The 9 Most Surprising Golf Stats That Will Blow Your Mind

Want to hear some golf statistics that will knock your socks off? Well we’ve teamed up with Shot Scope to bring to you the nine most surprising golf stats guaranteed to raise your eyebrows, based off thousands of rounds from actual golfers.

The first stat is that distance is by far more important than accuracy off the tee. Scratch golfers hit only 1% more fairways than 25 handicaps — but drive it around 80 yards further on average, a colossal difference!

Next up we’re talking short game and the fact that misses cost you big time: From inside 50 yards, a 25 handicap fails to hit the green a whopping 3.7 times per round; for a scratch player it is only once - cleaning up this area of your game could equate to around three shots saved per round.

For number three we’re talking approach play and the stats tell us that being closer beats playing from the fairway further away: From 150 yards in the fairway vs 120 yards away in the rough, it takes the same shots to finish the hole — so being closer always wins, even if you’re in the rough.

Another surprising stat is that birdies aren’t the separator between abilities: Scratch golfers make around two more birdies than a 20 handicap per round, but around six fewer double bogeys or worse — that’s where the scores really drop.

Number 5 is that a par three is a reality check: A 15 handicap averages 3.9 on par 3s, so par is basically a birdie for them and so adjust your expectations of short holes accordingly - you don’t need to go chasing those birdie twos and if you make a par, you’re gaining on your competitive set.

Next up is a simple path to single digits: If you add just two more greens in regulation per round you’re on the right path to go from a 10 handicap to single figures very quickly.

This following stat really surprised us. It is that the majority of approach shots come up short of the green: The average golfer leaves 54% of their approaches short.

Our penultimate stat relates to long approach shots and how you should really be reaching for a hybrid over a long iron where possible. Hybrids produce around 5% more Greens in regulation than long irons for most golfers.

The final stat relates to short putts. A 25 handicapper misses 4.3 putts inside 5 ft vs a scratch golfer at just 1.25— that’s three shots left on the table every round by missing those makeable putts.