The right stats

Why "Number of Putts" Alone Can Be Misleading in Golf Stats
Golfers love stats. Whether it’s fairways hit, greens in regulation, or total putts per round, we track numbers to find ways to improve. But not all stats are created equal, and one of the most misleading is number of putts. On its own, this number can paint an incomplete—and often completely inaccurate—picture of your putting performance.
Let’s break it down.

The Problem with "Number of Putts"A common misconception among golfers is that having a low number of putts automatically means you’re putting well. But in reality, the total number of putts doesn’t tell the whole story without knowing your proximity to the hole.
Imagine this scenario:

• You miss every green in regulation.
• On every hole, you chip the ball to within 1 inch of the cup.
• You tap in for 18 putts total.

At first glance, 18 putts looks like an incredible round of putting—almost tour-level. But were you really putting well? No. In this case, your short game was on fire, but you weren’t tested on the greens at all. All of your putts were tap-ins, requiring no skill beyond walking up and nudging the ball.
On the flip side, a player who hits every green in regulation but leaves themselves 25-footers all day might have 34 putts. Does that mean they’re putting poorly? Not necessarily—they just didn’t leave themselves good opportunities.

Proximity to the Hole Changes EverythingTo get a true measure of your putting performance, you have to combine proximity to the hole with the number of putts. Proximity tells you:

• How close you’re leaving the ball after approach shots or chips.
• How realistic your putting opportunities are.

The closer you are to the hole, the easier it is to sink putts. If you consistently leave yourself 5-footers, you’re likely to have fewer putts. If you’re leaving 40-footers, you could putt brilliantly and still end up with a three-putt here and there.
Without proximity data, you’re only looking at part of the picture.

Why This Matters for Your GameRelying solely on putts per round can lead to bad conclusions:

• You might assume your putting is great when it’s actually your short game saving you.
• You might think your putting is terrible when it’s your approach shots leaving you with impossible putts.

For example:

• Player A: 26 putts but chipped everything to within 2 feet.
• Player B: 32 putts but had 10 looks from 20-40 feet.

Player A looks better on paper, but Player B may have rolled the ball beautifully and just didn’t have makeable putts. Player A simply wasn’t tested.
Understanding this distinction allows you to focus on the right parts of your game:

• If your proximity is bad, work on approach shots or short game.
• If you leave yourself makeable putts but miss, focus on putting mechanics or green reading.

The Right Stats to TrackIf you want a clearer picture of your game, focus on stats that provide context:

1. Strokes Gained Putting: This measures how you perform on the greens relative to the field, accounting for putt length.
2. Proximity to the Hole: Track how close you leave your approaches or chips.

By combining these stats, you’ll know:

• How often you’re giving yourself good chances.
• How well you’re converting those chances.
• Whether your putting or your approach play is the area to improve.

Final ThoughtsGolf stats are valuable, but only when viewed in context. The total number of putts can be wildly misleading without proximity data. The next time you analyze your round, ask yourself:

• How close was I to the hole?
• Did I give myself realistic birdie opportunities?
• How many penalty shots did I have?
  

Low putts don’t always mean good putting, and high putts don’t always mean bad putting. By understanding the full story, you’ll be better equipped to identify weaknesses, work on the right areas, and ultimately improve your scores.
So, don’t stop at counting putts—dig deeper, and your game will thank you.

Are you tracking the right stats? Start combining proximity and putting data, and you’ll unlock the key to better decision-making on the course.