Statistics and
Why They Matter
By Sue Kim,
BGGA Assistant Coach and former LPGA
professional
Statistics are very important in golf, and it’s even
more important to collect and analyze them regularly.
Professionals looking to shave strokes off their game pay
experts to collect and help them analyze the information.
Statistics can not only help you identify the weaknesses in
your game, but also your strengths which in turn can help
you build confidence.
Properly analyzing your stats can not only help you to
determine where to focus your practice time but help
you strategically plan for the course based on what your
strengths and weaknesses are. Often when looking at
statistics people find that their strengths and weaknesses
are different from their perception.
It’s best to gather the data and analyze it regularly to
improve how you practice. This way you can identify trends
and see how you are improving in the certain areas you
have targeted. Don’t forget to look back each year to see
and celebrate the improvements you’ve made.
Basic Statistics
• Fairway Hits
Information on driving accuracy; hitting the fairway gives
better chances to approach the green with a clean shot.
• Greens in Regulation
Information on birdie opportunities.
• Up and Down Percentage
Information on short game/mistake coverage.
• Putts per Round
Information on average number of putts per round.
More advanced statistics that you can start to use as you
become a better player are as follows.
• Location of missed shots
Do they finish long, short, right or left and how much.
• 1st Putt Distance
Information on accuracy of approach shots into the green.
This is basically like tracking your proximity to the hole.
• Made Putt Distance
Information on average distance of putts made to
determine the putting distance to practice.
• Par 3; Par 4; Par 5 Average
Information on how course management needs to be
improved.
• Strokes Gained
As for pros, strokes gained provides information on player
versus the field which gives the player ideas of how
other players compare. This information can correlate to
players’ success compared to the field. Strokes gained
can be used for ball striking (fairways and greens) as well
as putting, etc.
Steps to
Success Tip #1
Time management - plan your study time
carefully, based on the length and/or difficulties
of the assignments you have; prioritize your
time so that social activities take a backseat to
doing schoolwork; always keep a weekly planner
handy to track your responsibilities as well as
gauge time needed to complete your tasks.