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About 15 years ago, I had my swing speed measured because I had decided to build my own set of clubs. Measured driver speed averaged out to 94 mph.
In 2001, I was in an auto accident, and got nerve damage. When I got to start playing again, I was doing good to hit the drive 220 yards or so. Stretching and working out with a weighted club every day got my swing speed over 20 mph faster than it was before I got hurt, so it is possible to add the speed.
I'm no less accurate now than I was then. I'm actually more accurate because my swing is more on plane now than it was before. I just have to watch out for the hook if I decide to really crank into it.

You're not nuts. I've picked up a lot of distance this summer and it is NICE! I'm not really sure how far my best drives are going but I know they're over 270. Accuracy hasn't been a problem either. On tight holes I hit a 3W or hybrid, and hit the 3W further than I use to hit the driver. The extra distance isn't necessary, but lower scores aren't necessary either. The extra distance simply makes scoring easier as Viper pointed out. Now if I can only pick up some distance on my irons?

I made one change in my swing, and gained 15 yards with all my irons. Just as accurate, just 15 yards longer. Same swing change also works with the woods off the tee for more carry on those long holes.
Lowof 83 says he gained 20 MPH of swing speed, That means a possible gain of 30MPH of ball speed, assuming solid contact. That can mean an extra 75 yards more yardage off the tee with a driver. Not too bad I'd say. Good going 83.

no, because most public courses rough is not penalizing...

yea, but remember that rough at most courses isn't nearly as thick as on the professional level so it will still be in good shape even in the rough.

going for it is a great attitude to take to the golf course, that way you will stay confident and just let it fly. it takes time to increase distance but don't focus on just hitting it farther.

the farther you hit it the better your short game has to be.

focus 75% on your short game and 25% on your long game

Assuming that you make good contact then it comes down to swing speed. Perfecting your swing can add that speed but only to a point. taht is why some pitchers can throw a fastball 96 MPH while a guy with equal mechanics can only throw 83 MPH. The same goes with running speed, jumping etc. You can inmprove all of them but then it comes down to what you are born with. I know I will never swing a club 115 MPH. But I have gone from 80 back up to 94 MPH since resuming the game. About ten years ago after a back injury I was in Senior Clubs now I can hit Regular and some Stiff Shafts. I am hoping that with some more work I can get to 100MPH which I have only done a couple of times in a simulater. The big deal about scoring and distance is that in order to get eagles on par 5's you have to get it on the green in 2 and that isn't going to happen unless you can drive it over 300 yards. And that is why it is so hard to break 80 when you can't hit it that far.
Today I only played 9 holes due to the heat and humidity and yes the course was nearly empty because of it. I shot a 42 which is my new low record. To get much lower I would need more distance.

Way to go Bob!

I think having good distance off the tee with a driver is important for for good scores. I played up a local course on friday Vale of Glamorgan.

Some might of seen there national course as its on the Eurostar (One below the European tour, think its caleld Eurostar) and Seniors list to play. So you can imagine its got tough holes, hazzards and its tight!

Well i tried to play it with Irons only as i have 0 confidence in my driver and 3 wood currently.

Managed to shoot 100; 50 front and 50 back. Bit disapointed, but i lost 4 balls. Missed 3 simple putts but overall my short game and putting was pretty good. Think i managed to get round with 28 putts. Instead of having the 3 shot a birdie putt chance, i was usally chipping from around the green, trying to get close to the pin to save par

But trying to hold the green with a 3 or 4i is truely tough. I tried to fade the ball a few times to get it to land soft. But they ended up going straight lol!

Anything from a 7 and up i can hold the green and get a bit of spin. I rather take a 300y driver in the rough over a 240 in the fairway

Start spraying your tee shots around my home course and you'll be headed for 100 in a hurry. Miss the fairway by 10 yards on most holes and you WILL have more than ordinary rough to contend with. Even 5 yards will often bring trees into play, and if you get into the native rough, it's a guaranteed stroke added, if you even find the ball.

And that IS a public municipal course.

My average drive is around 220-230. My home course is very demanding. If you hit it a little left or right your lucky if your in the rough, most likely you are out of bounds.

I hit about 85% of fairways and rely on my short game to score. I've broken 80 five times this year. Yes, I'd like more distance, and am working on it (two of the par fours I play I have to lay up on and I find that very frustrating). But it's your short game where you will score. I average 30 putts a round. My personal best this year is 22 putts for 18 holes...my chipping and pitching allowed me to do that.

I know I can hit it longer, and will continue to work on that. But I'll continue to work on my short game too. I've beat more than a few players who hit it 50 yards longer off the tee than I do.

I'm shooting for 260 off the tee with the same kind of accuracy I have now.

Get a shop with a launch monitor and make sure you've got the right launch angle, rigt spin rate, and that your're using the right ball. These 3 things together can add some major yards to the same swing you have now.