Simple Distance Change Could Bridge the Gender Gap in Golf, According to Leading College Coach
The distance gap between men's and women's golf remains significant, with women generally not pursuing distance gains as aggressively as their male counterparts. University of Southern California women's golf head coach Justin Silverstein explains this disparity stems primarily from early instruction approaches.
While PGA Tour players have increased average driving distances by 14 yards over 20 years (292 to 306 yards), LPGA Tour gains have been more modest, moving from 254 to 263 yards. Male players regularly achieve ball speeds of 190mph and club-head speeds of 120mph, compared to women's averages of 145mph and 105mph respectively.
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Silverstein identifies a critical issue: most instructors, even elite ones, don't emphasize speed training for young female players. "It couldn't be more different, men versus women, as far as chasing distance is concerned," he notes. The optimal window for developing speed is between ages 13-18, but many female players miss this opportunity.
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Even at USC's elite program, significant distance gains prove challenging. Notable long-hitters like Catherine Park, Amari Avery, and Amelia Garvey arrived with established power, swinging around 110mph, but substantial improvements were rare.
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The solution, according to Silverstein, lies in shifting junior instruction focus from purely positional teaching to incorporating functionality and speed training. This change could help female players develop power earlier, potentially closing the distance gap in future generations.