Kyle Berkshire Sets Longest-Drive World Record with a 579-Yard Bomb
Two-time World Long Drive champion Kyle Berkshire has made history with an extraordinary 579-yard drive. The incredible feat took place at Rochelle Ranch in Wyoming, where he broke the longest-drive world record. Berkshire, renowned for his record-breaking drives, has now set a new mark in the sport.
In a post on his Instagram account, Berkshire expressed his excitement about the achievement. He stated, “Had a ton of fun pushing the limits at Rochelle Ranch Golf Club and hitting the longest recorded drive in golf history. It was a battle, with Mother Nature giving us some issues in the form of rain and cold weather, but with the perfect combination of a 17-22 mph tailwind off the right and 6700 feet of elevation, I was able to hit a perfectly optimized 233 mph rocket that carried 512 yards and ran out to nearly 580 yards.”
While the Guinness Book of World Records does not recognize long drives outside of competitions, this distance does break the long-standing unofficial record. The official record, which is currently held by Mike Austin, dates back to the 1974 U.S. National Seniors Open Championship in Las Vegas. At 64 years old, Austin launched a 515-yard drive aided by a 27-mph tailwind and using a persimmon driver and balata ball.
In comparison, Berkshire’s longest drive in a competition is 480 yards. However, he and his team documented the attempt on his YouTube channel, “The Bombers Club.” During the video, Berkshire mentioned two other drives that he aimed to surpass: Scott Smith’s 539-yard drive in 2005 and Mike Dobbin’s 551-yard drive in 2007. Berkshire successfully beat Dobbin’s record with his 579-yard monster drive.
Addressing the significance of his achievement, Berkshire stated, “551 is the longest that there is veracity for that was hit on a golf course with golf course conditions. I’m talking about drives where it makes contact with a surface that is not cement. That is agrarian, cultivated surface that is not foreign to the sport of golf.”
Berkshire achieved the record-breaking drive in just around 20 attempts. His precise shot and exceptional technique resulted in a drive that traveled an astounding 579.6 yards. However, Berkshire is not satisfied with this achievement alone. His ultimate goal is to reach the 600-yard mark. He plans to make another attempt in the spring at Rochelle Ranch.
Kyle Berkshire’s groundbreaking accomplishment showcases his immense skill and dedication to the sport of long-drive competition. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, golf enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his future endeavors on the course.