Sources:
1. Software: www.prologolf.com
2. PGA statistics: https://www.pgatour.com/stats
We all play golf for fun, to excel, to take a walk, and without question, to become better at the sport.
Golf statistics are an excellent tool for identifying our strengths and areas for improvement.
Generally speaking, a few categories of the game are important:
- Tee shot accuracy
- Approach shots
- Putting
In this article: Accuracy of the tee shot
Teeing accuracy
This is the simplest statistic. On a hole with a par 4 or higher, is my tee shot in the fairway or not?
In prologolf.com we use a multi-function button to determine the “direction” of the tee shot.
We have 5 choices of tee shots:
- On target: This is what we’re looking for. The ball is in the fairway.
- Left: an inside hook (right-handed players) or outside hook (left-handed players).
- To the right: an outside hook (right-handed players) or an inside hook (left-handed players).
- Too hard: The ball goes over the fairway and could end up in (water) or near an obstacle (tree, long grass, etc.).
- Missed or too short shot: the ball doesn’t travel very far; often due to a very low or very high shot, a shank, etc….
The statistics table on prologolf.com :
With prologolf.com, you can set your tee shot accuracy targets in the settings page. In prologolf.com, this statistic is called Average Fairway Hit (AF%).
For example, in the illustration above, the player has set his target to 30%; this means that this player aims to hit his tee shots “On target” (in the fairway) 30% of the time. According to this illustration, his goal is achieved – 37% On Target for 18-hole games.
Note that according to PGA statistics, players hit the fairway (on target) 59% of the time. Great! Since we haven’t yet received the call from the PGA to participate in one of their tournaments, 30% is a very good target for most players!
Happy golfing!
Author: Guy Levert, President, www.prologolf.com