So, are you looking for a way to step up your game and discover what might be holding you back?
As we discussed in our article on junior golf tracking, it is very important to understand where your game is before you can make the changes you need to get to the next level. So lets review that before we go too far.
Set Goals and Make A Plan to Achieve It.
It's no secret that the more you know, the better you can evaluate your weaknesses and where you need to improve. The more you improve, it is reasonable to believe you will make less mistakes, less mistakes means better score and eventually achieving your goals.
So this is your starting point, make a plan to achieve, once you have a plan, you can then work on achieving it. you have to make a plan that is achievable, be realistic. Don't make a goal that you want to be scratch golfer by the end of the season, if you do, you will set yourself up for disappointment.
I typically make a three year plan. So when I wanted to break 90, 80, etc, I gave myself time to achieve my goals. I know I know, three years is an eternity, right? No, its not, and if you achieve your goal before three years, great! You can then set a new three year plan.
It's very important to not get frustrated with not achieving your goal immediately, you need time to discover, practice, apply and repeat for consistency.
Now, if you want to set one or two year goals, thats up to you, but the key is to be realistic.
Scorelocker offers a premium multi-level solution to help golfers of all levels accomplish their golfing goals.
Before we discuss the options of tracking and which is best for you, we should ask the question. Should I even bother tracking my stats on the course?
Well, if you want to get better, the simple answer is yes. If you want to accomplish anything in life, you need to plan for results you actually want. Let's compare tracking your stats to some other areas of life.
If you were preparing for an exam, you would study to make sure you get the best grade possible. If you do not study, there is a better chance your results would not be as good versus is you spent time to study.
If you decided to open your own business, one of the most important things to do is write a detailed business plan to create a roadmap for you business.
And what if you wanted to lose weight, you would plan to work out, or cut your calorie intake. If you consume or burn off more calories than your body requires, you will eventually burn fat and accomplish your goals.
Well, achieving your golf goals is no different.
If you want to improve your golf game and lower your scores, you need to know what to work on. Golfers tend to go to the range and practice the same old things. This is great to practice, but you need to practice with purpose. So if your goal is to break 80 for example, you need to discover what is holding you back from doing it. Maybe you average 35 putts per round and you are losing strokes on the green.
Solution: You need to work on two things. You need to dial in your approach shots to get closer to the pin, and work on your putting stroke to take advantage of your opportunities and eliminate 3 putts.
Once you start tracking your game after only a few rounds, you will start to notice your strengths and weaknesses. The more and more you refine your game, you will start eliminating the habits that hold you back and enhance the better qualities of your new found game.
So, what are some stats you need to focus on?
Depending on where you are and where you want to be, you need to focus on key stats to help evolve your game. Let's work from the tee to green.
Fairways In Regulation
While this may be the most vital stat, it certainly is an important one to refine. Stats will show that as long as you can get to the green, it makes no difference if you are on the fairway or rough. However, let's look at this from the standpoint of confidence.
The more you can pick the right club on the tee and perform the shot you want to achieve, this will really help your mindset on the next shot. Also, it really allows you to set up your planned shot strategy for the hole. If you are not thinking 2 shots ahead, you need to think about this. Especially as you become more refined. Think about golf like a game of chess.
Drive Distance
This does not need to be a concern for the beginner or even sometimes the casual golfer. However, as you progress, understanding your drive distance is important to set up your next shot, especially for dialing into the greens.
Hitting greens
This stat is a little more important and can really help golfers get to the next level. You have 18 greens to hit in regulation and the more you hit, the better shot at eagle, birdie or par.
So let's define what a green in regulation is:
Par 3 - hitting the green in 1
Par 4 - hitting the green in 2
Par 5 - Hitting the green in 3
Ideally, you always want a putt for birdie. The more greens you hit, the more attempts at birdie you have and the lower your score will eventually get as you hit more greens.
First Putt Distance
Now, this stat will really help you get more birdies. This is a stat we track in the Tour Edition scorebook.
The goal is to get to a number you really like and confident hitting - 100 yards for example.The closer you can get to the hole on every first putt attempt you have, the better odds you have to make birdie.
Putts Per Hole
Typically, you want to putt more than you want to chip. Lots of people love to chip and are very good at it, but the odds go up when you can roll a putt and that should always be your objective, seek best chance to get in the hole.
If you putt from the fringe, that does not count as a putt even if you putt, so only count putts that are done on the actual green. As discussed in first putt distance, the closer distance to the hole you can be, the better chance to reduce the amount of putts per hole and per round. Reducing putts per round is a massive stat to achieve lower scores.
Check out the Scorelocker blog article on using a putting line on your golf ball.
Score
This is obviously a measure that most people use to gauge their game. Yes, it is an important one but people do ignore all the others and tend to look at score too much. While it is the measuring stick, once you get everything else figured out, this one takes care of itself.
This one reminds me of an old saying, save your pennies and the dollars will count themselves. If we think of it this way, once we refine all our other areas, your scores will lower without really even thinking about it, it will just happen.
+/-
This is an extension of score. This basically indicates the amount of strokes over or under par you are for the hole or round. So on hole #1, if you get a bogey, you are +1. If you double bogey hole #2, you are now +3. This should be a running total that will go up and down and tell you where you are for score at a quick glance. Versus adding your score up to see where you are, after 7 holes you can see you are +5.
Now, as mentioned in our article for junior tracking, the stats above are where we stop tracking. However, with the Amateur level Scorelocker, we step up the tracking just a little more.
At this stage, it's time to think about your up and downs along with your sand saves.
Let's review.
Up and Downs - Scrambling
If you miss your green in regulation, you will have to try and get up and down to save your par. A lot of golfers tend to get very good at chipping around the green for a reason, they are not dialing in their short irons and missing greens. Thats why a lot of golfers say, I love chipping.
While chipping is essential around the green to scramble for your pars, once you refine your game, you will find yourself having to scramble less. Which means your puts may increase until you dial in your putting (what a game).
Sand Saves
Sand saves are a form of scrambling. If you miss the green and hit a green side bunker, you need to get up and down for a par. This up and down can be harder to achieve unless you love bunker shots.
Another thing that the Scorelocker Amateur does track on the scorecard is the ability to track if you miss your greens long or short. You also have the same ability for fairways, did you miss the fairway short or drive through it.
The Secret is in Your Back Pocket
Here is a quick overview of the Scorelocker Amateur Tracking books for your back pocket.
Amateur
This scorebook is designed for the avid golfer that is starting to hit goals and lower their score - Shooting in the mid 80's and up. Track the following Advance stats:
Advanced Stats
- Hole Yardage/Par
- Fairways in Regulation
- Greens in Regulation
- Putts
- Score
- Plus/Minus
- Up/Down
- Sand Saves
All Scorebooks Come With:
- Tee Time Tracker
- Rounds Played Summary
- Detailed Summary Scorecard
If this sounds like the right option for you, check out the Amateur Scorelocker.
If you are a tournament player, you may want to review the Scorelocker Tour Edition.
Tour Edition
Check out the article on Tournament Tracking.
This scorebook is designed for the competitive or tournament golfer - example would be someone shooting scratch to mid 80's (just to give a ballpark of typical user). This scorebook is packed with tracking, tournament pin sheets and club management to name a few.
Track the following Advance stats:
Premium Tracking Includes:
- Hole Yardage/Par
- Fairways in Regulation
- Greens in Regulation
- Putts
- Score
- Plus/Minus
- Up/Down
- Sand Saves
- Pin Sheets
- Notes Per Hole
- Club Management System
All Scorebooks Come With:
- Tee Time Tracker
- Rounds Played Summary
- Detailed Summary Scorecard
If this sounds like the right option for you, check out the Tour Edition Scorelocker.
We hope this tip helps.
If you would like to see how you can track important stats on the course, store data for handicap tracking, reviewing past rounds at a glance, and so much more.
Check out the Scorelocker multi-level tracking books for your back pocket.
Scorelocker provides discount pricing for golf clubs and clinics to help Amateur golfers improve their game. Contact sales@scorelocker.com
It's time to Track Like A Pro!
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