Golf is a game of constant comparisons, whether it be a friendly verbal joust about handicap indexes between you and a playing partner or a long drive competition off the first tee.
Our individual scores and performances are ultimately what counts on competition day, but the clubhouse conversations that follow the round are often based on nuances of the game - and bragging rights are arguably just as important.
The parameters will likely change, depending on your ability, with better golfers discussing how close they got to the PGA Tour average distance for hitting a 7-iron while higher handicappers compare themselves to other amateur golfers with an iron in hand.
Either way, we love the competition.
In this article, we look at some fresh data from Shot Scope, our official data partner, which reveals some interesting numbers around driving distances.
According to Shot Scope data, a 50-something (50-59) male golfer drives the ball, on average, 243 yards.
This distance is the 'Performance Average', which is the figure after all outliers have been removed, such as a topped drive that only goes 30 yards.
Now, we're all guilty of hitting shots such as this, as well as the odd wild hook or slice, but Performance Average gives a true representation of the distance a well struck golf shot travels.
In the table below, you can see how the average distance varies between age groups, with those players in their 20s and 30s averaging the greatest distance.
It's important to note that the numbers above are for golfers of all skill levels, just in case you're a 50-year-old scratch golfer who knows for a fact you average 270 yards off the tee.
However, even taking this into account, it provides a good idea of how far golfers of differences ages typically hit the ball with a driver.
How Far Does The Average 50-Year-Old Male Amateur Hit Their 3-Wood?
How about the 3-wood? In the table below, you can see that a 50-something male amateur golfer hits their 3-wood, on average, 214 yards (again, this is the Performance Average).
Again, it's important to stress that these average numbers include golfers of all handicap levels.
So, there will be those golfers in their 50s, especially low handicap players, who average more than 214 yards with a 3-wood.
Still, as with the driving average, it gives a good idea of how far the average 50-year-old male golfer hits this club.
