Pros versus Joes

Interesting article comparing average Joe golfer versus Koepka at Bethpage Black. Distance is a such a big advantage.

Hole-by-hole breakdown (Koepka yardages from final round). The article didn't state the clubhead speed of the Average Joe and Koepka.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/we-used-real-data-to-determine-what-clubs-a-mid-handicap-would-hit-at-a-major-setup

**Average Joe Yardages:** Driver: 235, 3-wood: 203, 3-hybrid: 192, 4-iron: 174, 5-iron: 171, 6-iron: 165, 7-iron: 155, 8-iron: 145, 9-iron: 134, PW: 118, GW: 105, SW: 93

**Koepka Yardages:** Driver: 315, 3-wood: 265, 3-iron: 245, 4-iron: 225, 5-iron: 205, 6-iron: 195, 7-iron: 180, 8-iron: 170, 9-iron: 155, PW: 140, GW: 125, SW: 110, LW: 95

1st hole, par 4, 430 yards

Koepka: Driver, half-lob wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood

2nd hole, par 4, 389 yards

Koepka: 4-iron, gap wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 6-iron

3rd hole, par 3, 230 yards

Koepka: 4-iron

Average Joe: Driver

4th hole, par 5, 517 yards

Koepka: 3-wood, 8-iron

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, gap wedge

5th hole, par 4, 478 yards

Koepka: Driver, gap wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, lob wedge

6th hole, par 4, 408 yards

Koepka: Driver, lob wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 6-iron

7th hole, par 4, 524 yards

Koepka: Driver, pitching wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, pitching wedge

8th hole, par 3, 210 yards

Koepka: 8-iron

Average Joe: 3-wood

9th hole, par 4, 460 yards

Koepka: Driver, 6-iron

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, half-lob wedge

10th hole, par 4, 502 yards

Koepka: Driver, gap wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, lob wedge

11th hole, par 4, 435 yards

Koepka: Driver, pitching wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood

12th hole, par 4, 515 yards

Koepka: Driver, 5-iron

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, sand wedge

13th hole, par 5, 608 yards

Koepka: Driver, 6-iron, 8-iron [layed up]

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, 3-hybrid

14th hole, par 3, 161 yards

Koepka: 8-iron

Average Joe: 6-iron

15th hole, par 4, 484 yards

Koepka: Driver, gap wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, lob wedge

16th hole, par 4, 490 yards

Koepka: Driver, 7-iron

Average Joe: Driver, 3-wood, lob wedge

17th hole, par 3, 207 yards

Koepka: 6-iron

Average Joe: 3-wood

18th hole, par 4, 411 yards

Koepka: Driver, gap wedge

Average Joe: Driver, 3-hybrid

Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

-Chris

> @Christosterone said:

> Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

>

> -Chris

Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

This article is much the same as anything else these days I labor to read - stuff we already know, printed simply for effect.

I would much rather see "Brooksie versus Jack in his prime."

> @"DFS PFD" said:

> > @Christosterone said:

> > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> >

> > -Chris

>

> Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

Mainly based on when I play with [what I consider] “average” players....like my dad

For me, it’s guys who bogey most holes...break 90 most of the time...

Maybe they can hit 9 irons 110 on average, 130 when they flush it(rarely)

Just my opinion

-Chris

> @Christosterone said:

> Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

>

> -Chris

So, no doubt you hit it farther than your dad...does that mean you’re above average?

> @"DFS PFD" said:

> > @Christosterone said:

> > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> >

> > -Chris

>

> Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

> @"Hack Daddy" said:

> > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > @Christosterone said:

> > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > >

> > > -Chris

> >

> > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

>

> I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

> A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

Average isnt based on length but if you are CARRYING a 9 iron 145 yards without having clubs with jacked up lofts then you most certainly aren't geriatric but possibly mislead about average distances . Also, the average golfer is a 15 handicap and most that I know and taught dont hit those lengths with any consistency.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/how-far-do-average-golfers-really-hit-it-new-distance-data-will-surprise-you

https://www.golflink.com/tips_5459_average-distance-each-golf-club.html#Men

> @stryper said:

> > @Christosterone said:

> > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> >

> > -Chris

>

> So, no doubt you hit it farther than your dad...does that mean you’re above average?

>

I m debating on an internet golf forum...

“Below average” seems more apt!

-Chris

> @"Hack Daddy" said:

> > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > @Christosterone said:

> > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > >

> > > -Chris

> >

> > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

>

> I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

> A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

You are right in line with the PGA Tour average, then.

I just have no concept of what average is. And I don’t mean that in a obtuse or arrogant way. But 134 6 iron average ? I just don’t get it. The country is full of 10-12 year olds hitting a 6 iron that far. And driver 200 plus. Plus.

> @Christosterone said:

> > @stryper said:

> > > @Christosterone said:

> > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > >

> > > -Chris

> >

> > So, no doubt you hit it farther than your dad...does that mean you’re above average?

> >

>

> I m debating on an internet golf forum...

> “Below average” seems more apt!

>

> -Chris

>

Well played ?

> @bladehunter said:

> I just have no concept of what average is. And I don’t mean that in a obtuse or arrogant way. But 134 6 iron average ? I just don’t get it. The country is full of 10-12 year olds hitting a 6 iron that far. And driver 200 plus. Plus.

134 9 iron, not 6i. Doesnt seem that far off from what I have seen at the local munis

I didn't realize Koepka was such a short knocker. Didn't drive one of those par 4s. LOL.

> @BrianMcG said:

> I didn't realize Koepka was such a short knocker. Didn't drive one of those par 4s. LOL.

Same. I play pretty much the same distances he does . He needs to benchpress more

> @buckeyefl said:

> > @"Hack Daddy" said:

> > > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > > @Christosterone said:

> > > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > > >

> > > > -Chris

> > >

> > > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

> >

> > I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

> > A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

>

> Average isnt based on length but if you are CARRYING a 9 iron 145 yards without having clubs with jacked up lofts then you most certainly aren't geriatric but possibly mislead about average distances . Also, the average golfer is a 15 handicap and most that I know and taught dont hit those lengths with any consistency.

>

> https://www.golfdigest.com/story/how-far-do-average-golfers-really-hit-it-new-distance-data-will-surprise-you

>

> https://www.golflink.com/tips_5459_average-distance-each-golf-club.html#Men

Really good and I'd say accurate yardages for a lot of club members I know and play with. Even with range finders, GPS, Trackman etc. I'll still see the 7 iron being pulled for the 150 yard shot and the player will be a good 15 yards short. Same with 9 for the 120 yard shot, nowhere near close. When flushed a lot of people may get within 5 yards or so of the "traditional" distance but as you say with very little consistency.

Interestingly enough anything above 160 yards a lot will then jump to 3 or 4 hybrid without even thinking about pulling an iron and are more accurate.

Gap testing is the gift of information that a majority of players would really benefit from. Strokes to be saved by admitting to average hitting and clubbing on that basis.

Those distances seem off. An average golfer hitting a 165 yard 6-iron is rare IMO.

That is a big 6-iron. But comparing iron distances is really worthless unless the average Joe is hitting a 31 degree 6-iron and a 43 degree 9-iron.

I can’t follow this thread. Best I have now is that average 6 iron is between 134 and 165 yards. An anything above 160 is a 3 hybrid.

> @Christosterone said:

> Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

>

> -Chris

The get the average distances from research and data over many golfers.

I just wonder if the smash factor potential is exactly the same throughout a variety of swing speeds. When I look at the numbers all the time, they don't quite make sense a lot of the time. Seems like a lot of the time, the carry distances are hotter for higher clubhead speeds. Not sure if I completely trust all the data from launch monitors.

What is missing in this comparison is where average Joe would play from.

Pro would be from the tips, so about 7400 yds I believe.

"Average Joe" would be from about 6000-6200. Based on the yardages listed as average PGA distance, I am + - 10% less than those averages, depending on the club.

I'm not saying that me playing from the whites would equalize the pro vs me, but it would definately not be a slaughter if we both had average rounds - eg. pro shoots 70 and I shoot 78-81.

> @Quasimoto said:

> What is missing in this comparison is where average Joe would play from.

> Pro would be from the tips, so about 7400 yds I believe.

> "Average Joe" would be from about 6000-6200. Based on the yardages listed as average PGA distance, I am + - 10% less than those averages, depending on the club.

> I'm not saying that me playing from the whites would equalize the pro vs me, but it would definately not be a slaughter if we both had average rounds - eg. pro shoots 70 and I shoot 78-81.

Yeah, I have thought about that too. When playing against other players that are really long, to equalize matches by playing tees that you hit the same clubs into greens makes it more fair for matches and betting. I'd be playing about 6500 yards to be hitting the same clubs into greens that the pros hit at 7400 yards. However in pro golf, there is no equalization. It is just the best of the best. It just shows how incredibly good and long the top world class pros are.

> @Christosterone said:

> > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > @Christosterone said:

> > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > >

> > > -Chris

> >

> > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

>

> Mainly based on when I play with [what I consider] “average” players....like my dad

> For me, it’s guys who bogey most holes...break 90 most of the time...

>

> Maybe they can hit 9 irons 110 on average, 130 when they flush it(rarely)

>

> Just my opinion

>

> -Chris

I think age/frequency of play matter for average golfer. I probably fit the bill of bogey golfer, normally break 100 (I keep a real score). Currently I am lucky to play once a month. Probably in the last 8 years I have player maybe 10 times a year once but closer to 3-5 times a year. I am in my 30's, 5' 10", could not bench 175 lbs to save my live. I hit 9 iron 145 all day (probably fly it 140-142), 150 if I am not catching it on my upswing. Compared to average player, I hit a really high ball too so no de-lofting. Not a big hitter really (probably average somewhere 240-260/drive). I also think if I played/hit balls 3 times a week, I could break 80 semi-consistently and be a 5-7 hdcp or better. Hopefully in a month or two I will be able to play that often and find out.

I will say that my dad probably hits his 9 iron 125-135 with lower flight and more spin than me (I usually have zero backspin). He will be 60 this year and has lost quite a bit of distance the last 10-20 yrs. Still a solid hdcp in the 6 range I believe. Beats me all the time :(. Definitely not an average golfer. During summer, he walks 18 5 times a week. Like I said, age and frequency of play have big impact on club distance.

> @ebrasmus21 said:

> > @"Hack Daddy" said:

> > > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > > @Christosterone said:

> > > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > > >

> > > > -Chris

> > >

> > > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

> >

> > I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

> > A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

>

> You are right in line with the PGA Tour average, then.

>

>

>

You dug up that old thing? Lol. Ebrasss I keep looking for your thread where you tell us things. I forgot where you put it. Was going to ask what you are working on these days?

> @BB28403 said:

> > @ebrasmus21 said:

> > > @"Hack Daddy" said:

> > > > @"DFS PFD" said:

> > > > > @Christosterone said:

> > > > > Average Joes don’t hit their 9 iron 134 yards....

> > > > > That’s a 6 iron for my dad who I consider “average”

> > > > >

> > > > > -Chris

> > > >

> > > > Why do you consider 134 6 iron average?

> > >

> > > I have a geriatric swing speed and hit a 9 145, 6 175...

> > > A 134 6 iron is not even close to "average."

> >

> > You are right in line with the PGA Tour average, then.

> >

> >

> >

>

> You dug up that old thing? Lol. Ebrasss I keep looking for your thread where you tell us things. I forgot where you put it. Was going to ask what you are working on these days?

People were talking about geriatric 9 irons going as far as the PGA tour average so it seemed appropriate to post.

I’ll get some new clickbait for my thread soon