Data Confirms That Putting Gets Harder As The Day Goes On

Arccos data guru Lou Stagner shared a chart that shows putting is easier earlier in the day compared to late afternoon/evening

A chart showing putting make percentages
(Image credit: Twitter @LouStagner)
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The margins in professional golf are extremely thin, especially while putting. The slightest flaw on the green can significantly alter the direction of the ball, costing a golfer a crucial stroke and even a tournament.

Now thanks to data from stats guru Lou Stagner of Arccos Golf, the time of day can have a significant effect on putting performance, with success on the greens decreasing as the time of day goes on.

Stagner tweeted an interesting table which charts the make rates for PGA Tour professionals from 2004-2021 based on the time of day. The data reveals that due to foot traffic and grass growth throughout the day, putting is much harder in the evening compared to early morning rounds.

Obviously the longer the putt, the more imperfections in the green can alter the trajectory of the ball. from 8 to 8.5 feet, professionals make 50.6% of their putts up until 9am, however if they are playing after 5pm, this make-rate drops to 47.6%.

Even shorter distances are affected over time. From 4 to 4.5 feet, professionals make 86.2% of their putts up until 9am, yet after 5pm, this drops to 83.1% and this could be the difference between making the cut or not, or even finishing first or second in a tournament.

Two-time major winner Justin Thomas even got involved on Twitter, jokingly referring to the fact he can use the chart as an ideal excuse in the future.

“This is fascinating,” said Thomas. "Time of day has a biiiiiig difference on how good/bad the greens are. Just defending myself and others when we use it as an excuse.”

The moral of the story is, if you want to hole more putts, early tee times are the best way to do it. Starting off later allows the greens to be subject to foot traffic and this makes putting slightly more difficult as the day goes on.

Thomas might fancy taking advantage of any early tee times he has in the near future.

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Ross Kilvington
Ross Kilvington
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Ross Kilvington is a freelance writer from Scotland who has had his work published by acclaimed publications such as Nutmeg alongside popular online blogs including the Gentleman Ultra, North Section and Engrossed in Football. Ross holds a passionate interest in golf and tries to play as often as possible, although having two daughters under the age of four means his quest to break 80 will have to wait a little bit longer. He writes about golf in his spare time, most recently having an article published in the Golf Memories anthology Mind the Links, which was released in July with all proceeds going towards Alzheimer charities. With a handicap that floats between 13-14, highlights are few and far between on the golf course, with an eagle on the par 4 16th at Kinghorn one that stands out (it doesn’t matter that it was only 290 yards!).

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