How To Use Data To Improve PDF
How To Use Data To Improve PDF
FAIRWAYS
TO IMPROVE
IN REG 7 Data Articles on
Game Improvement
SEASON
42%
Shot Scope V3
Shot Scope V3 provides the golfer with GPS distances, easily
accessible on their wrist, as well as an automatic shot tracking
system. Hundreds of performance statistics are available to analyze
on the performance dashboard or mobile app post-round.
shotscope.com | 2
Article 1 The Anatomy Of A 3-Putt
This article takes a fresh look at the anatomy of a 3-putt. Not only will it look at
the rate at which golfers 3-putt, but it will examine what’s been dubbed as ‘The
Previous Shot Effect’. It’s a fascinating concept that delves into the physical
impact of a poor first putt and how that influences subsequent attempts.
Graph 1 shows the 3-putt percentage at different handicap levels. Graph 2 shows the average 2nd putt distance
left (the distance remaining to the hole after the first putt) on holes that result in a 3-putt.
It makes you wonder why golfers spend so much time on the range instead of on the putting green.
Eliminating 3-putts entirely, while no simple task, would shave 4.25 shots off a 25 handicapper’s average score.
Handicap
10 11.8% 10 6ft
15 14.2% 15 8.6ft
20 19.1% 20 9.2ft
25 24.5% 25 11.2ft
Graph 1 Graph 2
OBSERVATIONS: OBSERVATIONS:
• Scratch golfers 3-putt less frequently than • It’s likely that longer 2nd putt distances are due
higher handicap golfers. This isn’t particularly to poor distance control, so it makes sense that
surprising. the average 2nd putt distance increases with
handicap.
• Scratch golfers 3-putt 7.8% of the time;
higher than you’d maybe expect. • Shot Scope believes there’s a misunderstanding
about what constitutes a good lag putt. The data
• The difference in the rate of 3-putts widens
suggests golfers should be happy when they hit
as handicaps increase.
their first putt to within 4 or 5 feet of the hole.
• 25 handicap golfers 3-putt nearly 25%
of the time.
shotscope.com | 3
Article 1 Cont... The previous shot effect
The following series of charts detail what Shot Scope terms the Previous Shot
Effect. It’s a really interesting take on how the result of the previous shot impacts
the one that follows. To a degree, it examines the psychological reaction to a poor
shot and concludes that a bad first effort on the green may lead to a poor mindset
that ultimately reduces the likelihood of making the next putt.
90 90
79
84
77
74
80 80
68
67
70 70
66
Make %
Make %
60 60
41
50 50
39
35
40 40
32
29
30
26
30 30
14
20 20
10 10
8
3
0 0
0-2ft 3-4ft 5-6ft 7-8ft 9-10ft 0-2ft 3-4ft 5-6ft 7-8ft 9-10ft
90 THE TAKEAWAY
81
77
80
72
60
is pronounced.
50
41
34
0
0-2ft 3-4ft 5-6ft 7-8ft 9-10ft It’s entirely possible that a bad attitude is contributing
to missed putts.
OBSERVATIONS:
Given how make percentages decrease significantly
• From within 2 feet, there’s a 6 percentage point
with distance, whether it’s through practice or putter
difference favoring putts that followed approach
technology, the Shot Scope data suggests that
shots vs putts that followed another putt.
improving lag putt distance control will ultimately
• At distances of 9-10 feet, the make percentage lead to better scores and a lower handicap.
following a shot that originated on the green is
less than half of what it is following a shot that
originated from off the green.
shotscope.com | 4
Article 2 Shot Scope user Rob
The general overview of Rob’s game indicates that each aspect of his game is in
need of a little sharpening up. Therefore we will break down each aspect of his
game to try and identify an area for Rob to focus on.
One area of Rob’s game which jumps out significantly is his average proximity to the hole within
210yards; 104.9ft (35yards). If Rob could hit his approaches closer he would most likely reduce the
number of shots it takes him to play the hole.
Breaking this down further, we can see that Rob hits it closer when he approaches the green from the fairway.
Fairway approach proximity to hole 82.62ft, rough approach proximity to hole 127.61ft. There is over 40ft
difference in proximity between hitting out the rough compared to hitting from the fairway.
Rob’s fairway success rate is low, at 36%. As we already outlined, Rob hits more greens when he is on the
fairway. Therefore, if Rob can hit more fairways a round he should subsequently hit more greens, which will
also improve his proximity to the hole. Further investigation into Rob’s tee shots highlights that Rob only hits
driver off the tee, this may be because he doesn’t hit the ball that far. However over the 25 rounds analysed,
Rob has incurred 31 penalty shots, (15 of those because of his driver) as well as numerous positional shots to
get back in play. Rob should work on keeping his driver in play, or on the shorter holes, hit an alternative club
off the tee.
shotscope.com | 5
Article 2 Cont...
Short Game Proximity Eagle Birdie Par Bogey D.Bogey+
The total score breakdown also indicates that hitting the fairway saves Rob shots. Rob makes double or
worse 45.7% of the time when in the left rough and 49.5% of the time when in the right rough. Compared to the
28.1% when he hits the fairway. It can also be noted that the most birdies have happened when Rob has hit
the fairway off the tee. Therefore, Rob’s main focus on course should be on hitting the fairway off the tee. This
could require a slight change in technique, more practice with the driver or a different thought process when
standing on the tee.
Average Green Success from Fairway Average Green Success from Rough
100 100
90 90
80 80
70
AGV 70
60
23.4% 60 AGV
50 50 13.3%
40 40
30 30
20 20
10 10
0 0
7i 8i 9i Pw Sw Lw 7i 8i 9i Pw Sw Lw
This will contribute to why his greens in regulation is so low at only 18%. Green success rate looks at the
success of all approaches aiming to hit the green (i.e. not a positional shot). Analysing the green success rate
in further detail outlines that Rob hits 23% of greens from the fairway and only 13% of greens from the rough.
Although both stats are low, it might be that Rob cannot reach some of the par 4s in two or is having to play
positional shots instead – not unusual for a mid handicap. Nonetheless, Rob manages to hit 10% more greens
from the fairway than the rough, which is a significant amount.
THE TAKEAWAY
Aim to hit more fairways, which will reduce the
number of penalty shots taken, which should then
lead to more greens hit. Then hopefully Rob will
build confidence and will start to hit them closer
to the pin. Ultimately all of this combined will lead
to a reduction in Rob’s overall score.
shotscope.com | 6
Article 3 George’s Poor Greenside Play
George is a long-time user of both Shot Scope V1 and V2. George happened to play
with a member of the Shot Scope team at an event.
George mentioned his scoring and handicap had climbed from 4 to 6 over the past year and that he couldn’t pinpoint
the cause. George hadn’t made any significant swing changes although he did change his wedge set up.
In 2017, using Shot Scope helped George identify poor gapping with his PW, 49°, and 56° wedges. This season, George
altered his wedge set up to use a PW, 50°, 54° and 58° instead. The Shot Scope team decided to work with George on
a case study to see if they could identify a cause for the increased handicap.
George’s game overview shows he is now a 6 handicap, and his general game is in a good state. George
mentioned that he plays 4/5 times a week (he is retired) at different courses and in competitions. He doesn’t hit
the ball too far, but with 64% fairway success he is accurate with the Driver. With no obvious red flags, the team
decided to look at George’s wedges, since that is the only change he has made.
49 96 50 92
56 73 54 78
58 67
shotscope.com | 7
Article 3 Cont...
Short Game Performance Club Proximity to hole Up + Down Usage
When looking into George’s short-game
performance data, we found something P 7.6 ft 78% 22%
intriguing. George uses a lot of clubs around the
green, playing predominantly at a links course
there should be a lot of chip and runs. He has 58° 16.92 ft 48% 31%
a poor proximity to hole average with his 50°,
54°, 58° and 23° hybrid. Those clubs account for 54° 15.97 ft 31% 18%
64% of his greenside shots. It’s possible there
could be a bias towards using the new wedges
at an increased frequency, and the inaccuracy 50° 19.25 ft 24% 11%
could boil down to a lack of practice with the
new lofts. There are obvious reasons to use Pw 13.62 ft 55% 3%
high-lofted wedges around the greens; e.g., out
of bunkers or other situations where obstacles
must be carried, but on true links courses like
9i 14.16 ft 60% 3%
the ones George plays, he could play more chip
and runs. There is little reason to use the hybrid 8i 9.03 ft 74% 8%
as the data suggests that George is not very
good with this shot. H23 19.91 ft 33% 4%
Avg: 14.58 ft 50%
shotscope.com | 8
Article 4 Helping Tom make better club choices
Tom is a 13 handicap golfer who has a well-rounded game, his 2018 overall
statistics show that he is a steady player. Tom approached Shot Scope and
asked us to investigate his stats as he was struggling to pinpoint where his
weaknesses were.
160 yards
simply needs to pick his club more carefully. P-AVG
150
Approaches
150 yards
6% 4.6%
142 yards
139
ZONE
10.5% 11.4%
23% 27.6%
9i 8i
60
50 43%
40
30
20
10
0
TOM TOUR PROS
AGV
14 ft
shotscope.com | 10
Article 5 Improving Ian’s Short Game
This article is about Ian, a 16 handicapper who doesn’t hit many greens and
suffers from a poor short game proximity. Hitting greens, or if you can’t reach
the green, chipping close is key to keeping your score down, or close to your
handicap.
Number of putts Approach proximity
AVG SCORE per round within 200 yards
Up + Down %
Thick rough
and trees
KEY:
225 yards
FAIRWAY
LIGHT ROUGH
BUNKER
TARGET LINE MOVED
25 YARDS LEFT
shotscope.com | 11
Article 5 Cont... Club Usage Short Game
7i 61%
Short Game Proximity
Shot Scope defines any shot under 50 yards within the 9i 1%
pin, as a short game shot, and Ian hits 27% of greens
so will be left with many short game shots in a round of
golf. Ian’s average proximity to the hole from his short
Pw 2%
game shots is 21ft with only 16% of his short game
inside 6ft (also referred to as the Red Zone on the Shot Sw 6%
Scope dashboard).
AGV Lw 8%
21 ft
P 22%
Ian’s short game statistics show, he uses his 7 iron most
frequently. This high percentage shows he is comfortable
with this club, but it limits the type of shots he could play.
For example, when short sided behind a bunker, a high
lofted wedge shot is more appropriate. Ian’s statistics
drop even lower when he uses his lob wedge around the
green, as seen in the image below.
60 works best but have the ability to use the other clubs
50 as required.
40
30
20 THE TAKEAWAY
10
0 A simple suggestion for Ian is to get to the course
>6ft 18-24ft
20mins earlier than usual (as this is all the practice
time he has) and just spend some time chipping onto
Distance the practice green, with both his 7 iron and lob wedge.
This will not only improve his skill level but will greatly
PGA Tour players average a short game proximity of enhance Ian’s confidence knowing that if he misses the
7ft. If Ian can reduce his short game proximity to even green he has a greater chance of getting it inside that
15ft (10ft ideally), he will have more shots finishing vital ‘red zone’.
inside that vital 6ft (red zone). This will greatly enhance
his chances of getting ‘up and down’ or saving par/ If Ian can hit that 15ft average proximity target he is
bogey. Should Ian be able to reduce his average much more likely to start playing to his 16 handicap
proximity to 15ft he would be able to save on average again. If he can reduce it further to 10ft, he may even
2 shots per round. start to shoot lower than his handicap!
shotscope.com | 12
Article 6 Is the new driver worth
the $500 investment?
One of Shot Scope’s golfers decided enough was enough and they should
invest in a new driver for the golf season. The purpose of this is not to enhance
a specific club or brand but to discuss and show the merits in custom fitting
and understanding performance data.
The question posed to Shot Scope: Was the $500 investment worth it?
Firstly, about the driver change. The original driver (Driver_Old) was from a well known brand and purchased new
in 2009, it had an extra stiff shaft with 9 degrees loft. The new driver (Driver_New) is actually the newest release
from the same brand and has an extra stiff shaft with 10.5 degrees loft.
Distance
(yards) 267 293 + 26 yards
Table 1 Launch Monitor Data from Driver Fitting
During the fitting process, multiple drivers and shafts were tested. Driver_New was found to go on average 26
yards further (using a Launch Monitor) than Driver_Old.
Discussing with the golfer, he said that he felt he was playing better with the new Driver and had lowered his
handicap from 8.8 to 7.2 already this year but attributed that improvement to other areas of his game.
Looking through his Shot Scope performance data:
Longest
(yards)
352 334 - 18 yards
Driver Usage
% 22% 27% + 5%
Table 2 Shot Scope Driver Statistics
It is obvious to see that Driver_New is longer than Driver_Old, using Average Distance it is 17 yards longer and if we
look at P-Avg (Performance Average) it is only 11 yards longer.
*Shot Scope recommend users refer to their P-Avg Distance (Performance Average) as it removes all outliers good
and bad, to give the user a true representation of how far they hit a good shot.
shotscope.com | 13
Article 6 Cont...
This isn’t the 26 yards we are looking for from his fitting, but there is a caveat to this performance data. In 2018
summer golf in the UK was played on unusually hard and fast conditions creating some long drives such as his
longest at 352 yards.
The main takeaway from his distance statistics is the consistency. Driver_Old had a 36 yard difference between
average and performance average, whereas Driver_New has reduced that difference to 30 yards. Not only is
Driver_New longer, it has better distance consistency as well.
This unsurprisingly has created an increase of confidence with Driver_New, resulting in a higher usage % of 27%
compared to Driver_Old’s 22%. The question is, has this resulted in more fairways being hit, well yes!
We can see from his Shot Scope performance statistics that he has now increased his fairways hit % to 45%,
up 7% from Driver_Old. As well as hitting more fairways he has minimised his right miss by 14%, now down to
24% with Driver_New.
Looking into this further we discover that his misses are infact smaller misses with Driver_New.
Driver_Old Driver_New
Distance from
Fairway (Yards) 16.2 11.7
Table 4 Shot Scope Distance from Fairway
His average non-fairway hit with Driver_New is only 11.7 yards from the fairway whereas with Driver_Old it was
5 yards more off-line at 16.2 yards.
With the help of understanding performance statistics from Shot Scope, we can conclude that Driver_New is
longer, more consistent and more accurate off the tee than Driver_Old, but the following question is, did the
new driver lower his scoring?
As the golfer mentioned he has lowered his handicap and Shot Scope statistics shows this with his scoring
improvements.
Total round scoring has improved by 3.71 shots, with Par 4 and Par 5 scoring both improving due to his better
driving and subsequent approach performance.
A great way to show that the improvement can be attributed to Driver_New is through the fact that his Par 3
scoring has remained static.
2018 2019
Par 3 Scoring 3.64 3.68
Table 7 Shot Scope Par 3 Scoring
THE TAKEAWAY
It is evident that custom fitting can improve scoring, it should be noted that this case is dramatic as there was
a 10-year gap in the technology of the Drivers.
Most importantly one Shot Scope user can sleep soundly knowing their $500 investment was worthwhile and
can be even more confident in using his Driver to find more fairways.
Understanding Shot Scope performance statistics can help provide a golfer with better knowledge of where
they can improve their game, alongside allowing them to see any changes over the years just as in this
example. Knowing how to analyze and understand statistics of this type can be hugely beneficial to your game.
shotscope.com | 15
Article 7 Why am I 3 Putting so often?
David approached Shot Scope at the Scottish Golf Show in March, and asked
us to dig deeper into his statistics. He is an 18 handicap golfer who feels he is
a good putter but doesn’t understand why his stats show him 3 putting nearly
3 times per round (every 7.8 holes).
With the number of 3 putts David has per round it is Number of putts per green
evident that we need to look into his long putting, as 1 Putts 2 Putts 3 Putts
it could be severely letting him down. The Shot Scope
performance dashboard provides an excellent platform
to break down your stats in lots of detail. 24% 62% 13%
Looking at the putting statistic ‘Average Proximity to Avg. Holes per 3 putt = 7.8
Hole’, we can see that David is simply not hitting his
first put close enough, with an average proximity to
the hole of 4.9ft from 18-24ft putts, 7.9ft from 24-30ft
putts and over 10ft from over 30ft putts.
4
2
0
0-6ft 6-12ft 12-18ft 18-24ft 24-30ft 30+ft
Starting Distance
shotscope.com | 16
Article 7 Cont...
Hitting the fairway more often should enable David to increase his green success percentage but also
reduce his average proximity from the hole, which is currently over 150ft for all approach shots (50-350
yards). The Shot Scope performance dashboard allows you to filter by shot distance and when we filter
David’s approach shot distance to 50-210 yards, his average proximity reduces to 89ft. This is a massive
jump in proximity from 150ft to 89ft.
So why is this the case? With the distance David currently hits his H13 and 3 wood, he will be unable to hit or
reach the green from anywhere over 220 yards from the green. Unless David is able to increase the distance he
hits these clubs we recommend that he does not attempt to reach the green and merely leaves himself in the
best pace possible for his next shot.
shotscope.com | 17
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