Who are the best drivers on Tour and what equipment do they use?
Who are the best drivers on Tour and what equipment do they use?
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According to Mark Brodie, whose book “Every Shot Counts” presents a new way of measuring stats. Driving distance is more important than driving accuracy. The old way of measuring driving prowess was “Fairways Hit,” which Mark Brodie proved wrong. Brodie found that the long hitters had a distinct advantage over the shorter hitters even though, the shorter hitters hit more fairways. Golf Digest Stix gives us the best drivers on the PGA Tour who lead in “Strokes Gained Driving.” As you can see, they all hit the ball a long way. What does this mean to you, the average golfer? Go to the range and work on hitting the ball further, not straighter!
PGA Tour: Stat Leaders
Nearly every major championship puts a premium on driving the ball well. But it’s even more so at Oakmont Country Club for this week’s U.S. Open. The course is not only long—avoiding the long, thick rough makes distance and accuracy off the tee critical to contend. In 2007 Angel Cabrera averaged 310.9 yards off the tee (ranked second for the week) and hit enough fairways to rank T-3 in greens in regulation. Look for a similar performance from this year’s champion, with the following five players—who rank at the top of the PGA Tour’s strokes gained/off the tee category—among the most likely candidates.
1. Rory McIlroy. Strokes gained/off-the-tee: 1.227 Driver: Nike Vapor Fly Pro, 9.5 degrees
Few players on tour can match McIlroy’s prowess off the tee. The four-time major winner uses a 45.25-inch Nike Vapor Fly Pro driver set at 9.5 degrees with a Mitsubishi Diamana S+ 70 XTS shaft and Golf Pride New Decade Multi-Compound ribbed white/black grip. Prior to this year’s Northern Trust Open in February, McIlroy (above) adjusted the loft of his driver plus 1 degree (from 8.5 to 9.5 degrees) in order to create more spin to help him draw the ball more.
2. Bubba Watson. Strokes gained/off-the-tee: 1.087 Driver: Ping G, 7.5 degrees
As one would expect with an individual as unique as Watson, his Ping G driver isn’t exactly standard-issue. For starters, the 9-degree pink clubhead is set at 7.5 degrees, and the “dragonfly” technology on the crown (areas where the crown is made thinner) is black. Though one of the tour’s longest hitters, the True Temper Grafalloy BiMatrx x-flex shaft (which is graphite with a steel tip section) is on the short end of the spectrum at 44.5 inches, which Watson says offers him greater control of his tee shots. The grip is oversize with 11 wraps of tape on the top and 13 wraps on the bottom, set 10 degrees open. Watson will use this club as he tries to improve on his fifth-place showing at Oakmont in 2007.
To see the rest of the Top Drivers on the PGA Tour and the equipment they use, go here!
Source: Golf Digest Stix
Pictures: Golf Digest Stix
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Tags: best drivers on Tour, Bubba Watson, Golf Digest Stix, longest drivers on Tour, PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy