Is It Better To Hit 75% Of Fairways Or Three-Putt Only Once Per Round? New Data Reveals All...
Using the latest data from Arccos, we explore which of these key areas could have the biggest impact on your scoring...
When speaking to other amateur golfers about the most important aspects of the game to focus their improvement efforts on, the responses are often conflicting. Some believe that finding the fairway with your tee shot is the crucial factor in lowering your handicap, while others believe tightening up your performance on and around the greens is the key to success.
Well, rather than spending anymore time hypothesising, I went straight to the data to settle the argument once and for all. Using the latest Arccos data, I explored whether it would be be better to hit 75% of fairways or three-putt just once per round, which threw up some interesting results...
Is It Better To Hit 75% Of Fairways Or Three-Putt Only Once Per Round?
The logical place to start here would be to separate the data for each aspect and understand its value in helping you to shoot better scores on the golf course. So, let's start with hitting fairways.
As you can see in the graphic below, the difference between the number of fairways hit by a scratch player and a 20-handicapper is just 10 percent. In fact, for every 5 shot difference in the handicap index, the average improves by just two or three percent, and the overall difference across the entire spectrum is around one fairway per round.
The PGA Tour average for fairways hit is just 54 percent, which would potentially indicate that hitting the fairway isn't necessarily a strong separating factor across the different ability levels.
Interested in discovering insights on your own game from Golf Monthly's data partner? Check out the Arccos website and use code: 'GolfMonthly' to save 15%
So, what is it that sets them apart? Let's take a look instead at the three-putt percentage stats.
As you can see in the graphic below, a scratch golfer makes around 1.3 three-putts per round as an average, compared to 4 three-putts for a 20-handicapper. That's a significant difference of 2.7 shots per round, if you assume a 2-putt is the baseline for all golfers.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
For every five shots on the handicap index, this figure increases by around 0.7 shots, which at face value would appear more detrimental to scoring than the differentiation between the number of fairways hit.
That becomes even more apparent when you factor in the distances that players are putting from. On average, a golfer with a 10-handicap or higher three-putts a third of the time when leaving a putt of longer than 30ft.
This value rises more quickly with higher handicap golfers, as might be expected, but that same sharp increase doesn't necessarily exist with the amount of fairways hit per round.
While there is only a ten percent difference between the number of fairways hit by a scratch golfer compared to a 20-handicapper, the difference in the number of three-putts from outside 30ft is more like 20 percent.
That would indicate that three-putting just once per round, which would be lower than the average for a scratch golfer, would have a more positive impact on your scoring than hitting 75 percent of fairways. So, next time you arrive early for your weekend comp, you might want to head to the putting green for a bit of lag putt practice.
Barry Plummer is our Staff Writer, joining in January 2024 after seven years as a PE Teacher. He now writes about instruction, working closely with Golf Monthly's Top 50 Coaches to provide hints and tips about all aspects of the game. As someone who came into golf at a later age, Barry is very passionate about supporting the growth of the game and creating opportunities for everyone to access it. A member at Sand Moor Golf Club in Leeds, he looks forward to getting out on the course at least once a week and making up for lost time in the pursuit of a respectable handicap.
Barry is currently playing:
Driver: Ping G425
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 4 Hybrid
Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 4-PW
Wedges: TaylorMade RAC 60, Callaway Jaws MD5 54
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
-
Rory McIlroy 'Would Pay For The Privilege' Of Playing In The Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy can see the argument for players being paid to play in the Ryder Cup, but thinks it would upset the "purity" of the event for the Europeans
By Paul Higham Published
-
What Is Maximum Available Relief In Golf And When And Where Does It Apply?
What does 'maximum available relief' mean and when might it come into play? We explain all...
By Jeremy Ellwood Published
-
Amateur Golfers Make Less Than 40 Percent Of Putts From This Crucial Length'... Arccos Data Reveals Stark Putting Truths
When standing over a 'makeable' putt, many golfers would fancy their chances as they pull the putter head back... But this data might make them think twice!
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Fresh Data Shows The Age Amateur Golfers Hit Their Longest Drives... Is This True For You?
Driving distance isn't everything, but data suggests longer tee shots can lead to a lower handicap. So, at what age do amateur golfers hit their longest drives?
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Data Reveals How Many 3-Putts Amateur Golfers Make Per Round
3-putts are extremely frustrating and damaging to your scorecard, but how often do they occur for amateur golfers in the average round? This data reveals all...
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Heading To The 1st Tee? Stop Right There! This Data Proves Why The Range Might Be A Better Choice...
Getting better at golf requires more than just playing regularly on the course, with the data suggesting that practise time could be the key to success...
By Carly Frost Published
-
How Close To The Pin Do Amateur Golfers Hit Their Approach Shots?
We often set unrealistic expectations on the golf course, which can leave us feeling deflated, so just how close can we expect to get with our approach shots?
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Is It Better To Miss The Green In The Bunker Or Rough? The Data Is Clear Cut...
When assessing options for your next approach shot, this data will help you make better decisions on the 'good' miss and reduce the risk of bringing bogey into play
By Barry Plummer Published
-
Why You DON'T Need To Make More Birdies To Chop 5 Shots Off Your Handicap
For a mid-handicap golfer, the route towards shooting lower scores and improving your handicap index is clear... if you have access to the right data!
By Barry Plummer Published
-
How Far Do Amateur Golfers Hit Their Irons? Find Out How You Compare…
Ever wondered how your iron shots compare to other golfers in terms of distance? The latest Arccos data reveals all...
By Barry Plummer Published