Shot Scope has developed 6 golfing benchmarks for success on the course. These are:
1. Driver Distance
2. Troublesome Tee Shots
3. Greens in Regulation (GIR)
4. Multiple Chips within 50 yards
5. Three Putts
6. Missed Putts within 5 Feet
Let's explore each benchmark and how you can improve on these.
Driver Distance
This one is obvious. Longer drives = Lower scores because you will have a shorter second shot with less club in hand, and as a result, have a greater chance of hitting the green. But how do you increase driver distance? Faster club head speed means faster ball speed, means longer distance. But it is not just about brute force. You also need to match your equipment (driver loft, shaft, golf ball, tee height) to your swing characteristics. A launch monitor and data gathering could help you squeeze out every precious yard. One last thing - know your smash factor. Smash factor measures strike efficiency. It is ball speed divided by club head speed. A good driver smash factor is 1.47 to 1.50, and center strikes has the greatest influence in a good smash factor, thus an efficient swing. If you cannot increase you swing speed, increase your ball striking efficiency.
Use foot spray powder to identify where on the driver you are striking the ball.
Troublesome Tee Shots
There is a huge divide between low handicappers and high handicappers off the tee. A golfer who scores in the 100's has 3 times the number of tee shots in trouble as the player who shoots in the 70's. The number one goal off the tee is to keep the ball in play!
Plan your tee shot to avoid trouble as follows:
How we approach our tee shots can help avoid trouble, set up a better approach shot, and avoid mistakes, extra strokes, and penalties. It's not just about distance, but understanding the course and our strengths. Trust your reliable shot shape and aim away from trouble.
Greens in Regulation (GIR)
As average score decreases, the number of greens in regulation that a player hits increases. The most noticeable jump is shooting in the 80's versus 70's.
GIR is harder than you think. The graph above points out the obvious: Lower handicappers overall have a higher GIR success, and the closer you are to the green the more likely you are to hit the green. A 15 handicapper (green line) hits the green only 50% of the time from 100-125 yards out.
You can improve your GIR by working on tee shot distance and accuracy. The longer your tee shots the shorter your approach to the green.
Most approach shots miss short so know your average carry distance of each club and not use your best shot distance for that club. Working on your ball striking skill will increase your GIR!
Multiple chips within 50 yards
There is nothing more frustrating than missing the green entirely from within 50 yards. Duffing or thinning a simple chip/pitch shot not just increases your score but your blood pressure as well!
There are hundreds of tips to perform the perfect chip shot, but here are two simple ones:
1. Putt when you can
2. Chip like you putt
Do what it takes to GET ON THE GREEN.
Three Putts
The dreaded three putt is an ever present aspect of the game whether you are playing for millions on Sunday or quarters on Monday, every player is susceptible to them,
The average Two Putt range is about 16 feet for 15-19 handicappers. That's just five paces from the pin. A 3-5 handicapper two putts from seven paces from the pin. Thinking more on your approach shots about where you don't want to be or where you do want to be on the green may save you that three putt.
Practice, practice, practice a consistent set up, and stroke along with drills on speed control and green reading improves putting and putting confidence. There are thousands of tips on putting, putting aids, putter types, and books on putting. Check out this one by our own Tom Graves:
Missed Putts within 5 Feet
Putting proficiency inside 5ft can be the difference between a par save or a bogey, or worse. It goes without saying that the closer you leave your first putt to the hole, the easier the second one will be.
Again, we see that going from shooting in the 100s to the 90s or from the 90s to the 80s does not require a vast improvement. Instead, one fewer missed putt from short range per round, in addition to the other stats mentioned above, can transform your score.
On the greens, you need to develop a combination of distance control and confidence from short range. Once you have both, you will have fewer three putts and place less pressure on the rest of your game.
Practice 5 footers by setting up a "ghost hole" and having your putts finish 6-12 inches past the hole. NO lagging 5 footers!
Here are Six Benchmarks for better scores. Which one(s) do you need working on?
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