Strokes Gained Analytics in Golf
Introduction: Strokes Gained is a statistical method used in golf to measure a player’s performance in various aspects of their game relative to the field. Developed by Mark Broadie, a professor at Columbia University, this metric provides a more detailed and accurate analysis of a player’s strengths and weaknesses compared to traditional statistics.
Concept: The fundamental idea behind Strokes Gained is to evaluate how many strokes a player gains or loses relative to an average golfer in specific areas such as driving, approach shots, short game, and putting. This allows for a more granular assessment of a player’s performance.
Components of Strokes Gained:
- Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee
- Measures a player’s performance on tee shots on par 4s and par 5s.
- Considers distance and accuracy, showing how well a player positions themselves from the tee compared to the field.
- Strokes Gained: Approach-the-Green
- Evaluates shots that are not from the tee on par 4s and par 5s and not within 30 yards of the green.
- Focuses on the quality of a player’s approach shots, including their ability to hit greens in regulation and proximity to the hole.
- Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green
- Measures performance on shots within 30 yards of the green, excluding putts.
- Assesses chipping, pitching, and bunker play, highlighting a player’s short game skills.
- Strokes Gained: Putting
- Analyzes performance on the green.
- Compares a player’s putting to the average, accounting for the length and difficulty of putts.
Source: What is Strokes Gained? https://shotscope.com/uk/golf-improvement/data/what-is-strokes-gained/
How It Works:
- Data Collection: Data is collected on each shot a player takes during a round, including the distance to the hole and the lie (fairway, rough, sand, etc.).
- Expected Strokes: The expected number of strokes to hole out from each position on the course is calculated based on historical data.
- Comparison: Each shot is compared to the expected strokes to determine if the player gained or lost strokes relative to the field.
Benefits:
- Detailed Analysis: Provides a nuanced view of a player’s game, allowing them to understand exactly where they excel or need improvement.
- Performance Tracking: Helps players and coaches track progress over time and make data-driven decisions on training and strategy.
- Fan Engagement: Enhances the viewing experience by providing deeper insights into player performance during tournaments.
Applications:
- Player Development: Golfers and their coaches use Strokes Gained data to focus practice sessions on specific areas of weakness.
- Course Strategy: Players can strategize better by understanding how different parts of their game perform on various courses.
- Broadcasting: Broadcasters use Strokes Gained statistics to provide more informative and engaging commentary during tournaments.
Strokes Gained Analytics has revolutionized golf by providing a comprehensive and accurate method to evaluate and compare player performance. This metric goes beyond traditional statistics, offering a detailed breakdown of a golfer’s abilities and contributing to more informed decisions in training, strategy, and broadcasting. As the availability of data and technology continues to grow, Strokes Gained will likely play an even more significant role in the future of golf.
Bet365’s Each Way Extra gives you the option to increase or decrease the number of places when you are betting pre-event on the To Win Outright market on selected Golf events – add places on to your Each Way Golf bets for extra security at lower odds, or increase the price by removing places.
The number of Each Way Extra places offered on an event can be viewed on the Each Way Extra coupon or on the bet slip.
How to access The Bet365 Each Way Extra:
- Simply select the ‘Each Way Extra’ market from the selected Golf coupon to see the additional place terms that are available on your chosen event before the first group tees off.
- Once you have selected a price and the corresponding number of places from the Each Way Extra coupon, it will appear on your bet slip.
Each Way Extra is available for pre-event single bets on selected Golf events. It is offered at the discretion of bet365 and may be amended or removed for any event. Bets placed on the Each Way Extra market cannot be Cashed Out or amended using the Edit Bet feature.
3M Open Overview
The 3M Open is a significant event on the PGA TOUR, especially as it leads up to the FedExCup Playoffs. This tournament, held at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, is the penultimate stop before determining the field of 70 for the Playoffs. With 156 players in the field, the pressure is on as they chase additional goals and strive to secure their spots in the Playoffs.
Tournament Details
The 3M Open is in its sixth edition and has become a staple in the PGA TOUR calendar. The tournament is part of a two-tournament stretch over three weeks, intersected by the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition. The long-range objective for many players is clearer now, with the Wyndham Championship concluding the regular season. This context adds an extra layer of excitement and urgency to the event.
Course Characteristics
TPC Twin Cities is a par 71 course with three par-5s, totaling 7,431 yards. The course features bentgrass greens that are slightly larger than average and can reach speeds of up to 13 feet on the Stimpmeter if conditions are favorable. This makes the course one of the most accessible off the tee and on approach shots, providing ample opportunities for players to showcase their skills.
Weather and Conditions
Weather plays a crucial role in any golf tournament, and the 3M Open is no exception. While there is a threat of inclement weather late in the tournament, generally green-light conditions are expected. Daytime highs will be in the ’80s with primarily sunny skies, although winds will freshen on Friday and Saturday from the south. These conditions will test the players’ adaptability and strategy.
Historical Performance
Last year’s 3M Open saw Lee Hodges achieve a wire-to-wire victory with a seven-stroke margin, an extraordinary but not typical performance. This historical context sets the stage for this year’s tournament, where players will aim to replicate or surpass such feats. The course’s playability and the players’ form will be key factors in determining the outcome.
Rob Bolton’s Schedule and Role
Rob Bolton is a well-known columnist for Golfbet on PGA TOUR. A Chicagoland native, he has been playing fantasy golf since 1994 and is active on Twitter. His schedule includes publishing Power Rankings on Monday, Sleepers on Tuesday, Golfbet Insider on Wednesday, and Points and Payouts, Medical Extensions, Qualifiers, and Reshuffle on Sunday. Rob is also part of PGA TOUR.COM’s Expert Picks panel for Fantasy Golf, providing valuable insights and predictions.
University City Golf Course Upgrade
In other golf news, University City in St. Louis County plans to upgrade its municipal golf course, Ruth Park Golf Course. The enhancements come after an offer of free dirt from a contractor working in the city. Kolb Grading is leveling a site at the $211 million Market at Olive shopping center redevelopment at Olive Boulevard and Interstate 170. Thousands of truckloads of dirt will be taken to the golf course over the next month, significantly improving its condition.
Travis Kelce’s Golf Ball Incident
At the American Century Championship golf event, a fan named Katie Hauss was struck in the back of the head by a golf ball driven by Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight-end. Hauss was attending the event with her husband, Ryan Griffiths, and despite the initial shock and pain, she remained calm. Bystanders informed her that it was Kelce’s shot that hit her. A Good Samaritan, possibly a doctor or first responder, applied pressure to her wound while EMTs were called. Hauss expressed gratitude towards the stranger who helped her. Both Travis and his brother Jason Kelce approached Hauss to check on her condition, showing genuine concern. EMTs suggested going to the hospital for further checks, where it was confirmed that she had a concussion and needed stitches.
3M Open Picks and Predictions
The 3M Open has garnered significant attention from betting experts and analysts. The focus has shifted to the finishing stretch of the PGA Tour season, specifically the 3M Open. Experts are analyzing player performance post-Open Championship, with notable mentions including Tony Finau and Lee Hodges, who won the 3M Open after playing in The Open but were not in contention there. Billy Horschel‘s rebound after playing in his first major final group is a hot topic, with many experts fading him.
Expert Panel and Predictions
The expert panel for the 3M Open includes an anonymous caddie, Pat Mayo (Underdog/Mayo Media Network), Brandon Gdula (numberFire/FanDuel), Andy Lack (Run Pure Sports), and Keith Stewart (Read The Line). Their outright predictions include Cam Davis (35-1, FanDuel) by the Anonymous Caddie Picker, Akshay Bhatia (20-1, DraftKings) by Pat Mayo and Brandon Gdula, Erik van Rooyen (40-1, FanDuel) by Keith Stewart and Stephen Hennessey, Rico Hoey (75-1, FanDuel) by Christopher Powers, and Keith Mitchell (35-1, FanDuel) by Andy Lack.
Sleepers and Dark Horses
The experts have also identified several sleepers and dark horses for the 3M Open. These include Austin Eckroat (60-1, Caesars Sportsbook) by the Caddie and Mayo, Doug Ghim (70-1, FanDuel) by Gdula, Ben Griffin (50-1, FanDuel) by Stewart, Pierceson Coody (110-1, FanDuel) by Hennessey, Cameron Champ (175-1, Caesars Sportsbook) by Powers, and Andrew Novak (80-1, Bet365) by Lack. These players are expected to perform well despite their longer odds.
Players to Fade
On the flip side, some players are expected to struggle at the 3M Open. These include Billy Horschel (25-1, FanDuel), who is likely to experience a letdown after a major championship, Sam Burns (18-1, FanDuel), who was heavily involved in a major overseas less than four days ago, and Sahith Theegala (20-1, Caesars Sportsbook), who has historically struggled at TPC Twin Cities.
Matchups and Top 10s
The expert panel has also provided their picks for matchups and top 10 finishes. Notable matchups include Ben Griffin (-120 over Mac Meissner, Bet365) by the Caddie, Akshay Bhatia (-115 over Sahith Theegala, Bet365) by Mayo, Adam Svensson (-115 over Thirston Lawrence, FanDuel) by Gdula, Luke Clanton (-120 over Keith Mitchell, Bet365) by Stewart, and Patrick Rodgers (+100 over Kurt Kitayama, Bet365) by Powers. For top 10 finishes, the picks include Rico Hoey (+490, FanDuel) by the Caddie, Tom Hoge (+290, FanDuel) by Mayo and Gdula, Jhonattan Vegas (+750, BetRivers) by Stewart, Austin Eckroat (+490, FanDuel) by Hennessey, Nick Dunlap (+410, FanDuel) by Powers, and Chan Kim (+450, FanDuel) by Lack.
Golf Grip Tips from David Leadbetter
Mastering the golf grip is crucial for squaring up the clubface at impact. Many amateurs struggle with finding and maintaining the proper grip, leading to flawed sequencing and poor results. David Leadbetter, a Golf Hall of Fame teacher, suggests using simple markings on an old glove to identify the proper golf grip. This method helps players learn how the correct grip should look and feel. A video features Leadbetter giving a lesson to Chris Como, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher. Despite coaching top players like Xander Schauffele, Como plays the role of a student learning about the correct grip.
Glove Markings Explanation
Red markings on the glove indicate incorrect grip positions (“Red is bad”), while black markings indicate correct grip positions (“Black is good”). Proper gripping allows for better wrist maneuverability, essential for releasing the club while maintaining control over the clubface. Gripping in the palm reduces wrist flexibility, causing players to rely too much on their arms during swings. Holding the club near your fingers at an angle improves setting and releasing the club better than gripping it in your palm. Players are encouraged to try this hack on an old glove to get comfortable with proper gripping fundamentals. As they become more accustomed to this grip, they will likely see improvements in their shots.
2024 3M Open Odds and Picks
The 2024 3M Open is set to begin on Thursday at TPC Twin Cities. Historically, the tournament has seen low scores, with an average winning score of over 19-under-par across its five events. Last year’s winner was Lee Hodges with a score of 24-under. Key players and their odds include Tony Finau (2022 champion) at +1000, Sam Burns at +1800, and Sahith Theegala at +2200. Other notable players include Billy Horschel (+3500), Keith Mitchell (+3000), and Cameron Champ (2021 champion).
Underdog Highlight
Keith Mitchell, a long shot at +3000, is projected to make a strong run for the title. Mitchell has consistently performed well at TPC Twin Cities with top-five finishes in his last two starts there. He excels in strokes gained metrics important for this course. The model also targets four other golfers with odds of +3000 or longer who are expected to perform well.
Top Contenders Odds List
The top contenders for the 2024 3M Open include:
– Tony Finau +1000
– Sam Burns +1800
– Sahith Theegala +2200
– Akshay Bhatia +2500
– Luke Clanton +2800
– Keith Mitchell +3000
– Keegan Bradley +3000
– Tom Hoge +3300
– Billy Horschel +3500
The world of golf is buzzing with activity, from the 3M Open and its implications for the FedExCup Playoffs to exciting upgrades at local golf courses and gripping personal stories from fans. With expert analysis, betting tips, and practical advice for improving your game, there’s something for every golf enthusiast to enjoy. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the season progresses.
