As the Masters kicks off, players will find Augusta National has become longer - from 6,985 yards in 2000 to 7,445 yards. Improved driver and golf ball technology and player skills have led to steadily improved driving distances on the PGA tour. Many older courses are being torn up and lengthened, and new courses are being designed to be longer.
As this article shows
The average driving distance on the PGA Tour has gone from 273 yards in 2000 to about 290 yards today. The average drive of the 50th-ranked player on the PGA Tour was 272 in 1997, 285 in 2002 and 294.7 in 2012.
More fun stats on the PGA site.
Yes Phil Mickelson has a 450 yard drive this year. Davis Love III had a 476 in 2004!
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