A two-time major champion and the first PGA Tour player to average over 300 yards off the drive, John Daly shares his draw, his approach to the short game, and his putting tips.
John Daly changed the face of golf in the early 1990s: a massive swing, unprecedented driving distance, and two major championships—the 1991 PGA Championship and the 1995 Open at St. Andrews. The first PGA Tour player to average over 300 yards per season, he also shares simple tips on the draw, the chip, and putting. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, and summaries of his video lessons.
Who is John Daly?
John Daly is an American golfer, born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California. He played college golf at the University of Arkansas and turned pro in 1987. His nickname, “Long John,” says it all: for more than ten years, he was the longest hitter on the tour, with a swing of a magnitude that no one had dared to attempt before him.
His career began with a remarkable feat. In August 1991, he was just the ninth and final alternate for the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. He entered the field at the last minute, without having been able to play a practice round, and won by three strokes over Bruce Lietzke. He was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year that same season.
In 1995, he cemented his legacy on golf’s most legendary course: he won the Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews, following a four-hole playoff against Italy’s Costantino Rocca. He won a total of five PGA Tour events, culminating in the 2004 Buick Invitational, which he won in a playoff. He also claimed victory on the European Tour at the 2001 BMW International Open.
Since turning 50, he has been playing on the PGA Tour Champions, where he won the Insperity Invitational in 2017. In 2021, he won the PNC Championship with his son, John Daly II, at 27 under par, two strokes ahead Tiger Woods and his son Charlie. He is still competing in the 2026 senior circuit season.
John Daly's Career Highlights
| Tournament or Record | Result |
|---|---|
| Major Tournaments | 2: 1991 PGA Championship (Crooked Stick), 1995 Open Championship (St. Andrews) |
| PGA Tour Victories | 5: 1991 PGA Championship, 1992 B.C. Open, 1994 BellSouth Classic, 1995 Open Championship, 2004 Buick Invitational |
| Victory on the European circuit | 2001 BMW International Open |
| PGA Tour Champions | 1 win: Insperity Invitational 2017 |
| PNC Championship | 2021 champion with John Daly II (27 under par) |
| Drive Length | First PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards in a season: 302 yards in 1997 |
| PGA Tour leader in driving distance | 11 seasons between 1991 and 2002 |
| Awards | 1991 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Named “Comeback Player of the Year” on the PGA Tour in 2004, following his victory at the Buick Invitational |
| Ryder Cup | The only two-time Grand Slam champion who has never been selected for the Ryder Cup |
John Daly's Game: What We Can Learn from His Lessons
John Daly's draw
John Daly is known for his power, but his natural shot is a controlled draw. At the PNC Championship, he explains it with his son, Little John: legs that stay still at impact while the hands rotate, a club that comes from the inside, and, above all, a Ball Position Set correctly at the left heel. The further forward the ball is, the more it will curve to the left; if you hit it hard, simply move the ball. John Daly's draw, explained with his son Little John.
John Daly's Short Game
Yet the longest hitter of his generation offers beginners this advice: be patient and start with chipping and putting, just like Tiger Woods did as a child. In his view, the score is made within 150 yards of the flag. John Daly: Start with the chip and putt to improve.
John Daly's Putting
On the green, his instructions can be summed up in just a few words: aim with the clubface, stay relaxed, move straight back and straight forward. They appear in a compilation of tips from top players put together by Graham Bensinger. Putting Tips from Top Champions, Including John Daly.
His swing—very long and very fluid—is not a model to be copied exactly as it is. Rather, his lessons remind us that a personal swing, properly adjusted at address, can lead to success at the highest level, and that golf should remain a pleasure.
John Daly's Best Lessons by Topic
- Draw and Address (draw or fade, address posture): John Daly's draw, explained with his son Little John.
- A Short Game and Mental Strength (wedge play, pitching, and chipping, Psychology and Mental Game): John Daly: Start with the chip and putt to improve.
- Putting (Putting): Putting Tips from Top Champions, Including John Daly.
To increase your distance too, check out the topic Speed, Power, and Distance and the page Driving. See also the fact sheets on Tiger Woods, his rival at the PNC Championship, and Bryson DeChambeau, another top hitter on the PGA Tour.
Frequently Asked Questions About John Daly: Career Highlights, Drive, Draw, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is John Daly?
John Daly was born on April 28, 1966, in Carmichael, California; he is 60 years old.
How many major tournaments has John Daly won?
Two: the 1991 PGA Championship at Crooked Stick and the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews, which he won in a playoff against Costantino Rocca.
Why is John Daly's victory at the 1991 PGA Championship famous?
He was the ninth and final alternate. Having entered the tournament at the last minute, without any practice rounds, he won by three strokes over Bruce Lietzke.
How far does John Daly hit his drives?
In 1997, he became the first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards over a full season, with an average of 302 yards—more than 30 yards above the tour average. He led the tour in driving distance 11 times between 1991 and 2002.
How many tournaments has John Daly won on the PGA Tour?
Five: the 1991 PGA Championship, the 1992 B.C. Open, the 1994 BellSouth Classic, the 1995 Open Championship, and the 2004 Buick Invitational. He also has one victory on the PGA Tour Champions, in 2017.
Did John Daly win the PNC Championship?
Yes, in 2021, with his son John Daly II: 27 under par, two strokes ahead of Tiger Woods and Charlie Woods.
How does John Daly play the draw?
During his lesson with his son, he keeps his legs still at impact while his hands rotate, and positions the ball near his left heel: the further forward it is, the more the ball curves to the left.
