Could You Be The 2017 American Golf Long Drive Champion?

First round qualifying starts next week in every American Golf store across the UK

2017 american golf long drive

First round qualifying starts next week in every American Golf store across the UK

Could You Be The 2017 American Golf Long Drive Champion?

American Golf is gearing up for its annual festival of big hitting with qualifying rounds for its 2017 Long Drive Championship taking place in every American Golf store next weekend.

Now in its third year, the American Golf Long Drive is regarded as the UK Championship with the winners of Ladies, Over 45 and Under 45 categories automatically progressing to the World Championships in the US.

Related: Joe Miller wins World Long Drive Championship

With every American Golf store hosting qualifying, it attracts thousands of golfers who have never before been a part of the Long Drive scene.

2017 American Golf Long Drive Championship

Lucas Dornan won the 2016 American Golf Long Drive Championship

Daniel Gathercole, Director of Marketing and Communications at American Golf said, “Of the six category winners over the past two years, the American Golf Championship was the first ever Long Drive event for five of them.

Related: How to get generate more power

"We’ve unearthed the No. 3 ranked lady in the world, we’ve had several drives in excess of 380 yards at last years’ final, but this was all from a pool of golfers who turned up in store and gave it their best.

2017 american golf long drive

Rebecca McGinley won the Ladies category in 2016 and came 3rd in the World Long Drive Championship in the US

If you think you can hit a long ball then get into a store to see how you match up – you never know where it could take you!"

Related: Lucas Dornan wins 2016 American Golf Long Drive Championship

2017 american golf long drive

2016's winners from left to right: Anton Reader (Over 45s), Lucas Dornan (Under 45s), Rebecca McGinley (Ladies)

First stage qualifying is taking place in every American Golf store between 17th & 20th February.

Winners from each store in the three categories will then progress to regional finals followed by the National final in July.

Entry to the event is completely free and supports American Golf’s drive to get more people hitting more balls, more often.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV