How Do They Calculate Strokes Gained Putting

Strokes Gained Putting (SG Putting) is a statistical measure used in golf to evaluate a player's putting performance relative to the field. It helps golfers understand how well they perform compared to their peers and identify areas for improvement.

What Is Strokes Gained Putting?

Strokes Gained Putting is a key metric in golf analytics that measures how many strokes a player is better or worse than the average golfer on the course. It's calculated by comparing a player's actual putting performance to the expected performance based on their putting statistics.

The concept was developed by golf statisticians to provide a more nuanced understanding of a player's performance than traditional scoring averages. Positive SG Putting indicates a player is performing better than average, while negative values indicate below-average performance.

How to Calculate Strokes Gained Putting

The calculation involves several steps to account for different factors that affect putting performance:

Formula

SG Putting = (Actual Putts - Expected Putts) × 0.86

Where:

Actual Putts = Number of putts made by the player
Expected Putts = Expected number of putts based on the field average
0.86 = Conversion factor to account for the difficulty of putting

The calculation is based on the assumption that the average golfer makes 2.0 putts per green in regulation (GIR). The 0.86 factor adjusts for the fact that putting is more difficult than other aspects of the game.

Note: The exact formula may vary slightly depending on the source or tournament, but the basic concept remains the same.

How to Use Strokes Gained Putting

SG Putting provides valuable insights for golfers at all levels:

Performance Evaluation: Compare your SG Putting to the field average to see how you're performing relative to your peers.
Identify Strengths: If your SG Putting is consistently positive, you're likely a strong putter.
Target Improvement: If your SG Putting is negative, focus on improving your putting technique and strategy.
Course Management: Use SG Putting data to adjust your approach shots based on putting performance.
Training Focus: Allocate more practice time to areas where you're gaining or losing strokes.

Many golfers use SG Putting data to make strategic decisions during tournaments, adjusting their approach shots based on their putting performance.

Example Calculation

Let's walk through an example to see how SG Putting is calculated:

Example Scenario

A golfer makes 28 putts in a round and has an expected putt count of 32.5 based on the field average.

Using the formula:

SG Putting = (28 - 32.5) × 0.86

= (-4.5) × 0.86

= -3.87

This result indicates the golfer lost 3.87 strokes to the field average in putting for that round.

FAQ

What does a positive SG Putting mean?

A positive SG Putting means the player performed better than the average golfer in putting. For example, +1.5 SG Putting means the player gained 1.5 strokes compared to the field average.

How is expected putts calculated?

Expected putts are calculated based on the field average for putts per green in regulation. The exact calculation can vary by source but typically uses the average putts per round divided by the number of greens in regulation.

Can SG Putting be used for short game practice?

Yes, tracking SG Putting can help identify patterns in your short game performance. For example, you might notice you gain strokes when putting from specific distances or under specific conditions.

Is SG Putting the same as putting average?

No, SG Putting is different from putting average. While putting average simply measures the number of putts per round, SG Putting compares that performance to the field average and accounts for the difficulty of putting.

How often should I check my SG Putting?

It's helpful to track SG Putting regularly, especially during tournaments or practice rounds. Weekly or monthly reviews can help identify trends and areas for improvement.