42 percent across all ages.
  • Golfers in their 50s hole out 51 percent of the time from six feet and in.
  • The lowest “make percentage” comes from golfers in their 20s.

Being young might show that you hit the ball farther than the older golfer but the money is getting it on the greens and taking the fewest number of shots possible to get it in the hole.

Granted, the number of shots recorded from each age group isn’t the same, so you can expect the data to change when more shots are recorded. It could also be surmised that more older golfers use GPS watches or could that they have more time to play golf and record this data.

How Do You Compare?

Do you score better or worse than the Shot Scope database averages?

What’s your biggest takeaway? Where is there room for improvement in your game?

Post a comment below!

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      Roy Hostetter

      4 years ago

      At 82 I am shorter off the tee than when in my 40s, but I still hit the “8 iron” the same distance.. Explain that..

      Reply

      Art

      4 years ago

      Kinda hard trust a stat tracking system when it can’t accurately track the number of putts per round. For perspective, the average PGA player has 30 putts per round.

      Reply

      Halo62

      4 years ago

      Word brother

      Reply

      Bill Brownley

      4 years ago

      This is interesting, and I don’t doubt you lose some distance as you age. But–does it have to be at the drastic level discussed, or can you do things about it? I would guess power production is the issue (power=speed and strength–so how fast not just how much). Can this be significantly ameliorated with proper training and technique? And if so (because I would assume yes), what are the best ways to approach this? As a 64 year old who can still move, and move significant weight–I would have to hope I am not stuck in power loss if I am willing to do the necessary work.

      Reply

      Barry Cohen

      4 years ago

      One thing that never seems to be considered about putting stats is the familiarity with the greens. It is possible that the older age groups are members of a club and constantly playing the same course whereas younger persons may not be members and playing a course for the 1st time and unfamiliar with the greens. I would say local knowledge helps mostly putting. That is why the pros practice on the course from many different green positions and keep yearly notes on pin positions, slopes, etc.

      Reply

      Kenny B

      4 years ago

      No comments from the young guys. They looked at the data and these comments and said “Damn! Well, at least maybe I’ll putt better.”

      Or they didn’t read any of this.

      Reply

      mackdaddy9

      4 years ago

      I was fit for clubs in 2007 I was 46. I had a 114 mph swing speed with driver. I was fit again this year and my swing speed is down to 99 with driver and I will be 60 in a few months. I am missing out on nearly 20 yards off the tee and that is a lot. I also have a lose of about 7 yards per iron but my new irons are longer having given up my blades and gone to PXG gem 3 irons filling much of the gaps. My driver is the same but the shaft is better for my swing speed and attack angle and I have recovered several of the yards.

      I still can score from the blue tees but the white tees are far more fun.

      Reply

      Richard

      4 years ago

      I’m a 66 yo and 11.5 handicap which is dropping. The only one I vary from is driving difference which averages 258 yds on my mini courses. And the 3 putt stats may be a little off. I’m usually only have one on a round. But I play with 30 n 40 yr olds so it keeps me pushing.
      Love the stats though. And see benefits in them as well. Thank you for putting it out there

      Reply

      John J.

      4 years ago

      My playing partners are 15 year younger than me and while I can’t complete on driving distance or even long approach shots, from 150 and in I more than make up for my shortcomings in distance. I guess being 73 is not so bad after all.

      Reply

      Jack Jordan

      4 years ago

      I am 71 years old and my swing speed and driving distance has dropped significantly. In 1987 I won the long drive competition at the former BC Open. Hit it 304+ with persimmon driver and balata ball. With all the best modern equipment I hit it about 220. However I have been able to shoot 71 twice this season and average 13 GPR. So it all works out…play the senior tees and take extra clubs on approaches.

      Reply

      Dave

      4 years ago

      From 50-59 hdcp went from 5-0, Fairways 50% to 79%, GIR 45% to 73%, putts/rd 30-32 /rd….driver carry~20 yes less than 30-50 yrs old, total about 10 yrs less. Knowing I can’t hit it as far has forced me to play the hole smarter, thus scoring much better…..i.e. almost never can or try to go for par 5s in two……but now hit 95% of par 5s in regulation…..way more 4s and 5s, almost never 6.

      Reply

      HAC

      4 years ago

      It is fascinating tom how many old guys drove the ball in the 60s and 70s with stainless steel shafts and wooden woods further than the tour pros did at the time. I love the precision with which they know the distance of their drives back then without GPSs, etc., telling them the information. My guess is that most of us estimated our drives back then a good 20 yards more than they actually went (with a rare exception of downhill and with a strong wind). I am 65 and hit my irons about as far as I did as a teenager and my driver just a bit less far. It is not because I am such a wonderful physical specimen – it is because technology is so much better today.

      Reply

      Steve S

      4 years ago

      Yeah, kinda funny. The guy who is 72 and said that in his 20’s he swung a 3 wood at 125mph. Not likely., he would be 22 in 1970. I was around then, golfers weren’t getting measured for swing speed.

      Reply

      Loshy

      4 years ago

      Great study! I am 55 and i am loving that the published 30 somethings average driver distance is my 18 degree driving iron. So no I don’t think i have lost any driving distance vs my 30 year old self. However my best golfing self is my current game. If i could go back to when i was younger i would definitely get proper instruction which i have only just recently received in the past 3 years. At 30 i had a long drive championship swing. At 55 i have a proper swing. Simple as that.

      Brad Smith

      4 years ago

      Steve S,
      Exactly right!. Nicklaus has said that he never had his club head speed measured till the mid 1980’s. In the 70’s, I’m almost positive that there was no instrument that could measure club head speed that would be available outside of exotic R&D facilities, if they even existed there. And 125 mph with a 42″ steel shafted 3 wood in the 70’s probably would have been even a big stretch for Nicklaus. And someone else here said that 40 years ago, they “routinely drove the ball 280 to 310”. To put that “claim” in perspective, in 1980, Dan Pohl led the PGA Tour in driving distance at 274. In 1990, T. Purtzer 279. In 2000 John Daly 301. in 2019 Cameron Champ 318..

      RT

      4 years ago

      Good point but we all dream more as we get older.We all used to hit 300 yard drives (in our dreams)

      Reply

      Steve S

      4 years ago

      In the case of that 72 yr old its more of a hallucination or oxygen deprivation!

      BT

      4 years ago

      So you honestly believe there way to know your distance back in 1970? That’s laughable. Measuring wheels were commonplace back then and used by many golfers to get a reading on their natural pace. I had a small folding one that fit right in my bag, and I’m definitely no pro. You still see pros and their caddies pacing distances today. Once you know your natural pace length, it’s simple math getting accurate distances. I’ve proved this before by simply setting my Garmin S60 to any distance you like and then walking the proper number of paces to that distance. Look down at my watch and I’m almost always within 2-3 yds. SS was typically clocked by radar just like ball speeds in baseball.

      Reply

      Steve S

      4 years ago

      Major League baseball didn’t start using radar guns until 1975 and weren’t in widespread use in golf until the 1980’s and even then it was the pros, not your typical weekend hacker getting measured.

      Ian

      4 years ago

      Re: 50 year olds versus 20 year olds.

      I am in my late 50s, and play muni courses, matched up with random players. One consistent characteristic that I observe is that almost everyone under 30 underclubs their approach shots. I find it astounding – I played with one guy who left at least 12 approach shots 10 yards short in a single round. He would drop at least 6 strokes per round just by choosing the correct approach club.

      I am a bit obsessive with managing my distance control inside 150, so it boggles my mind that these guys lose so many shots because they care more about how far they think they ‘should’ hit it, than they do about how far they actually do hit it.

      Maybe they try to make every putt as well, instead of getting good at lag putting and dying the ball at the hole? I haven’t really observed this, but who knows.

      Reply

      DB Cooper

      4 years ago

      “relatively straightforward topic,”. Statistically, it’s not. There are a lot of problems with this study, too many to even discuss. And who are these people averaging 28 putts per round? What sample? That’s a low number

      Reply

      Something's Wrong

      4 years ago

      28 putts, with a 3-putt per round, means they’re AVERAGING 9 1-putts a round.

      Nah. This is way, way, way off the mark.

      Reply

      Peter

      4 years ago

      Putting stats are not even close.. 28 putts a round is closer to pro level – the average player will have 36 putts on a good day, 40+ putts on a bad day.

      My guess is that Shot Scope is not counting gimmies, so add on about 9 strokes per round.

      Reply

      Dario Priolo

      4 years ago

      I was thinking the exact same thing. I was averaging nearly 40 putts per round but with a lot of practice dropped that to about 32. Makes a huge difference on the score card. Lots of people I’ve played with take 3-4’’ gimmes but would probably miss over half of those if they putted out completely..

      Dario Priolo

      4 years ago

      I meant 3-4’ gimmes!

      Chris

      4 years ago

      I am 66 and a 7 hdcp and according to members at my course one of the best putters , and my average putts per round is 30.5 with 0.95 – 3 putts. Average 28 putts is a pipe dream for any amateur.

      Reply

      Phil

      4 years ago

      Age 70, handicap 3, average putts per round 32.6 with 1.2 three putts, and my playing partners think i am a good putter. My best year i had 31.5 average. All in competition of measured tees, a lot of which are played in the wind.
      The days that you have 27 putts are generally because you are just missing the green in the correct place for an easy chip.
      I wish i averaged below 30.

      Lance

      4 years ago

      I’ve just turned 70, Been playing 50 years, hitting the ball further now than ever before, technology has helped but also understanding how to get better contact and The biometrics Of the body to help Get more distance, play off a 4.9 world golf handicap, if somebody had told me that at 70 I’d still be playing golf, I probably would have doubted, if they had told me I’d be playing better golf at 70 , I would have laughed at them, the game of golf never stops surprising , embrace and enjoy this awesome game

      Reply

      Larry Hill

      4 years ago

      I find loss of distance as one would expect! I have moved up to the shorter tees, based on my drivers distance. There are several studies as the recommended course yardage one should use, based on their driver distances. I find those studies correct and useful.
      Putting has improved due to two things, practice with the correct putter, and technique. For us older golfers, staying physically fit, is also a big deal.

      Reply

      D. Knerr

      4 years ago

      I wish more people would do this. My group did this 2 years ago and we’re having more fun and have a chance at shooting a good score. So many golfers at our course play the wrong tee box and that just slows down play for everyone behind them. There is a group that play on weekends that play from the tips and on 4 holes, 3 of them can’t clear the creeks or make it to the start of the fairways. When we’re behind them it’s a 5 hours plus round.

      Reply

      Les

      4 years ago

      Unfortunately, I have lost 80-100 yards off the tee. I’m 71 now and a BIG drive for me is 200 yards. In my 30’s and 40’s I could routinely hit 280-310 yards. Now, in my case I probably have more than age to blame. I’ve had 3 back surgeries and I just don’t feel comfortable swinging that hard anymore.

      Reply

      Monty Martin

      4 years ago

      I am 76 approaching 77 and I really did not need you to tell me I have lost all those yards. I have lost a whole summer of golf.

      Reply

      LABillyboy

      4 years ago

      At 61 I am still a 5.5 hcp. which is the range I’ve been in since my mid 40’s. In my late 20’s and 30’s I was always scratch or +. I was always very long off the tee with swings speeds 115+, I really didn’t notice a loss of distance until after I hit 50 I gradually dropped to around 100 and went from an X to an S… I also noticed a loss of distance in my irons where I went from blades with X100’s to high end distance irons with S graphite shafts. I’m still a club shorter than I was, but can still keep up on a long track. I’ve always been a good putter, better than most and really haven’t experienced any loss there.

      Stat’s wise, I definitely hit fewer greens and have a very good short game so I get a lot of 1 putt pars and low putts per round and rarely 3 putt. On short par 4’s and 3’s I still have the distance to shoot at flags on longer holes I frequently lay up short of the bunkers and rely on a great chip to make par. Trying to smoke a hybrid 220 off a down hill lie to a green with death on both sides is for younger guys,…

      I thank the scientists who are making better balls, drivers that are hard to miss hit, shaft and head technology that let us old guys keep up.

      Reply

      Greg

      4 years ago

      That is exactly what I found a yard a year off your drives from 40 on.
      Every 5 yrs you are in the market for a new driver.
      Lighter drivers are not the fix for older players some mass is required in the correct places for help.
      So all drivers made with ideal launch and spin for pros do not suit older golfers that have slower synapsis.
      I have been building my own driver for years and club fitters that are young have got it all wrong.
      It would be good to if you did study on a series of different clubs and balls with different spin and launch angles.
      I have a mate who couldnt hit past his nose. Fitted by high end club fitters .
      I fitted him with a stiffer shatf = more compression less spin .
      The lighter shaft was shocking he couldnt get it out of the middle consustently. Now smash factor is up and he is happy.

      Reply

      Lance Kulman

      4 years ago

      I think taking an average is silly. Quite frankly the older you get the harder it is to hit the approach shots, usually the short game and putting are very good. As far as distance I am 72 and still average over 230 during prime golf season off the tee. I average 27 putts per round and make over 60% from 6′ in. I have a 7.3 handicap from the men’s tee and 3 from seniors tee.

      Reply

      Tom Bellmann

      4 years ago

      In my 20’s, club speed was 125 mph and 3W carried 285. At 45, average drive carried 240, roll to 265, at 55 drives went to 230, and now at 72, club speed on Trackman last week was 75 and driver carry is 145-160. But I had polio at age 3 and right leg is now totally dead and limp. Handicap however per Covid is 7.9, best ever despite 38 putt average.

      Reply

      Remi

      4 years ago

      I think by physical training you can offset quite a lot of the distance loss. I’m 48 years old, started playing when I was 46 so my P-avg is a measly 223 yards at a 25.6 handicap. The tees I play from has a slope value of 144. Unfortunately my course in general is quite wet, so we don’t get a lot of roll.

      Reply

      Dave

      4 years ago

      Not true for all of us. I’m 75 and still average ~ 235-240 and have hit drives this year 270 and 272, as well as a number of 250-260’s. I’ve been blessed with a good body despite all the sports I’ve played over the years and am still flexible enough to get a good rotation and have good club head speed. And there are other guys my age at the course I play that hit it every bit as far as I do.

      Reply

      PWB

      4 years ago

      Dave, my message would be nearly word for word the same as yours. Just turned 75 yesterday. My stats are nearly identical as yours. Play to a 7 handicap. Lowest score 73 (just prior to Covid) Driver speed 95ish. It’s all about conditioning. For 15 yrs. my workouts have been Cardio, Strength, Flexibility and Balance.. Anybody that really wants to play this game decently, might want to follow my regimen………….

      Reply

      Ken

      4 years ago

      Good study.. thanks. Are there comparisons on greens in regulation? Fairways? Proximity to hole? Putts per greens in regulation?

      If all playing from same tees, seniors are hitting longer less accurate clubs on approach, and therefore probably miss more GIR. If they are hitting the greens have longer 1st putts.

      I am 72 and hit 54% of greens overall playing from white tees in summer and senior tees in winter.

      Reply

      GrueneHorn

      4 years ago

      I find this very interesting that I am on the other side of the spectrum at just turning 60 in September. I started golf when I was 13yrs old, played with persimmon head woods, Hagen blades, all stiff shafts, and balata balls.. I constantly had mid to long irons in and missed greens but my up and downs would save my round. At 60 and staying in shape I was fitted about 5 years ago with Callaway Apex irons and composite shafts, 2 years ago with Callaway Rogue woods. These clubs are hot and my distance is off the charts with Taylormade TP5x balls. The following is my stock distance:
      PW – 140yrs; 8iron- 165yrs, 5iron- 205yrds. When fitted for woods we ended up leaving out the 3wood because the 4wood would go 250yrds with a higher trajectory. Driver depending on the fairway firmness here in Texas is about 285-305yrds. Typically play 6400-6900yrd tee selections depending on the wind conditions. Now with all that said, I feel like I have regressed a little more in the putting department. I seem to skirt and lip holes more often than I used to. Club fitting and technology has really changed the game for me.

      Reply

      Bill

      4 years ago

      Hello fellow(experienced) golfers. I’m 53 and have noticed my body feeling tight. I do exercise and workout to maintain what I have. But the one routine that really makes a difference is Yoga. Flexibility seems to be the one thing that distinguishes us from the younger crowd. Find a yoga program you like and try it 3 days a week. You may be suprised at the results.

      Reply

      Darrell W

      4 years ago

      Depends on your fiscal shape, a lot of golfers are not what i would call athletic! As we age we lose muscle mass, bone density and flexibility. If you work on these and watch out for your joints and should be able to still get it out there. At 59 1 have lost no distance and yes I agree i tend to focus a lot more on putting and wedge game. I do feel more worn at the end of a round when I walk it though.

      Reply

      Cody

      4 years ago

      I think the data should be parsed by handicap as well as age. What are the differences from a 30 and 60 year old 0-8 handicap? 9-15? 15+?

      Reply

      Thomas Haley

      4 years ago

      ..67yrs old here..I’ve broken 80 a half dozen times this year..but can barely keep it under 90 on private clubs i’ve been able to play this year..i’m possesed with gaining back some distance..2021..lookout..yoga i hope is the answer..

      Reply

      Mike

      4 years ago

      The one advantage I have now at 60 vs 40 (I didn’t play golf until then) is that the equipment is so much hotter than 20 years ago (although that will level out due to restrictions). Also, there is so much more emphasis on the “fitting” aspect when buying clubs & balls. Folks are keeping in shape better these days in their 60’s than a generation ago. But I play smarter now, and won’t play a par 72 course >6,200 yds. It’s no fun hitting long irons into most par 3’s & 4’s.

      Reply

      Dwayne

      4 years ago

      Yes, at 60, there is less distance but have I learned better techniques for chipping, pitching, and putting over the years that work for me. For example, 20 years ago I didn’t know how to use the bounce on a wedge..

      Recently I have found that a half wedge swing is harder to execute than a full wedge, with a stiff back and hips it is harder to stay in a shot with an abbreviated motion.

      Reply

      Erik

      4 years ago

      I’ve seen my driver swing speed drop from 115-108 from 40th bday to age 42.

      Reply

      don

      4 years ago

      Longer shots into the green will always equal more chips and less greens hit. Putts per round on its own is an almost useless stat. Hey I had only 25 putts today but I missed every green and chipped really well leaving alot of tap ins and less than 4′ putts.. Actually I 2 putted only 3 times and 3 putted twice. Darn I had34 putts today but I hit every green so the 2, 1 putts I did make made me 2 under par.

      Reply

      Mel

      4 years ago

      I wonder if the average number of putts listed here seems right to other golfers reading this. I shot a 73 yesterday (I’m 70 next month) and had 34 putts. That was normal for me. I finished the round with 3 straight 3 putts but again, 3 putting three times a round is pretty normal. How do others AVERAGE putts in the 20’s? I’d LOVE that. The only thing I can figure is that I play mountain courses with fast and undulating greens and putting is quite difficult. What have others here found?

      Reply

      Tim Wills

      4 years ago

      I am 73.. In my 30s, I got fitted for all my clubs. As I have aged, I have changed shafts, flex points and weights. Because of those changes my length has remained relatively the same. The new distance irons have brought back my length. I am working with a fitter to change the shafts. Nine iron length 150 -160.

      Reply

      Leftienige

      4 years ago

      So,that’ll,be.your.28-degree.9-iron.

      Reply

      Forty something

      4 years ago

      I love reading the comments for claims like this. Your 9 iron length is PGA Tour quality at age 73. I’d like to see. it.

      Reply

      BT

      4 years ago

      Current “Distance” irons 9i loft is around 38*, which is the same as my current 8i (MP5) which I hit 150-160. So, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.

      Reply

      John

      4 years ago

      When I was in my 30’s, I had plenty of older players hit the ball in the fairway, pitch accurately, and putt lights out. I’m not surprised.

      Reply

      John

      4 years ago

      I am 71 snd didn’t start playing golf until I was 55.
      I was fitted for a driver for the first time about a year
      ago and now average 230 with my longest drive 265.
      So I have gained yardage rather than losing.
      I am probably not an average 71 year old as I was a nationally ranked discus thrower in my teens and 20s
      and have never stoped training only I work out with much less weight these days.
      My putting though has declined this last year probably
      due to not playing as much.
      I think most folks would lose less distance if they were working out and were fitter.
      Just my opinion

      Reply

      Joe Hill

      4 years ago

      Back around 2002, in my mid 50’s, I started getting far more distance than ever. I’ve played since 14 years of age, and my 8 iron for example, was a consistent 140 yards. It suddenly went to 165, and that was with off the shelf, 10 year old clubs, and range balls. The difference was finally learning to freely swing with the core, instead of relying so much on arm muscles.
      Power is a function of width and timing, which are achieved naturally when swinging with the core.
      In my observations, the vast majority of golfers rely on arm muscles to power the swing (to one degree or another), and arm strength definitely diminishes with age, making it more and more difficult to produce width on time, thus loss of distance. Timing is a non-issue however, when swinging with the core, making loss of distance due to age much less of an issue as indicated in this article.

      Reply

      Steve S

      4 years ago

      Not sure that the conclusions for someone in their 60’s TODAY are valid on driver distance. Maybe good going forward. My explanation? When I was in my 30’s I was hitting balata balls and persimmon woods that were the size of a SMALL fairway wood of today. I was lucky to hit a drive 220-230. I stopped playing golf in my late 30’s(kids take attention). Came back to the game in my early 50’s with a metal driver(400CC) and low spin balls and hit it 240 average. Now at 69 I’m thinner and healthier and average 230.

      Assuming the equipment and balls don’t change much in the next 30 years. Today’s 30 year old might lose 30 yards by the time they are 60.

      Reply

      Brian Terry

      4 years ago

      I turned 58 this year and have had one of my best driving years to date in accuracy and distance. However, I’m comparing it to MY stats when I was 30 which involved somewhat different equipment. I spent my 30’s playing early metal woods and persimmon. During those years, I DID hit drives with total distance over 300 yds. However, my accuracy was nowhere near what it is now. My SS during that time was in the 115-120 range where now it is more in the 108-112 range. So, yes, I’ve lost some SS from age, but the equipment, physical training and practice has offset that speed loss.. I still humiliate younger guys from time to time. Especially when I’m longer AND straighter than them!! Looking at new hips and possibly shoulders in the next few years. Hopefully that will give me a bit more longevity.

      BT

      Reply

      shortside

      4 years ago

      As I’ve gained more “wisdom” attempting shots that have a 20% success rate is a thing of the past. More “experienced” players tend to know their limitations. Keep the ball in play. On or close to the fairway is better than the alternatives.

      Like many I play for a good 1 putt opportunity to make par. Perfectly content to take a tap in 2 putt for bogey. On to the next.

      30 years ago?………..

      Reply

      joe

      4 years ago

      Nice article on age and distance.
      It would be interesting to see the change in GIR with age and that impact on putting..

      Reply

      John

      4 years ago

      Do the younger, big hitters hit more greens in regulation but leave longer first putts than us older guys? Makes sense if I chip close I should have fewer puts or three putts than someone hitting greens from a longer distance but being further from the pin. What we do not see in the data are GIR.

      Reply

      Dan

      4 years ago

      I imagine that younger guys go for a lot more par 5s in 2 and actually get home but also are probably more aggressive with their putts trying to make birdie and eagle. I’d be interested to see the break down as to which age group has the most birdies and eagles as well to see if that may contribute to 3 putts.

      Reply

      Gregg Thompson

      4 years ago

      I’m 63 and agree on the 30 yard loss off the tee since I was 30 or actually more like 40-45. I’ve been working on improving strength & flexibility but still ahve a ways to go. I did see an increase in my distance off the tee this year due to that and also making a bigger & wider turn. I average 220-250 with driver but a highlight for me this year was driving a 300 yard downhill hole and making the eagle putt at Mammoth Dunes on Oct. 10th. Putting has improved slightly, averaging 30 putts/round..

      Reply

      Douglas Keyston

      4 years ago

      Agree and disagree as an avid user of Shot Scope v3 – highly recommended. Use virtual PGA pro (Adam Bazelgette, Scratch Golf Academy) to rebuild my swing over 1 year +; work out at the gym and optimize my driver (Callaway Epic Flash 10.5 Tensei AV Blue 65 shaft) and I’m hitting it 237 yards at age 65 (Shot Scope pAvg.) when I used to hit it 190 – 210 in my 50’s. Of course working on game more the last 3 years with index falling from 16 to 6. Don’t accept – defy age! And work on putting; think seniors have more wisdom and time (although I still work full time) to practice putting and not blast drives at the range. Helps that driving accuracy – from Shot Scope Leaderboard – is top 100 rank +- out of 9,350 users. Yes, I’m still bottom quartile in driving distance for my ‘handicap’, but accuracy counts! I wish progress for all = Practice!

      Reply

      Jim

      4 years ago

      I’m 67 now, when I was in my 30s I carried my driver about 225 my driver is now about 225! What happened is the equipment got so much better I haven’t lost any distance. But if I had todays equipment back then I probably would have a 50 yard difference!

      Reply

      JIMMY V

      4 years ago

      At 78 yrs old, arthritic & lacking any flexibility, the only phase of the game that I can’t overcome is the DRIVER! No single digit handicapper wants to play from the RED/Ladies tees no matter what age. As Arnie did, when Callaway gave him the non-coming driver, I believe he had added enjoyment to his game with his friends. I believe there is a huge market for “hot” non conforming drivers for players that enjoy playing golf and being able to bomb it 260 yds like the good old days ( before metal woods & solid balls )

      Reply

      Richard E Hoehlein

      4 years ago

      Enjoy your emails; please also sign me up for your newsletter.

      70+ bogey left-hander. :-)

      Reply

      John Vecchiarelli

      4 years ago

      I have played since 10 yrs old and kept records since my 30’s. You may have copied your information from my record keeping! Im 78 now and can add that driving distance has fallen an additional 8-10 yds. Putting remains pretty constant with me as it’s always been a strongpoint. I still shoot high 70’s when I play the tees appropriate for me.. the game is still a challenge every time I play.

      Reply

      Adam Burton

      4 years ago

      I think the putts per round going down in 50 could equate to a change in tees used? You hit 50 so you play up, then have shorter clubs into greens?

      Reply

      Fossil

      4 years ago

      The comparison is reallly hard to make.
      Essentially the advancement of equipment has enabled us seniors to maintain our distance. I think the primary issue is being properly fit for your clubs. Additionally, age isn’t the problem, it is staying in good physical condition.

      Reply

      Doug

      4 years ago

      I’m 60. Right now a 4. Best I’ve ever been in a 3. And I probably are really a 6.
      Right now if I hit it good it goes 260. But other than in the last couple of years I have always hit it the same basic difference if I hit it good. Around 275. As technology and ball have gotten better it’s allowed me to stay the same. I actually hit my 8 iron about the same now (155) as I used to. But from this years experience I think I’m going to start getting a lot shorter.
      A buddy of mine is convinced that because of all those years of hitting steel shafts with our drivers, the old guys muscle memory doesn’t allow us to take full advantage of the lighter shaft, heads.
      I’m guessing based on what I have seen with kids if I was a 20 year old me I’d likely be hitting it 315 or so.
      But who knows.
      Memories.

      Reply

      T Mac

      4 years ago

      When I turned 65 I graduated from the back tees to the middle tees. Thus, I gained back on average of 10 to 30 yards on my drives! My game has improved with this adjustment.

      Reply

      LABillyboy

      4 years ago

      Amen… nothing like being behind a group of beginners playing the back tees for 6 hours. Makes golf a lot more fun.

      Reply

      Rick Colt

      4 years ago

      Interesting but not surprising. At 70+, I’m noticing it big time. It would be nice to see a little more breakdown by handicap (0-9, 10-19, 20-29).

      Reply

      Rick Gray

      4 years ago

      Alas, sad but true. I have lost 30 yards off the tee at age 70. I have a question about the better putting averages for the 60+ group. Is that average based on GIR? I’m guessing 30 years olds may reach GIR more than 60+, but the 60+ group have shorter total distances to achieve 2 putts

      Reply

      Rene

      4 years ago

      I didn’t read all the comments but I did read the whole article. One huge difference in my experience is that the ‘older’ generation usually knows how to take their time and reads greens properly. They understand that the shot before the 1st putt is just as important as the 1st putt. Slowing the heat rate down helps the most when putting.

      Reply

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