Longdriving.nl

Long drive is done on a level target grid about 35 to 55 m (40 to 60 yd) wide instead of on a course. Competitors are given a set number of attempts, usually from 3 to 6, to hit the ball as far as possible within the grid and within a set time limit. A shot must stay within the grid for the distance to be counted; otherwise, it is counted Out-of-Bounds (OB). Major competitions are done over several rounds in a modified double-elimination format.

Professional long drivers can average over 350 yards (320 m) in competition, compared with 300 yard (274 m) averages from the top PGA Tour drivers and 200 yards (183 m) for an average amateur. Some shots in competitions surpass 400 yards (366 m). The world record in a long drive competition is 539 yards (493 m) by Scott Smith, although the record recognized by Guinness Records as longest drive in a competition is 515 yards by 64 year old Mike Austin in 1974 of the US National Seniors Open with a 43.5" steel shafted persimmon wood driver and balata ball.