What are the distance "formulas" for player groups?

[Adam_F_Collins]

What are the distances expected of the various player groups? By that, I mean Average Male, Average Female, Low-handicap Male/Female, Pro, etc.

As you can see, I don't know what these player groups might be called either.

What are some of the numbers that architects keep in mind in relation to distance of various clubs as the design their courses?

[JR Potts]

I know when Rees re-designed Medinah he put the furthest bunkers at about 310 from the tips then staggered the rest back to about 260.  

[Matthew Hunt]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/skills/4742921.stm

Not exactly what you are looking for but still might help

[Jeff_Brauer]

Adam,

According to studies by ASGCA member Bill Amick, here are average distances for the main "classes" of golfer:

Tour Pro -291 Drives, 226 Max Second
Gary Good/Pam Pro - 255 Drives, 214 Max Second
Mal Middle - 212 Drives, 185 Max Second
Sam Senior/Gail Good - 190 Drives, 149 Max Second
Maude Middle/Sally Senior - 137 Drives, 121 Max Second

The USGA did a one day study of drives on a public course in NJ and came up with similar results.  Less than 1% of drives went over 260.  There were little clusters of typical drives centered at just about 260(3%), 230(16%), 200(57%),  and 170(20%)and about 140(3%), which was oddly symetrical.

Don't know if that was exactly the answer you your question, but that data answered mine - I have recently downsized back tees to merely buttons on my new designs/redesigns and devoted more tee space forward to the 200 yard drive and 6300 yard total course.
         

[JESII]

Jeff,

Curious what the MAX Second means? Surely these guys on TV hit their second shots further than 226, no?

[SB]

All golf course developers should be required to memorize these numbers.  

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jes,

I presume that would be the 3 Wood or whatever. I agree, that it does seem a little skewed to the short side for top players.  However, Bill did the study on a real course in Florida.  His use of Tiger or Tour Pro was really the top players at that club, if memory serves.  

Maybe even those players don't catch the fw metals with authority.  Or maybe I transposed Bills original numbers wrong, and its 236 or 246.

[JESII]

Thanks Jeff,

Interesting numbers, and I would imagine very perplexing to the developer that is pretty sure he needs a 7200 yard course.

[Mark_Fine]

The problem is that many owners (and architects) look at the USGA set up conditions for the U.S. Open.  The "primary landing area" these days for tee shots is out to 315 yards.  

[JESII]

Which architects are doing that Mark?

[Jeff_Brauer]

Jes,

I did an article in golf course news titled, "Your course is too......long?" sharing your sentiment.

I have no problem building 7200 yards plus, as long as the back tee is a button and there is no irrigation or other work between that tee and the fw.  It works best, IMHO, if that tee is offset from the shorter tees, so they can play over turf to the landing areas.

I would also like to know from Mark which gca's are placing bunkers typically at 315 yards, other than for those courses hoping to hold an open. I think most of us still use turn points at 850 or 875 feet for the championship tees, or no more than 900.  Given that far less than 1% of tee shots go more than 260, and about 0.0001% go 315, do we really place bunkers for them?