Driving Distance Way Up...Let's Anticipate The Spin!

E. Michael Johnson notes in Golf World Monday (link should work for non-subscribers, too) that the PGA Tour average through the Wells Fargo Championship is at "286 yards, an increase of 4.6 yards over the same period last year and an average increase of 3.25 yards over the same period for the prior four seasons. This is notable because distance has essentially been flat the past six years."

Johnson quotes Jeff Overton pointing to the improved player athleticism, which is certainly a major component when you combine these modern day Bruce Jenners' with today's fitting and hi-tech stuff. But of course, athleticism was also the primary claim of many during the last spike.

Johnson also reminds the governing bodies of their 2002 statement suggesting any significant jumps at the highest level would prompt action. That pesky statement!

As for the inevitable spin so the bluecoats won't have to do anything (I've no lost count of what year we are in on the infamous ball study), I'm going to go with the governing bodies chalking this up to firmer, drier courses in 2011. And they would not be wrong since the PGA Tour has performed a rain dance on nearly every city it visits the last few years. But inclement weather was never noted by those celebrating the problem was "surrounded."