Hey friends!

This week, I’m diving into some fascinating PGA TOUR statistics and understanding why they matter. These numbers can be game-changers and help you focus on the areas that will bring down your scores.

I didn’t get consistent with my scores until I really wrapped my head around a few of these stats, specifically 3-putt avoidance and GIR to score. Learning these stats helped me put realistic expectations on myself and strive to get better in these specific areas.

 

What You’ll Learn Today

✅ 4 key stats that will help you set benchmarks and practice goals

✅ The story of my shanks and how I cured them

✅ A good way to practice eliminating penalty shots on the course

✅ General guidelines on golf cart etiquette

 

Stats To Help You Set Realistic Expectations and Play Better Golf

#1: GIR to Score Stat - A Practice Guide

Here's a simple formula for players scoring 95 or better: 95 - (GIR X 2) = Expected Score

Let's say you hit 7 greens in an 18-hole round. Using the formula, your expected score would be 95 - (7 X 2) = 81. If you scored above 81, focus on your short game around the greens. If you scored better than 81, hone in on your long and approach game.

While not perfect, this stat provides a broad overview of where your practice efforts should be directed.

#2: 6% Rule - What To Expect

Tour pros average 6% proximity to the flag from inside 150 yards. For instance, on a 100-yard approach shot, they aim to get the ball within 6 yards (18 feet) of the hole.

Keep this in mind when hitting shots into the green. Lowering expectations helps reduce tension, making it easier to deliver smoother swings. For most of us, adjusting the stat to 10% is more realistic.

#3: 3% Three Putts - Lower Scores, Quickly

Avoiding 3-putts is crucial for consistent lower scores. This stat is especially significant for amateur golfers scoring above 80.

Tour players only 3-putt 2.97% of the time, approximately 3/100 holes. While expecting a 3% 3-putt rate might be challenging, aiming for 10% is a more attainable goal.

If you need help improving your 3-putt average, check out these putting gamesfor effective practice.

#4: 50% Make/Miss Distance

PGA TOUR Pros have a 50/50 chance of making putts from about 8 feet. Watching Tour events on TV might mislead you, as they focus on the best players in that particular event.

Next time you face a 10-foot putt, put a little pressure on yourself. Remember that making a lot of these putts is challenging, but strive to get them close enough for a more manageable second putt.

By understanding and incorporating these stats into your game, you'll be on the path to better scores and greater confidence on the course. Keep practicing and improving, and the results will follow!

 

Don’t Say the “S” Word…

Oh, the dreaded shanks! As a Pro, I can admit I've been there too, and let me tell you, it's not a place you want to be. For those who haven't experienced it, imagine hitting the ball off the hozzle of the club, sending it on a wild, 45-degree trajectory to the right. Ouch indeed!

I'll never forget that fateful day at Devil’s Thumb Golf Course. I was feeling like a champ after shooting a jaw-dropping 30 (-6) on the front nine. Confidence soaring, I stepped up to #10, ready to conquer the world. But as fate would have it, I had a date with the shanks. Not one, but two balls made their way into the pond, leaving me bewildered and wondering, "What the heck is going on?"

Seeking counsel from my local PGA Pro, he gave me the shank diagnosis with a look of sheer horror, as if I had caught some incurable golfing ailment. His prescription? Lock my clubs away for two weeks and walk away from the game. Crazy, right? But I had to give it a shot, just like when you're sick and need some rest.

Coming back after the club hiatus, the shanks seemed to have taken a vacation too. Relief washed over me as I enjoyed shank-free golf... for the next seven years.

But alas, the shanks returned during a Pro Am at Deer Park Golf Course. Fear gripped me, but this time, I knew where I was hitting it on the club face, giving me a chance to make adjustments. The trick that worked for me was focusing on hitting the ball off the toe of the club. It was my secret weapon for the rest of the day, and thankfully, my scores were spared from the shanks' wrath.

So, if you find yourself caught in the shank storm, take a deep breath and analyze whether it's a toe or hozzle shank. Then, don't complicate the fix; focus on hitting off the opposite side of the club face for a while. And remember, smooth and controlled tempo is your ally in banishing those shanks. Swing as hard as you can control, and soon you'll be on the path to shank-free golfing once again!

 

One Ball Challenge Practice Game

Ah, the dreaded penalty shots, the score-inflating gremlins of golf! But fret not, for I present to you the ultimate game of guts and integrity – the one ball challenge!

How To Play

1. Reserve that tee time, my friend.

2. Pay those green fees with confidence.

3. Here's the twist – empty ALL your golf balls out of your bag and take just ONE lonely ball to the first tee. (I know, it's like leaving your golf ball family behind, but trust me on this.)

4. Now comes the challenge – navigate the entire round with that single golf ball. But beware! If you lose it, smack it out of bounds, or plunge it into a penalty area, brace yourself for the dreaded walk of shame back to the clubhouse, no matter where you are on the course. Ouch! For this game to truly work, you HAVE to walk off the course when you lose the ball.

But hey, don't despair! Completing the round without losing that precious ball is a victory to cherish. You'll learn to choose your targets wisely and discover the joys of not losing a golf ball – a rare and beautiful thing.

This game isn't for the faint of heart; it's a training ground for the golfing warriors. You see, too often, we train easy and play hard, and that's just asking for trouble. Let's flip that broken model on its head and start training hard! When you play with your friends, you'll breeze through those rounds like a pro, thanks to your guts and skill from the one ball challenge. So, gather your courage, tee up that lone golf ball, and let the training begin! Let me know in the comments how it went!

 

Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf

👩 Wife: How do you know where to drive the golf cart on the course? Are there any special rules to follow?

🏌️‍♂️ Me: That's a great question, and it's always essential to ask the Pro Shop staff when you check in for your tee time. They'll provide specific guidelines for the course you're playing. As a general rule, here are some helpful tips to follow:

1. Stay on the cart paths around greens and tee boxes. If there are no cart paths in those areas, try to keep the cart approximately 10-30 yards away from them.

2. Pay attention to cart signs. Sometimes, maintenance teams use signs, ropes, or stakes to protect certain areas. Always respect these markers and avoid driving in restricted zones.

3. Unless the course is extremely wet, driving the cart in the fairways is usually allowed. But, as mentioned, always check with the Pro Shop staff for any exceptions.

4. When someone in your group is about to hit a shot, avoid changing what you're doing. If you're driving, continue driving, and if you're stopped, remain stopped until they've made their shot.

5. For pace of play, it's perfectly fine not to be in the cart all the time. Your playing partner can drop you off at your ball, you can take the club(s) you need and hit your shot, while they proceed to their ball. Then, you can walk towards them as they pick you up.

6. In case of any accidental cart damage, report it to the Pro Shop immediately. It's always best to be honest and address the situation promptly.

7. When returning the cart to the designated cart return area, you can leave the key in the cart as instructed by the staff.

Following these guidelines will ensure a safe and enjoyable golf cart experience on the course. Happy golfing!