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Why do taller golfers hit ball farther?

Author

Emily Ross

Published Jan 23, 2026

The reason taller golfers hit it farther is mostly because their size provides a frame for more muscle and larger lever arms at the joints. The rest of it -- larger arc, more massive body -- reduces clubhead speed, and the longer club doesn't get enough back to make up for it.

Can taller people hit a golf ball further?

A taller golfer will generally drive the ball further, roughly 1.5 yards for every extra inch of height.

Is height an advantage for golf?

The numbers indicate that taller players on the PGA Tour do not hold an advantage over shorter players. In the reverse, shorter players on the PGA Tour may hold a slight advantage over taller players based on their durability, making them less prone to injury.

Why are tall people better at golf?

Well, they have a couple of advantages. They have more inherent stability in their swing plus their height confers a consistency in the plane of their swing. This is something that tall golfers can struggle with as their height can give them more options which is often not a good thing in golf.

Does height affect distance in golf?

If you tee the ball too high, your clubface may strike the lower half of the ball, resulting in severe backspin or causing you to drive the ball high, resulting in less distance.

41 related questions found

Does tee height matter?

Yes, tee height matters especially the consistency of the height you tee each club at. Tee height can have a profound effect on the spin rate of the ball during the shot. You can even gain significant yardage by getting the tee height correct with the driver.

Can golfers be short?

Being short in stature can be an advantage on the golf course, and is a proven fact on the PGA Tour.

How far does Tiger Woods hit a 7 iron?

Tiger Woods is a legend of golf but on average, how long does he hit a 7 iron? Tiger hits his 7 irons approximately 172 yards. This is an average figure and there will times when Tiger hits the ball closer to 200 yards.

At what height should you get longer golf clubs?

Your Height

If you are taller than about 6'0”, you will likely need clubs that are a bit longer than normal. The standard golf clubs that come from the manufacturer are typically built to help golfers who are around 5'7” to 6'0”. If you are 6'4”, you can almost guarantee that you will need longer golf clubs.

What is the average height of a PGA Tour player?

The average height for the winners of the 235 PGA Tour events studied is roughly 71.8 inches, or nearly 6 feet tall.

Do long arms help in golf?

Based on years of research, Adams found that golfers whose forearms are shorter than their upper arms need to swing more around their body, getting the club shaft to a “flatter” position at the top of the backswing. Players with longer forearms should elevate the club in a more upright position.

Is golf harder for shorter players?

Additionally, shorter length golf clubs can provide more control to the golfer, essentially making the golf club more forgiving. While longer clubs can help increase speed and launch angle, shorter clubs can be easier to hit solid due to the reduction in swing arc.

How Far Can John Daly drive a golf ball?

John Daly can drive a golf ball 300 yards. Three hundred yards is undoubtedly a ton of distance even though, today, many people can drive the ball further than 300 yards. In his prime, John Daly was one of the longest drivers of the golf ball.

How far can Charlie Woods drive the ball?

So, according to ESPN, last year, Charlie Woods was finding fairways consistently with a driving distance of about 200 yards. The 12-year-old Woods routinely bombed 200 yards off the tee, which is incredible at this age.

What is a 8 iron used for?

The 8 and 9 irons are commonly called the "short irons". They have the highest-mass clubheads and the shortest shafts of the numbered irons, and are used for shots requiring high loft or moderate to short distance (typically between 130 and 150 yards with a full swing).

Do pros play shorter clubs?

Most pro golfers use shorter shafts on their drivers than recreational golfers. Is this true? Absolutely true.

Are shorter irons better?

A shorter club technically should improve control and accuracy. A longer club technically should increase distance. A club that is properly fitted in terms of the length of the shaft will maximize accuracy and distance.

How do I know if I need shorter golf clubs?

If a player has clubs that are too short, they will usually bend over too much from the waist in their address position. Conversely, clubs that are too long will require the player to stand too erect. Both of these subconscious adjustments could potentially make their swing motion less effective than it should be.

How can older golfers get more distance?

10 tricks to boost your driving distance as you get older

  1. Use your hands and wrists. ...
  2. Close your stance. ...
  3. Turn early. ...
  4. Turn your hips, too. ...
  5. Make the club lighter on your backswing. ...
  6. Lighter clubs. ...
  7. Use more loft. ...
  8. Proper ball position.

How high do pros tee up irons?

As a general rule, tee up an iron shot so the ball is just above ground level. It should look like the ball is sitting on the top of the short blades of grass on the tee. For a hybrid club, tee the ball slightly higher, about a half inch above ground level.

How high do pros tee up driver?

So what's the right height? From a poll of GOLF's Top 100 Teachers, the ideal tee height is about 1.5 inches for driver. A good checkpoint is that half the ball “peeks” above the crown after you sole the club at address.