The Longest Golf Drive Ever

Date Published: 27/08/2025

Whether you play professionally or for fun, achieving a longer drive is among most golfers’ aims and many agree that watching someone achieve their longest drive can be awe-inspiring. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the longest drives ever recorded, what a “drive” means in golf, and how you can increase your own driving distance.

What is a drive in golf?

A drive is the first shot taken from the tee box on any given hole, usually using a driver or another long club. The goal is simple: hit the ball as far as possible down the fairway to set up your next shot.

What is the longest drive in golf?

The longest drive in golf ever recorded is 579.63 yards by long drive specialist Kyle Berkshire at Rochelle Ranch Golf Course in Wyoming. The drive was made in ideal conditions, including high altitude and a strong tailwind – both of which help boost ball distance.

Long drive competitions

Long drive competitions have been around since the 1940s. However, more formalised events were created in the 1970s, followed by The World Long Drive Championship being founded in 1974.

The ultimate goal of long drive competitions is to hit the ball as far as possible, while keeping the ball within the marked grid. 

Depending on the league and event being played, players will be given an allotted amount of time to hit 6-8 drives. For World Long Drive Association competitors, it is required to use R&A-approved golf clubs with a shaft no-longer than 48 inches and the volume of the golf head can be no bigger than 460 cc. 

Long drive competitions tend to use drivers that are 48 inches, which is between 2.5 – 3 inches longer than standard off-the-rack drivers. This can make a huge difference in the total distance that can be achieved. The drivers also tend to have a loft of between 4-5 degrees, whereas the average golfer tends to use one with between 9 and 10.5 degrees. This reduces ball spin and increases distance.

What are the longest drives ever on the PGA tour?

Although  PGA Tour Players don’t use long-drive-specific equipment, they still hit enormous drives during tournament play, especially in favourable conditions like downhill holes or firm fairways.

Here are the top 5 longest PGA Tour drives recorded:

1. Jake Knapp – 444 yards (Sentry Tournament)
2. Si Woo Kim – 442 yards (Sentry Tournament)
3. Byeong Hun An – 440 yards (Sentry Tournament)
4. Rafael Campos – 437 yards (Sentry Tournament)
5. Matthieu Pavon – 430 yards (Sentry Tournament)

📌 Note: These are official PGA Tour stats, often affected by elevation, fairway conditions, and wind.

How to achieve a longer drive in golf? 

To achieve longer drives, there are a few things you can do:

1. Make groove centre contact – Consistently striking the sweet spot on your driver maximises energy transfer. Use face tape or powder spray during practice to see where you’re striking the ball—and adjust accordingly.
2. Have a good setup – Play the ball forward in your stance, roughly aligned with your lead foot instep. This promotes an upward angle of attack, leading to better launch conditions.
3. Turn your torso – A strong turn away from the target loads your body for more power through the ball. Don’t just swing with your arms, use your core.
4. Utilise a fitter – Ensuring your golf clubs are right for you will help you achieve a better distance. Obtaining the help of a professional fitter allows you to utilise their knowledge to start using drivers that are more likely to help you achieve a bigger distance.
5. Try speed training – Investing in speed training can help you master the speed you apply in your swing. The higher your speed, the longer your distance. 

Are you looking to improve your driver distance, but aren’t sure how to keep track? iGolf’s platform allows you to easily track your performance and obtain a Handicap index, allowing you to play against a range of golfing abilities. 

Join iGolf and start improving your drive distance today.