We’ve all heard the expression “drive for show, putt for dough” right?

Well sometimes it’s nice just to bomb a driver from the tee so we take a look at the professional golfers who lead the average driving distance stats for this year.

1. Joanna Klatten – 281.372 yards

klatten

Joanna gained her LPGA card in 2014 and during that short time she has risen to the top to the driving distance stats. The driver booming French woman averaged a staggering 281 yards from the tee during the 2016 season.

2. Lexi Thompson – 277.400 yards

lexi1

We all know Lexi has the power to hammer the ball from the tee so it’s no surprise to see her near the top of the driving distance leaderboard.

Notching up an average of 277 yards throughout the 2016 season shows her off season gym sessions, the technology in the Cobra driver and overall talent means she is likely to climb into number one spot in 2017.

3. Sadena Parks – 274.860 yards

Sadena Parks

American Sadena will be a name you’ve probably never heard of. Parks played her way onto the LPGA and gained her card by finishing within the top 10 on the Symetra Tour in 2015.

Judging by the numbers playing with a PXG driver helps you secure a position near the top of the driving distance list.

4. Sei Young Kim – 271.634 yards

Sei Young Kim

With two wins and playing in the Olympic Games in 2016 the South Korean power house show that height doesn’t mean anything when it comes to generating distance.

Swing tempo and timing is the perfect combination that has helped Sei-Young Kim grab the number four spot on the driving distance list.

5. Benyapa Niphatsophon – 271.077 yards

Niphatsophon

Benyapa may only just turned pro at the start of 2016, but this rookie is making a big impression on tour with her driving game.

6. Maude-Aimee Leblanc – 270.650 yards

leblanc

At 6’1″ Maude-Aimee is possibly one of the tallest people on the LPGA and this height advantage helps her to get more distance from the tee. Power doesn’t always come from height and muscle but in Leblanc’s case it definitely helps!

7. Carlota Ciganda – 269.284 yards

INCHEON, SOUTH KOREA - OCTOBER 16: Carlota Ciganda of Spain celebrates after a winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the LPGA KEB-Hana Bank Championship at the Sky 72 Golf Club Ocean Course on October 16, 2016 in Incheon, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

After securing her first victory on the LPGA tour in October she followed it up with her second LPGA win in November. The powerful Spaniard averages an impressive 269 yards in driving distance giving her the number seven spot.

 

Alex Perry

Editor

Alex is a Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.

Handicap: 14

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