Putting is an essential aspect of golf and often determines the outcome of a game. It is crucial for golfers to understand and analyze their putting performance to improve their skills and lower their scores. In this article, we will discuss some key putting statistics that every golfer should know to elevate their game.
Putts per Round:
This is a fundamental statistic that measures the average number of putts taken by a golfer in a single round. A lower number indicates better putting performance. To calculate putts per round, simply divide the total number of putts by the number of rounds played.
Greens in Regulation (GIR) Putts:
GIR putts refer to the number of putts taken after reaching the green in regulation. This statistic is useful for assessing a golfer’s putting performance on greens they hit accurately, eliminating the influence of poor approach shots on their putting statistics.
Putts per GIR:
This statistic measures the average number of putts taken after hitting a green in regulation. To calculate putts per GIR, divide the total number of GIR putts by the number of greens hit in regulation. A lower number indicates better putting efficiency.
One-Putt Percentage:
One-putt percentage is the ratio of one-putt greens to total greens in regulation. This statistic highlights a golfer’s ability to sink putts with a single stroke, which is crucial for saving strokes and achieving lower scores.
Three-Putt Avoidance:
Three-putt avoidance measures the percentage of greens where a golfer does not take three or more putts. This is an important statistic to track, as three-putts can significantly impact a golfer’s score. A lower percentage indicates better putting consistency.
Putts Inside 10 Feet:
This statistic represents the percentage of putts made from inside 10 feet, which are typically considered short putts. A higher percentage signifies a golfer’s proficiency in making short putts, an essential skill for maintaining a low score.
Strokes Gained: Putting:
Strokes gained: putting is an advanced statistic that measures a golfer’s putting performance relative to the field. It calculates the number of strokes a golfer gains or loses on the greens compared to the average performance of other golfers. A positive number indicates better putting performance than the average, while a negative number suggests a golfer’s putting is below average.
Putting Distance and Make Percentage
| Distance (feet) | PGA Tour Avg. Make % | LPGA Tour Avg. Make % | Amateur (0-5 handicap) Avg. Make % | Amateur (6-12 handicap) Avg. Make % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 99.0% | 98.5% | 95.0% | 92.0% |
| 5 | 82.0% | 76.0% | 71.0% | 65.0% |
| 7 | 61.0% | 56.0% | 50.0% | 43.0% |
| 10 | 41.0% | 36.0% | 30.0% | 25.0% |
| 15 | 22.0% | 18.0% | 14.0% | 10.0% |
| 20 | 14.0% | 11.0% | 7.0% | 5.0% |
| 25 | 9.0% | 7.0% | 4.0% | 3.0% |
| 30 | 6.0% | 4.0% | 2.0% | 1.0% |
| 35 | 4.0% | 2.5% | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| 40 | 2.5% | 1.5% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
Average Putts per Round
| Player Level | Average Putts per Round | Average GIR Putts | Average Non-GIR Putts |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 29.0 | 1.79 | 1.39 |
| LPGA Tour | 30.0 | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Amateur (0-5) | 31.5 | 1.95 | 1.65 |
| Amateur (6-12) | 33.0 | 2.05 | 1.80 |
| Amateur (13-20) | 35.0 | 2.20 | 1.95 |
Three-Putt Avoidance
| Player Level | Top 10% | Top 25% | Average | Bottom 25% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1.0% | 2.0% | 3.2% | 4.4% | 6.0% |
| LPGA Tour | 1.5% | 2.5% | 3.7% | 4.9% | 6.5% |
| Amateur (0-5) | 2.0% | 3.0% | 4.5% | 6.0% | 8.0% |
| Amateur (6-12) | 2.5% | 4.0% | 5.5% | 7.0% | 9.0% |
| Amateur (13-20) | 3.0% | 5.0% | 7.0% | 9.0% | 11.0% |
Green Reading Accuracy
| Player Level | Top 10% | Top 25% | Average | Bottom 25% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 90.0% | 85.0% | 80.0% | 75.0% | 70.0% |
| LPGA Tour | 88.0% | 83.0% | 78.0% | 73.0% | 68.0% |
| Amateur (0-5) | 85.0% | 80.0% | 75.0% | 70.0% | 65.0% |
| Amateur (6-12) | 82.0% | 77.0% | 72.0% | 67.0% | 62.0% |
| Amateur (13-20) | 78.0% | 73.0% | 68.0% | 63.0% | 58.0% |
Strokes Gained Putting (SGP) Rankings
| Player Level | Top 10% SGP | Top 25% SGP | Median SGP | Bottom 25% SGP | Bottom 10% SGP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 0.850 | 0.450 | 0.000 | -0.450 | -0.850 |
| LPGA Tour | 0.750 | 0.400 | 0.000 | -0.400 | -0.750 |
| Amateur (0-5) | 0.700 | 0.350 | 0.000 | -0.350 | -0.700 |
| Amateur (6-12) | 0.600 | 0.300 | 0.000 | -0.300 | -0.600 |
| Amateur (13-20) | 0.500 | 0.250 | 0.000 | -0.250 | -0.500 |
Conclusion:
Understanding and tracking these putting statistics can help golfers identify their strengths and weaknesses on the greens. By analyzing this data, golfers can develop targeted practice routines and make adjustments to their technique, ultimately leading to better putting performance and lower scores.
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