In the 1st round of the 1975 Masters, Jack Nicklaus took just 32 strokes from tee to green. This may be a record. And this writer contends shots from tee to green should be a key statistic in golf.
I like the idea. On a par 72 course, 36 shots are permitted to get to the green and two putts on each hole equals 36 putts. Your statistic makes that very easy to decipher. Great putting will be a number less than 36 for putts. Great shot making will be a number less than 36 for tee to green.
Charlie, Thanks for your comment. I like how you framed that. If the PGA TOUR would adopt this simple approach it would make it so easy for casual and core fans to ascertain how well a golfer played the course. I love the simplicity of the under/over 36 strokes and putts. At a glance I could see if the golfer had a good day striking the ball or a good day putting.
Great Idea Len, Strokes Gained does not resonate with me but the idea of tracking Tee to Green totals would have more meaning, a better indication of how your fairway game play is.
Glenn, thanks for this feedback. I completely agree. The number of strokes you take from tee to green is a concept that the average golfer can wrap their head around. It basically divides your golf score into the strokes in which you swing a golf club vs. the strokes you take when putting on the green. Those are the two basic elements of a golf score. Why not report on that in TV broadcasts and website stats?
Exactly! I've been listening to announcers talk about strokes gained driving, putting, etc.. for years and I just can't get a sense of how a player is really performing with those numbers. They feel meaningless in the moment. But if you tell me that a guy went around 18 holes and only needed to strike the ball 32 times from tee to green, I can grasp that and really be in awe.
Hi Len,
I like the idea. On a par 72 course, 36 shots are permitted to get to the green and two putts on each hole equals 36 putts. Your statistic makes that very easy to decipher. Great putting will be a number less than 36 for putts. Great shot making will be a number less than 36 for tee to green.
Charlie, Thanks for your comment. I like how you framed that. If the PGA TOUR would adopt this simple approach it would make it so easy for casual and core fans to ascertain how well a golfer played the course. I love the simplicity of the under/over 36 strokes and putts. At a glance I could see if the golfer had a good day striking the ball or a good day putting.
Great Idea Len, Strokes Gained does not resonate with me but the idea of tracking Tee to Green totals would have more meaning, a better indication of how your fairway game play is.
Glenn
Glenn, thanks for this feedback. I completely agree. The number of strokes you take from tee to green is a concept that the average golfer can wrap their head around. It basically divides your golf score into the strokes in which you swing a golf club vs. the strokes you take when putting on the green. Those are the two basic elements of a golf score. Why not report on that in TV broadcasts and website stats?
Len,
Great idea and much easier to grasp.
Phil
Exactly! I've been listening to announcers talk about strokes gained driving, putting, etc.. for years and I just can't get a sense of how a player is really performing with those numbers. They feel meaningless in the moment. But if you tell me that a guy went around 18 holes and only needed to strike the ball 32 times from tee to green, I can grasp that and really be in awe.