After existing as a pro sport for nearly a century, many fans wonder what are the longest golf drives ever. Although it is a game known for its finer nuances and technique, there are times when powerful drives and bad luck merge to create some historic moments.
With that in mind, here are the five individuals who blended sports and comedy to create the world’s longest golf drive records.
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5. Davis Love III – 476 yards at the 2004 Mercedes Championship
Two of the longest drives actually happened on the same course and are separated by just two years. While one came from a player known for their power stroke, No. 5 on our list comes from PGA Tour great Davis Love III.
In Love III’s moment of history, he got the benefit of a downhill section of a steeply cambered fairway on the final hole in Round 4 of the Mercedes Championship in 2004. By the time it stopped rolling, he had a drive that went 476 yards.
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4. Dustin Johnson – 489 yards at the 2018 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play
Dustin Johnson is the Mark McGwire of today’s current PGA tour when it comes to the longest golf ball shots. And he outdid himself in 2018 at an untelevised event in Texas when he unfurled a 489-yard drive that landed him on this unfortunate list.
Johnson won none of his matches during a forgettable run in the tournament, but he left setting a course record and added another layer to his reputation as the big bopper of PGA tour driving distance in the modern era.
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What is Bryson DeChambeau’s longest drive?
Bryson DeChambeau is one of the top power drivers in the sport today. While he did not land on our list of the five longest golf drives ever, he wasn’t far off. The man who has won 10 pro events actually hit a 480-yard drive during an event in 2021.
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How far did Jack Nicklaus drive the ball?
Jack Nicklaus is one of the greatest golfers of all time and in his day he could swing a club with the best of them. While he didn’t land on our top five of longest golf drives ever, his personal best came in 1963 when he boomed a 341-yard blast during the PGA Championship.
3. Tiger Woods – 498 yards at the 2002 Mercedes Championship
Even legends of the game have had moments of powerful drives gone awry. Tiger Woods landed on this list via one memorable stroke at the 2002 Mercedes Championship. When he unloaded with a 498-yard drive that careened off the green.
The Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii has long been known as a place where drives can go to die. Especially with an assist from the winds of the Pacific. Woods had a taste of the frown-inducing powers of The Plantation 20 years ago.
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What was John Daly’s longest drive?
John Daly is a beloved player not just for his unique clothing style and smoking but his ability to smash a golf ball. At his best, he could consistently drive a ball nearly 300 yards. However, he actually once hit a drive that was over 800 yards but it did not come during an event or even on a golf course.
2. Mike Austin – 515 yards at the 1974 National Seniors Open Championship
Mike Austin should be called “Mike Awesome” since his 1974 strike is recognized by Guinness as the official world record holder for a golf drive. And the historic shot had several unique elements to it. Firstly, the absurd 515-yard drive at the National Seniors Open Championship was made by a 64-year-old man with a wood driver. The old fella also had the aid of a 27 MPH wind at his back.
What adds a real level of hilarity to the record-setting shot, is that the hole was 455 yards away. This means the virile senior tour member missed his mark by 60 yards. He may not have been the winner of the championship that year, but he scored with fans who dig the long ball.
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1. Carl Cooper – 787 yards at the 1992 Texas Open (Unofficial)
Carl Cooper had a disastrous start to the third hole of the 1992 Texas Open, however, the horrible day did land him in the history books. His blast towards the green bounced past the green, beyond the sixth tee, and eventually came to a stop behind the twelfth green. After the ball finally came to a halt, it set the record for the longest drive at 787 yards.
Although the final number is disputed by golf historians, Cooper is still considered the man who hit the longest golf drive in the sport’s lore. For a player who never logged a top-10 finish in his career, at least he will forever be remembered for his epic fail 30 years ago.
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How far can Rory McIlroy drive?
Rory McIlroy is one of the best and most popular players on today’s PGA Tour. However, many golf fans also wonder if he is among the elites in driving the ball as well. Well, he actually is among the best in that facet of the game too. The Irish superstar averages 326.6 yards on his drives during PGA play.