First, I have to boast that my prediction on the number of 3-putts per round exceeding 1.0 for the field was correct! I don’t often get to say that. It was by a hair, but 1.05 3-putts / round was the number.
Notice on the graph above that the ShotByShot.com database has the 3-to-5-handicap group at 1.26 3-putts per round. This would put the Winged Foot field at about a 3-handicap in putting.
This intrigued me and I decided to check some other stats to see how the Winged Foot field matched up.
Bottom line, in the four key stats below, I submit that the field that would normally average +4 or +5, was “dumbed down” nine or ten shots to a 5-handicap.
As a focus group of one, I have had the treat of playing Winged Foot many times, and found that it puts a similar strain on my single-digit handicap.
Peter Sanders is the President and a founding partner of ShotByShot.com, a unique strokes gained analysis program that helps golfers determine the precise strengths and weaknesses of each facet of their golf game.
Peter has worked with PGA Tour players and major champions such as Zach Johnson, Lucas Glover, Smylie Kaufman, Zack Sucher, Sepp Straka, Dylan Frittelli and Michael Thompson to analyze and interpret their data for game improvement.
Read more from Peter on his Niblicks of Truth blog at ShotByShot.com.
