In 1986, Jack Nicklaus won The Masters, and the game was vastly different to how it is played today.

Accuracy and precision won Nicklaus his sixth Masters, a skill that was far more emphasised back then. Fast forward to the modern day, and it’s distance that is dominating the game.

Golf courses around the world are undergoing renovations to keep up with the ever-increasing distances of the modern pro, including the Old Course at St Andrews. 

But just how much farther do players on the PGA Tour hit the ball than 40 years ago?

How far PGA Tour players hit the ball in 2026 compared to 40 years ago

PGA Tour players hit the ball so far in the modern day that there are outcries for a rollback of technology to rein in the distance.

In 2026, players hit the ball an average of 306 yards off the tee. Aldrich Potgieter led the way with an average distance of 331 yards, breaking the PGA Tour record. Rory McIlroy also broke the previous record, averaging 330 yards off the tee. 

Rewinding 40 years, it’s shocking how much farther players hit the ball today. The average driving distance on the PGA Tour in 1986 was 262 yards, 44 yards shorter than the average distance this season.

Davis Love III led the PGA Tour in driving distance, averaging 285.7 yards, 46 yards shorter on average than Potgieter. 

When you consider that golf courses were designed for the distances of Nicklaus’ era, it’s clear to see why the game is in such big trouble.