average persons drive

[nothingbutchains]

I average about 320. I didnt know if that was about average. I have only been playing 8months with no play time over the winter.

[Dthunderchicken]

That's about where I was after my first year. I was hitting 300' consistently and 320 occasionally. Ahh the good old days.

[Technohic]

I thought I was hitting 300' last year, even threw on a football field, but turns out it was a practice field so I was only really throwing 250'-275' with a Teebird or Leopard.

Worked some things out with putters for a while, now I use putters only on a small course in the middle of the week, then use whatever disc I want when I go to a more normal course on the weekend but try to make sure it fits the distance to throw my slowest disc that will still get there. Right after putters only for a while, I legitmately hit the 300' with my Teebird and Leopard (Further if I used a Dragon) and for the couple weekends I have been out since going to my current routine it seems like I am getting a couple feet at a time.

Last week, I messed with getting the disc above the seem in my hand and seemed like it made a world of difference, so I think I am on the verge of a burst increase. Threw the Leopard once at the little course but the longest hole there is 255' and heavily wooded so I basically threw it past the basket and smacked into the wall of trees behind it.

[jdggna]

My "average" drive is probably around 300 feet. There are only a couple holes on the courses in town that require you to throw much farther than that, and most holes are right around that distance. That is why about 80% of my throws are a Buzzz or an Ion.

[Dave242]

Who is counted into this average you seek to understand? Everyone, tournament players, etc.....

In my experience, many people who post their D online either are boasting because they are good or exaggerating to make themselves seem good. And, in my experience the average players max throw is around 220-250'. If you don't believe me spend some time at a course that has an open 375-400' hole and watch for a few hours. Put a few flags or markers out to help you measure. Of course this averages in all the 2 disc folks.......but you are asking for an average.

[billnchristy]

I average about 100' now.

using my off-hand, throwing backhand (fh dominant usually), and throwing a zephyr.

Hooray!

[rhino21]

Who is counted into this average you seek to understand? Everyone, tournament players, etc.....

In my experience, many people who post their D online either are boasting because they are good or exaggerating to make themselves seem good. And, in my experience the average players max throw is around 220-250'. If you don't believe me spend some time at a course that has an open 375-400' hole and watch for a few hours. Put a few flags or markers out to help you measure. Of course this averages in all the 2 disc folks.......but you are asking for an average.

I'd agree with this assessment. An average that only measures pros or serious dgers or some other group with a particular qualifer isn't a true average. Even a lot of dgers who have 5+ discs or play 3x or more a week still don't get much more than 250-275.

[toothyfish]

Average max distance drive? I'm basing this on posted distances on the tee.

Probably 370ish on flat ground for a max D drive. I've gotten to 390ish when I hit everything just right, but have misfired as well.

Drives with control are more likely 320-350, using Gazelles and Avengers.

[simpletwist]

Average? What a funny word. My average distance FH was 275-300. But accurate distance??? I was really getting that accuracy down and at the practice field I tore something in my bi-cep. I really should go to the Doc's. So now I'm relearning how to throw for distance BH. I won't bore folks yet again with my physical limitations, but I lost over 100 feet. However, the accuracy is much greater. And last night, I was getting some of the lost distance too.

And I agree completely with Dave242's notion of average being somewhere around 220-250. With the wind? Into it? Crosswinds? I constantly try to watch how others throw out on the course. I just love to watch that plastic fly. So with all my injuries (blah, blah, blah) I am about average these days. But I'm happy to be there. If I can't get my FH back my new goal is to be consistently above average by the end of the summer.

[toothyfish]

I'd like to come up with a way where accuracy is factored into the distance...

If I put a basket on the goal line of a football field and throw from the other goal line, that's 300 ft. If I'm 10 yrds short, but in line, it's 270 ft. If I ace it (or at least park it really close) it's 300ish.

But what if I land on the goal line and am 10 yrds wide? I threw it 300 ft, but left myself with a 30ft putt. Is that only 270ft effectively? Or 300ft drive +30ft accuracy? Maybe tracking actual distance and the distance away from the basket or something. Then you could statistically track your distance and your control, which is more meaningful on the course.

That's what we really want to know...how far can we throw and land in the zone that we want...

[Dave242]

toothy - you are making too much sense for a "post your D" type of thread. You're trying to hard to make it disc golf related. :D

[discspeed]

I think that you have to specify the line thrown to compare distance. To make it easy, ideally you should just post how far you can throw a disc without turning it over. Turning shots are a lot less predictable and more often yield "freak" results on one of ten throws.

[leppard]

A little over 300' is where many get stuck. At least I am. To get any more distance, I will have to totally change my technique. I strong arm it instead of pull through like everyone suggests.

If I put a basket on the goal line of a football field and throw from the other goal line, that's 300 ft. If I'm 10 yrds short, but in line, it's 270 ft. If I ace it (or at least park it really close) it's 300ish.

That's what we really want to know...how far can we throw and land in the zone that we want...

I throw drives alot with my home basket at 300' and about half are usually twos.

[sidewinder22]

I thought I was hitting 300' last year, even threw on a football field, but turns out it was a practice field so I was only really throwing 250'-275' with a Teebird or Leopard.


Thank you for confirming my statement about football practice fields. They ain't always 100 yards and are often 2/3 or 3/4 length.

[scarpfish]

Is this open field distance or on an actual course distance?

[sidewinder22]

But what if I land on the goal line and am 10 yrds wide? I threw it 300 ft, but left myself with a 30ft putt. Is that only 270ft effectively? Or 300ft drive +30ft accuracy? Maybe tracking actual distance and the distance away from the basket or something. Then you could statistically track your distance and your control, which is more meaningful on the course.

That's what we really want to know...how far can we throw and land in the zone that we want...

If you are within the putting circle at 300' then I'd say thats pretty accurate.

[toothyfish]

Thank you for confirming my statement about football practice fields. They ain't always 100 yards and are often 2/3 or 3/4 length.

Soccer fields vary, too, especially if it is for a youth program, as many are "short"

[toothyfish]

If you are within the putting circle at 300' then I'd say thats pretty accurate.

True, just trying to illustrate a point. Whether your limit is 250, 300, or 400, it is a worthy drill.

Now put the basket on the back line of the end zone and throw from the other back of the end zone. Now it's 360ft. And say that 360 is typically a Surge, Wraith, Nuke, Katana, whatever.

If you're spraying the field with a high speed driver, putting them long, short, left and right, and rarely close to the circle, it tells you that your 360ft of driving distance isn't that useful. But backing down a bit to a slower disc and putting them near the goal line (330 ft) and close to the center of the field tells you something about your ability. Still a longish putt, but more control.

The tendancy would be to go for broke on an open hole, throw the big toys, and maybe still have 50-70 ft putts, due to control issues. But if I was confident that I could throw a slower driver to the goal line or just inside the endzone, and in the center of the field, I could be confident that I could drive a 360ft hole with a short driver and leave myself a 30-40ft putt, greater odds of a birdie than with the faster disc.

This may be the wrong thread for this, but it lends itself to "average distance" and puts some purpose to it. Individual distances may vary, but 300, 330, and 360 are very easy to see on a full sized footbal field, by using the endzones, and are probably good numbers for a majority of players. Your actual discs and numbers may vary, but you can stand on the 20 and throw to the opposite end line and it's 240. It's an easy, visual grid. ;)

And while I'm on my soap box, put your basket or other target, in the middle of a soccer field. The circle is 10 yrds in radius, 30 ft, essentially the circle. Now you can move around and throw at it to see where you really land, though distance may be tougher to judge.

[AdamCaudle]

I think that you have to specify the line thrown to compare distance. To make it easy, ideally you should just post how far you can throw a disc without turning it over. Turning shots are a lot less predictable and more often yield "freak" results on one of ten throws.

Yeah definitely. I usually throw from 290-320 and the other day I accidentally turned my XS just a little off the tee. I ended up throwing about 380, but it was a freak throw.

[toothyfish]

Yeah definitely. I usually throw from 290-320 and the other day I accidentally turned my XS just a little off the tee. I ended up throwing about 380, but it was a freak throw.

Nothing like a good grip lock to add 40-50 ft to a drive...;) Usually about that far off target, too.

[AdamCaudle]

Nothing like a good grip lock to add 40-50 ft to a drive...;) Usually about that far off target, too.

Yup. Luckily it faded back enough to where it was only about 50 feet right of the basket.

[t i m]

See how easy it is to define "average." :)

I'd agree that average is probably somewhere around the 220-250' mark. But that factors in a ton of players, the majority of them casual (who still are the huge majority in this sport, just like in most sports).

I'd guess that the average of players who are serious enough (dorky enough, bored enough, etc...) to participate in these forums is probably closer to 300-320'.

In my experience, almost anyone who works at it can achieve 300-320' of distance pretty consistently, regardless of age, weight, fitness, sex, etc... there are outliers, but just by participating here, people are probably outliers when you think about it. There are some people -- mostly due to injury -- who will have trouble achieving that distance, but with the range of modern discs, it takes very little strength to throw a disc 300' if you've got decent form.

I know that when I had ACL surgery a few years ago, I was playing disc golf shortly after that and had to throw RHBH drives balanced on my left leg to avoid reinjuring my right now, and I could still get ~250-270' with a 165g Sidewinder (though the accuracy was iffy). And that's standstill with virtually zero weight transfer. With any kind of proper form and the right disc, 300' is almost universally achievable.

I'd say most people are going to max out at around 350-360' of useful golf distance when they work at it. Anyone who can achieve 400'+ of golf distance (on the course, not on the message boards) should be aspiring to play at a pro level.

[t i m]

It would be fun to do an accuracy challenge on here... head out to a football field and put flags/cones down the middle (or use one of the sidelines to make it easy if there is enough room on the sides). Take a tape measure to make sure the field is full length. Take 20 throws and measure them all for distance and then subtract distance off the line.

To make it even more challenging, start the challenge from center field... make it a requirement that every disc go through the football goal to count -- this would force low ceiling, accurate throws and would simulate the control needed for true golf shots rather than just max-distance.

[billnchristy]

Must be nice living in an area where the mafia county doesn't close the fields for permit only in your "public" park that you pay an extra .5c on the dollar to fund.

[zenbot]

It would be fun to do an accuracy challenge on here... head out to a football field and put flags/cones down the middle (or use one of the sidelines to make it easy if there is enough room on the sides). Take a tape measure to make sure the field is full length. Take 20 throws and measure them all for distance and then subtract distance off the line.

To make it even more challenging, start the challenge from center field... make it a requirement that every disc go through the football goal to count -- this would force low ceiling, accurate throws and would simulate the control needed for true golf shots rather than just max-distance.
Disc Golf Halftime Show w/Ventura Disc Golf Club (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKJrLGnN3aQ) Not the most exciting video but local legend Unkl Jesse nails the uprights at 100 yards.

[tistoude]

I agree with alot of the previous posts. Average distance is in the mid 200's. I have the sneaking suspicion that most people who post how long their average drives are, are really just remembering that one freak drive where everything went right and they throw 70 feet past their "true" average. Personally I can go around 280-300 with pretty good accuracy FH or BH. I can also get 50 or 60 feet more with the FH but it becomes a bit of a crap shoot as to where it will land. Does anybody throw an "Epic" regurally? I can get some monster distance out of it but I legitamitely have no idea where it is going to come down.

[jaymon1]

In my experience, many people who post their D online either are boasting because they are good or exaggerating to make themselves seem good. And, in my experience the average players max throw is around 220-250'. If you don't believe me spend some time at a course that has an open 375-400' hole and watch for a few hours. Put a few flags or markers out to help you measure. Of course this averages in all the 2 disc folks.......but you are asking for an average.

Wow, this is most validating distance thread ever. I don't think I've ever read one that didn't make me feel like a total noodle arm. But as a purely recreational player that very rarely practices, and not accounting for wind or elevation change, and assuming the teepad at the very least doesn't impede a basic x-step, this is where I am - 220' to 250', based on non-rigorous observation of throws on soccer fields or vs. the distance posted on the sign. Once upon a time I could maybe throw more like 280-300, but I was younger, and less accurate.

[jaymon1]

I wonder how much distance is a function of environment too. Of the 36 local holes available to me the first four or five years I played, only maybe 4-5 could be considered "open" and I don't think any were 400 feet. So my distance was certainly good enough for both my local courses, and many of the other courses I played in the state. Accuracy was more important. But again based on casual observation, when I've been able to play a bit in SoCal, for instance, things are much more open, and the majority of the people I observed could throw much further than me.

I'm also thinking of #10 at Cliff Stephens in Clearwater, FL - 350 ft., the first 280-320 over water. I've played the hole 11 times, didn't even try to carry it the first three or four, then did try to go straight at the basket the next five or six times and was successful maybe half the time. The last couple times I haven't even tried. But say that was my home course - then I think even my noodle arm would have developed to more like 300-320 with consistency, out of necessity.

[Greg Layton]

I've never actually measured, but based on where my disc lands on the course I'd say I was around 260-270 last year and closer to 300 this year. This is my 3rd year of playing, and I don't practice at all.

It's a good feeling to be reasonably accurate and park a 285-315 ft hole to where I don't have to worry about the putt. My midrange game is good enough to where I can par most 400-450 ft holes now with one of those drives. I'm sure some of you are scoffing right now, but I feel pretty good about where I'm at.

[garublador]

I'd say most people are going to max out at around 350-360' of useful golf distance when they work at it. Anyone who can achieve 400'+ of golf distance (on the course, not on the message boards) should be aspiring to play at a pro level.If you work at it and follow the right advice, most teenage to adult males can get to throwing fairway drivers 320'-360'. That means you'll be up at 360'-400' with a distance driver on a distance line. The thing is that most pepole don't care enough, don't know where to find, or don't follow the advice needed to get there. If you're at that point your mechanics are pretty good and your timing is OK.

The guys that throw fariway drivers 400'+ are quite a bit more rare. Your mechanics have to be good and your timing has to be excellent. Mechanics are a lot easier to learn than timing.

[RussMB]

I'm to the point now, that I can say I can throw 275ft consistently and confidently, and I'm putting it up to about 315ft. What has been nice is that my throws have gotten straighter, and I'm to the point where I've learned control. It's been nice feeling that consistency in my throws. I know where my disc is going to go.

Although, I think I just lost my practice field to new construction. :( Damn housing marketing going up! lol

[Technohic]

Who is counted into this average you seek to understand? Everyone, tournament players, etc.....

In my experience, many people who post their D online either are boasting because they are good or exaggerating to make themselves seem good. And, in my experience the average players max throw is around 220-250'. If you don't believe me spend some time at a course that has an open 375-400' hole and watch for a few hours. Put a few flags or markers out to help you measure. Of course this averages in all the 2 disc folks.......but you are asking for an average.

I noticed the one time, I went out with just my putters and started to pay attention when I saw others around me; most 2 discers, that they werent really going any further than I was with my putters. Thing was, my putters were going in a nice controlled line and they were all over the place.

There are some young kids there though, that I have seen throw really really far.

[toothyfish]

I agree with above, certain holes force your ability. They present some sort of visual, measurable challenge that requires you to perform.

I use certain holes on my local courses as "benchmark" holes. Meaning there is something significant about the tee-to-basket distance, or making it past a certain treeline, ridge, etc. on long holes. While I may not know the exact distance, I do know that I need to be past, left, next to something and I've seen the ability to finally do it with certain discs.

Over time, those certain discs have become slower discs, meaning distance to fairway or fairway to mid. It's really forced me to gain distance and control with the mid range discs.

Work on technique in the field, but hitting shots on the course builds the confidence.

[sidewinding]

I have to occasionally go to an open field and work on my distance because I slowly lose it over time. I have thrown 450' a couple of times but right now I probably can't throw over 350'.

When I get ready for a tournament I will generally go the Monday before the tournemant to a football field and throw up to 100 all out drives while really focusing on the fundamentals. After a couple days rest I am hitting 400' again.

I bet if I were to do this routine every week instead of about every two months my distance would consistantly stay above 400' but I just don't have the time to practice it. I'd rather be playing. Right now I only play about once a week and my distance is suffering because of it.

[volmed10]

If you work at it and follow the right advice, most teenage to adult males can get to throwing fairway drivers 320'-360'. That means you'll be up at 360'-400' with a distance driver on a distance line. The thing is that most pepole don't care enough, don't know where to find, or don't follow the advice needed to get there. If you're at that point your mechanics are pretty good and your timing is OK.

The guys that throw fariway drivers 400'+ are quite a bit more rare. Your mechanics have to be good and your timing has to be excellent. Mechanics are a lot easier to learn than timing.

I'll get my fairway drivers (Teebirds) out to 400' (on the course, and in practice), and with some tailwind, a little more. When I first started playing my distance sucked (as everyone's does), so I spent countless 3-4 hour sessions in a nearby field practicing on drives. For the longest time, I couldn't break 320-350' with a Destroyer and could never snap the disc, then I watched the More Snap videos one evening while searching due to frustration, anger, and desperation. I went right out the next morning and things just started to click; my drives immediately increased in length because I was finally getting great snap, and I realized that previously I was using only muscle and not relaxing and flowing through the motion. I've been fine tuning it since, and still have a ways to go.

So, now my distance is a straight line 400' with a TB, but the funny thing is that I don't get too much further with a Destroyer, Nuke, etc. Probably only an extra 20-40', and an occasional 50-60' (if lucky). Sometimes I'll get the TB even with the faster drivers or a little further, and I'm much more consistent regarding accuracy and distance when utilizing my TB than the aforementioned discs. I think part of that stems from the fact that I am not a big fan of the wide rim that they all have, and I can never produce the same big snap as I do with a regular old TB. For instance, there is a hole on my course that measures out to ~490'. Today while playing, I got my Nuke to about 80-90' from the basket, and my 11x TB was 10' past it. I had a decent snap on the Nuke, but the TB had a killer snap.

I've been pondering getting a PD since the rim isn't much wider, and the flight path is supposed to be similar to a TB with the addition of increased speed and distance. Maybe it will help. I'll say one thing though.... my weak point is putting. It's pretty embarrassing when you can get down to putting distance with a great drive, then miss a 25' putt. :wall: That's what I'm currently improving, or at least trying to.

[bhuff]

I can throw mids about 270 sometimes 300'. and all my drivers go 300-330...so I just dropped all of my highspeed drivers for now. Have only been at the game for 2 months now so hopefully my snap will get better.

[DiscJunkie]

My long "freak" drive was 340'
I will occasionally hit 300', but i'm usually between 250' and 275'.
If I really unwind, I could hit 300' more often, but I value accuracy over distance.

[Chutney]

It would help to know what percentile a player fell within with a specific rating. If we knew what the 50th percentile was in terms of ratings, that would be one way to define an average player. I realize there are a ton of players who never join the PDGA or play tournaments. We can only guess at those players level of ability. A breakdown of rated players would afford us a better guess as to what those levels of players would average in terms of distance.

[Chutney]

I did a PDGA ratings search. For currently rated players, the median pro male is approx 954 rated. The median Am male is approx 893 rated. Combining these two, we get a 923/924 rated male.

For the Pro women, the median is 868, and for the Ams, a 755. Combining these two, we get a 811/812 average for the women.

[Technohic]

I did a PDGA ratings search. For currently rated players, the median pro male is approx 954 rated. The median Am male is approx 893 rated. Combining these two, we get a 923/924 rated male.

For the Pro women, the median is 868, and for the Ams, a 755. Combining these two, we get a 811/812 average for the women.

I think I would be lucky to come CLOSE to the average fro the womens. Dont know though, as I am one of those that doesnt register and doesnt do tournaments. Might try a tournament some day but dont see a point in registering. I just dont want to make DG overly competitive for me because then I would be focused on beating the other guy instead of having fund and pushing myself to improve.

[toothyfish]

It would help to know what percentile a player fell within with a specific rating. If we knew what the 50th percentile was in terms of ratings, that would be one way to define an average player. I realize there are a ton of players who never join the PDGA or play tournaments. We can only guess at those players level of ability. A breakdown of rated players would afford us a better guess as to what those levels of players would average in terms of distance.

If you can find a tourney that was played on your local course (and it was a standard layout, no added baskets or safari), you should be able to find the SSA for it and what scores received what rating. PDGA website.

I mean, there are some variables, but I bet it's within a stroke or two. Then play a few rounds on that course, follow all the scoring rules, and see where you are. I mean, you should be able to tell if you are 800, 850, 900, 950 and so on. Close enough, right?

I just did it for Warwick Town Park. They just played a tourney, and there are some previous tourneys on there.

[billnchristy]

You can do that if your course doesn't have alternate pin locations. My home course has 1 hole that has one, a bunch with 2 and the rest with 3. One of the 3 is only used for tournaments so you will never (well probably a week before and after) have a non-tourney opportunity to see...though I suppose you can take a stroke off SSA and come close.

It gets confusing when a course has been around forever and the tournaments do not describe pin locations.

[garublador]

I'll get my fairway drivers (Teebirds) out to 400' (on the course, and in practice), and with some tailwind, a little more. When I first started playing my distance sucked (as everyone's does), so I spent countless 3-4 hour sessions in a nearby field practicing on drives. For the longest time, I couldn't break 320-350' with a Destroyer and could never snap the disc, then I watched the More Snap videos one evening while searching due to frustration, anger, and desperation. I went right out the next morning and things just started to click; my drives immediately increased in length because I was finally getting great snap, and I realized that previously I was using only muscle and not relaxing and flowing through the motion. I've been fine tuning it since, and still have a ways to go.

So, now my distance is a straight line 400' with a TB, but the funny thing is that I don't get too much further with a Destroyer, Nuke, etc. Probably only an extra 20-40', and an occasional 50-60' (if lucky). Sometimes I'll get the TB even with the faster drivers or a little further, and I'm much more consistent regarding accuracy and distance when utilizing my TB than the aforementioned discs. I think part of that stems from the fact that I am not a big fan of the wide rim that they all have, and I can never produce the same big snap as I do with a regular old TB. For instance, there is a hole on my course that measures out to ~490'. Today while playing, I got my Nuke to about 80-90' from the basket, and my 11x TB was 10' past it. I had a decent snap on the Nuke, but the TB had a killer snap.

I've been pondering getting a PD since the rim isn't much wider, and the flight path is supposed to be similar to a TB with the addition of increased speed and distance. Maybe it will help. I'll say one thing though.... my weak point is putting. It's pretty embarrassing when you can get down to putting distance with a great drive, then miss a 25' putt. :wall: That's what I'm currently improving, or at least trying to.If you haven't already, check out this thread at DGR:

http://www.discgolfreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=17538

It sounds like it will apply.