MESSEN · STROKES GAINED

Calculating Strokes Gained Yourself — Understanding the Score Lever.

Strokes Gained is the most modern scoring analysis method. What it says, how to calculate it yourself, and which three senior scoring levers it reveals.

MA first Strokes Gained report via Arccos was an "aha!" moment: I was losing 1.8 strokes per round on approach (wedges + irons 8-9), but gaining 0.4 strokes on putting. I had thought driver distance was my problem — wrong. Approach was the score lever. Strokes Gained shows the truth behind subjectivity.

Strokes Gained is a scoring analysis method developed by Mark Broadie (Columbia Business School). It measures how many strokes a player gains or loses compared to a benchmark – per club, per distance, per game situation. In senior golf, it precisely shows where the score leaks are.

Three Strokes Gained Categories

Category 1 — Strokes Gained Putting

✓ EVERYTHING ON THE GREEN.

SG Putting: Comparison of putts on each green to the tour pro benchmark from the same distance. Senior Average: -0.5 to +0.5 SG Putting per round. Positive = better than the tour pro average from this distance.

Category 2 — Strokes Gained Approach

APPROACH SHOTS 100-200 M.

SG Approach: Compare approach quality (distance to green, proximity to pin) with tour pro benchmarks. For senior golfers, this is often the biggest score loss—typically -2 to -4 SG per round.

Category 3 — Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee

Tee box included in rollout.

SG Off-the-Tee: Comparison of tee shots (Driver, 3-wood). Measures not only distance but also position. A 30-meter drive with a perfect position can yield more SG than a 200-meter drive into the rough.

1–4

Hits per round Senior-typical SG losses per category

Strokes Gained Analytics 2014–2024

With SG data, the senior player knows exactly where the score leaks are — and can train specifically.

Three Ways to Analyze Strokes Gained

Path 1 — Wearable (Arccos, Shot Scope)

✓ AUTOMATIC.

Arccos and Shot Scope automatically calculate SG after every round. Typical senior investment: €250-300 for a complete set. Statistically reliable SG profile after 10-15 rounds.

Way 2 — Online Calculator

✓ MANUAL, FREE.

Online calculators (e.g., Shot Scope Lite) allow manual SG calculation. 10 minutes of data entry after each round produces an SG report. Senior effort: high, but inexpensive.

Route 3 – PGA Pro Analysis

✓ WITH EXPERT INTERPRETATION.

Some PGA pros offer SG analysis followed by a coaching session. €80-€150 per session. Senior benefit: not just data, but actionable recommendations.

Strokes Gained is the most important data revolution in golf since the invention of the laser rangefinder. Senior golfers benefit more than anyone else from this clarity.

— Mark Broadie, Strokes Gained Researcher

Three SG senior teachings.

Driver distance is overrated

SG Off-the-Tee usually only accounts for 0.3-0.8 strokes per round. Approach and putting are the senior score levers.

Approach is the biggest lever

SG Approach for senior players is typically -2 to -4. Those who optimize here gain the most.

Putting Ist Senior Advantage

SG Putting can be positive – this is achievable in old age. The Champions Tour has proven it for 10 years.

On this page

ON THIS PAGE

01 Three SG categories

02 Three SG Calculation Methods

03 What SG doesn't replace

Mathias Struwe

PUBLISHER · HCP 31 · 68 YRS.

1-4 beats

Senior-SG losses per category.

REFERENCE

Broadie, M. (2014): Every Shot Counts. TrackMan Performance Database 2024. MyTPI Senior Performance Research. PGA Tour Stats 2014–2024. IAGTO Senior Golf Analysis 2024.

What Strokes Gained doesn't replace

SG shows score leaks precisely—but they neither replace training nor coaching. Senior players with SG data without corrective training have excellent analysis without improvement. Optimal: SG analysis → training plan → coaching sessions → follow-up SG measurement.

THREE FIRST STEPS