Will Shaw, PhD, MSc, PGA Pro

The goal of Break X Golf is to help you lower your handicap in the most effective way possible. We built the app on solid scientific principles, and we aim to keep developing it based on data. I’ve just spent the last few weeks analysing the performance data collected over the past 24 months. Here’s … Read more

Understanding how driver distance varies across handicap levels reveals surprising patterns about what truly separates elite players from higher handicappers. This data, compiled from thousands of rounds across handicap levels from scratch to 25, shows that distance drops as handicap increases—but not in the way most golfers expect. 📊 Key Findings Across All Handicaps: Scratch … Read more

Twenty-five handicap golfers average 191 yards off the tee with the driver: 13 yards behind 20 handicappers and 68 yards behind scratch players. With other clubs, 25 handicappers show modest gapping: 148 yards with the 3-wood, 141 with a 5 wood, and 122 with a 4 hybrid. This distance profile makes regulation-length courses challenging, with … Read more

Twenty handicap golfers average 204 yards off the tee with the driver, the same distance as 15 handicappers. This distance profile means most regulation-length courses present significant challenges, with many par 4s requiring hybrid or long iron approaches, and par 5s firmly in three-shot territory. 📊 20 Handicap At-a-Glance: The fairway hit percentage sits at … Read more

Fifteen handicap golfers average 204 yards off the tee with the driver, representing a significant 23-yard gap from 10 handicap players. With other clubs, 15 handicappers show reasonable gapping—176 yards with the 3-wood, 169 with a 3 hybrid, and 154 with a 4 hybrid. This distance profile means longer par 4s become genuine three-shot holes, … Read more

Ten handicap golfers average 227 yards off the tee with the driver, sitting close to 5 handicappers at just 4 yards behind. This distance profile keeps most regulation par 4s within reach, though longer courses can start to expose the gap between mid and low single-digit players. 📊 Ten Handicap At-a-Glance: The fairway hit percentage … Read more

Five handicap golfers average 231 yards off the tee with the driver, sitting 28 yards behind scratch players but still well ahead of mid-handicappers. 📊 Five Handicap At-a-Glance: The fairway hit percentage sits at 49%—actually slightly better than scratch golfers—but the trade-off comes in approach shot length. At 173 yards into greens on average, 5 … Read more

Scratch golfers average 259 yards off the tee with the driver, putting them significantly ahead of mid-handicappers but still 40 yards behind PGA Tour averages. 📊 Scratch Handicap At-a-Glance: The fairway hit percentage sits at 46%, which might seem low, but this comes with added distance, and being in the rough with 130 yards to … Read more

If you’re serious about getting better at golf, the winter represents a great time to reflect, reset and prepare for an exceptional golfing season. In this article, we break down how to practice golf in the winter to truly make a difference to your handicap and scoring. Here is a free tool to get you … Read more