Lesson 3: Counting What Matters Simple Stats
Professional golfers and their coaches track many statistics beyond just total score. Simple statistics are counts and percentages that measure specific parts of the game.
Fairways hit counts how many times your tee shot lands in the fairway (not the rough). If you play 14 par-4 and par-5 holes and hit 9 fairways, your fairway percentage is 9 ÷ 14 = 64%.
Putts per round counts how many putts you took in total. The average professional uses about 29-30 putts per round. More than 36 putts usually means the short game needs work.
Tracking these simple stats over time reveals what part of the game needs the most practice. If your fairways percentage is high but your putts per round is high too, the problem is on the greens — not off the tee.
Simple golf statistics include: fairways hit %, putts per round, greens hit in regulation.
Statistics identify weaknesses — the parts of your game that need the most practice time.
During your next round, track three statistics: (1) total putts — count every putt you take on the greens, (2) fairways hit — mark a Y or N for each tee shot on a par-4 or par-5, (3) your score relative to par on each hole. After the round, calculate: total putts, fairway percentage (Y’s divided by total par-4/5 holes × 100), and your total over/under par. Write all three in your golf diary. Which statistic are you proudest of?