Golf stats are a fantastic tool that can support you in your quest to improve your game, which is why I have devoted so much time to understanding and analysing the numbers behind my own performances.
Utilising data can help us to benchmark our performance against other players at a similar handicap index, by telling us how often amateur golfers get up and down from inside 50 yards or how far the average club golfer hits their 7-iron, but it can also provide trends that signpost a route to shooting lower scores.
In this article, using the latest Shot Scope data, I compare the performances of low- and high-handicap golfers in a crucial putting measure and share why this could be the key to shooting lower scores...
The Key To Shooting Lower Scores In Golf
There is plenty of data and research that suggests increasing driving distance is one of the key ways to shoot lower scores, and I am not disputing that - so don't give up on the 20 best driving tips and drills in golf.
The ability to bomb it off the tee and leave a shorter shot in is a huge advantage, and something low-handicap golfers do better than most, but I believe tidying up your performance at the business end of the hole could also pay dividends.
More specifically, eliminating three-putts from your card is a great way to close the gap in your pursuit of a lower handicap, but rather than me preaching to you about the quite obvious benefits of this plan... let's allow the data to do the talking.
According to Shot Scope, the average scratch golfer 3-putts on average 0.8 times per round. When you compare scratch golfers vs 10 handicappers vs 20 handicappers in this measure, the correlation paints a bleak picture.
Avoiding 3-putts could save you up to five shots each round when compared to other amateur golfers
A 5-handicapper 3-putts around 1.5 times per round, which is still respectable, while a 10-handicapper averages around 2.4 per round.
That number increases further as we reach 15-handicappers (3.4), 20-handicappers (4.5) and 25-handicappers (5.8), with the latter effectively throwing away five shots on the greens every round in comparison to a scratch golfer.
Doing all the hard work from tee to green, whether you have crushed it off the tee or not, will be ultimately worthless if you then spend the next five minutes knocking your ball across the green in a desperate search for the salvation of the hole.
So, what can you do about it? Well, we have an expert tour coach on hand to help you save those precious shots - so that you can start to see your handicap come down.
How Can I Avoid 3-Putts?
According to expert tour coach, Liam James, the manual for how to stop 3-putting is broken down into four key areas (which you can read more about by clicking the link above).
The crucial skills to master are pace control when putting, grip pressure, aim (specifically aiming small) and being purposeful in your practice.
Clearly, understanding how to grip a putter and learning how to read greens would also be a great investment of your time.
Only when you have a clear calibration of line, speed and read can you reduce 3-putts, but with the best putting tips and drills this is achievable for every golfer.
-
Watch The Ryder Cup Final Day: Live streams, TV Coverage, Timings For Today's Singles MatchesSingles matches will decide the battle between USA and Europe at Bethpage Black – here's how to watch the final day of the Ryder Cup online, on TV, and from anywhere.
-
Which Golfers Are Unbeaten In Ryder Cup Singles?A few players in the list below boast an exceptional record in Sunday's singles
-
How Far Does The Average Amateur Golfer Hit Their Pitching Wedge?The ability to hit a pitching wedge in close to the pin can lead to low scoring and even lower handicaps , but how far does the average amateur hit this club?
-
The 9 Most Surprising Golf Stats That Will Blow Your MindInto your numbers? Nothing will prepare you for the surprising stats about the play of real golfers we've compiled here, with help from Shot Scope...
-
This Common Golf Shot Is Almost Impossible For Some Amateurs... Here's What You Should Do InsteadThis shot is taken on by many amateurs who foolishly think they can beat the odds, but the data suggests it's almost impossible for some golfers to execute
-
The Biggest Strategy Myths In Golf... Debunked By Data!We dispel some of the biggest myths in the game when it comes to optimum strategy and club selection. Some of which will really surprise you!
-
Should You Go For The Green On A Driveable Par 4?On paper they represent a scoring opportunity, but what is the optimum approach on short par fours? We crunch the numbers to reveal all
-
Scratch vs 10 vs 20: How Often Do Amateur Golfers Get Up And Down From Inside 50 Yards?Getting up and down from inside 50 yards is a crucial skill for amateurs hoping to lower their handicap and shoot better scores... but how often does it happen?
-
6 Things ALL Scratch Golfers Do (That You Don't)Joel Tadman outlines the six things all scratch golfers do with the help of data from Shot Scope that you can hopefully incorporate into your game
-
30 vs 40 vs 50 vs 60: How Does Amateur Driving Distance Change With Age?There is no doubt that age has a significant impact on average driving distance for amateur golfers, but just how far do 30, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds hit it?
