Poll

Who will win the 2009 PGA Championship?













Statistical Indexes

The statistical indexes used in Strokemaster® have been carefully formulated. Although additional empirical data is still being compiled to refine these measures, the indexes serve as a valid starting point to depict representative scores for golfers at different skill levels. The indexes derive from three sources of information.



PGA Tour StatisticsFairways % HitGreens % HitApproach IndexChips IndexPutts Index
Top Score78.7%71.7%n.a.n.a.30.7
Bottom Score55.9%58.2%n.a.n.a.33.8
Range22.8%13.5%n.a.n.a.3.10
Mean Score68.1%65.8%n.a.n.a.32.3
Standard Deviation5.30%3.36%n.a.n.a..49


First, select statistics for professional golfers competing on the PGA Tour were assembled and analyzed to establish a basic reference point for certain core measures:

1. Driving accuracy
2. Greens in regulation
3. Average putts.

From this data it becomes possible to specify representative component scores for professional golfers. These component scores, in turn, serve to define the best possible measures for the Strokemaster® indexes which are then scaled down for different levels of amateur play.



Targeted Skill LevelApproximate HandicapFairways % HitGreens % HitApproach ShotsChips ShotsNo. of PuttsExpected Score
A Advancedbelow 1066%62%1863476
B Intermediate10 to 1960%42%20123686
C Improving20 to 2951%21%24144096
D Beginner30 or more33%6%281644106


The second source of information used to formulate the Strokemaster® indexes derives from component score results provided by a small sample of amateur golfers in each of the following categories:

1. Advanced (below 10 handicap)
2. Intermediate (10 to 19 handicap)
3. Improving (20 to 29 handicap)
4. Beginner (30 or higher handicap).

This data will be augmented over time as additional amateur component scores are compiled.

The third source of information used to formulate the Strokemaster® indexes relates to critical commentary obtained from teaching professionals who carefully reviewed the reasonableness and accuracy of the indexes for golfers at each indicated skill level. This check adds further assurance that the indexes are basically sound.



Nevertheless, despite the basic validity of these indexes, to further refine and validate the numbers, golfers are encouraged to submit their score results to the Strokemaster® database. For a limited time period, golfers who submit data from six (6) Strokemaster® scorecards are eligible to receive a free package of replacement scorecards. Utilize the Data Input Form to earn free scorecards.