Golf Stats Explained
From strokes gained to scrambling, here are 26 golf stats in plain English — what each one measures, and what counts as a good number for amateurs versus the PGA Tour.
Related tools: handicap calculator · club distance chart
Strokes gained
The modern framework for measuring every part of the game.
- Strokes Gained: TotalThe single number that sums every strokes gained category into overall performance versus the field.
- Strokes Gained: Off the TeeStrokes gained or lost on tee shots on par 4s and par 5s, isolating driving performance.
- Strokes Gained: ApproachStrokes gained or lost on approach shots into the green, the biggest separator at the tour level.
- Strokes Gained: Around the GreenStrokes gained or lost on short-game shots within roughly 30 yards of the green.
Driving
Distance, accuracy, and off-the-tee performance.
Approach play
Hitting greens and getting close from the fairway.
- Greens in Regulation (GIR)How often a player reaches the green in par-minus-two strokes or fewer.
- Proximity to the HoleThe average distance a player’s ball finishes from the hole after an approach shot.
- Birdie Conversion RateThe percentage of holes where a birdie putt is made when a player has the chance.
- Going for the GreenHow often and how successfully a player attempts to reach a par 5 in two shots.
- Approach Shot PerformanceA blended view of approach play combining accuracy, proximity, and strokes gained by yardage.
Short game
Scrambling, bunkers, and getting up and down.
- ScramblingThe percentage of time a player makes par or better after missing the green in regulation.
- Sand Save PercentageHow often a player gets up and down for par or better from a greenside bunker.
- Up-and-Down PercentageHow often a player holes out in two strokes or fewer after missing the green, any score.
- Greenside ProximityThe average distance a player’s ball finishes from the hole after a shot around the green.
Putting
Making putts and avoiding three-putts.
- Strokes Gained: PuttingHow many putts you gain or lose vs. a benchmark from the same distances.
- Putts per RoundThe total number of putts a player takes across all 18 holes.
- One-Putt PercentageThe percentage of greens where a player needs only a single putt to hole out.
- Three-Putt AvoidanceHow rarely a player takes three or more putts to hole out on a green.
- Putts per GIRThe average number of putts taken specifically on greens hit in regulation.
- Putting AverageThe average number of putts taken per hole across a full round or season.
Scoring
The bottom-line numbers that add up to your score.
- Scoring AverageA player’s average number of strokes per round, the ultimate bottom-line stat.
- Bogey AvoidanceThe percentage of holes a player finishes at par or better, avoiding bogey or worse.
- Birdie AverageThe average number of birdies or better a player makes per round.
- Par BreakersThe percentage of holes a player finishes better than par, an aggressive scoring measure.
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