Strokes gained looks complicated because the answers come back as decimals. The calculation underneath is a single subtraction applied to every shot, using a lookup table of expected strokes built from tour data.
The stock benchmarks tell you how you compare to a 10-handicap. They do not tell you whether you are better than you were in May. Here is how to build a baseline from your own data.
Expected strokes describes where your ball is. Strokes gained describes what you did with it. Confusing the two leads to bad conclusions about your own game, and bad decisions on the course.
Up-and-down percentage hides where your short game actually leaks strokes. A strokes gained around the green calculator turns each chip, pitch, and bunker shot into one honest number.
Driving stats usually stop at fairways hit and average distance. A strokes gained off the tee calculator turns each drive into one honest number that accounts for both.
Approach shots decide more scores than any other part of the game. A strokes gained approach calculator turns each iron shot into a number you can actually act on.