gpo
Well-Known Member
- Jun 2, 2008
- 236
- 0
I have been trying to figure out what stat makes the most difference in scoring for a tour pro. I think there are 2. First is the number of times they hit their approach shot to 15 feet or less. Second is putting from 5 to 10 feet. I think whoever does both of those the best will have the most success.
I can't really prove it as I can't find the first stat anywhere. I used to think that avg. proximity to hole on approach shots was important, but the more I thought about it the less I did. See even pros don't make a lot of putts over 30 feet, so if pro A has a prox avg of 34 feet and pro B has one of 37 feet it is how they get there that is real important. Pro A maybe only gets a few approaches inside 15 feet, but is usually on the green within 34 feet. Pro B could hit plenty of shots inside 15 feet, but also hits more wayward shots and averages 37 feet on his approaches. Pro B is going to make more birdies.
Someone might say will Pro A isn't going to bogey as much, that may be true but I think Pro B will get up and down more than you think. Those guys are good and that is where the putting from 5 to 10 feet comes in. A pro is going to get his chip within 10 feet a good % of time, so you combine those two stats and I think you have a good player.
One thing of note I would count the eagle putt on a par 5 as an approach shot and if he got it within 15 feet then it goes to our stat.
BTW, this has nothing to do with scoring for us hacks. Our games are different and usually it isn't about making birdies. But I will say I had a nice round last Sunday because I hit three approaches within 15 feet and made two of them for birdie.
I can't really prove it as I can't find the first stat anywhere. I used to think that avg. proximity to hole on approach shots was important, but the more I thought about it the less I did. See even pros don't make a lot of putts over 30 feet, so if pro A has a prox avg of 34 feet and pro B has one of 37 feet it is how they get there that is real important. Pro A maybe only gets a few approaches inside 15 feet, but is usually on the green within 34 feet. Pro B could hit plenty of shots inside 15 feet, but also hits more wayward shots and averages 37 feet on his approaches. Pro B is going to make more birdies.
Someone might say will Pro A isn't going to bogey as much, that may be true but I think Pro B will get up and down more than you think. Those guys are good and that is where the putting from 5 to 10 feet comes in. A pro is going to get his chip within 10 feet a good % of time, so you combine those two stats and I think you have a good player.
One thing of note I would count the eagle putt on a par 5 as an approach shot and if he got it within 15 feet then it goes to our stat.
BTW, this has nothing to do with scoring for us hacks. Our games are different and usually it isn't about making birdies. But I will say I had a nice round last Sunday because I hit three approaches within 15 feet and made two of them for birdie.