Most golfers think putting is where they lose strokes. The data tells a different story. Around the green is where mid-handicappers hemorrhage scoring potential without realizing it.
Every golfer tracks stats. Most golfers track the wrong ones. Strokes gained is the only metric that measures what actually matters: how each shot affects your score.
What does a "good" strokes gained look like at your handicap? These benchmarks show you where average golfers at every level gain and lose strokes across all four categories.
Approach shots separate scratch golfers from 15-handicaps more than any other part of the game. Strokes gained approach is the category that exposes why.
Your tee shot on par 4s and par 5s sets the tone for everything. Strokes gained off the tee is the only metric that captures both distance and accuracy in a single number.
Strokes gained breaks your game into four categories. Understanding what each one measures—and what it tells you—is the key to knowing where to improve.