The Big Picture
4-Stroke Improvement Over 115 Rounds
Scoring average has dropped from +11.2 (first 20 rounds) to +7.2 (most recent 15 rounds). That's 4.0 strokes of improvement — real, measurable progress.
Strokes Gained total improved from −8.6 to −4.9, a gain of 3.7 strokes relative to the Arccos baseline.
What's Working
Driving turned from a weakness (−1.3 SG) into a strength (+0.1 SG). Approach play is nearly scratch-level at −0.09 SG, recently trending to +0.5. These two categories together went from losing 1.1 strokes to gaining 0.6 — a 1.7-stroke swing.
What Needs Work
Putting (−3.08 SG) and Short Game (−1.84 SG) account for 68% of total strokes lost. Together they cost 4.92 strokes per round. Both are improving, but putting especially remains a significant drain on scoring.
Putting — The Honest Truth
The #1 Area Losing Strokes
At −3.08 SG Putting per round, putting accounts for 43% of total Strokes Gained loss. Only 6 out of 88 rounds (7%) had positive SG Putting — meaning 93% of the time, putting actively costs strokes relative to the baseline.
The Core Problem: Three-Putting on GIR Holes
When hitting the green in regulation, the three-putt rate is 21.9% — roughly 1 in 5 GIR holes results in a three-putt. This is where pars turn into bogeys. On non-GIR holes, the three-putt rate is only 6.9% — much better, because those are typically chip-and-one-putt scenarios with shorter remaining putts.
The interpretation: when approaching the green from distance, the first putt is typically long (20-40 feet). That's where three-putts happen. When chipping onto the green from close range, the first putt is shorter and three-putts are rare.
But Putting IS Improving
Despite being the biggest loss area, putting shows the largest raw improvement of any category. SG Putting went from −4.6 (first 20 rounds) to −2.3 (most recent 15) — a 2.3-stroke improvement. Putts per 18 dropped from 36.0 to 34.5, and three-putts per 18 went from 3.3 to 2.4.
Short Game — The Stubborn Problem
The Only Category Getting Worse
Short game SG went from −1.4 to −1.8 over the tracked period. While the change is modest, it's notable because every other SG category improved. At −1.84 average, short game is the second-largest loss area after putting.
Whatever practice has been happening hasn't translated to improvement here. This area needs dedicated, structured attention — particularly chipping and pitching from 30-80 yards.
Driving — The Success Story
From Weakness to Strength
SG Driving went from −1.3 to +0.1 — a 1.4-stroke improvement that turned driving from a liability into a positive contributor. Driver averages 267 yards with a typical range of 229-301 yards.
This is the clearest area of sustained improvement in the entire dataset. Keep doing what's working.
Approach — Quietly Strong
Nearly Scratch-Level Performance
At −0.09 SG Approach, this is essentially scratch-level play. Recently trending to +0.5 — genuinely good. GIR at 56.3% is consistent with a single-digit handicap (PGA Tour averages ~65%, scratch is ~55-60%).
Approach play requires no major intervention — it's a quiet strength that should be maintained.
Score Distribution
Where Do Rounds Fall?
The most common outcome is +6 to +10 (47 rounds, 40.9%). Breaking 80 is still relatively rare — only 27 rounds (23.5%) at +5 or better, and only 5 rounds (4.3%) at even par or under.
Priority Action Items
Lag Putting (20-40 feet)
Reduce GIR three-putt rate from 21.9% to ~15%. On 10 GIR holes per round, that's eliminating roughly 0.7 three-putts per round — saving an estimated 0.7 strokes. This is the single highest-ROI practice area.
Short Game (30-80 yards)
SG Short Game is -1.84 and trending worse. Dedicated chipping and pitching practice — not just range sessions — is needed. Focus on distance control from 30-80 yards to set up easier putts.
Maintain Driving & Approach
Both categories are now positive or near-neutral. Keep the current practice routine for tee-to-green play — it's working. Don't sacrifice this to chase putting/short game gains.
Blowup Round Prevention
12 rounds (10.4%) were +16 or worse. These outliers drag the average significantly. A pre-shot routine or mental game strategy for damage control — bogey is okay, double isn't — could trim 1-2 strokes from the overall average.