Longest LPGA Pros

[Burt Chance]

I was watching Lexi today and was obviously impressed at how long she is. It's very impressive. She also leads the tour in driving distance.

 

But am I wrong in thinking that Michelle Wie is probably the longest player out there when she is clicking and hitting the ball well?

 

I've seen her absolutely crush the ball. I was at one tournament and she hit a drive that many PGA tour pros would love to have.

[RSinSG]

Michelle has hit several in the 320 range. She didn't use the driver that often when I've watched her, but the one time I saw her in person on the driving range it was a pretty impressive ball flight. I'm pretty sure under the right conditions Lexi could go 320.

 

Lorena Ocheoa drove a 333 yd green one time. (Last one in the video.)

 

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/top-5-lpga-longest-drives/

 

[nosil]

But am I wrong in thinking that Michelle Wie is probably the longest player out there when she is clicking and hitting the ball well?

 

I would say you are wrong having seen some of the players that are on top of the list for the past few years.. She led way back in 2010 but now she falls in the top 30ish range. You can use the link below and see where she ranked every year. Keep in mind that driving distance measurements are only taken on 2 holes for a total of 4-8 measurements per tournament. It also does account for impact of wind or what club they hit off the tee.

 

http://www.lpga.com/statistics/driving/average-driving-distance?year=2016

[Guia]

I think Lexi is a little longer, but it is close, it really doesn't make any difference.

[hdr_ric]

But am I wrong in thinking that Michelle Wie is probably the longest player out there when she is clicking and hitting the ball well?

 

I would say you are wrong having seen some of the players that are on top of the list for the past few years.. She led way back in 2010 but now she falls in the top 30ish range. You can use the link below and see where she ranked every year. Keep in mind that driving distance measurements are only taken on 2 holes for a total of 4-8 measurements per tournament. It also does account for impact of wind or what club they hit off the tee.

 

http://www.lpga.com/statistics/driving/average-driving-distance?year=2016

 

I wouldn't rely on that list. As you said, it is just 2 holes a tourney and some players (like Wie) don't hit driver very much.

 

In 2014 ANA, on the few holes they both hit driver, Wie knocked it past Lexi.

 

I suspect they are close enough that it doesn't really matter.

 

If someone has/knows their trackman swingspeeds, that might be the best measure.

[Burt Chance]

But am I wrong in thinking that Michelle Wie is probably the longest player out there when she is clicking and hitting the ball well?

 

I would say you are wrong having seen some of the players that are on top of the list for the past few years.. She led way back in 2010 but now she falls in the top 30ish range. You can use the link below and see where she ranked every year. Keep in mind that driving distance measurements are only taken on 2 holes for a total of 4-8 measurements per tournament. It also does account for impact of wind or what club they hit off the tee.

 

http://www.lpga.com/...tance?year=2016

 

Not what I was asking..

[JustTheTips]

 

 

If someone has/knows their trackman swingspeeds, that might be the best measure.

 

The trackman numbers I have seen are

a) Lexi at 103

B) Wie at 108

 

That is close enough that things like LA and spin can effect the results. And they are one day, under different conditions. Lexi was at a tournament while Wii looked to be more of a club fitting. And the Lexi numbers are from 2 years ago (if memory serves) and the Wie numbers are from like 10 years ago (2006 or 7). I think Wie has gotten a lot shorter since then

 

I wouldn't be shocked to learn Jutanugarn (that 2 iron yesterday was crazy. Not sure if she plans on going back to hitting the driver or not) or Brittany Lincicome (supposedly has a 114 on trackman) are the the longest when they actually connect but I have never seen trackman numbers for the 2 of them.

[Boricua Golf]

Here are some of the stats from the LPGA on driving distance, Lexy #1 at 285, LeBlanc #2 at 283, Lincicome #15 at 269, Wie #21 at 267...

Rank Name Average Driving Distance 1

Lexi Thompson 285.083

Maude-Aimee Leblanc

 

#2

15

Brittany Lincicome 268.947

21

Michelle Wie 267.184

283.333

[legitimategolf]

I wouldn't be shocked to learn Jutanugarn (that 2 iron yesterday was crazy. Not sure if she plans on going back to hitting the driver or not) or Brittany Lincicome (supposedly has a 114 on trackman) are the the longest when they actually connect but I have never seen trackman numbers for the 2 of them.

 

 

Agree, those two seem to have lots of speed. Lexi always leads distance but she also seems to leave nothing in the bag, ever.

[Argonne69]

I don't believe the LPGA tracks combined driving, but after a few minutes with Excel, it appears that the top 10 in combined driving are:

 

1. Gerina Piller

2. Anna Nordqvist

3. Daniela Iacobelli

4. Jaye Marie Green

4. Megan Khang

6. Stacy Lewis

7. Mi Hyang Lee

8. Ha Na Jang

9. Amelia Lewis

10. Mina Harigae

 

 

Other notables include In Gee (T16), Lexi (21), NYC (T22), Hyo Joo (24), and Sei Young (T30).

[JustTheTips]

I wouldn't be shocked to learn Jutanugarn (that 2 iron yesterday was crazy. Not sure if she plans on going back to hitting the driver or not) or Brittany Lincicome (supposedly has a 114 on trackman) are the the longest when they actually connect but I have never seen trackman numbers for the 2 of them.

 

 

Agree, those two seem to have lots of speed. Lexi always leads distance but she also seems to leave nothing in the bag, ever.

 

Yeah leading in distance (on either tour) is often just a preference for hitting driver. Some guys on tour like Bubba are a lot more aggressive about hitting driver whenever possible. Other guys feel more comfortable hitting a lot of 3 woods and only occasionally hitting the driver. I am not sure when the last time I saw Henrik Stenson pull driver:) .

 

For fun here are some flight scope number for Ryan O'Toole : http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/542873-ryann-otooles-actual-flightscope-screenshots/

 

106mph isn't too bad.

 

And for the short chicks (5'4 and under), Sadena Parks mashes it every time I see her on TV with a bunch of 270+ drives.

[Leftagain]

Carlotta Ciganda is serious long but is wild like Aryia with a driver.

[nosil]

But am I wrong in thinking that Michelle Wie is probably the longest player out there when she is clicking and hitting the ball well?

 

I would say you are wrong having seen some of the players that are on top of the list for the past few years.. She led way back in 2010 but now she falls in the top 30ish range. You can use the link below and see where she ranked every year. Keep in mind that driving distance measurements are only taken on 2 holes for a total of 4-8 measurements per tournament. It also does account for impact of wind or what club they hit off the tee.

 

http://www.lpga.com/...tance?year=2016

 

Not what I was asking..

 

Best numbers we have. I still say no based on watching them live.

[mrmacwvu1]

I have a hard time believing some of those numbers

 

I played with Brittany last year and she was 30 or so yards behind me and I am by no means the longest at our club

 

I mean I guess it is possible if the fairways they are playing are getting 30 yards of role

 

I would say her carry distance was at most 250

[LaterOn61]

When I have seen them together Brittany was 20 yards consistently in front of Lexi and Wie. Piller is also pretty long.

[No_Doubt_Stout]

I've watched Brittany Lang slash it past everyone by 30 yards on a few occasions she just gets looked past a lot because of a shorter resume than most

[lumberman2462]

Played with Laura Davies in a Pro-Am in the 90s and she could crush the ball.

 

One other thing....she played with spin on the iron shots. I'll grant that this was around/near balata time I don't remember what ball she used - but she played her short iron shots behind the pin which was pretty unusual for an LPGA player.

[slowkuruma]

I saw Ariya in person at the ANA and her ball flight was very impressive! I dare say longer than both Lexi and Wie?

[North Texas]

So Lexi hit one 359 yesterday!

[JustTheTips]

So Lexi hit one 359 yesterday!

 

Zach Johnson has a 388 yard driver this year.:) It is amazing how much conditions matter. Unfortunately LPGA stats suck so we can't see the top 50 or so longest drives of the year to see who hits it the longest.

[canadianglen]

Interesting thread

 

Have seen both Lexi and Michelle get a roll past 300 more than once, but there are many players with length but their lack of control limits the usefulness. Ciganda, Hedwall, LeBlanc (really long), Lincicome, Lang, Dame Laura. Lorena was sneaky long, making every drive look the same but some would go 250, some would go 285.