What Is Strokes Gained?

If you’ve ever heard the term strokes gained and thought it sounded like something only the pros or stat-nerds use, don’t worry — you’re not alone. At its core, strokes gained is simply a way to measure how good (or bad) a golf shot is compared to the average golfer.

Instead of just saying “I hit the fairway” or “I needed 34 putts,” strokes gained goes deeper. It asks: Did this shot actually help me compared to the field? By comparing your performance on each shot to a benchmark, you get a clearer picture of where your game is strong — and where you’re losing strokes.

Think of it as a modern upgrade to traditional golf stats. More precise, more useful, and way more motivating.

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Where Did It Come From?

The concept of strokes gained was developed by Professor Mark Broadie at Columbia University. He wanted to find a way to measure golf performance beyond simple stats like “fairways hit” or “greens in regulation.”

His research showed that not all golf shots are created equal. Missing a 5-foot putt hurts a lot more than missing the fairway by a few yards. Broadie introduced strokes gained to the PGA Tour in 2011, starting with strokes gained putting.

Today, strokes gained is a huge part of golf analytics. Broadcasters talk about it during PGA Tour events, coaches use it with their students, and more and more amateur golfers are discovering how it can guide practice and lower handicaps.

How it Works

Here’s the simple version of how strokes gained is calculated:

1. Every distance and lie on the course has an “expected strokes to hole out.”
   
   • Example: From 150 yards in the fairway, the average golfer might need 2.9 strokes to finish the hole.
     
2. You take a shot and record the new distance/lie.
   
   • Example: You hit it to 20 feet on the green, where the average golfer needs 1.8 strokes to finish.
     
3. Subtract the new expected strokes from the old expected strokes, then subtract 1 (the shot you just hit).
   

Formula:
Strokes gained = (Expected strokes before the shot – Expected strokes after the shot) – 1

Example in action:

• From 150 yards in fairway: expected = 2.9
  
• After shot, ball is on green 20 feet away: expected = 1.8
  
• Strokes gained = (2.9 – 1.8) – 1 = +0.1
  

That means your shot was slightly better than average! If you hit it into a bunker instead, your strokes gained might have been –0.4 (below average).

👉 The beauty of this system: you get a real measurement of shot quality, not just whether you hit or missed something.

The Four Categories of Strokes Gained

The PGA Tour and most golf analytics systems break strokes gained into four categories:

1. Strokes Gained Off the Tee

Measures driving performance. Are you gaining strokes by hitting long and straight, or losing them by slicing into the trees?

2. Strokes Gained Approach

Measures shots outside 30 yards of the green (excluding tee shots on par 4/5s). Basically, your iron and wedge play.

3. Strokes Gained Around the Green

Covers shots within 30 yards that aren’t putts. Think chips, pitches, and bunker shots.

4. Strokes Gained Putting

Tracks your performance on the green. Are you sinking more putts than average, or leaving strokes behind?

Each area gives you a clear picture of strengths and weaknesses. Maybe you’re solid off the tee but struggle around the green — that’s where your practice should go.

Strokes Gained vs Traditional Stats

Traditional stats like fairways hit, greens in regulation, and total putts are easy to track — but they’re limited.

• Hitting the fairway: Sounds great, but what if your drive went 180 yards and left you with a long iron, while another player missed the fairway but bombed it 280 yards with just a wedge in? Who’s in better shape?
  
• Putts per round: It ignores how far you were putting from. A 36-putt round could mean you hit every green in regulation (awesome), not necessarily that you’re a bad putter.
  

Strokes gained solves this. It adjusts for context, distance, and difficulty. That’s why pros, coaches, and now more amateurs are turning to strokes gained stats to get the real story.

What Strokes Gained Means for Different Handicaps

Here’s where it gets really useful: strokes gained isn’t just for Tour pros — it’s a game-changer for everyday golfers.

• 20 Handicap Golfer
  
  • Likely losing most strokes in approach and around the green.
    
  • Driver might be inconsistent, but the real damage comes from missed greens and tough recovery shots.
    
• 10 Handicap Golfer
  
  • Off the tee and putting may be decent, but they lose shots in approach play.
    
  • Small improvements in mid-irons could make a huge difference.
    
• Scratch Golfer
  
  • Gains strokes everywhere, but especially in approach shots.
    
  • The biggest difference between scratch and higher handicaps is consistency in hitting greens inside 20 feet.
    

👉 Knowing this lets you prioritize practice. A 20 handicap shouldn’t spend all their time trying to drive it 300 yards. Fixing wedges and chips could save more strokes.

How to Use SG to Actually Improve

So, how do you make strokes gained useful in your own game?

1. Track your rounds. Apps like Arccos, ShotScope, or even a strokes gained calculator can give you data after every round.
   
2. Identify the weakest category. Don’t spread yourself thin. Work on the area where you’re losing the most strokes.
   
3. Set realistic goals. Instead of “get better at golf,” aim for “gain 0.5 strokes in approach play over the next month.”
   
4. Practice with purpose. If putting is your weak spot, stop smashing driver on the range and start rolling 6-footers.
   
5. Check progress. Compare your stats over time. Improvement = motivation.
   

This is golf analytics made practical. No need for spreadsheets or math headaches — just a smarter way to get better.

5 Quick Drills to Boost Your Strokes Gained

Want to see results fast? Here are five drills tailored to strokes gained categories:

1. Off the Tee: Fairway Finder Drill
   
   • Pick a narrow target on the range and hit 10 drivers. Count how many would land in play. Focus on control, not just distance.
     
2. Approach: 9-Shot Challenge
   
   • With an iron, hit 9 shots: 3 fades, 3 draws, 3 straight. Builds control and confidence from the fairway.
     
3. Around the Green: One-Ball Up & Down Game
   
   • Drop a single ball in tough lies around the practice green. Play it as if it’s the course. Goal: get up and down at least 50% of the time.
     
4. Putting: Ladder Drill
   
   • Place tees at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet. Sink 3 in a row at each before moving back. Builds consistency and distance control.
     
5. Pressure Putting: Par-or-Bust Game
   
   • Practice putting where every miss means you restart the sequence. Adds pressure to simulate on-course nerves.
     

These aren’t just “practice drills.” They directly connect to the areas where strokes gained shows you’re losing shots.

Key Takeaways

• Strokes gained is golf’s smartest stat. It tells you exactly where you’re gaining or losing compared to the average.
  
• It works for all levels. Whether you’re a 20 handicap or chasing scratch, strokes gained gives clarity.
  
• It guides practice. Instead of guessing, you’ll know where to focus your time.
  
• It makes improvement measurable. You can track progress in a way that actually reflects performance, not just luck.
  

Golf doesn’t need to be complicated or intimidating. With SG, you get a friendly roadmap to lower scores — and that’s what Golfissimo is all about.

FAQ: Strokes Gained (SG) Explained

Is Strokes Gained only for pros?
No! While it started on the PGA Tour, SG is now widely used by amateurs through apps and calculators. It’s one of the best tools for everyday golfers.

How do amateurs track Strokes Gained?
You can use apps like Arccos, ShotScope, or Golfissimo’s strokes gained calculator. Or you can log shots manually and compare them to benchmarks.

What’s a good Strokes Gained number?
It depends. +2 putting in a round is fantastic, while –2 off the tee might show where you need work. The key is comparing against your handicap level.

Does Strokes Gained replace traditional stats?
Not necessarily. Fairways hit and putts are still useful, but strokes gained gives much more context and accuracy.

Is it complicated to understand?
It looks math-heavy at first, but once you see a few examples, it’s easy. Think of it as a scorecard that highlights your strengths and weaknesses.

Ready to Take Your Game Further?

Want to know exactly where your game stands? Try Golfissimo’s Strokes Gained Calculator and start tracking your stats today. You’ll get insights that show you exactly where to focus, so your next round is better than the last.Because at Golfissimo, we believe golf should be modern, inclusive, and fun — and strokes gained is the perfect tool to help you get there.