Working out areas to improve on - Stats based approach?

[BornSlippy1994]

I've recently a huge breakthrough with my iron play, to the point now where I'm striking the ball consistently very well and I feel confident on every hole of either hitting the green in reg, or at worst being within chipping distance of the green. This is a stark contrast to a couple of months back when I could count on hitting at least three/four thin/fat/shanks a round.

However, despite this 'breakthrough', I'm fully aware that my iron play still needs improvement. But, I'm not really sure where my weaknesses lie at this point so don't know where to focus on when practicing.

I've read a lot about 'strokes gained' on this website, and I'm wondering if anyone can link me, or explain to me, how frequently say a 12 handicapper is hitting GIR, how frequently they're getting up and down, how frequently they're 3 putting etc. How would this compare with say, a 9 handicapper etc?

For example, when I played yesterday I hit 7 GIRs, got up and down 3 times, but three putted twice and had a double on one hole. Obviously, every part of my game could be better, but, I'm really not sure what atm is the worst part of my game (minus my driving, which I've got a lesson booked in to work on).

Advice anyone?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I've recently a huge breakthrough with my iron play, to the point now where I'm striking the ball consistently very well and I feel confident on every hole of either hitting the green in reg, or at worst being within chipping distance of the green. This is a stark contrast to a couple of months back when I could count on hitting at least three/four thin/fat/shanks a round.

However, despite this 'breakthrough', I'm fully aware that my iron play still needs improvement. But, I'm not really sure where my weaknesses lie at this point so don't know where to focus on when practicing.

I've read a lot about 'strokes gained' on this website, and I'm wondering if anyone can link me, or explain to me, how frequently say a 12 handicapper is hitting GIR, how frequently they're getting up and down, how frequently they're 3 putting etc. How would this compare with say, a 9 handicapper etc?

For example, when I played yesterday I hit 7 GIRs, got up and down 3 times, but three putted twice and had a double on one hole. Obviously, ever part of my game could be better, but, I'm really not sure what atm is the worst part of my game (minus my driving, which I've got a lesson booked in to work on).

Advice anyone?

Sounds like you are pretty sorted - so I'd aim to hole more 12ft putts and practice chipping.

Unfortunately my own problem is the bit after the tee shot (which is normally good) and before the putting (which is normally good). Everything in between - eeeeurgh!

 

[duncan mackie]

Are you hitting the part of the green you are aiming for?

I ask because of the 3 putt references.

If hitting where you are aiming then you need to work on that el3ment of your course management- ie learn when to aim to a surer part of a particular green.

If hitting the green, but not where you were aiming, then exercises to take out the short, left, right, long approach at times will benefit. We do a lot of this at the range - 130 yds target and hitting 10 shots within 10 yds on the right, then left - without a single shot the wrong side...or else (have to have penalties to make the practice real!)

 

[pinberry]

I've recently a huge breakthrough with my iron play, to the point now where I'm striking the ball consistently very well and I feel confident on every hole of either hitting the green in reg, or at worst being within chipping distance of the green. This is a stark contrast to a couple of months back when I could count on hitting at least three/four thin/fat/shanks a round.

However, despite this 'breakthrough', I'm fully aware that my iron play still needs improvement. But, I'm not really sure where my weaknesses lie at this point so don't know where to focus on when practicing.

I've read a lot about 'strokes gained' on this website, and I'm wondering if anyone can link me, or explain to me, how frequently say a 12 handicapper is hitting GIR, how frequently they're getting up and down, how frequently they're 3 putting etc. How would this compare with say, a 9 handicapper etc?

For example, when I played yesterday I hit 7 GIRs, got up and down 3 times, but three putted twice and had a double on one hole. Obviously, every part of my game could be better, but, I'm really not sure what atm is the worst part of my game (minus my driving, which I've got a lesson booked in to work on).

Advice anyone?

Although it's not what you would like to hear, you are still not at a level where a detailed statistical analysis will tell you where you need to improve. You likely need improvements in all areas of your game. Also, you are not measuring the right stuff - is 3 putting the result of poor approach shots (i.e. GIR but too far from the hole) or genuine putting issues?

If you really want to get better, I suggest you keep on working on all aspects of your game. If anything, focus on the long game. Too many mid-handicapper buy into the myth that it's all about the short game. It's not - you need to strike the ball better if you want to go down to Cat1.

 

[Pathetic Shark]

You can keep a simple "proximity" score for your greens in regulation. Inside 10 feet (4 pts), 10-20 feet (3 pts), 20-30 feet (2 pts) and over 30 feet (1pt). It is not much use hitting 12 GRs in a round if they are all one side of the green to the other. Track this stat by hole over the course of 10-15 rounds and you will see the holes where you are hitting it closer to the flag and if your approach play is improving or not.

 

[Hobbit]

I became a stats man, many years ago, thinking I was a lousy iron player. The stats showed that the majority of my missed greens were down to making it difficult to hit the green in regulation, i.e. it was actually poor play off the tee.

 

[BornSlippy1994]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Pretty much what I expected in all honesty but useful to hear it!

I'm naturally quite a structured/formulaic person in what I do, so I suppose I was hoping for was a simple 'to get down to 9, you need to hit XYZ GIR and get up and down XYZ per round generally...' and that then could form my targets when practicing.

Definitely at the moment my tee shots on par 4/5 holes is my biggest weakness. Got a lesson booked in to work on that so hopefully at the very least I'll be able to start actually improving in that area. Then, I suppose I just need to work on improving everything else! Bit daunting but if I can get down to single figures within two summers of playing I'll be a happy man.

 

[pinberry]

What we told you does not mean you can't set yourself some targets. It is indeed a good way to make progress and keep the right level of motivation.

For example, I'm not sure about how many fairways you hit. Assuming it's a low number (say 4), improving this to 6 will improve your score by 0.6 shots per round (each fairway hit on average allows you to gain 0.3 strokes). If you improve your number of fairways hit, then you are likely to strike the ball better and possibly also gain some distance off the tee, which will bring you additional fractions of shots gained.

Another example is putting. I guarantee you that your make rate at 4 feet will be 80%-85%, which is low. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to hole more than that if you work hard at it etc.

If you are a number guy (which I am), by all means set yourself targets through which you can measure your progress. But it's important that you focus on all area of your games and then do the things you need to do (which will probably involve lesson) to achieve those targets!

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm naturally quite a structured/formulaic person in what I do, so I suppose I was hoping for was a simple 'to get down to 9, you need to hit XYZ GIR and get up and down XYZ per round generally...'

There are a huge number of different ways to play the game to a single figure handicap, taking into account the wide range of course characteristics out there as well!

In my experience this applies right down to about 4/5 after which it all starts to get more demanding all round and any weak areas will prove a barrier to further improvements (with the possible exception of distance capabilities on a shorter course).

To get to single figures the absolute key formulae is 'keep it in play then get it in the hole quickly ie don't waste strokes.

 

[MadAdey]

something I read a few years ago with regards to mid/high handicappers will always stick in my mind. How many times do you manage a bogey or better after a bad tee shot. Low handicappers always have a weak part of their game, if not they would be a plus handicapper and trying to go pro and make money at the game. But what they tend not to do is throw shots away.

FIR, GIR, putts per round etc are all good stats to look at, but you need to look at where you are throwing shots away. Common ways I see shots being thrown away is things like standing on a par 5 and trying to smash a 3W as close as you can to the green even though you have no chance of reaching and ending up sticking in trouble causing a bogey, when a 5i followed by a a 3/4 wedge shot would guarantee leaving a birdie putt and an easy par.

Try keeping a record over the next couple of rounds where you have thrown shots away by not playing the right shot.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I keep stats with Scoresaver2. It does show me some trends but I want something to show me strokes gained/lost. I did use Game Golf which was perfect but had issues with tags and the sensor so stopped. I'm waiting to see what the new version is like. I usually give my pro the stats for the previous period since the last lesson so he can see where I'm doing well and not so well. I'm taking more care to record practice stats to see if my practice is showing progress

 

[TreeSeeker]

Wasn't sure to post or not given you're a better golfer than me, but hopefully I can pop some positive comments in which are useful.

Most of your game seems good to me, and certainly not far behind the lower handicap guys that I've played with, but off the tee could do with some fine tuning. Especially around Chislehurst I'd expect you to be taking on the greens from around the low 100's if not under most of the time. In short my guess is that you're giving yourself too much to do on your irons, which could be made easier to help with the putts.

Hope the lesson goes well.