Best driver .............ever

[Rmatzen]

> @Bye said:

> Rory has to be the best since the equipment change. He has the most variety in shot making with driver, along with his power and being completely fearless with it.

>

> Is Adam Scott a worthy mention though! He must be close in the conversation.

>

> Norman was incredible with the old gear, and probably the best of his generation.

>

>

 

I think this is really important- Rory has a great inventory of shots off the tee that Jack just didn't have. However, for raw power and ability to get it done off the tee, you can't count Nicklaus out. Jack was so smooth he even switched to a regular flex shaft while on tour. Lots of power left in the tank I think.

[MattyO1984]

If we are looking at this in the modern era then I think that you have to have Adam Scott in the conversation as well. Sure, he has not been as prolific as some of the others mentioned but the length that he knocks it and the fairways that he hits is pretty impressive.

[smashdn]

Total package it has to be Nicklaus right? At least as far back as anyone here can remember.

 

As for distance, pick a guy.

 

As for accuracy, Calvin Peete and Tom Kite were incredibly accurate drivers of the golf ball.

[Ashley Schaeffer]

> @Rmatzen said:

> > @Bye said:

> > Rory has to be the best since the equipment change. He has the most variety in shot making with driver, along with his power and being completely fearless with it.

> >

> > Is Adam Scott a worthy mention though! He must be close in the conversation.

> >

> > Norman was incredible with the old gear, and probably the best of his generation.

> >

> >

>

> I think this is really important- Rory has a great inventory of shots off the tee that Jack just didn't have. However, for raw power and ability to get it done off the tee, you can't count Nicklaus out. Jack was so smooth he even switched to a regular flex shaft while on tour. Lots of power left in the tank I think.

 

I agree. Nicklaus was more interested in winning golf tournaments than hitting it far. That's why he made the choice to not hit it as far as he could. Unlike any other touring pro today, he knew that he could hit it farther if he wanted to, but it wouldn't be an advantage like it is today. Nowadays, guys can just bomb and gouge with no repercussions. Back then, that game didn't exist, I suppose, with the higher spinning balls of the era. Nicklaus wasn't going to just drive long it into the rough and have to wedge it onto the slower greens with a wound balata when he could make-a-shot with a seven iron.

[ksgolfcoach]

> @Dpavs said:

> 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> Fairways Hit 2019-

> (RANK) - 66

> ROUNDS -72

> % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

>

 

65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

[Christosterone]

Jack

 

Or Vijay’s reverse c made in exact imitation if jack

 

[QuigleyDU]

> @ksgolfcoach said:

> > @Dpavs said:

> > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > (RANK) - 66

> > ROUNDS -72

> > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> >

>

> 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

 

Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

[Dpavs]

> @ksgolfcoach said:

> > @Dpavs said:

> > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > (RANK) - 66

> > ROUNDS -72

> > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> >

>

> 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

 

I actually posted the wrong stat for Rory. The stat above is fairways hit. For Driving Accuracy he is ranked at 104th and 61.82%.

Just looking stat wise this year, Brendan Steele by comparison hits the ball 302.5 yds average and is ranked 34th while also being ranked 22nd in accuracy hitting 68.71%.

If I take even that small difference in accuracy (6.89%) and project it over 70 rounds, Brendan hits about 87 more fairways and is only 11 yards shorter. So if we look at it this way.. who is the better driver of the ball really?

Lots of different ways to look at it though I suppose!

 

[Dpavs]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > @Dpavs said:

> > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > (RANK) - 66

> > > ROUNDS -72

> > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > >

> >

> > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

>

> Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

 

True but I think that has to do more with how well rounded Rory is if you look at the various stats that equate to scoring well than it does with his being the Best Driver ever or even this year for that matter.

 

 

[caniac6]

Richard Petty

[dpb5031]

> @Dpavs said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > > @Dpavs said:

> > > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > > (RANK) - 66

> > > > ROUNDS -72

> > > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > > >

> > >

> > > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

> >

> > Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

>

> True but I think that has to do more with how well rounded Rory is if you look at the various stats that equate to scoring well than it does with his being the Best Driver ever or even this year for that matter.

>

>

 

...plus, averages dont tell the entire story. Rory, like Jack in his day, has plenty extra in the tank when needed. His measured average might not be tremendously longer than the field, but "best v. best, " I'd bet his drives are much longer than nearly all of the others. Some of the lines he can hit because of his carry distance are beyond what most would even consider.

[Ashley Schaeffer]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > @Dpavs said:

> > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > (RANK) - 66

> > > ROUNDS -72

> > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > >

> >

> > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

>

> Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

 

Yeah, but if you look at the stats that don't exist from 1960-1980, you'd quickly realize that Nicklaus was both the longest, and straightest driver of the golf ball on the planet. He could hit it 330 dead straight on demand, but chose not to on all occasions. My great aunt can verify it because she saw him hitting drivers on the range once in Pensacola. Babs was there cheering him on before demolishing those gals in bunko. Talking $12+

[QuigleyDU]

> @Dpavs said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > > @Dpavs said:

> > > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > > (RANK) - 66

> > > > ROUNDS -72

> > > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > > >

> > >

> > > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

> >

> > Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

>

> True but I think that has to do more with how well rounded Rory is if you look at the various stats that equate to scoring well than it does with his being the Best Driver ever or even this year for that matter.

>

>

 

I agree, I have always found that if you are are a good driver of the ball you tend to be good at the rest of the ball striking as well.

[QuigleyDU]

> @"Ashley Schaeffer" said:

> > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > > @Dpavs said:

> > > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > > (RANK) - 66

> > > > ROUNDS -72

> > > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > > >

> > >

> > > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

> >

> > Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

>

> Yeah, but if you look at the stats that don't exist from 1960-1980, you'd quickly realize that Nicklaus was both the longest, and straightest driver of the golf ball on the planet. He could hit it 330 dead straight on demand, but chose not to on all occasions. My great aunt can verify it because she saw him hitting drivers on the range once in Pensacola. Babs was there cheering him on before demolishing those gals in bunko. Talking $12+

 

Haha. I once heard him say he could hit a ball a half mile into the wind and up hill.

[Ashley Schaeffer]

> @QuigleyDU said:

> > @"Ashley Schaeffer" said:

> > > @QuigleyDU said:

> > > > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > > > @Dpavs said:

> > > > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > > > (RANK) - 66

> > > > > ROUNDS -72

> > > > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

> > >

> > > Another real number to consider is if you look at the top ten in driving accuracy. Rory has more wins than all of them combined for just this year.

> >

> > Yeah, but if you look at the stats that don't exist from 1960-1980, you'd quickly realize that Nicklaus was both the longest, and straightest driver of the golf ball on the planet. He could hit it 330 dead straight on demand, but chose not to on all occasions. My great aunt can verify it because she saw him hitting drivers on the range once in Pensacola. Babs was there cheering him on before demolishing those gals in bunko. Talking $12+

>

> Haha. I once heard him say he could hit a ball a half mile into the wind and up hill.

 

I wouldn't be shocked if he could. A lot of people forget that he had to play with a fruit tree driver and a wound tree sap ball. Legend has it that he formed the latter with his bare hands, but there are no remaining Pensacola great aunts to verify.

[Roadking2003]

I vote for #1 Nicklaus and #2 Norman.

 

Rory hits it a mile but is frequently off the fairway. He's 104th in hitting fairways. He's more like Tiger than Jack.

[Roadking2003]

> @Rmatzen said:

> I think this is really important- Rory has a great inventory of shots off the tee that Jack just didn't have.

 

For example ??

 

[JD3]

Before my time but apparently Nicklaus sprayed it all over the place...but he had 50 yards on the field. Norman from what I remember just never seemed to be in trouble off the tee...like almost literally never. For someone with his length that's incredible. So given what I've read or seen, I'd go:

 

Hogan (steel shaft era) as he was considered best ball striker all time, so that must also include driver

Norman (graphite shaft/metal head era)

Rory (titanium head era)

[tannyhoban]

Norman. Have seen them all in tournament play. Its Greg Norman. All day every day.

[Night train]

> @JD3 said:

> Before my time but apparently Nicklaus sprayed it all over the place...but he had 50 yards on the field. Norman from what I remember just never seemed to be in trouble off the tee...like almost literally never. For someone with his length that's incredible. So given what I've read or seen, I'd go:

>

> Hogan (steel shaft era) as he was considered best ball striker all time, so that must also include driver

> Norman (graphite shaft/metal head era)

> Rory (titanium head era)

 

 

Nicklaus didn't win 18 majors spraying it all over the place

 

[tiderider]

> @"Ashley Schaeffer" said:

> > @NevinW said:

> > I've seen everyone from Sam Snead to Nicklaus to Tiger to Daly and now today's players hit drivers. Nicklaus was by far the most impressive driver that I have seen. Although seeing him hit a 1 iron was even more impressive. However, it is impossible to compare eras. The current ball is not only MUCH longer but so much easier to hit straight. I'd say Rory is the most impressive driver of todays players.

>

> Agreed. Imagine if Nicklaus played with these modern golf balls and drivers. Adding...bleep...blop...bloop 87.6 yards for the equipment, he would average over 360 today, and dead straight. I've watched his highlights, and they prove that he always hit his line off the tee.

 

> @tiderider said:

> > @Golfnutgalen said:

> > One of the best of all time no doubt about it. I might give the edge to Jack Nicklaus, but we can't statistically prove it.

>

> 1980 ... jack finished 10th in distance and 13th in accuracy, per pgatour records ... very few have gotten close to that ... mainly norman and lietzke ...

>

> and nicklaus was #1 or in the top 5 for several years after that ... only played 15 tournaments a year, so one could argue that against the obvious fact that he's the GOAT driver, but one would be wasting one's time ...

 

guess some people skipped this ...

[BottleCap]

Rory, Adam Scott, and Dustin Johnson have been really impressive the past several years.

[dpb5031]

> @JD3 said:

> Before my time but apparently Nicklaus sprayed it all over the place...but he had 50 yards on the field. Norman from what I remember just never seemed to be in trouble off the tee...like almost literally never. For someone with his length that's incredible. So given what I've read or seen, I'd go:

>

> Hogan (steel shaft era) as he was considered best ball striker all time, so that must also include driver

> Norman (graphite shaft/metal head era)

> Rory (titanium head era)

 

Nonsense. Nicklaus was long AND straight and absolutely did not "spray the ball all over the place."

 

In his prime he averaged approx. 275 yards swinging at 80% with a wound balata marshmallow of a ball and a heavy steel shafted persimmon driver that measured roughly 43 inches in length. Give him 460 cc Titanium, 45+" graphite, and the modern ball, and I dont think there's any doubt that he'd be one of the very longest versus today's best.

 

The club tech during Jack's prime was really no different than the Hogan, Snead, Nelson era. Back then it really didnt pay to swing all-out in most instances with the old equipment and ball, so Jack almost always had an extra 20 or 30 yards if circumstances warranted. He also hit it higher through the entire bag than practically any other player.

 

All you have to do is listen to Trevino, Palmer, and Player speak about Jack's power and the height of his shots to get a decent perspective on his advantage over the competition.

[JD3]

> @"Night train" said:

> > @JD3 said:

> > Before my time but apparently Nicklaus sprayed it all over the place...but he had 50 yards on the field. Norman from what I remember just never seemed to be in trouble off the tee...like almost literally never. For someone with his length that's incredible. So given what I've read or seen, I'd go:

> >

> > Hogan (steel shaft era) as he was considered best ball striker all time, so that must also include driver

> > Norman (graphite shaft/metal head era)

> > Rory (titanium head era)

>

>

> Nicklaus didn't win 18 majors spraying it all over the place

>

 

Tiger won most of his 15 without nutting it off the tee. In one British open he only hit driver 1x. Nicklaus would also follow a similar tact (though not as extreme) by hitting 3 wood or long irons off the tee.

[tiderider]

> @JD3 said:

> > @"Night train" said:

> > > @JD3 said:

> > > Before my time but apparently Nicklaus sprayed it all over the place...but he had 50 yards on the field. Norman from what I remember just never seemed to be in trouble off the tee...like almost literally never. For someone with his length that's incredible. So given what I've read or seen, I'd go:

> > >

> > > Hogan (steel shaft era) as he was considered best ball striker all time, so that must also include driver

> > > Norman (graphite shaft/metal head era)

> > > Rory (titanium head era)

> >

> >

> > Nicklaus didn't win 18 majors spraying it all over the place

> >

>

> Tiger won most of his 15 without nutting it off the tee. In one British open he only hit driver 1x. Nicklaus would also follow a similar tact (though not as extreme) by hitting 3 wood or long irons off the tee.

 

may be, but jack nicklaus absolutely did not spray it all over the place with his driver ... again, simple statistic by the pga tour bear that out ...

[Moonlightgrm]

I was fortunate to see Hogan and Snead play in person, late in their careers. I followed them both for 9-holes and both men hit every fairway and green. It was fun to watch. I never saw Nicklaus in person and I’ve seen Tiger in person. Tiger wins on power, but I’ll take Snead and Hogan based on my small sample.

 

My top-5: Hogan, Snead, Norman, Woods, Nicklaus.

[lowheel]

straightest ever is no debate.Calvin Peete all day everyday. total package is a fun debate to have but a tough one because of the equipment changing so dramatically over the years

[lowheel]

> @tannyhoban said:

> Norman. Have seen them all in tournament play. Its Greg Norman. All day every day.

 

Norman driving a ball with persimmon was a sight to be seen and heard.

[Tasals]

> @Dpavs said:

> > @ksgolfcoach said:

> > > @Dpavs said:

> > > 65 players rank better than Rory in 2019 alone unfortunately.. so based on accuracy alone, I don't think I would agree.

> > > Maybe if you scratch accuracy off the list :)

> > > Fairways Hit 2019-

> > > (RANK) - 66

> > > ROUNDS -72

> > > % FAIRWAYS HIT - 64.95%

> > >

> >

> > 65% is pretty good and to put your stats into real numbers, Rory hit 9.1 fairways/round. Austin Cook ranked 10th at 70% or 9.8 fairways/round. Factor in the fact that Rory was #1 in distance this year and 65% is pretty impressive.

>

> I actually posted the wrong stat for Rory. The stat above is fairways hit. For Driving Accuracy he is ranked at 104th and 61.82%.

> Just looking stat wise this year, Brendan Steele by comparison hits the ball 302.5 yds average and is ranked 34th while also being ranked 22nd in accuracy hitting 68.71%.

> If I take even that small difference in accuracy (6.89%) and project it over 70 rounds, Brendan hits about 87 more fairways and is only 11 yards shorter. So if we look at it this way.. who is the better driver of the ball really?

> Lots of different ways to look at it though I suppose!

>

 

Rory is gaining 1.195 stokes off the tee. Over 0.4 strokes above Vegas in 2nd at 0.753, with Steele coming in at 0.513 strokes gained off the tee, to put more context into it Brooks is only averaging 0.468 Strokes off the tee.

 

Id say that is a pretty good showing that Rory is better off the tee. Youre gaining double the advantage with Rory over Steele.

[mosesgolf]

IMO Jack and the longest of his day along with other long hitters of the past would be up there with the likes of Rory, DJ, BK etc. They would have ball speeds of 180-185mph. The absolute longest hitters on Tour imo are/were Cameron Champ and Hank Kuehne. Some of you make it seem like Jack would be 190 plus (not).