Joaquin Niemann’s Driving Performance Will Shock You

When golf fans think of Joaquin Niemann, they think of finesse, accuracy, good hands, and athleticism. What they might not think of is driving, and if you are one of those people, I’m here to tell you that it is a good idea to start.

Niemann’s triumph at LIV Golf’s inaugural event of 2024 in Mayakoba was not a surprise by any stretch of the imagination. When he defected from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf last year, people knew the rival golf league had picked up a stud who is young, athletic, and hungry with a bright future ahead of him.

However, his future might be even brighter than anyone could have initially imagined, as his performance driving the golf ball over the past couple of years has gone under the radar, and it is undoubtedly surprising that it has. This past weekend was just one example of how great Niemann has been off the tee, but it is nothing new.

Joaquin Niemann’s Driving Needs to Be Recognized

Initially, you can look at Niemann’s versatility off the tee, which is something most professionals have to equip to be successful. Niemann can play the high draw or the snapping, low fade, and the shot versatility is something that gives him an advantage over anyone in the field:

Random thought on Niemann…

His unique swing seems to get a lot of attention but I think people underrate how long he is. Says he’s been working on a high-draw tee shot recently, differing from his usual squeeze cut.

You can see the difference here. Also, at the Masters last… pic.twitter.com/NQURZNMK7m

— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) February 5, 2024

Jamie Kennedy of Golf Digest mentioned that Niemann’s distance with driver is one of the most underrated and least-known statistics in professional golf. 

In fact, this past weekend at Mayakoba, only one player in the 54-man field drove the ball longer than Niemann, whose average driving distance for the weekend was 303.4 — it was Bryson Dechambeau, who averaged 307.8 yards off the tee with driver.

This power and accuracy off the tee played into a major advantage for Niemann in the playoff hole against Sergio Garcia. Niemann managed to make a putt in the dark to win the event, but it was set up by an approach shot that was significantly shorter than Garcia’s:

This is not an isolated occurrence, either.

At Augusta last year during the 2023 Masters Tournament, Niemann managed to outdrive all but one player in the field, and he had longer average driving distances than the following players:

• Scottie Scheffler – 9 yards further
• Dustin Johnson – 13 yards further
• Champion Jon Rahm – 19 yards further 

The only player who drove the ball further than Niemann of those who made the cut was Cameron Young.

Swing Breakdown

Niemann employs a lot of power and violent moves in his swing to generate speed and distance. He is small compared to those who are statistically the best drivers in the world apart from Rory McIlroy.

At just 152 pounds and 6′ 0″, Niemann is small and slender, but it does not stop him from hitting it as far as most players in the professional ranks.

His power comes from a controlled backswing and a violent initiation of the downswing, coupled with tremendous side bend that has been utilized by the younger players in today’s professional game. 

Credit: Australian Golf Digest

Will Zalatoris has used this side bend in his swing as well, but it is, unfortunately, the cause of some of his back issues, which has forced him to undergo surgeries and rehabilitation to enable him to perform.

Niemann’s swing mechanics are cause for concern in terms of longevity. However, he has not been plagued with any ailments thus far, so it is a good sign considering his unique ability to avoid back injuries.

These statistics and techniques show that Niemann needs to be mentioned with the best in the world when it comes to driving the golf ball. At the age of just 25, it seems that his well-rounded game will eventually translate to Major Championships. The question that remains is: When will Niemann breakthrough?

Cover Image via National Club Golfer