99 replies to this topic

[Locked]

But C'mon... Tiger is the only one with enough credible witnesses to really tell us how long he is.

[MadGolfer76]

You guys have to be measuring in meters to think Rory is longer than Bubba Watson.

[Sing Golfer]

J.W., on 06 May 2012 - 07:36 PM, said:

10of14, on 06 May 2012 - 07:01 PM, said:

J13, on 06 May 2012 - 06:50 PM, said:

He's not Bubba long but he is long.  For his frame he bangs the ball that's for sure.

Disagree.  He is Bubba long (though Bubba is not the longest on tour), but like Tiger early in his career, he has problems with controlling distance with short irons.

Who is the longest on tour?  Bubba leads the PGA Tour in driving distance, carry distance, ball speed and club head speed.  If he's not the longest on tour by leading EVERY category then I don't know who is...

His ball speed average is nearly 3 mph faster than anyone else on tour.  He even has the highest measurable ball speed at 188 for one swing.  He's definitely the longest on tour.  Rory is absolutely no slouch though, 177 ball speed is absolutely moving it.

I spent hours at the range (which slopes gently uphill, so you can see a drive that goes 335 then another bounce past it at 340)  at the Masters last year and in the space of 45 minutes DJ, Bubba, Phil and Woodland warmed up.

DJ and Phil were both pretty close, DJ a fraction longer. Bubba was hitting massive cuts and draws, about 10 yards further on.  Woodland was generally about the same as Bubba, except for his last shot which he went after.  Suddenly there was a lone ball sitting at the top of the range, 35-40 yards in the clear.

If I need a PGA Tour player to long drive for my life - I'll be taking Woodland.

[rafal]

What you're describing is range shot which is something along the lines of long drive champion.  Woodland will not attempt that swing on the course if he's in play for anything.

On course tight fairway/bunkers/hazard/pressure swing length is what really matters.

[mitch mccomber]

The difference is bubbas average distance is farther than rorys. Bubba has more consistant distance. Bubbas also been driving it long for a longer period time so his average is higher and steadier.I have too agree though that that 3 wood was ridiculously far. Pry made fowler feel like a woman(just kidding). I only drive it 250 on average(im 14).

[AFcelica]

mitch mccomber, on 09 May 2012 - 11:13 AM, said:

The difference is bubbas average distance is farther than rorys. Bubba has more consistant distance. Bubbas also been driving it long for a longer period time so his average is higher and steadier.I have too agree though that that 3 wood was ridiculously far. Pry made fowler feel like a woman(just kidding). I only drive it 250 on average(im 14).

the averages reset every year, and has already been said but rory used the slope and shot shape to get a ton of roll where ricky hit into the slope. if it was wet rickey would have out driven rory by 10-15yards. but it wasn't wet, in fact the fairways were rock hard. it was a helluva shot but rory doesn't carry his 3w farther than rickey does his driver. he just hit it so far on that shot because of 40-50 yards of roll

Edited by AFcelica, 09 May 2012 - 11:38 AM.

[Rosco1216]

Who knows how much further bubba's averages would be if he chose to hit it straight..

[Hrlyrdr22]

This kid can FLAT OUT hit the ball a long way!  330 yard three wood!  He has a great swing too.  I would rather have his swing, then have the thirty yards more than Bubba gets.

[imakaveli]

Rosco1216, on 09 May 2012 - 12:07 PM, said:

Who knows how much further bubba's averages would be if he chose to hit it straight..

You mean he intentionally hits it in the woods?

[Sing Golfer]

rafal, on 09 May 2012 - 06:00 AM, said:

What you're describing is range shot which is something along the lines of long drive champion.  Woodland will not attempt that swing on the course if he's in play for anything.

On course tight fairway/bunkers/hazard/pressure swing length is what really matters.

I can see where you are coming from but I disagree.

1) His swing was still quite controlled.

2) It was his last shot before heading to the first tee at Augusta - I still don't think he was going all out

3) His swing earlier in the year when he went for the green on par 4 (tee shot ended in a trash bag I think) was much more aggressive than this one - so his does to them on the course.

Given only two holes are used and given shots with all clubs are recorded - not just the driver - then what you are hoping to find out is simply not going to happen - the stats are simply not good enough. So we are down to anecdotal evidence and I am quick happy with my opinion because you could literally tell  which shots went further, even by just a few yards.