In 2024, it’s easy to claim that golfers are hitting the ball farther than ever, but we wanted to put it to the test. We compared the longest-serving players on the PGA Tour for every season since 1989. Here’s what we found.
Distance between Humenik and Cameron Champ
Here’s the big question: How much has the distance changed in the last 35 years?
Looking at the differences seen below between Ed Humenik (who posted a 280.9 yard average in 1989) and Cameron Champ (who averaged 323.3 yards in 2024), it’s clear how much the game has evolved. The gap between these two is 42.4 yards.
John Daly’s dominance
John Daly absolutely dominates this list. He was the first to break the 300-yard mark in driving distance and his name appears 11 times. If you ever doubted his legacy as one of the longest players in golf history, this list will prove you wrong.
What’s more impressive (though not reflected in the list) is that in some of the years Daly claimed the title of longest driver on Tour, he won by eight to 10 yards.
Bubba Watson’s consistency
Another key figure in long distance rowing history is Bubba Watson. He had several top finishes in the Longest Car category with five wins and several second place finishes over the years.
Technological advances shape the long run
The evolution of golf equipment has played a large role in driving distances over the years. In 1990, the introduction of the first titanium steering head marked a turning point and you can see the jump in numbers.
In 1995, Callaway introduced Great big Berta titanium driver with his 250cc head. By 2004, the introduction of floating weight technology allowed players to adjust their drivers for maximum distance. The USGA set the 460cc limit for driver head size that same year.
Longest PGA Tour Players (1989 to 2024)
2024 – Cameron Champ – 323.3 yards
2023 – Rory McIlroy – 326.3 yards
2022 – Cameron Champ – 321.4 yards
2021 – Bryson DeChambeau – 323.7 yards
2020 – Bryson DeChambeau – 322.1 yards
2019 – Cameron Champ – 317.9 yards
2018 – Rory McIlroy – 319.7 yards
2017 – Rory McIlroy – 317.2 yards
2016 – JB Holmes – 314.5 yards
2015 – Dustin Johnson – 317.7 yards
2014 – Bubba Watson – 314.3 yards
2013 – Luke List – 306.3 yards
2012 – Bubba Watson – 315.5 yards
2011 – JB Holmes – 318.4 yards
2010 – Robert Garrigus – 315.5 yards
2009 – Robert Garrigus – 312.0 yards
2008 – Bubba Watson – 315.1 yards
2007 – Bubba Watson – 315.2 yards
2006 – Bubba Watson – 319.6 yards
2005 – Scott Hand – 318.9 yards
2004 – Hank Kuehne – 314.4 yards
2003 – Hank Kuehne – 321.4 yards
2002 – John Daly – 306.8 yards
2001 – John Daly – 306.7 yards
2000 – John Daly – 301.4 yards
1999 – John Daly – 305.6 yards
1998 – John Daly – 299.4 yards
1997 – John Daly – 302.0 yards
1996 – John Daly – 288.8 yards
1995 – John Daly – 289.0 yards
1994 – Davis Love III – 283.8 yards
1993 – John Daly – 288.9 yards
1992 – John Daly – 283.4 yards
1991 – John Daly – 288.9 yards
1990 – Tom Purtzer – 279.6 yards
1989 – Ed Humenik – 280.9 meters
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