The questions of irons vs driver off the tee is very simple to answer for me. Do I want to be 150 yards down the fairway? Or do I want to lose my ball?

In the golf documentary 'Happy Gilmore' they definitively proved that distance off the tee is more important than accuracy or short game. 😂

An alternative, two drivers. 10.5 standard length driver for wide open fairways, grip and rip. Then a 13.5 degree driver with an inch shorter shaft set up with +2 degrees so a driver headed 3 wood. I have found the bigger head of a high lofted driver is a lot more forgiving than a small low loft hybrid or fairway. Works for me.

Given on average, a 3 wood/hybrid/long iron off the tee will (assuming good strike) will be 20-50 yards behind a driver, then the average golfer will be hitting longer irons/hybrids into greens, which if you have speed is OK, if you don't then you'll be scrambling a lot more. Your average 2 iron is much longer than the average golfers driver, So I reckon where you're hitting 2-iron, 9 iron, I'd be hitting 2-hybrid, 5/6 iron. I think I know what I'd rather do - bash the big dog.

Great video and a great topic! For amateur golfers, managing emotion is such a massive part of the game. Nothing gets a person off their game more than hooking or slicing tee shots out of bounds or into hazards. Conversely, nothing settles the nerves more than regularly hitting those fairways and having good lies to hit from. This confidence then leaks into the other parts parts of the game. I know if I swing at 80% with the driver I'll hit 55-80% fairways with very few terribly wrong. If I put 90-100% effort into the driver that FIR drops to 35% and I know it'll be a bad day all around.

Completely agree. I used my 2 irons more often these days and more likely to find the fairway and lose fewer balls.

I've taken all woods and driver out of my bag and use purely just irons as that's what I'm more comfortable and consistant with. Great video

First off - really like this type of format, feels like the best of both worlds between an instructional vid and a course vlog. As a ~20 hcp golfer, I definitely feel like I need to focus on accuracy. My good drives tend to be around 250-270, but I'd happily take 20 yds off to find fairways more often

You ask for feed back in the Quest for the Open video about the types of videos we would like to see. As far as I am concerned you nailed it with this one... it is perfect. Whether I user driver or hybrid/iron off the tee is round-to-round or hole-to-hole decision. Course management has never been a strength, but I have worked at it and my decisions have gotten better even if the results dont always show it. For me, an approach shot over 170 yards is a challenge, so if I can get closer I will accept being in the rough sometimes to get a shorter shot. I won't always do this, especially if I am not striking my driver well or if the hole is tight or has trouble on the side of my miss, but at the moment I like closer in light rough over further away in fairway. I hope to improve my long approach play enough to revisit this in the future. Nice job!

It's a me! Mario! Thank you so much a for to playing my game.

WOW I’ve never seen the stache from the Finch. Amazing what you find when you are back cataloging your favorite KZfaq golfer

I play off scratch (handicap is +0.5 at the moment). When I go low, it’s always a day where I’m hitting my driver very far. Not necessarily straight though, I’ve shot under par in multiple rounds where I’ve hit less than 50% of fairways. I’ve also had rounds where I’ve hit close to 100% of fairways and shoot 80. Interesting debate overall, great video Pete 👍🏼

This is the premise for a new series called" The 150 Club" turning 2 shots into 1, or 3 shots into 2 shots. How hit high cutting shots into greens. Low draws & running hooks. How get up & down when you miss the green. These 20 or more speciality shots are the real secret to go low. Play hole from green to tee to your strength shot or yardage. A 5 wood is a great club for tee shots when you need 210- 225 yds. with accuracy. Good video Pete.

Love the video Pete! Overall, I would say accuracy > distance off the tee, but I also think this comparison differs based on the course. Let me know what you all think!

I had a horrible front nine with my driver this last weekend, started hitting 2 iron off the tee the back nine finished with 4less strokes and I was pretty even in distance with the rest of the group. I love my 2 iron

I love the videos like this!! I was shooting in the upper 90s until I slowed my swing on all clubs. It cost me 10 to 20 yards on all my clubs but I dropped my handicap to 12! Thank you for the great content!

I have only irons in my bag ,no woods or hybrids and all shots off the deck with nothing teed up. Helped my accuracy a lot .

Hugely admire driving irons hitting. Personally had big problems with the driver, plenty distance but inaccurate. Then one day somebody gave me a 3 iron from 30 years ago. Looked at it and thought how would anyone hit that,so thin. So practiced with it then took a wilson utility and what a change, distance 200plus and always on the fairway. Sold driver,3 wood and 5 hybride. Game changer

I recently purchased the p790 driving iron, and it has been a game changer for me. After a few rounds with it, I started to dial it in, and it's amazing! I'm a member at a golf course with my dad, and it's tight, so I definitely hit it alot off the tee. It's my go too if I absolutely need to hit fairway.

I am thankful for having you and Rick; because, you guys give us golf tips, trips, and great commentary.

Pete, you hit the nail right on the head. I am a straight hitter off the tee. Never more than 215. But while the big hitters were hitting 250 or so they were not very accurate. I won more matches being straight than being big off the tee. I am that guy that they can't figure how to beat me. But get a guy that hit it straight and long and I was dead.

Loved this type of video. The way Pete interrupted with commentary was great insight.

17 handicap with typically 5 hazards per round. Most from the box. Played last weekend just using 3 wood, my favorite and most comfortable distance club, on tight fairways. Way less hazards. One of the better cards I had but I will say I didn't have a single 3 putt. Great vid.

A course vlog plus a bit of instruction…. You hit the perfect combo in my book! Please do more of this!!!!

Great vid. I did this a few years ago played with nothing longer than a 4 hybrid. Dropped my handicap down from 20 to 15 and played a great year and won a yearly competition over 10 events. Gone back up a couple since the driver and 3 wood went back in. The winter will be spent with irons only on cours3 and range for driver, 3 wood and 2 iron.

Mid handicap golfer. I found my scores reduced drastically when I started taking 3 iron off the tee, and finding fairways. My lowest scores come when my putting is on fire. For me, sacrificing 40 yards or so off the tee, but hitting fairways gives me much more consistency, and keeps more balls in my bag too!

Interesting Vid, for us you tubers I think it’s a mixture of the two, understanding when to attach and when to defend not just boshing driver time and again. Think with the tour pros they have come to the conclusion that once you hit it 320 it doesn’t matter if your a little wayward as you’ve took all the trouble out the hole

Hi Peter I've found that my putting gives me the most satisfaction as working out speed of greens . the terrain . & distance to hole .then making the put. its the final shot ( The put ) Can win the Hole & The GAME.

I agree. For myself and most amateurs accuracy is key. I've no trouble hitting it long but would happily take 30 yards off my drive to hit every fairway and I often leave it in the bag on a lot of holes for that reason. For tour pros though, the numbers speak for themselves that distance is king these days, at least on the courses they play day to day. If we're to see that change we need pros to be playing on narrower courses, not longer ones where the punishment for missing the fairways are more severe

Haven’t watched your channel in a while but I’m liking the course vlog intermittent with the studio vlog.

Peter Finch breaking it down!!! Seriously though, fantastic video. From the content to the stash to the over all editing of the video and how it comes together.

Great informative video, IMO accuracy should always be placed ahead of distance for the weekend (average) golfer. Distance is over rated. I play a Cobra Baffler 2 hybrid 18 degree off all par 4 tees. I play driver off par five tees just to setup eagle chance if I flush driver and 3 wood.

Like you said Peter its about course management for us average golfers. We don't play tour length courses so accuracy is key! It's easier to get to the green from the middle of the fairway ergo more chance of making putts. Which will in time result in a handicap reduction. Great video very interesting topic 👍

I started playing golf a year ago. More power/distance didn't help me. When I'd miss, I'd miss really bad. So, I started focusing on clubs used the most each round, like my putter and wedges. That had a huge impact on my game. Now I'm getting a lot better with my irons and accuracy. For me, the driver isn't my worst club but it isn't my main priority either. I may only have the driver as an option on 10-12 shots a round while I'll use an iron on nearly every hole.

I think it is a combination of both but your stats kind of shown that length is important!! But even when you played you stated that he was hitting short irons in that makes it easier to go straight at the pins!! Cool video Peter!!

Peter, I actually broke my driver in 2017. Then I broke my 3w early in 2018. I continued to play and did not notice my scores changing much. However, I did replace driver and all my irons at the end of the season. Gaining irons I previously did not have. I played once after this before winter. I dropped 17 strokes off my game (same course comparison) having finally replacing my driver and having a consistent club selection. Now onto putting improvements.

Really like this format of play and course/swing analysis!

I'm an amateur golfer and have never had a consistent driver shot when playing. I switched to a driving iron a little over 3 weeks ago and I've already shaved a few strokes off my game. They might not go as far but knowing that I'll be in the fairway and not possibly in the woods or bad trouble is a lot better.

I love my 1 iron but love my driver too In my local area our fairways are tight but it’s ok for driver on the holes that have more space, but I am lucky I am 64 and still hit a long ball but my best part of my game is my approach irons

Hi Peter, nice vid. Here's my story. I used to be a pretty reasonable player, got around 320 off the tee on most occasions. In 2010 got frozen shoulder and struggled to even take a club out the bag, yet alone try swing it. So basically stopped playing till the begining of this year. got the urge to play, joined a club and started to play again..good stuff. Even got into the league team (due to past golf life). However 7 odd years of not playing and much beer drinking, my body shape is very different!! My swing has become very short, and swing speed is 20 mph less (now around 96-100) . struggling to hit a driver i was given (915d3 , speeder shaft s flex) so have resorted to using a Callaway mini driver (14 turned down to 13). it carries about 220-230 meters (sometimes a bit more). I don't miss to many shots with it (reckon 75%) fairways hit. and still have a reasonably short iron into the greens at my club. Every time I pull the driver I tend to bogey or worse the hole in play....which no doubt affects my score and therefore my handicap (started the year with a 3, now 3.7)using just the mini driver did manage to go under a few times but with the driver was over par all the time. so giving up some distance and focusing on accuracy helped me, although admittedly have been putting like god lately. My short game is also like my driver use, diabolical!! so for next season my short game will be practised again and a suitable drive will be found (TS3 with 75x even flow) and 20 kg need to go!! Oh did win my club champs and managed 2nd in club matchplay. So moral of the story...accuracy over length and short game must be tip top!!!

This is such an interesting topic! I play off 14 currently. My lowest round at my club is 80 and I didn't use any woods that day (have a driving iron I can hit 215). For me, accuracy is far more important than distance since I'm not short with my irons. I only hit 22% of greens in regulation and 40% of fairways. At least some of that is from blasting my driver 40 yards offline, instead of swallowing my pride and hitting a reliable driving iron somewhere on/near the fairway. One thing my golf buddy and I say to each other for a chuckle, as our drive sails into the trees, is "Well...at least you hit it hard."

Great video. I started using a 3 hybrid off the tee this summer as my driver is all over the place, with the fairways being rock hard and I was hitting it between 180 yards & 200 yards with the odd one getting to about 220 yardsish, but hitting a lot more fairways. I went from scoring around 100 to low 90's.

You are correct, as a high handicapper, I would sacrifice distance for accuracy, but there is the fun factor of smashing driver as well as bragging rights when you actually find fairway 250m +.

Great video Pete. Scoring might be more consistent if you are conservative off the tee, but you cannot score well without using the driver (albeit you might score badly). And it’s definitely a more enjoyable round using the driver. At least for this 16 handicapper

I play a variety of courses near me. But I always play best on the shorter courses where I take a driving iron more regularly. Once a course gets long and I have to use driver more, I start adding shot with poor drives.

I play off 15 Pete (well 14.5 😂) and I have to say it’s accuracy for me every time. I really have learnt this the hard way though. I play with a couple of long hitters and the amount of times I try too hard to keep up, it never ever works. When I slow down and plod along with 210-225 drives my game is great. I do feel we all get caught up watching tour pros and a select few amateurs cracking 300+ yard drives and as Matt said, how many of us really play long enough courses that this really has a benefit. Great video Pete. Keep it going.

Best vid for a while peter, liking the strokes gained stats

Hi Peter, nice video again! For me, playing off 30,5 at the moment, distance while hitting (close to) the fairway is the way to go. It just takes so much pressure off my short game, or rather the putting. So, training wise, I am working to improve myself down from the long clubs, aka tee-shots, over the irons, chipping, then putting, in that order. One comment on the video content question you put out one or two videos ago: I watch pretty much every one of your videos, yet I prefer the ones that show you doing what you like or think, or work on,(as in you being yourself) rather then the ones where you try to manufacture an impression or message. So, your training, educational and discussion videos: all thumbs up. The travel, vlog and playing with friends videos: all thumbs up. The "taking apart stuff" not so much. Keep it rolling (and please get your beard back) :-) Great video this one!

I'm a 3.4 handicap. I played 9 holes today. Hit every fairway with my driver today. I'm 96mph max driver swing speed, 240 max summer carry. It was 45 degrees today 2 club drop in distance! I can 100% tell you, from experience, the difference between my 3.4 index and the scratch to plus two handicaps I play with is distance. The guys swing 108 to 118 mph. They outperform on the par 5's and long par 4's. I feel like my wedge game, putting, green side chipping is equal to if not better. They shoot 71's, I'm in the 75-78 range. Lesson...distance is everything when you're separating the good club golfer, or the touring pro.

Accuracy over distance because when I played for my high school team. It always showed in my score and what I’d place when I was accurate off the tee and hitting my fairways. The more fairways hit usually means more greens in regulation, not always but in my experience I always tried to hit the power bomb growing up and get as much distance as I could and never really showed as much of a payoff as hitting longer irons or hybrids off the tee and hitting more fairways

The first thing I see is that highway patrol mustache that I'm glad you didn't keep. LOL love ya man

I live in Florida were a lot of courses have water. As a am long but not very accurate with driver I use my driving iron when I play for money or a amateur tournament. I do not shot as low as with a driver but I rarely make worse than a bogey. I use the P790 UDI.

Distance is important. For lots of Amateurs consistency is more of the weapon but the impression definitely needs to be broken that accuracy is as important as tradition says

I'm a high handicapper (23) and honestly I've noticed that my game varies so wildly day by day. On one day, I may have my driver going fairly well and hitting 240-260 while hitting fairways and semi-rough, only to have my irons and approach game foul up my score. Other days the driver may be sending the ball sky-hooking 40 yards right, but my irons can bail me out and salvage a decent score. Other days my long game and approach are wonderful only to have my putter turn into a stick fueled by nightmares. Days where I play well are days where all three seem to be working "OK" at the very least. However, I'll say this: when my tee shots are wayward, the rest of the game usually follows. If my tee shots are at least doing well, then I know I have a chance on every hole. I feel like I gain far more strokes off the tee than I do in any other part of my game, and I will make decisions on whether I hit irons, woods, or driver based on that.

Pete, the stash. It’s just....right there. 😂 As always, love and appreciate the videos! Love from Michigan.

Just seen this at the right time Pete. Every round I play I blob 5 or 6 holes, usually because of poor drives, yet I continue to use driver coz you always think the next one is going to be creamed 275 yards! Got to leave the driver out of the bag and try and get back to shooting close to my 18 handicap

Great info pete , Been recently thinking about this - You couldn't of timed this video any better!

I believe it depends on your skills level, a pro or low handicap have the skills that if it goes into trouble they can get out of it fairly easily, where as a high handicapper cannot, so has to play the ball back into play so being more accurate of the tees and hitting the fairways would benefit them more.

I tend to go to the range before I play, if I’m stiff I know that driver play is going to be a mess so I keep my driving iron in the bag and choose between the two depending on the day. It’s made a big difference having the option as kingswood in Hatfield is so narrow you will struggle to stay on the course of you can’t hit straight off the tee

For me it has to be an iron off the tee when playing with a higher handicap like mine. In fact this weekend I didn't even take my woods out with me and ended up winning both games as I hit every fairway. If playing a course with long par fours I would understand why the wood may be the better option but only if you can hit it further and also keep it in play most of the time.

First off, excellent vid Peter 👍. Playing off 16 and I would be a bigger hitter in my club and it is a huge benefit ONLY when you couple that with knowing your distances. I have spent a fair bit of time on knowing each clubs distance which is a major factor in actually hitting greens

I'm nearly a scratch golfer, play to a 0.7 handicap. I can't hit the ball as far as I used to in college and high school, my average drive is still about 285. I picked up the P790 UDI 2iron because, on tighter courses, I'd rather be in the fairway and a little shorter than hitting driver in the trees. I can hit the UDI about 235 on a good strike, a stellar shot will go 250-260. I have a buddy that hits the ball MUCH farther than I do. His average drive is nearly 40 yards beyond mine, but he always hits the driver and sometimes gets him into bigger trouble and bigger numbers. But, when he's on...he can go low. The problem with massive distance is that it's no good without a short game. If you hit the ball a long way, you better be practicing short testy shots with wedges. I'd rather have a full shot into a par 4 with my 56 degree than have to pull off a half-shot flip from 40 yards with a 60 degree.

One thing that is different for most armatures from this test is the deficit in club head speed carries over to the other clubs. In my regular group playing the same distance off a par 3 I could be using a 6 iron against a mates 5 wood. And when add 40 yard gap in drive that then becomes a wedge vs 5 wood. Even a very accurate player is at a major disadvantage. BTW my home course is 7005 yards off back tees - I had to improve my driving distance since joining to get better than "bogey golf"

I hit miles past my dad and he still kicks my ass lol. And I have a great short game. But what he has is bein more comfortable on the our course since he's been playing for 10+ years there and consistency.

Great format. A mix of on course vlog and course management works well followed by a review with stats. Me thinks it’s gunna be requested more.

Very interesting study this is because I have always hit the driver well and relatively long off the tee but recently I played two rounds irons only and shot the two best rounds of my life 78 and a 73. So I would suggest that accuracy is more important for the amateur.

Accuracy- and - that is the stuff I like to watch on TV too, the skilled players, F’ing LOOOOVE Spieth for this, trying to keep up with, and beat the long hitting with accuracy from within 100yrds and putting ofcause - all though I must admit - it’s kinda interesting to watch C.Champ breaking through atm - kinda sensing his entrance could be “the next big step” in golfing

I think as far as coaching distance seems to be a natural thing built at a young age. This means coaching should focus on accuracy but coaching should simply embrace and encourage distance. This will help most in young kids swinging hard and growing to be very strong golfers.

Depends on the hole, if loads of room why not use driver? I have a 2 iron which I Iove. Recently I have been using this on 2 of the hardest holes on our course, I was previously making plenty of bogeys and even doubles (lost balls) but the last 2 rounds I have parred these using 2 iron off the tee. As I said depends on hole, not necessarily whole course.

Hi. Driving and chipping is probably the best part of my game but consistently hitting decent irons would definitely bring my game on. Even if only for the par 3s. Great video Pete.

Accuracy over distance every day of the week. Rather steadily getting birdie chances than fighting the way down to the green to maybe 1 in 10 times get an eagle but for the most you will probably fight to get par. Great vid again Pete!!

true answer putting

Pete, first things first I have to say what a fantastic video, absolutely beautifully produced, secondly, I'd take accuracy > distance until I was comfortable to add power

I’m playin to a 14 handicap now, and have committed to biasing to accuracy. On narrow par 4s, I tee off with my ping 2i, and get around 235 straight-ish yds. I only pull out my driver, which I can hit 275, on wide open fairways that accommodate my strong cut tendency with D1. That has shaved 10 strokes off my scores on my home course where mis-hits can often result in a lost ball.

I come at the topic a little differently, I am 60 years old, 6'4" tall and have diabetic neuropathy, I have little feeling in my hands or in my legs below my feet. Also have back, shoulder, elbow injuries from past fun. On any given round I am not sure how my rotation is going to be, nor how my back will do throughout a round. What I have found for me is that my irons and hybrids are far more consistent, and straight than my driver or even my three wood. I can generally get my 5 iron about as far as most peoples 3 woods, and my 3 hybrid or 5 wood near most the guys I play with's drivers. My driver I am either on or off. If the weather is warm and the fairways dry were I can get more run out I am more likely to carry driver than if cool or damp. With balance being an issue and the ball below my feet even a little below being a challenge, accuracy and consistency that I can get from my irons mean a lot more to me. Interestingly I find my modern game improvement irons really don't care a lot if I take a full swing, or a 3/4 back swing, thus when the back is tight I towards the end of slow round, I can still make the irons work. I think driver is nice, but for me depending on course, I have dropped several strokes a round leaving the driver home. I usually carry the 3 wood, but it often doesn't come out either.

Great video!!!... very entertaining... a fun topic... with a visual aspect of getting to watch nice golf swings and a course play... Awesome!!!

I have been talking to myself about this problem. I have a bit of a hook on my driver so when I don’t have a good strike I can feel like I’m never in a good place for my 2nd shoot. But I don’t have driving iron (2 iron) so I’ve been hitting a 4 iron, played today with a friend and he was driving ok but I didn’t feel like I was that far behind me off the tee but did find that it all come down to putting... and found I really need to work on lol. With you all the way love hitting my driving just hate not being that good with it. Love your video Pete and do find they help so keep up the good work 😉

Great video. Love the camera angles and work. One of the best videos I've seen on KZfaq, because I'm also in two minds about this fact (15 years old playing from a 3.4 HI ). Love this type of videos. Thanks for the great video👍. Will definitely try it!

My impression and experience is that distance gets more important when you have a lower hcp. Keeping the ball in play only gets you to a certain level, hitting greens is obviously the most crucial part of the game. Hitting greens gives you the chance when putting. Getting you close to the green off the tee gives you a better chance for a shorter putt. I hit the club off the tee that gives me the best chance of keeping the ball in play and also the club that will give me the shortest distance to green, it's a tough equation and even tougher when all your mates are standing there with a driver in their hands. That leaves me with a 3w or a 4 iron and therefore a lot of times left with a shot harder to either hit the green at all or a very long putt.

That was one of your best vlogs Peter; it really made me think about how I approach my tee shots. The bulk of mine are driver & only irons for short par 3s. But having just watched your vlog I am starting to think of a few holes / occasions when a 3-wood or hybrid would be an advantage to me. Not just with hitting a fairway but also being in a better position for the approach shot. Cheers and thanks!

Need to have distance from the tee for some of the courses I play but do agree that accuracy is key for me

My best year of golf is when I didn't carry a driver in my bag. I used a 12.5* 3 wood off the tee. I kept the ball in play more often and hit more greens. My scores dropped by at least 6 strokes a round. In fairness, I play a lot of shorter courses that I can get away with using fairway wood off the tee.

I would much rather take 3 iron and be playing my second fron the middle of the fairway, even if it is 50yds back

I really enjoyed this video, plus the vlog you did about playing a round with irons only. I haven't had the driver in my bag for several months, and frankly haven't missed it. I'm much more consistent with my M1 3-wood hi-loft.

These are the kind of vlogs mate 👊👍⛳

If I'm striking the ball well I always use driver. Actually bought a P970 for when I'm not. Good video Pete.

No need to fight distance vs accuracy: amateur golfers can benefit from better tee shots, period, in both distance and accuracy. For most golfers, distance and accuracy are tied together anyway since a lot of bad drives are caused by various swing inconsistencies that lead to off strikes that lead to some combo of loss of both distance and accuracy. But on most courses for most amateurs, you can gain the most strokes by improving your drives. I see this in my game as a mid handicap. It's fairly difficult to get into big big trouble after a big drive. Sure, it's doable with the right hazards and whatnot, but you can always play conservative away from that, and as long as your short game is decent enough to get in on the green in the vague vicinity of the hole and not be skulling it all over the place, it's tough to make worse than bogie after a good drive (and you'll make your share of pars or even a few birds that way too). Of course, if you're an amateur and you heel your drive and bend it into the trees or toe it short and leave yourself a long way in... well then all kinds of nasty scores are suddenly on the table.

Depends on "how" accurate... If you can hit fairways or semi rough at 300 yds, then fine, you can shoot well. But the "average" guy can't consistently miss within 10-15 yards of fairway. They'll be 40-50 yards right or left- in the woods, lake, OB, etc... and that's at 220-260 most likely, making recovery even harder. I've actually given up yards over the years to gain accuracy... and it works... mostly...

I would say it depends on the course. If you are playing a tighter course then obviously accuracy but if you are playing something like an open links course, then just take the driver and smash it! :) great video Peter!

I agree that accuracy is probably more important for the majority of golfers. DJ and Koepka have the advantage of being accurate and long. Even if they hit a wayward drive they are usually only in the rough, which is perfectly fine for them. Whereas the average golfer is hitting their drives into the woods or a lake because they have no control and are trying to bomb it. Distance means nothing when you’re constantly in a hazard or oob. For amateur golfers, accuracy first, and then distance. (Even though it really is fun to use the driver).

The great debate , IMO I really think the type of course is a huge factor in D vs A , I used to play a links course when I was younger and it really didn't matter where u where off the tee as u almost always could get a 2nd shot towards the green , but as I have become a little wiser , accuracy is what I strive for , but I'm always looking for the harmony between both now if I buy a new driver . Great vid , once again

Personally, I have plenty of power but some issues hitting the fairway. Of the two, accuracy for the average golfer is more important. Great vid Pete!! Hi from Tennessee!

I play all courses to the 130 yds point. Aim center of green 2 putt and walk away rinse and repeat.i chop the the course up into 3I, 6, 9 iron distances for 16 of 18 holes. Only two par 5 i try and bomb it on my home course.. my 100 to 130 yd shot is what matters most to me. Have a 9 handicap

For my local course I only need driver on a few holes. From the back tees it's only 6,800 yards. So I would say it all depends on the course. Longer open courses, bomb away. Tight short courses play to yardages. Greens in regulation are most important. Then no 3 putts ha.

Id be interested in this test in a 20mph wind. At my home course of Upavon we're on the edge of Salisbury plain. Minimal trees, small greens and long par 4's. Great views but rarely a day with no wind and if there is no wind invariably you'll get thermals blowing up the hills at 15-20mph anyway! Driver can spin up, 3 wood balloon easily... so thinking a 2 iron may be the answer...certainly into wind.

Awesome new format! Love the combination of lesson, stats and course vlog. Great stuff Pete

Love this debate...I personally think the mid to high handicapper should work on accuracy and consistency in strike. Low mid and low handicapper have a consistent enough strike that they could start to work on more of a power game. Pete you do bring up a point about strokes gained but it is around the 12 to 10 handicap that it shows more distance is beneficial, 12 and higher the strokes gained flips to where a good game 100 yards in is beneficial

Interesting video, I do think an important question though is on age and distance too, depending on the standard of players if you’re asking the vast majority of people to try and hit the green regularly from 170+ they’d struggle, especially depending on ground conditions. For me carrying a driver (and I didn’t for about 10 years until 2 years ago when I could afford one!) made a big difference to my game, 400 yard par 4s became opportunities to hit close rather than just being happy being on the green.

I play off 18. I would say a par 5 advantage will be driver off tee. A short par 4 driver not as important. Long par 4 is advantage with driver. Putting is soooooo important. I was on for two on a par 4 and walked off with a 6 😭 Great video Pete and Matty

Great video Peter, it’s an interesting question, I do think there are times the driver will put you in bad positions, but I prefer to attack a course than hang back and just try to play defensively. I think you can get tentative that way and it’s much more fun to have birdie putts than to be really pushing for par