Tee to Green, Part 1: Strokes Gained
What is strokes gained (and why does it matter?)
This is the first article in our Tee to Green Series, designed to make professional golf and the stats behind it easier to understand. To view the whole series, click here.
If you’ve watched professional golf in the last few years, you’ve probably heard the term “strokes gained” on broadcasts or seen it in articles like our Pin Sheets. However, it’s often just mentioned with no explanation for what it is and why it matters. Let’s take a closer look at what strokes gained really means and why it’s become such a valuable statistic in modern golf.
What Is Strokes Gained?
In its most basic form, strokes gained refers to how well a player performs on a given shot relative to the field. The basic golf statistics, like fairways hit, greens in regulation, or putts, are raw numbers that lack context: they don’t account for difficulty, distance, or situation. Strokes gained compares your shot to what an average player would do from that exact spot. It is usually broken down into categories based on the type of shot (off the tee, approach, around the green, and putt).
How Does It Work?
Let’s say you’re in the fairway with an approach shot on a hole where, historically, the average pro hits it to 25 feet. If you hit it closer than that, even if it is 24 feet and 11 inches, you have gained strokes on the field (the other players in the event). Similarly, if you hit it further away, you lose strokes on the field. Strokes gained looks at each shot on its own, comparing it to the average result from the rest of the field. If your shot is better than average, you gain strokes. If it's worse, you lose strokes. It’s that simple yet that powerful.
The Strokes Gained Categories
Of course, strokes gained doesn’t only apply to approach shots (shots you hit with the intention of landing on the green). Four main categories are used to assess player performance:
Off the Tee (OTT)
This measures performance off the tee, specifically on tee shots aimed at finding the fairway. It helps assess a player's accuracy and distance with the driver or any other club they choose for their opening shot on a hole.
Approach (APP)
These are shots aimed at hitting the green, usually made with irons. This category is crucial because hitting the green in regulation gives players the best chance of making birdies or pars.
Around the Green (ARG)
This includes chips, pitches, bunker shots, and any other shots a player uses when they miss the green. It covers the short game, where precision and touch are essential for saving pars or setting up birdie opportunities.
Putting (PUTT)
This one speaks for itself. It measures how well a player performs once they’re on the green, and a hot putting week can make all the difference.
So Why Does It Matter?
Strokes gained provides the context that raw stats are missing. Not all fairways, greens, or two-putts are created equal, and strokes gained helps us measure the difference. It tells us how players score, where their strengths or weaknesses are, and can give us insight into their style of play, tendencies, and trends, making it an incredibly useful tool.
For example, on a course with narrow fairways that places a premium on accuracy off the tee, we might look for players with strong SG: Off the Tee numbers. That tells us who is likely to gain an edge on those opening shots, which can be a big differentiator over four rounds.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered why one player may do well at TPC Sawgrass but struggle at Harbour Town, strokes gained is the answer. It’s not just about who’s the flashy pick, it’s about who the data supports. By understanding strokes gained, we can better grasp why certain players consistently rise to the occasion at specific courses, offering a more informed perspective on their chances and style of play.
That’s why we rely on strokes gained in our Pin Sheets. It helps us move beyond surface-level stats and zero in on who truly fits the course. Whether you’re into fantasy, betting, or just starting to follow the sport, strokes gained gives you a clearer, smarter way to see the game.