2017 was the year that I really got back into golf, and being able to share my journey with you across my Social Media platforms has really helped to spur me on.
Coming from a science background, I have always been interested in statistics, so I decided to take an in depth look into my game; working out what has gone well, and well… what hasn’t!
Make sure you check out my Instagram for more pictures and comments on the various statistics!
Overall
2017 Year in Numbers starts with two key stats that are part of my @thesussexgolfer journey… Having only started this venture halfway through the year, the stats aren’t too bad, but there are plenty more courses in the county that I am excited to play in 2018!
Rounds Played : 30
Courses Played : 20
Shots Hit : 2608
Putting
Now I know the below number might seem high, but when expressed as a percentage it doesn’t seem too bad. Out of the 2608 shots hit in 2017, 37% were putts. To put this in perspective, a round in regulation would equate to 50% putts!
Putts Hit : 963
Putts per Round : 32.1
Putts Per Hole : 1.78
The following numbers give more of a representation of how my putting actually was last year, and make for slightly disappointing reading, averaging (just) over 2 putts per GIR, and 3 putting on average more than once per round.
Putts Per GIR : 2.01
Putters Per Missed GIR : 1.68
3 Putt Percentage : 7.59%
Fairways and Greens
Two areas that need some major work: FIR % and GIR %. I can be wayward at times off the tee, and as a direct result, often the green is unachievable. Both being just over the 30% mark is not good enough! More time working on getting the ball in play off the tee should see both numbers come up in 2018!
Average FIR% : 32.37%
Average GIR% : 30.93%
Scoring Averages
One of the stats that I have started to pay more attention to in the last year… Scoring averages.
Previously, when trying to break 90 back in the day, I found it useful to try and get 5 on every hole, with a couple below where I could to get into the 80s. At the time, I didn’t realise how many shots I was wasting on par 3s!
Now I have started to pay more attention to how I do in relation to par on each type of hole, it has really helped me see the importance of scoring well on the par 3s, and how they can turn an average round to a great round.
Turns out my average is actually best on par 3s, which I think is based on my fairly consistent iron play (for my handicap)!
Scoring Average Par 3 : 3.62
Scoring Average Par 4 : 4.99
Scoring Average Par 5 : 5.91
Scoring Average : 86.9 (+16)
Hole Performance
Pars : 194
Birdies : 28
Eagles : 1
The important ones!
One of the main numbers people want to know when they’re talking about people’s golf games… handicap.
So, I finished the year with an (unofficial) handicap of 13.2. Does this mean I shoot mid 80s every week? No, and that’s the beauty of golf. One day you can shoot 77, and then soon after shoot 97, as I have managed to successfully prove this year!
It isn’t an aim of 2018 to go lower than the +6 I shot at Seaford Head GC (although it would be nice!). The aim is to limit the bad rounds, and try and bring that 13.2 closer to (and hopefully below) the 10 mark.
Handicap : 13.2
Best Round : 77 (+6) Seaford Head GC 16/08/2017
Worst Round : 97 (+25) Tilgate Forest GC 26/11/2017
The Sussex Golfer 