When we do our golf driver testing, we emphasize accuracy. But how important is it to hit your drive in the fairway? Does it really impact your scoring? We asked Shot Scope to help us gather data to determine if hitting the fairway is as important as everyone says.
Fairways hit versus average green-in-regulation percentage
On average, when a golfer hits the fairway, they are more likely to hit the green in regulation by about 15 percent. This data was collected from all handicap levels on par-4 and par-5 holes. If your goal is to get on the green, it’s easier to do it when approaching from the fairway.
| Fairway Hit | Average GIR % |
|---|---|
| Yes | 37 |
| No | 22 |
Fairways hit versus average score to par
Now we have to look at the numbers that really matter: average score to par. If you hit the fairway, your score will be about .37 shots better than if you missed the fairway. The .37 may not seem like a lot but if you do that on a few holes, it will help you score lower and decrease your handicap.
| Fairway Hit | Average Score to Par |
|---|---|
| Yes | +0.67 |
| No | +1.04 |
PGA Tour players and fairways hit percentage
The PGA Tour golfer who hit the most fairways in 2024 was Aaron Rai at 73.45 percent. You’ll see that some of the other top-ranked golfers for fairways-hit percentage are names you see on the leaderboard often.
Hitting the fairway makes scoring easier.
- Aaron Rai (73.45% – Ranked #1)
- Collin Morikawa (70.18% – Ranked #4)
- Sepp Straka (69.63% – Ranked #5)
- Daniel Berger (69.51% – Ranked #6)
- Lucas Glover (69.37% – Ranked #7)
- Tommy Fleetwood (69.31% – Ranked #8)
- Scottie Scheffler (66.51% – Ranked #19)
How to hit more fairways
Get fitted for the right driver. You may be playing with a club that gives you five extra yards but it’s not worth the spot in your bag if the ball isn’t in the fairway.
Check is your alignment. Next time you go to the driving range, put some alignment sticks on the ground to ensure you’re aiming where you think you are. Many players miss the fairway simply because their aim is off.
Finally, don’t overcompensate for issues like slices or fades by aiming too far left or right. Instead, focus on a target that allows you to keep the ball in the fairway whether you hit it perfectly or miss slightly. Try giving your good and bad drives a chance at a piece of the fairway.
The bottom line
Hitting the ball in the fairway matters. If you want to lower your scores in 2025, a great way to do it is to learn to hit your tee shot in the fairway.
The post Is Hitting The Fairway Important? (Here’s What The Data Shows) appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
