Kevin Shields
Super Moderator
If I were a tour player, I would absolutely look at the stats. In fact, in the Tour events I played in, I was so excited just to have stats, I stared at them constantly for awhile. That being said, I just came across a few interesting, to me at least, statistics and how how misleading they can be.
2012 Greens in regulation
9th. 91 rounds hit 817 greens
77th 91 rounds hit 752 greens
If you only looked at the place you were in, it's like "man, I'm 77th, very average". But that's less then one green per round worse than the 9th ranked player. That could mean anything.
Strategy - going after pins that are ill advised.
Poor club selection/ distance control. - flighting it right at pins and going short or long
Distance - a shorter approach has a better chance to hit the green than a longer one.
Scheduling - maybe the 77th ranked player played in more majors or harder course (see Scott Hoch Vardon trophy)
Upgrade in swing mechanics - I'd be dumb if I didn't think this. Of course an upgrade in technique could help
What time are they playing on Sunday??
Point is, the player is examining these things and for us to judge golf swings by these stats is ridiculous. I don't think think this is anything many people know but I get a sense we are using these stats to rank golf swings where there are so many more intangibles that you have to weigh in.
2012 Greens in regulation
9th. 91 rounds hit 817 greens
77th 91 rounds hit 752 greens
If you only looked at the place you were in, it's like "man, I'm 77th, very average". But that's less then one green per round worse than the 9th ranked player. That could mean anything.
Strategy - going after pins that are ill advised.
Poor club selection/ distance control. - flighting it right at pins and going short or long
Distance - a shorter approach has a better chance to hit the green than a longer one.
Scheduling - maybe the 77th ranked player played in more majors or harder course (see Scott Hoch Vardon trophy)
Upgrade in swing mechanics - I'd be dumb if I didn't think this. Of course an upgrade in technique could help
What time are they playing on Sunday??
Point is, the player is examining these things and for us to judge golf swings by these stats is ridiculous. I don't think think this is anything many people know but I get a sense we are using these stats to rank golf swings where there are so many more intangibles that you have to weigh in.