What is Strokes Gained?
Strokes Gained is a modern golf statistic that analyzes the result of each shot a golfer hits to determine how it compares to the field average. This data can then be broken down into specific segments of a golfer’s game, such as driving, approach, short game, and putting, to learn which elements of their game are gaining or losing the most strokes. This would be me holding my hand up when it comes to putting. The concept of Strokes Gained was introduced by golf statistician Mark Broadie in 2006, and it has since become a popular tool for golfers at all levels to evaluate their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Strokes Gained has revolutionized the way golfers approach practice and strategy. By analyzing each shot in detail, golfers can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses and tailor their training accordingly. For example, if a golfer discovers that they are consistently losing strokes on their approach shots or putting (more on that later), they can focus their practice on improving that aspect of their game.
Strokes gained compares a player’s performance to a benchmark, which is the average number of strokes it takes a professional golfer to complete a hole or round. Strokes Gained can also be used to evaluate the performance of professional golfers, providing valuable insights for coaches, analysts, and fans alike.
For more insight into strokes gained, I recommend going to the expert himself. Mark Broadie wrote a book called Every Shot Counts. If this topic interests you in any manner, add this book to your golf library.
The Concept of Strokes Gained
The concept of Strokes Gained is relatively simple: it measures how much better or worse a golfer performs on each shot compared to the benchmark. For example, if the benchmark for a particular hole is 4 strokes, and a golfer completes the hole in 3 strokes, they have gained 1 stroke. Conversely, if they complete the hole in 5 strokes, they have lost 1 stroke.
Strokes Gained takes into account various factors that can affect a golfer’s performance, such as the distance and lie of the ball, the type of shot (e.g. tee shot, approach shot, putt), and the difficulty of the hole. By comparing a golfer’s performance to the benchmark, strokes gained provides a more accurate picture of their skill level than traditional statistics like fairways hit or putts per round.
How is Strokes Gained Calculated?
Strokes Gained is calculated using a complex algorithm that takes into account a wide range of data points. ShotLink, a system developed by the PGA Tour, collects data on every shot hit during a tournament, including the distance and location of the ball, the lie type, and the club used. This data is then used to calculate the benchmark for each hole, which is the average number of strokes it takes a professional golfer to complete the hole.
Once the benchmark has been established, Strokes Gained can be calculated for each shot. To do this, the system compares the golfer’s performance on that shot to the benchmark, taking into account the various factors mentioned above. The result is a number that represents how many strokes the golfer gained or lost on that shot compared to the benchmark.
Strokes Gained can be calculated for each individual shot, as well as for different aspects of the game (e.g. driving, approach shots, putting). This allows golfers to identify specific areas of their game that need improvement, and to track their progress over time.
Why is Strokes Gained Important?
Strokes Gained is a statistical analysis that has revolutionized the way golfers assess their performance on the course. It provides a more accurate representation of a player’s strengths and weaknesses by measuring the difference between the average number of strokes taken to complete a hole and the number of strokes taken by the player. This section will explore the benefits of Strokes Gained analysis and how it compares to traditional golf statistics.
Benefits of Strokes Gained Analysis
Strokes Gained analysis provides players with a more comprehensive understanding of their game. By breaking down a player’s performance into individual components such as driving, approach shots, chipping, and putting, it helps players identify areas where they need to improve. This information is particularly useful for players who want to take their game to the next level and compete at higher levels.
Strokes Gained analysis is also an effective tool for coaches and instructors. By analyzing a player’s performance, coaches can identify areas where the player needs to improve and develop a training plan to help them improve their game. This approach is much more effective than a one-size-fits-all training program that doesn’t take into account a player’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
How to Use Strokes Gained Data
Strokes Gained data provides a wealth of information to golfers looking to improve their game. By analyzing each shot hit during a round, golfers can determine which aspects of their game are strong and which areas need improvement. Here are some ways to use Strokes Gained data:
Analyzing Your Own Game
The first step in using Strokes Gained data is to analyze your own game. This involves breaking down your shots into different categories such as driving, approach, short game, and putting. By doing this, you can see which areas of your game are costing you the most strokes and where you need to focus your practice.
For example, if you find that you are losing the most strokes on your approach shots, you can work on improving your accuracy and distance control with your irons. Alternatively, if you are losing strokes on the green, you can work on your putting to improve your overall score.
Using Strokes Gained to Improve Your Game
Once you have analyzed your own game, you can use Strokes Gained data to improve your performance on the course. One way to do this is to set specific goals for each category of your game. For example, you may want to improve your driving accuracy by hitting more fairways or your putting by reducing the number of three-putts.
Another way to use Strokes Gained data is to track your progress over time. By keeping track of your Strokes Gained stats over multiple rounds, you can see if your practice is paying off and if you are improving in the areas that you have identified as weaknesses.
Strokes Gained and Course Strategy
Strokes Gained data can also be used to develop a course strategy. By analyzing the Strokes Gained stats for specific holes or courses, golfers can determine which shots are the most important and where they should focus their practice.
For example, if a course has a lot of dogleg holes that require accurate tee shots, golfers can focus on improving their driving accuracy to gain an advantage over their competitors. Similarly, if a course has difficult greens, golfers can work on their putting to gain strokes on the field.
Overall, Strokes Gained data is a powerful tool for golfers looking to improve their game. By analyzing their own performance and developing a course strategy based on Strokes Gained stats, golfers can gain a competitive edge and lower their scores on the course.
A Look At Strokes Gained Putting
The calculation of Strokes Gained Putting takes into account several factors, including the distance of the putt, the position of the ball on the green, and the number of putts taken. The PGA Tour uses ShotLink technology to record the position of every ball on the green, which allows for accurate calculations of Strokes Gained Putting.
Other factors considered in the calculation include the slope and contour of the green, the speed of the greens, and the weather conditions. These factors can have a significant impact on a player’s putting performance, and Strokes Gained Putting takes them into account to provide a more accurate measure of a player’s skill on the greens.
Examples of Strokes Gained Putting Calculations
Here is an example of how Strokes Gained Putting is calculated:
| Distance of Putt | Number of Putts Taken | Expected Number of Putts by PGA Tour Average | Strokes Gained/Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 feet | 1 | 1.5 | +0.5 |
| 20 feet | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 30 feet | 3 | 2.5 | -0.5 |
In this example, the player gained 0.5 strokes on a 10-foot putt, lost 0.5 strokes on a 30-foot putt, and made par on a 20-foot putt. The total Strokes Gained Putting for this round would be 0.
Strokes Gained Putting is a powerful tool for golfers looking to improve their performance on the greens. By accurately measuring a player’s putting performance, it provides valuable insights into areas where a player can improve and helps them to make more informed decisions on the course.
Why is Strokes Gained Putting Important?
Strokes Gained Putting is an essential statistic in golf that measures a player’s performance on the putting green. By tracking strokes gained putting, players can determine how many strokes they are gaining or losing compared to their competitors. This information is crucial for golfers who want to improve their game and lower their scores.
Benefits of Using Strokes Gained Putting
One of the benefits of using strokes gained putting is that it provides a more accurate way to measure putting performance. Traditional putting statistics, such as putts per round, do not take into account the length and difficulty of each putt. Strokes Gained Putting, on the other hand, factors in the distance of each putt and compares a player’s performance to the average performance of other players on the same course.
Another benefit of using strokes gained putting is that it allows players to identify their strengths and weaknesses on the green. By tracking strokes gained putting over time, players can see which areas of their putting game need improvement. This information can help players develop a more effective practice routine and make targeted improvements to their game.
How Strokes Gained Putting Can Improve Your Game
Strokes Gained Putting can help players improve their game by providing a clear picture of their putting performance. By tracking strokes gained putting, players can identify areas of their game that need improvement and make targeted changes to their approach. For example, if a player consistently loses strokes on longer putts, they may want to focus on improving their lag putting skills. I tend to have issues with putts within 6 feet so I am currently working on my putting with Devil Ball.
Strokes Gained Putting can also help players develop a more effective practice routine. By identifying their strengths and weaknesses on the green, players can focus their practice time on the areas that need the most improvement. This targeted practice can lead to significant improvements in a player’s putting game over time.
Overall, Strokes Gained Putting is an essential statistic for golfers who want to improve their game and lower their scores. By tracking strokes gained putting and using the information to make targeted improvements, players can develop a more effective putting game and become more competitive on the course.
Limitations of Strokes Gained
While Strokes Gained is a valuable tool for analyzing a golfer’s performance, it is not without its limitations. Two of the most significant limitations are data collection and accuracy and applicability to different skill levels.
Data Collection and Accuracy
One of the primary limitations of Strokes Gained is the accuracy of the data collection. The system relies on accurate measurement of each shot, including distance, lie, and other factors. If the data is not collected accurately, the resulting analysis will be flawed.
Additionally, not all golf courses have the necessary technology to collect this data, which limits the applicability of Strokes Gained to only those courses that have the necessary technology.
Finally, the system does not take into account external factors such as weather conditions, which can significantly impact a golfer’s performance.
Applicability to Different Skill Levels
Another limitation of Strokes Gained is its applicability to different skill levels. The system was originally designed for professional golfers, and while it has been adapted for use by amateurs, it may not be as accurate for lower skill levels.
Beginner golfers may not have the same level of consistency in their shots, which can make it difficult to accurately measure their performance. Additionally, Strokes Gained does not take into account the mental aspect of the game, which can have a significant impact on a golfer’s performance.
Overall, while Strokes Gained is a valuable tool for analyzing a golfer’s performance, it is important to understand its limitations and use it in conjunction with other tools and strategies to get a complete picture of a golfer’s performance.
How Can You Use Strokes Gained?
My recommendation is to use an app. Take your time to look into these apps for Android and iOS.
Strokes Gained is a modern golf statistic that has revolutionized the way golfers analyze their game. It provides a comprehensive measure of a player’s performance on the golf course, taking into account every shot they hit and comparing it to the performance of their peers.
Strokes Gained is not just a tool for professionals. Amateurs can also benefit from using Strokes Gained to identify areas of their game that need improvement. By analyzing their Strokes Gained data, golfers can gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses, and develop a plan to improve their game.
While Strokes Gained is a powerful tool, it is important to remember that it is just one of many statistics that can be used to analyze a player’s performance. It should be used in conjunction with other data, such as fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts per round, to get a complete picture of a player’s game.
Strokes Gained has become an integral part of the golfing world, and it is likely to continue to grow in importance in the years to come. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated tools and analytics that will help golfers improve their game and achieve their goals.
