The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why is the average golfer being left behind?

Length and power translate into a high percentage of subpar holes, which other than scoring average is the tour's best statistical indicator of success. Throughout his pro career, Woods' biggest statistical edge over the competition is his better-than-50 percent birdie conversion on par 5s, a direct result of power effectively applied.

Beyond the modern ball, other key factors that have led to more clubhead speed are oversized drivers with larger effective hitting areas, lighter shafts, more efficient swings, bigger and better athletes coming into the game and intense workout regimens. The data from sophisticated launch monitors has helped players find both the optimum-performing club and the swing that produces the ideal launch conditions.

"Everything is telling today's player to swing harder," says Price. "The nature of professional golf has always been to play on the edge of power and control, but it used to be you'd fall off the edge swinging at more than 85 percent power. Today the young guys are learning with equipment that lets them go at it 95 percent, and 95 percent of what they've got in terms of equipment, technique and strength is a hell of a lot more than the 85 percent of what guys from my era had. I mean, it's 50 yards. It's made the game change so much and so fast."

Of course, that's the pro game. Almost all amateurs lack the time, knowledge or talent to, in Mediate's words, max out. But the technology is there for everyone.

"I've approached my career like the woodcarver who, when somebody asked him how he made this beautiful duck, said, `I cut away everything that didn't look like a duck,' " Mediate says during a session on the launch monitor at Callaway's test center in Carlsbad, Calif. "For anybody, getting longer or just better starts with finding out as much as you can about what a golfer is, then cutting away everything that isn't a golfer. It's addition by subtraction."

Taken to the extreme, it's the formula the world's best will keep using to hit drives 400 yards and beyond. Applied even in moderation, it'll help the average golfer join the revolution.

+28 YARDS

VIJAY SINGH
Driving distance
1997: 280.9
2003: 308.9
Clubhead speed:
113 mph
Ball speed: 176 mph
Launch angle:
10.7 degrees
Ball spin: 2,600 rpm
Driver: TaylorMade
R510, 9.5 degrees
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

+34 YARDS

PETER LONARD
Driving distance
1997: 259.2
2003: 293.5
Clubhead speed:
111 mph
Ball speed: 168 mph
Launch angle:
11.7 degrees
Ball spin: 2,673 rpm
Driver: TaylorMade
R580, 8.5 degrees
Ball: Callaway CTU 30

+24 YARDS

ROBERT ALLENBY
Driving distance
1997: 276.6
2003: 300.3
Clubhead speed:
112 mph
Ball speed: 161 mph
Launch angle:
8.5 degrees
Ball spin: 2,390 rpm
Driver: TaylorMade
R580, 8.5 degrees
Ball: Srixon Hi-Brid Tour

+24 YARDS

PHIL MICKELSON
Driving distance
1997: 284.1
2003: 308.0
Clubhead speed:
120 mph
Ball speed: 178 mph
Launch angle:
13 degrees
Ball spin: 2,200 rpm
Driver: Titleist 983K,
8.5 degrees
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x