What Is the Longest Drive in Golf History? Tournament and PGA Tour Records
On this page5
The longest drive in golf depends on the record definition. Mike Austin’s 515-yard tournament drive is the commonly recognized all-competition mark, while Davis Love III’s 476-yard ShotLink drive is the PGA Tour-era record cited by Guinness. For related golf records, see the lowest PGA Tour round, what an albatross is and who has won the most majors.
What is the longest drive in tournament play?
Mike Austin hit a 515-yard drive in the 1974 U.S. Senior National Open Qualifier. That distance is usually described as the longest drive in tournament play, but it is not a PGA Tour ShotLink record.
What is the longest PGA Tour drive?
Davis Love III’s 476-yard drive at the 2004 Mercedes Championships is the Guinness-listed PGA Tour ShotLink-era mark. The measurement scope matters because older events and different systems are not directly comparable.
| Record | Distance | Event or scope |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament-play record | 515 yards | Mike Austin, 1974 qualifier |
| PGA Tour ShotLink-era record | 476 yards | Davis Love III, 2004 Mercedes Championships |
| Long-drive contest | Separate category | Equipment and rules differ |
Why do conditions change drive records?
Wind, altitude, fairway firmness, temperature, elevation drop and roll can add substantial distance. A record number is therefore a measurement in a particular place and set of conditions, not a repeatable carry distance for an average golfer.
Are long-drive contests the same thing?
No. Long-drive competitions use their own equipment, grid, rules and qualifying formats. Their winning distances should not be mixed with tournament golf or PGA Tour ShotLink figures.
How should the record be cited?
Name the player, distance, event, date or year and measurement scope. If a source does not state those fields, do not present its number as the world record.
Frequently asked questions
Did Mike Austin carry the ball 515 yards?
The famous figure is the recorded drive distance, which includes the ball’s travel and roll under the event conditions.
Is 476 yards a modern average?
No. It is an exceptional single drive, not a normal PGA Tour driving distance.
Can equipment make the record longer?
Equipment rules and measurement technology affect comparability, so every record needs its governing definition.
Does the longest drive win a tournament?
No. Distance on one hole does not determine the 72-hole winner.
Are senior qualifiers professional events?
They are organized competitions, but their records should remain labelled by event and circuit.
Will the PGA Tour record change?
It could, so recheck the tour or Guinness page before updating a “longest” claim.
The safest answer is two-part: Austin owns the widely cited tournament-play mark, while Love owns the ShotLink-era PGA Tour mark. Precision is more useful than one inflated number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest drive in golf history?+
Mike Austin's 515-yard tournament drive in 1974 is the commonly cited recognized tournament-play record.
What is the longest PGA Tour drive?+
Davis Love III hit a 476-yard ShotLink-era PGA Tour drive at the 2004 Mercedes Championships.
Why do different websites list different distances?+
They may mix tournament play, PGA Tour ShotLink, long-drive contests, altitude, wind or revised measurements.
Was Mike Austin's drive on the PGA Tour?+
No. It was in the 1974 U.S. Senior National Open Qualifier, so it should not be labelled a PGA Tour record.
Does a tailwind matter?+
Yes. Wind, elevation, fairway firmness and altitude influence how far a ball travels, which is why conditions belong beside the number.
Where can I verify the PGA Tour mark?+
Guinness World Records lists the ShotLink-era PGA Tour mark and explains the official measurement scope.
Sources
Related records & rankings guides
View all →
What Is the Lowest Round in PGA Tour History? The Record 58
Jim Furyk's 58 at the 2016 Travelers Championship remains the lowest round in PGA Tour history. See the score, course, date and how it compares with other sub-60 rounds.
Who Has Won the Most Majors in Golf? Jack Nicklaus Leads
Jack Nicklaus holds the men's record with 18 professional major championships. See the leading totals and how major records are counted.
What Is the Oldest Golf Course in the World?
Guinness lists the Old Course at St Andrews as the oldest golf course in the world, while Musselburgh has an older documented playing claim. Here is the distinction.
Who Invented the Golf Tee? George Grant's 1899 Patent
Dr. George Grant patented a wooden golf tee in 1899. Learn how golfers teed off before it, why Grant did not commercialise it and who popularised the design.
LPGA vs PGA Prize Money: 3.4x, Not 1.7x
The PGA Tour pays $450m a season against the LPGA's $132m. But at major level the gap is half that — the majors have closed, the schedule has not.
What Is the Career Grand Slam in Golf?
A golf career Grand Slam means winning the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship during a career. Six men have completed it.