Lou Stagner's Newsletter #52

Scoring Averages by Course & Slope Rating

A big thank you to our sponsors who keep this newsletter free to the reader:

Today’s issue is brought to you by SkyTrak:

From March 20th through March 28th SkyTrak is running an exclusive flash sale on the SkyTrak Plus Sim Studio Bundle.

Save $1000 with the code FLASHGOLFSALE1000

This sale only runs until March 28th. Take advantage while it lasts! Watch a great review of the SkyTrak.

Get your SkyTrak Sim Studio bundle here.

And also brought to you by Hack Motion Golf:

How your wrists work in the swing is critical. The Hack Motion wrist sensor is an amazing training aid. My coach (Mark Crossfield) did a great review of the Hack Motion. Watch that review video here.

For the best price use code GOLFSALE

Get your Hack Motion here.

Weekly Quiz!

To see the correct answer, click the “CONTINUE” button at the bottom of the next page.

Good luck! 😀 

What percent of the time will a 10 index player need four or more shots to hole out from 90 yards in the fairway?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Scoring Averages

This is one of the more common questions that readers send in. It’s typically worded something like this:

“How will scoring averages change based on how hard the course is?”

The two tables below show scoring average broken down by course rating and slope rating.

All of this data comes from the nearly 900 million shots in the Arccos Golf database (use code DATALOU15 to save 15%).

note: 66 = 66.0 to 66.9, 67 = 67.0 to 67.9, etc…

My Thoughts

As you can see, the course rating and slope rating will have a big impact on scoring. Make sure you are adjusting your expectations accordingly! A good rule of thumb is that your scoring average will be “about” three shots higher than your course handicap.

For example, if you are a 9.5 index, and you have a course handicap of 11 for the course you are playing, and it’s a par 71…

Your scoring average on that course would be about 85.

71 + 11 + 3 = 85

Also look at the average scores for scratch players on tough courses with ratings that are 75 or higher. They average 79.1 shots on those tracks. Most tour events are playing on courses with ratings above 75. Scratch players are also typically not playing courses setup for a tour event (e.g. tucked pins, greens stimping at 12+, etc…). Scratch players are in the top 1-2% of all players and they would need a BUNCH of strokes from a tour player. Tour players are on another level!

Hope the tables above provide some helpful scoring expectations!

See you next week!

Finally...

  • Advertise your business to 30,000+ readers of this newsletter.

  • Shop Arccos Golf here. (Use code DATALOU15 to save 15%)

  • Join Team Titleist here.

  • Shop StrackaLine Green Books here. (Use code DATALOU15 to save 15%)

  • Listen to the “Hack it Out Golf” podcast on Apple or Spotify.

  • Submit ideas or feedback here.

    Have a great week!

Lou Stagner

33