Mark Broadie Interview: How To Use Strokes Gained Analysis to Lower Your Scores
Jul 8, 2021
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Mark Broadie, a pioneer in golf analytics and author of 'Every Shot Counts', discusses his groundbreaking strokes gained analysis. He reveals how this method helps golfers assess their performance across all aspects of the game, including tee shots, approach shots, and putting. Broadie challenges traditional stats like greens in regulation, advocating for personalized data tracking. Listeners will learn how strategic aiming and shot selection can enhance scores and why mastering short putts is crucial for improvement.
Mark Broadie emphasizes the importance of strokes gained analysis as a vital tool for golfers aiming to improve performance by quantifying shot efficacy relative to peers.
Brody reveals that driving distance significantly affects scoring potential, underscoring the need for golfers to strategically target distance off the tee to maximize their scores.
Challenging common beliefs, he asserts that putting contributes to only 15% of scoring differences, urging golfers to prioritize approach shots and scoring opportunities instead.
Deep dives
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Introduction of Golf Analytics Expert Mark Brody
Mark Brody, a professor from Columbia Business School, discusses his extensive work in golf analytics, which he began nearly a decade ago and continues to evolve. Renowned for his research on strokes gained, he explains how this metric has been embraced by the PGA Tour since its adoption in 2011. His insights are not only utilized by professionals but are also intended to help average golfers better understand and improve their game. Brody's published work, especially his book 'Every Shot Counts,' serves as a valuable resource for golfers seeking to enhance their performance.
Understanding Strokes Gained
Brody elaborates on the concept of strokes gained, which quantifies a golfer’s performance by measuring how each shot affects their score relative to the average performance of competitors. This metric provides clear differentiation between good and bad shots with specific numerical values, thereby enabling golfers to assess their gameplay effectively. For instance, a shot that results in being closer to the hole translates into gaining strokes, while a shot that takes a player further away results in lost strokes. This quantification is crucial for golfers aiming to track their progress and strategize effectively.
The Importance of Tee Shots for Scoring
Driving distance significantly impacts scoring potential, particularly for amateur golfers who often underappreciate the value of distance off the tee. Brody notes that while hitting the fairway is essential, avoiding major mistakes, such as hitting into hazards or out of bounds, is more crucial. He emphasizes that golfers should aim for a strategic target, positioning themselves to maximize their scoring opportunities. Understanding the relationship between distance and scoring potential can lead to meaningful improvements in a golfer’s overall game.
Reevaluating the Importance of Putting
Brody challenges traditional perceptions of putting, arguing that while it is essential, it accounts for a smaller percentage of score differentiation than many believe. His analysis suggests that only about 15% of scoring differences between golfers can be attributed to putting, contrary to the common assumption that it's the primary factor. He advocates for focusing more on scoring opportunities and approach shots over simply improving putting skills. This nuanced understanding allows golfers to reallocate their practice efforts towards areas with greater potential for scoring improvements.
Mark Broadie joins us in this episode to explain how strokes gained analysis can help golfers lower their scores. We discuss his key findings on tee shots, approach shots, wedge play, and putting. You don't want to miss this episode! Understanding the truth about scoring and how golfers separate themselves from one another is a cornerstone of improving. Mark's book Every Shot Counts is a must-read, and his Golfmetrics app is a great stat-tracking resource for golfers who want to understand where they need to improve.