Strokes Gained is for the Pros - USELESS FOR YOU AND ME

[@joelvanginkel]

I usually love your vids, but I think there is a lot of stress relief out there for higher handicappers with strokes gained info from the tee. I am a 14 handicap that broke 90 and 80 for the first time last year. I used to play precisely the way you suggest, hitting a comfortable iron shot off the tee (often my 6 iron). The problem is that I am not as consistent as you are with mid and especially long irons so I would get double-crossed. That's when I had the epiphany (actually a smart friend told me), that my bad scenario hitting driver off the tee (trees or fairway bunker, I don't hit OB very often) and my best case scenario playing conservative with a mid-iron were not that different. And my better-best driver scenario was immensely advantageous whenever it happened and my worst case scenario with an iron off the tee was brutal when it happened. Imagine a stock, 400 yard par 4: Bad driver scenario: I leave the face open and hit my driver 220 into the trees or fairway bunker. I can only punch the ball and advance it 20-80 yards into the fairway. I am 100-160 yards from the pin taking my 3rd shot. Because I follow your advice and am a confident chipper and ok putter, I still have a great chance at bogey, a small chance of a par and a chance at a double. Best 6 iron scenario: I hit a 6 iron 165 yards perfectly into the middle of the fairway. Then, in my stress-free ways, I hit an 8 iron perfectly 145 yds. I am in the middle of the fairway 90 yards out taking my 3rd shot and I have a good chance at bogey, a small chance at par, but a smaller chance at double bogey than in my bad driver scenario. Better-best driver scenario: I hit my driver and it goes 250-270 total distance in the fairway or first cut. I am now taking my 2nd shot 130-150 yards from the pin, hitting an 8 or 9 iron with a good chance for par, a tiny chance at birdie, a decent chance at bogey and a small chance of a double. Bad 6 iron scenario: I fat or thin my 6 iron 100 yards into some trouble. I punch out 20-80 yards. I am now hitting my 3rd shot 220-280 from the hole. Now a double seems likely, a tiny chance for bogey and a chance for a triple. This happens to me. Once I released the need to see my driver fly perfectly and land perfectly most of the time, my scores improved. Trees and fairway bunkers aren't as bad as I thought. I just take my lumps and punch out and I'm in as good of shape as two perfect iron shots into the fairway. I've also started hitting 20 low flying hooded hooks and cuts in every driving range bucket to feel confident advancing from the trees. An added bonus is when I'm not stressed about the trees or the bunkers and I just embrace them as a potential part of the experience, I play stress-free golf from the tee with my driver and strike the ball better. Approaching the green is a different story for someone at my level. As you suggest, I never take high risk, high stress shots into the green. Sorry this is so long.

[@GolfSidekick]

Great post, I will need to experiment with this in Malaysia with my man, J-Mac who I played with twice in bangkok. This is a very interesting experiment indeed. It will need to be up to the playa to identify if his driver or long clubs will put him in positions that totally kill his score or allow him an opportunity to escape with a similar score to the conservative play. Thanks for the comment. I will definitely be trying this ins Malaysia and will put it online in June/July

[@joelvanginkel]

@@GolfSidekick Thanks for the thoughtful response. I love stress free golf.

[@UncleDanBand64]

Well that is a great comment. I guess it depends on the trees. In Texas you go in the trees, you probably ain't gonna find your ball. Let alone punch out. You also might get bit by a rattle snake 😂👍

[@TopblokeGolf]

Hey fella, should play my course cos if you’re going in the trees , you ain’t coming out , sorry not buying your scenario .

[@UncleDanBand64]

@@TopblokeGolf well I think it depends on the trees. It's one thing to end up in a few scattered trees separating fairways. It's a whole different thing to end up in a full blown forest.

[@danielmassey3703]

Been watching your content borderline religiously over the past two weeks in my quest to break 100. Finally did it yesterday with a 96! Cheers Matt, you are a real golf sidekick and your system WORKS

[@hsnelgrove71]

Well done Daniel. I am in a similar situation and Matt's ideas and videos also helped me.

[@GolfSidekick]

Well done playa! Waddaman!!!

[@UncleDanBand64]

Nice work. Congrats 👍

[@GolfSidekick]

I added a few seconds more before each shot in case you want to think about how you woud play each shot. If it works let me know, if I should cut the shots shorter like normal, let me know. Had some requests to be able to look and think for yourself how you would play the shot.

[@sweetswing1]

I like it man

[@chriskelleher2480]

YES - adding a few seconds does help. There were earlier videos where by the time I read hole, yards, shot club, etc... the ball had already landed and missed the shot entirely. Great video.

[@austinbrown3915]

I’d keep it! Looks good and allows us viewers to get a better visual before you address the ball.

[@hsnelgrove71]

I got in the habit of pausing the video, to read the hole discription and planning how I might play it.

[@coreyl6221]

Good call Bruh!

[@Theuniquemindofjustin]

I don't think these videos get enough credit for the editing. Keep up the excellent no BS content!!

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks big poppa appreciate the good words

[@rdhja5202]

Not sure who made this quote but I believe your channel epitomizes this thought. "Be yourself. Everyone else is taken". Thank you so much for sharing.

[@anthonybennett6089]

Strokes gained is just a metric for measuring various aspects of your game. It should identify weaknesses in your game. Doesn’t mean you need to use driver off every tee. Great content BTW…

[@GolfSidekick]

Much discussion here and I admit, I probably misinterpreted this whole thing. But now I get to learnmore from everyone instead of having to sift through the videos and articles about it

[@pekkanii]

Golf Sidekick yeah... you dont seem to gain strokes with the driver on this course... so no strokes gained 😂

[@jordanleithart2595]

Highly recommend the book "Every Shot Counts" it's written by the inventor of strokes gained and is highly informative.

[@alanwaterworth6464]

Spot on. From my understanding of it, the stroke gained system works out the percentage of where you gain or lose strokes, often not as a full shot, in terms of fairways hit, approach play, short game, and putting. YOU can of course work that out by using an app (I use golfshots) which gives those statistics as a percentage, so where I can hit up to 90% of fairways, my GIR percentage might only be 20%, so that´s clearly what I need to work on. Strokes gained also gives you a comparison between your own score and say a scratch handicapper or a pro.

[@interestedbystander196]

The whole "strokes gained" rhetoric seems like mumbo jumbo to me. While it probably does matter to folks who are at the better end of the golfing spectrum (i.e. those low single digit bastards! ;) ), because they can hit pretty much all their clubs consistently. So a low capper will hit their six iron teeshot on the fairway AND they will hit their driver teeshot on the fairway more often than not. The gain comes from the opportunity from the next shot(s). A driver tee leaves a shorter approach than a six iron tee (on the same hole). It stands to reason that a shorter shot has a better chance of a good result (close to target) than a longer shot. This is especially true for better players. So, for better players, strokes gained might actually be a measure worth looking at. However, for the majority of golfers, single digits is a pipe dream, and konsistinsee a nasty word (which we can't even spell, let alone achieve). Sure, I CAN hit my drive long and down the middle (I have actually done it, but then I had to sit down for a while), but that's like a 2 in 10 shot. More often it's off the fairway, in the fluff under the trees, or stolen by a squirrel. Assuming I saw where it went in the first place. When it happens, it is truly a beautiful thing. Birds start singing, the sun comes down through the clouds, and angels rejoice with me. However, here's the kicker: I am only marginally better, in terms of reliability, with any other longish club in my bag. Say from 7 iron down, I am hitting 1 in 3 generally how I expect it to go. For the 8 and shorter it is probably 3 in 5. Long story short, for us ordinary mortal golfers, I think strokes gained just doesn't make sense. Perhaps there's a new thing to be created for us: strokes saved, perhaps? Caveat, I haven't seen to the end of this video, so apologies @Sidekick, if you mention such an idea already. Stress free is the goal, playa!

[@darrenstevenson8119]

Strokes gained is about looking at your stats and seeing where your gaining score - ultimately your looking at where your not gaining shots so you know where to improve your game - gaining strokes off the tee? Don’t work on tee shots - losing shots 100yds in? Work on shots 100yds in - the idea of it is to show you what you personally need to work on ie. shots lost not gained 👍 hope that helps - best used by lower hcp golfers but can be helpful to higher hcps as long as they don’t concentrate on the numbers but rather where to improve

[@GolfSidekick]

Good post. That makes sense to me. A good way to analyze your game and maximize your strengths and work on the weaknesses AWAY from the course

[@peterupinya2741]

Darren Stevenson exactly sir. You don’t just bang your driver on every hole

[@haydenflechner7683]

Hey playa! I’m from California, USA and I’ve used your strategies from all your videos in my game. I recently finished my competitive golf season for my high school and I overall dropped 5 shots on my index from 21 to 16 in just 2 months! I just want to thank you for all the entertaining and helpful content bc your videos have helped me shaped my game. I have gotten so good at controlling a 200 yard 4 iron shot that it’s the only thing I hit off the tee in any instance besides a par 3. I haven’t used my driver in 2 months and it has helped me so much. Thanks for everything again!!!! I love golf

[@GolfSidekick]

Wow! Now of course, you can work on that driver away from the course and eventually when you gain control of it, wow you will be a monster because a 200 yard 4 iron is very decent distance!

[@karmababy5077]

@@GolfSidekick My improvement has been fairly unbelievable actually but came from playing A LOT of golf and taking lessons on the weekend. Monthly medal this weekend. I think a machete is going to be taken to my handicap. :)

[@spankygolf9982]

I love what you do. I have playing stress free golf this year since I found this channel. 1000% help! Example the first hole at little course I play is 300 par 4 with bunkers everywhere. I would go driver then wedge always into a sand trap and end up with a 5. Now 7 iron to an 8 iron and I’ve haven’t shot a 5 yet. I even had a few birdies!! Keep the channel going. I love it! Thank you so much

[@miltongrant2173]

Cheers, Matt! I have been watching all of your videos. I recently broke 90!! I got an 86 at our local course! I was consistently scoring 98-100 because of stupid ego! I had my first ego death while watching your video with just a middle iron, wedge, and a putter. You also had a video where you just played with a six iron, I believe. I tried this and it was ugly at first but once I started to get the hang of my favorite clubs I was able to hit consistent shots! Stress-free shots! I cannot drive the ball long but I sure as hell can chip and putt my way to par now! I stopped breaking my back trying to hit beyond 280 yards. I am comfortable using stress-free philosophy. A gentleman asked me why I did not have a driver out ON A SHORT PAR 4 and I responded with I KNOW MY FOUR IRON WILL TAKE ME TO 100 AWAY FROM THE PIN. He hit his ball 50 yards past mine but could not chip and putt his way to par. I JUST GOT IT ON THE GREEN AND GTFO WITH A PAR. -SIMPLE

[@GolfSidekick]

GTFO Stress Free baby! Well done playa and perhaps we can look into the future with the videos of getting a philosophy incorporating this strokes gained stuff into when and where to use the longer clubs. i will try my best to make the content that can guide you even lower

[@gustavoe1898]

I used to hit my driver in every single parent 4 our 5 no questions asked. But after watching you're videos I changed my view on how to plan my holes and now driver only when certain conditions are there. My score has improved significantly and loving even more playing golf. Thanks to you Player

[@GolfSidekick]

Well done sir! Well done indeed!

[@itsbeefy11]

Discovered your channel about two weeks ago and have been waiting for ages to get back out and try to crack 100. Was out yesterday and not only broke 100 for the first time, but also broke 90 with an 88! Thanks Matt - phenomenal system and had the most enjoyable round I've had in a long time! Trust in the 6-6-6!

[@taunme]

Every single day I look forward to getting on the course again, if I only play 18 once a week. I just love the game so much. These videos are something that are feeding that desire even more. And I like every one of them. Thank you so much!

[@PWL1371]

Love your stress free approach to golf !! Been watching your videos and applying everything I can to my own personal game ! Hit 85 last week !! Best game ever ( left the driver at home ) !!!!!

[@GolfSidekick]

Bam playa, that's how it's done - waddadriverdropper

[@brath5]

Having just finished the Mark Broadie book on strokes gained, it's definitely not saying to hit Driver on every hole. It puts into perspective the benefits distance can bring to a golfer. It stresses to play away from OB and take everything into account when making shot choices. Some holes, crush it, others, play to avoid OB at all costs.

[@GolfSidekick]

Interesting, will need to give it a good read. I was going off a couple videos and articles. Must check it out!

[@brath5]

Sorry if I sounded a bit negative in that comment... Absolutely love the videos, keep the good stuff coming! Have literally watched all your content. Last year was shooting my most consistent golf ever (steady 80s) using your philosophy. My takeaway from the strokes gained concept is when there is no OB risk, to be more aggressive and pull a longer club rather than lay up just because it was simply more comfortable. If your approach shots are from 20-70 yards closer that is a much easier club in, where statistically you should be able to hit an approach closer to the hole, and the odd time finish the hole in less strokes (hence fractions of strokes gained vs shorter hitters over time).

[@miguellikesyoutube]

The end of this video was exactly what I needed to hear. Gonna play 9 holes this week and can't wait to play stress free golf !!

[@kellynyman5216]

Thanks, another awesome Vid! I agree strokes gained isn't something to chase after. Keep up the good work!

[@onlyjesussaves9892]

I told them it's not really best KZbin golfer without Old Man Pat and Didi as the runner up.

[@GolfSidekick]

You would be right!

[@jaredbeckwith]

I broke 90 yesterday after watching all these videos. Have a good day playas!

[@GolfSidekick]

BOOM! Playa, that's very good

[@TropicalMBA]

Yo Playa! Feel compelled to weigh in here, my fav channel of 2019. Back in early Feb I broke 90 thanks to your system and since that time have broken 80 on one round, and am averaging scores in the 80's booyah!. Huge thanks to you for that. One related concept that really opened my eyes was playing a few rounds from the red tees. I felt like I was stomping the course! It helped me to realize what a world of difference it is approaching the green with higher lofted clubs esp 9 iron in. (I think I've heard it called "bomb and gouge.") Anyway, instead of being content to tee off with my hybrid this red tee experience really motivated me to work on a reliable Driver/3W swing that I can count on for most Par4/5's and it's really helped my scoring. Thought I'd share, what I'm really saying is we'd love to see you play from the ladies :P

[@GolfSidekick]

Excellent news sir and thanks for the post. Yes, once you work on those longer clubs and get them working, they will make a huge difference as long as you feel great with them on the tee! Well done sir and don't stop don't stopping!

[@johnantinora6222]

Here in Long Island NY, golf season is over. I bought smash bag. Your vids have reduced my stress. Backwards planning. Genius! Just was fit for driver but opted for 3W based on your vids. 2021 goals: increase fairways hit, more 2 putts, break 85 then 80. Thanks Matt. When will you jave more Golf Course bucket hats in stock?

[@MattTeague1111]

Your philosophy is class. I used to hit my driver (inconsistently) off every tee but am now more inclined to take a stress free 5 iron or hybrid to set up a more comfortable second and have dropped 4-5 strokes in a month. Keep up the quality videos playa!

[@BWen3]

Matt Teague or you could learn how to hit your driver and be about 40-50 yards further down the fairway.

[@MattTeague1111]

@@BWen3 Teach me PGA Master Bwen.

[@BWen3]

Matt Teague oh I’m not qualified. But there’s millions out there that are. ☺️

[@MattTeague1111]

@@BWen3 not a single player in the world hits every fairway. If you're not a pro then playing smarter is better than taking risks.

[@BWen3]

Matt Teague that’s not what stroke gains tells you lol. It’s not hit driver every single hole. Strategy can still be employed. Strokes gained is a metric to tell you where you should be practicing.

[@jasonescoto3355]

It's not rocket surgery 😂😂 waddachannel Matt!

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks sir, did you get my email with the tracking number for your shirt? Gremlins with the new email address I set up!

[@jasonescoto3355]

@@GolfSidekick yes sir! Looking forward to it!

[@Bobcaygeon-1]

Or rocket appliances as Ricky would say.

[@giantcerealbowl2120]

Great content yet again playa. “Stress Free Golf” is my mantra for the year. Totally agree, you can gain strokes anywhere on the course as we all have weaknesses in our game. Keep it up!!

[@GolfSidekick]

Fair comment I think. Perhaps I missed the point of finding weaknesses in the game, but at the same time, do you work on your weaknesses and change the approach, or do you approach it from a place of your strengths and be comfortable in just having fun and enjoying? Maybe it depends on your goals, Strokes gained seems like a way to identify areas for MASSIVE improvement over a period of time through working hard, perhaps after you've maxed out your Stress free Golf ways??? Could be a good ADD ON to my channel for the more advanced playa. VERY ENLIGHTENING

[@giantcerealbowl2120]

Golf Sidekick I think every golfer wants to improve, but as you stated, a lot of these stats we see while watching the pros play can give us unrealistic expectations on our own game and goals. Setting attainable goals and accomplishing them leads to more fun, as is the Way of the Playa 👌🏽

[@johnandrews1959]

Keep these videos coming Matt. Can’t get enough of them. Hit 89 around a narrow long course here in the uk. Best part of it left driver in the bag after 9 holes and enjoyed the back 9 a lot more. Playing off fairways is such a confidence boost. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@GolfSidekick]

Excellent news big poppa! Stress Free is a great way to maximize what you got!

[@oldgoatbbq8689]

I have the same issue you did on the first par 5. There in 2 and then 4 to get down. Need to spend more time with wedges and putter. Great vid and subbed!

[@matts3979]

After viewing these videos, I keep leaving here learning more and more. There are times when I struggle with the driver and keep thinking the next tee it will get better. I need to realize to go with a club with more loft and just work the ball with the fairway. Thanks for your helpful insight.

[@GolfSidekick]

This can be a great way to get more joy out of golf that is for sure. A new friend, and subscriber from the channl I met recently, nearly gave his driver away about 12 months ago. For 6 months, he could not get it right, he tried to replace it but those drivers were worse. So he kept the original one and can now hit it after leaving it alone for a while and then working on it by being relaxed. It's probably his best club at the moment. So there is hope!

[@matts3979]

I can have a round where the driver is working great and leave thinking I got it down. Next time out, it's if I've never golfed before. But, I still love playing and tell myself, '"I'm not at work. I don't do this for a living, but for fun."

[@vincentregis]

I guess it's all about interpretation. Strokes gained will tell what part of your game are strong and which are weaker. You can use it to know what part to prioritise your practice time. My GPS watch keeps stats, and will tell me what part is better or less good than other golfer of similar hcp. And guess what, it tells me I need to work on my...chipping !!!!!! :-)

[@BWen3]

Vincent Regis this. 100 percent. It’s not bs. It’s analytics that help tell you where you need work. Instead of pat patting off the tee with a hybrid or 4ir, get a lesson or work your driver bc that’s the best opportunity for improvement over the long run. You’ve gotta get the ball as close to the hole with each swing as you can. You can score well playing pat pat but your best golf won’t show that way.

[@GolfSidekick]

Yes it is a way to improve by getting a lesson if your ball flight is totally wonky and or you are in pain. BNut of course, this is my contention, that this is now used as a way to get people to 1) Buy drivers before they're ready (ego and sales commission for the salesman) and 2) go to lessons before they are even needed or ever needed My idea is to play "pat pat" and maximize your score that way, finding your go-to shots building up your arsenal of reliable shots, then away from the course start building up the artillery like a driver or long fairway wood. This way 100+ shooters can come down to 90s, then 80's and to get below 80-85 regularly, find themselves a great driver and work on it slowly until it's introduced as a new lethal weapon to drop 5 shots

[@BWen3]

Golf Sidekick I’m well aware of your teachings. I employ some myself. They’re great for beginners, no doubt. But your characterization of S/G here doesn’t tell the full story. It’s not a scam for us handicappers. It can be useful. But as with anything, you must know how to use it. Most people don’t get it.

[@j-manthevendor2253]

I agree, lay up to your go-to yardage. I'm a scratch golfer, but I only get to play about 20 rounds per year. Let's say the first hole is 420 yards and I hit a straight drive and then knock one close from 120 yards.. the rest of the day I'm going to lay up to a 120 yard shot even on the short drivable par 4's.. it's all about trusting yourself, and dancing with the lady that you brought to the dance.. that's what's taken my from shooting 74-82 down to 67-77.. I don't practice enough like the pros to really hone in every yardage inside of 100 , so I have find stock yardages and put excellent shots into my memory bank. That way next time I have that shot I can pull from my memory and find confidence that I've stuck a similar shot close.. Agree strokes gained is for the pros

[@lostinfens]

In my third year of golf @ 53 , I realised that the biggest hazard was the one one mid way between my ears. That year, I cleaned up, loadsa medals & other club comps. You're absolutely bang on about attitude, only take calculated risks & know your limitations, use your handicap, that's what it's for.. Don't EVER beat yourself up, that's the course's job

[@GolfSidekick]

Wow man, only three years in? Great story! What are you playing off now?

[@lostinfens]

@@GolfSidekick I'm not really playing a lot now, got to 14 hcap but was put off by general attitudes. Golf is a great game, spoiled sometimes by the people who play it, it should be fun if you're not a pro. I'ts an odd game that makes calm people angry & happy people sad if you let it. Not saying it didn't affect me like that, I just learned who was boss and learned to take it on the chin & just enjoy the day out. One shot, you're Tiger Woods, the next you're In the woods, but it's better than working.

[@GolfSidekick]

@@lostinfens LOL! I always find golf brings out the true nature of people. How they are on the golf course isEXACTLY how they are in every day life. I understand that and will be putting out an embarrassing video to hopefully discourage people playing golf like I used to just a year ago. Lots of introspection and self-development and leaning into tje Stress Free Golf, and things are wayyyy more fun. I hope you continue man and one day come to Thailand for a round!

[@GroupBrett]

Hey man! Nice little vid! Not your best round but I can still learn something from it. Played my first round yesterday with your relaxing mentality, and every time I actually followed it and felt comfortable with a stress free shot, it went extremely well. Keep up the good work chap!

[@michaelblum3973]

Matt, I am a big fan, but you missed the point of strokes gained. If your driver ends up behind a bush and you have to chip out, you lost. The stat would tell you to work on your driver or hit it less often. You have a unique approach. Your videos are excellent and your following will grow in leaps and bounds if you keep putting out such great content. Thanks again!

[@rebel1154]

Michael Blum nailed it. The system is more to tell you what to work on first versus what to use immediately on the course. If you hit driver OB 1 out of 3 there’s no need to keep hitting it.

[@GolfSidekick]

@@rebel1154 If the system works like that to identify your weakness, then that's good but as far as I noticed, it's shots against the rest of the field and that's where my thinking went BZZZZZZ because I was like, which field because of all the levels and handicaps etc

[@rebel1154]

Golf Sidekick so I’m just finishing the book “Lowest Score Wins” where they reference much of the strokes gained metrics. Basically they identify what the “most important” skills are to shoot lower scores. They put ball striking both off the tee with driver and approach shots as most important. They argue that you can only get so good at putting and even a high capper can sink a few long putts like a pro on any given day. Therefore it’s not a skill you can separate yourself from the field with. Interesting stuff but for guys like me I prefer your method. Love your channel and guides also! Btw, I’m in Thailand currently and I have no idea how you play on this heat. You deserve credit just for that!

[@stevef3567]

You vlogs popped up on my timeline, chuffed! Love them great advice and love the bucket hats! Waddaplaya

[@ejfstromquist]

Hey there, what is the software/app you are using for the shot tracer?? I would love to record my rounds in this style! Thanks

[@justwondering1967]

Another genius video! Buy his merch, guys. I'm headed there now.

[@geneyu8455]

I love your content, but this one kinda missed the mark. The strokes gained stat, if you actually kept one, would tell you to stop hitting the driver because you’re losing a stroke from tee to green by missing the fairway and having to punch out.

[@GolfSidekick]

Excellent point! I will be first to admit, I have no idea what it REALLY is, but I assume a lot of guys pick up the little tidbits and think they know what's happening. This video seems to have stirred people to explain it more fully and perhaps some people will investigate more and find this stuff works for them which is great. Lower scores, lower stress, more fun, more golf

[@flipdawg6774]

Thanks for another informative and entertaining video. Live the music. So cool you speak so highly and nicely of your caddies--they're not just labor, but friends as well. I'm going back to check out your Pun match videos! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us next! ⛳

[@GolfSidekick]

There are a few gems and I am going to be looking into ways to improve the lives of the more conscientious ones who have potential instead of falling into the traps being a caddie presents to them. Will keep you all posted on it. The idea came to be yesterday

[@BigD1957]

Yesterday I went to the range and only took my wedges and my putter. That way there was no temptation to smash balls endlessly on the tee box. I spent 2 hours around and on the green. Thats the plan moving forward. Working on chipping and putting like a Florida Baus! I saw these poor saps pounding balls for hours, sweating like a school boy at his first dance, breathing heavily like they just saw Belen Mozo! Me, I am around the green as cool as a cucumber. Its too hot here in Florida to pound balls for hours! Be cool and work on chipping and putting! Keep up the good work man!

[@GolfSidekick]

MAN YOU HAVE BIG BALLS TO BE PRACTICING SHORT GAME WHEN YOU SHOULD BE HITTING 5 BUCKETS IN A ROW WITH YOUR DRIVER! Don't regirp, don't reset your stance just push the retee button and boom bom boommbomb. You crazy man

[@BigD1957]

@@GolfSidekick When I lived in the cold north they shrunk, but since moving to the tropical rain and heat of Florida, they have blossomed big as basketballs! My dad used to say, "grow a pair" so I did! 🏀🏀 😂

[@raymelancon5388]

The caddie drive at 10:00 was a thing of beauty. WHATATEMPO!!!

[@pekkanii]

I am not sure strokes gained is properly understood here...

[@coseilgenio]

I love when the guitar riff is starting tapinski coming!

[@hsnelgrove71]

Matt, this video really started a great conversation. Well done. As an high handicapper I know which shots I need to work on. Not sure if how much benefit I would currently get out of using statistics.

[@GolfSidekick]

Yes, it is making me learn a lot, eye opening. Maybe I will have to explore more about this and see how to incorporate it into my videos with my high handicap friends!

[@steveoconnor6502]

The feel you have around the green is so incredible to watch mate!

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks sir. Sometimes it's on, sometimes it's off but the putter is killing me lately again. just can't see the lines anymore

[@victorfransson5501]

Look, I usually like your videos a lot, but I am sorry to say that this video shows that you do not fully grasp the concept here. Strokes gained is pure statistics. There are several claims that you make that can be quickly refuted using these said statistics, but I will not list it all here since I don't have the time to type it all out at the moment, but if you want to I can take the time to explain some concepts further. Anyway, where you are misleading the audience here is mainly 2 things: 1. That one round of yours can give an accurate representation. One round is basically no data when it comes to talking about the statistical advantages. 2. Saying that strokes gained = hitting your longest club off the tee every time. There is still a risk element added, again this is about statistics, if OB is a large risk, then that risk can outweigh the benefit of being potentially 30 yards further with your driver. Each hole still demands thought. So, what the strokes gained approach (this part of using it like some sort of "mindset" also baffles me, it is not a way to see golf or how you should approach it, it is, again, pure statistics) is saying, is really that that closer you are to the hole on for example your approach shot, the less shots you will need from that point compared to being 20 yards back. This is a concept I think (hope) that people can understand also applies to amateurs just as well as pros. I could go on but I also don't have the energy to explain how statistics work to people, if anyone wants to debate I am all for it though. Finally, please don't see this as huge criticism. I really like your videos, but here I really felt the need to give a comment which I rarely ever do, because strokes gained is one of the FEW things in golf that is based on actual facts. But, statistics is also relatively hard to fully grasp without having worked more deeply with it, so I also understand why people are not "buying" it.

[@derek2787]

In the same spirit as your final paragraph; please don't take this as a huge criticism. It's just my view and I am very often wrong. Where strokes gained falls down in the amateur game and becomes, for me, irrelevant is the huge amount of variables. It's not really comparing like with like. From what I understand, it compares players of a similar ability or handicap from a, presumably large, database, but not from the same day, same course, or in the same weather etc. In the pro game this is exactly what they are doing. Even allowing for all that, even if the variables are ignored and the statistics gave a true and fair reading of where the various bits of my game are in comparison to others of a similar ability, it's not telling me anything I don't already know. I know, for instance, from playing with enough people, that my distance off the tee is, comparatively, pretty short, I really don't need statistics to tell me that. Pro golf is a game of very fine margins where an average gain of half a shot a round can make a huge difference. The amateur game, at least for mid to high handicappers, is one of very broad margins

[@craighuddy5351]

Sorry Derek your wrong have you read Brodie’s book? checkout Scott Fawcett and the DECADE app it will improve your scores as well as helping identify the weaknesses in your game. Like most things in golf it takes a little more effort to get the reward but the majority of golfers won’t bother they just want the simply answers...

[@MattsPS]

@@derek2787 I think you're right in your guess: A lot of what you're saying stems from you not understanding strokes gained. For example, strokes gained tells you way more than just if you're long or short off the tee. It tells you tons of stuff that you simply could not know otherwise. Say you have fewer putts per round than your friends. Are you better at putting or are your approaches better? Or are your approaches *worse* but your drives are better, so your approaches are easier? Or are your approaches worse but you're chipping more? And you're right that for pros, a strokes gained of 0.2 is important because they're playing with very fine margins of victory and defeat. But it also works with big numbers. If you find out you lose 3.0 strokes putting compared to people at your skill level, that would probably be enough to get you to focus on putting.

[@GolfSidekick]

Good post sir, very enlightening. Not trying to mislead anyone, but giving my spin on the whole thing with a bit of tongue in cheek. I understand what you're saying and definitely understand the stats but at the same time, I get the feeling, a lot of guys will watch a video from other people showing strokes gained as mythical 18 handicappers (in reality the actors are pros) and start misinterpreting things ...just like I have. I admit int he video and description I have probably totally gotten it wrong and I accept that wholeheartedly, and at the same time advocate for a common sense approach, which ironically shows Strokes gained seems to tie into my philosophy! Always learning and always improving. Love this type of well thought out response instead of the usual knee jerk "witty" one liners some people post. THANKS!

[@derek2787]

@@MattsPS Thanks for the reply. I do understand the concept of strokes gained, I have an app that has been recording all my statistics for the last 15 or so rounds, (my main reason for using it is to gain a more accurate measurement of how far I hit each club on the course). Now, you're right in saying that it highlights my strengths and weaknesses, but my contention is that, having played the game for a long time, it doesn't tell me anything I don't already know. I really do know what my strengths and weaknesses are already. In all fairness. now I am in my sixties and my better days are behind me, I am perhaps not best qualified to judge the merits or otherwise of strokes gained. Either way, I enjoy reasoned and well thought out debate. So I thank you for that.

[@joeld008]

Strokes gained actually supports your theories. Anyone suggesting that 20 handicappers should be using the same club selection strategies as pros... doesn't understand how the system works.

[@GolfSidekick]

LOL, admittedly, I don't know. But this type of video has given me much food for thought from the comments so I can better understand it. It may spur people into reading about it and learning something new and even lowering their scores. I am certainnly more interested in investigating it further than surface level

[@adamhayes9414]

Question Matt. With your front foot forward are you finding it easier to swing in to out? I do have a natural swing that has a baby fade, but trying for more of a straight ball flight or even draw. Hard to adjust my set up off the tee (usually aiming down the left side) and trusting my swing. When I miss you know where it’s going... I’ve also been closing my top had with driver shots but am losing distance and it’s just not comfortable. Great videos!

[@GolfSidekick]

SOrry sir, I don't understand what you mean front foot forward? Also, regarding in to out, I am also unsure exactly what it means. I am trying to just get that clubface square at impact by not getting myself traped in a position that my head stays down too long and I end up contracting my right side and end up in pain for 3 days. You need to hit an empty course at 6am or late in the evening and play nine holes just bashing drives or whatever it is thatbothers you if you don't trust it but know you can do it. Just stay in one spot with 3 or 4 balls on every hole and get it right.

[@lyallorange9024]

You Sir are a refreshing voice to hear! Waddaplaya!!

[@GolfSidekick]

No, you!

[@paulallen286]

Matt. I can't express how much your advice has improved my game. Today I started out double bogey, bogey. But, I shot 80. I thought about what you said about not giving up (mentally) and it only takes one shot to turn your round around. I played your jazz music in my mind ( I like that tune with the sax) and just played the best I could forgetting about keeping score. My playing partners kept my score I only said 4, 5, 3 and so on. It worked. I got hot and turned things around. Thanks playa. Don't forget, we have a date in Myrtle Beach anytime...

[@GolfSidekick]

Well done playa! I believe you have a couple shirts on the way! DDid you get my email with tracking details?

[@paulallen286]

@@GolfSidekick: This is the first I've heard of any shirts coming my way. Perhaps it was another playa you are thinking about.

[@GolfSidekick]

Oops! Different Paul Allen!!

[@chc5306]

Is your 2 iron a regular 2 iron that matches your iron set or different ?

[@francoisdesmoulins-lebeaul4273]

Well, entertaining video and good messages as usual. But you definitely didn't get "strokes gained" (but then again the exposition of it by Mark Crossfield is quite faulty, at best). No, it's not "for the PGA"... and not a scam at all. It's not a method to play... it's a statistical method to analyse where you gain/lose points compared to a given field. It's been designed by Mark Broadie to make improvement on his game despite the fact that as a lecturer/researcher (in mathematical finance) he didn't have much time to dedicate to his game and he wanted to work on what would REALLY have the strongest benefit on HIS scores. The outcome of the research he did was unequivocal : the gains on putting did come at a massive cost and generally speaking "good putters" are actually the ones making the best approaches. And those making the best approaches were those making them from the best places AND being closer was a strong determinant of "best places". So you had to be good from the tee to be a good putter. And gaining from the tee was actually easier to do than holing more putts from longest ranges. Gaining from the tee is not simply hitting it with the driver like an idiot. It's getting statistically better distance/position to approach combinations. And that's up to you and specific to you. If you are getting a better proximity to the tee in average, with low standard deviation, hitting it from 120 yards middle of the fairway than from 50 yards in the rough (let alone the fairway) then, Strokes Gained says "hit it to 120 yards". If your approaches with you 5 iron from the fairway give you a better proximity to the hole in average than your 8 irons from mid rough, hit a 2 iron from the tee instead of a driver... The essence is to figure out where you have the best chances to hole out (well obviously, that's closest to the hole, in the right part of the green) then the place you have the best chances to reach that specific point on the green (usually it's going to be closer, whatever the lie, and not "far but in the fairway"... but that's for you to figure). Then you've got to figure how to be in said position. And to improve on the point where you're statistically the weakest compared to players of similar abilities (handicap/scores/levels). To sum it up (I totally understand that TL;DR might lead you here directly) it's easier to get your driver reasonably straight and gain 5 yards on it than go from 12% to 20% holing percentage from X yards, yet the impact on your average score will be stronger because you'll generally putt more from X-y yards, a distance at which your success percentage is 24% even without working much on your putting.... But the Strokes gained approach is more on how to compute statistics and really measure where you're loosing points (you never really know unless you precisely analyse your game and that of many others) and really not much on bombing it from every tee box with no regard for OBs and other things...

[@sactownjoey]

You have essentially described a statistical derivation of the theory of play Matt favors. Hit what you know, work backwards from the green to hit it distances you are more confident and improve your short game. For me (and I am even a bit of a data nerd) looking at my Saturday round and seeing that I was -.23 in strokes gained driving doesn't mean anything to me by itself and that's the rub. Too many people say "Use driver and hit it farther because 'strokes gained.'" I think it can be valuable to people who love, and more importantly understand, the mathematics of statistics but, frankly, if you can't at least accurately define what standard deviation is, then strokes gained is a fairly meaningless tool for you.

[@francoisdesmoulins-lebeaul4273]

@@sactownjoey Yep, strokes gained very much leans were Matt goes. As for you, the idea is that you have not just SG driving, but SG driving, approach, chip and putt or some other break down. So for a given round you may be losing 3.2 on a field of scratch, having played +4. But the app gives you -3.2 total, -1.6 driving, -0.6 approach, -1 short and 0 putting. You then know that compared to a "average scratch golfer" you're putting fine, your iron play is a wee bit weak, chip/pitching cost you a bit but it's driving that's lacking the most (could be you're too short or too inaccurate, or both). So that's what you should be working on first to get closer to scratch. No need to understand the way it's computed, really! It's a bunch of formulas that work based on hundreds of thousands of rounds played by golfers of all levels and abilities... But the results of that is what you should care about, even if some stats in there are quite enlightening.

[@shookus]

Spot on advice. WaddaGolfGuru ;) The extra seconds before the swing work nicely for viewing pleasure.

[@chriswalters7910]

Matt... Once again, great video. I love the content and love watching you guys on the course. Thank You!!!!!

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks sir

[@BlackNike24]

Love your videos Matt. One of my favorite KZbin Channels. I think you should watch a lot of the Strokes Gained videos from Mark Crossfield. It helps explain it a lot. In theory, I'm sure your "stress free golf" motto plays into strokes gained nicely.

[@Randsurfer]

Matt. Hole 14, you hit what looks like a long driver but it goes right and into the water. Why do you play your next stroke from the tee box? Why not drop near the water entry? I've seen you do this other times as well.

[@enfynet]

The way I understand SG stats is player results vs field from distance and club and lie. So your 2 iron off the tee would be compared to the field playing 2 iron off the tee. 9 iron from the rough at 130y would only be compared to the field playing 9 from the rough at 130y. I have a very complicated Excel file that I input all my shots into. Unfortunately I haven't played in 2 years so I may be forgetting some of it.

[@lexdekkers918]

If you use this methodology against the course, it works to determine your strong points and weak points from tee to pin. Other than that: love your videos, Matt. Many thanks for the continued stream of sound advice.

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks sir,, admittedly I probably destroyed the real ethos behind this statistical model but at the same time, wow lots to learn form the comments and maybe something to look into with my cousin in May and see if he can incorporate some of the thinking of Strokes gained into his game.

[@rsrkai665]

What if my driver is my most comfortable club. Should I take it more often or should I take a 2-3 iron which would hit more fairways. Would like your take

[@GolfSidekick]

If you can hit a driver reliably well then it is always the best option. Depends on the trouble off the fairway. If you miss the fairway with the driver does it end in catastrophe? Then you should take a fairway finder. Depends on the situation. Why dont you try play a round with just your fairway finder and then the next round with driver snd fairway finder snd then another round with driver only and experiment to find your best gameplan

[@rsrkai665]

Golf Sidekick for sure

[@seancook2264]

Stokes gained is a measure of analytics which will assist in identifying areas of your game where you are making relative gains. For the most part it only tells you probably what you already know. I tested strokes gained and it showed I was not loosing off the tee; was gaining substantially in chipping and putting but loosing substantially from my approach shots. It verified what I already knew, my iron game is rubbish! In a game based on marginal gains the analysis is helpful for those that are working into the minutia or don’t pay much attention to the bleeding obvious.

[@Thundawich]

Huh, so apparently I've been doing strokes gained in my head for a while. Just looked it up and its what I love, stats. I think you have the stat slightly off though. You have to remember that if you rip a drive down the fairway you might gain .2-.3 strokes compared to the field, maybe more on a short par 4, but if you put it behind a tree or OB you lose 2 strokes compared to the field. If you factor in the losses you get as well as the gains you'll find that if you want your strokes gained off tee shots to look great pulling out a 2/4/7 iron off the tee will actually increase your strokes gained off the tee rather than decrease it in certain scenarios... and that if you actually try to maximize the stat to the best of your ability you'll end up essentially hitting the longest club you can that near guarantees that you will have a good second shot... And this is starting to sound remarkably familiar to your stress-free golf....

[@4Stanzas]

Could you maybe make that paragraph a bit more stress free?

[@adamseidel9780]

This is the correct way to think about it, and probably more concisely said than I said it below. My coach has said for many years before strokes gained (and is now justified by strokes gained) that the best play is always to "eliminate the most possible distance between you and the hole that you can SAFELY." Ultimately, every shot is always a risk/reward calculation. Some of these calculations are easier than others. Data like strokes gained helps you make better calculations.

[@GolfSidekick]

BIGGEST THING I PICK UP FROM THE ABOVE COMMENTS THAT EVERYONE CAN LEARN FROM: "eliminate the most possible distance between you and the hole that you can SAFELY." - SUPER!!!! And yes Thundawich my man, maybe this is a tie-in to guys getting into the 80's using Stress Free Golf!!!! Deeper research may be needed!

[@adamseidel9780]

Golf Sidekick this is the single most productive KZbin comment conversation in the history of this website. We are solving golf and creating a stress-free world one comment at a time.

[@4Stanzas]

@@GolfSidekick lol

[@jackcarlson5200]

Just watching this after a high school goof meet. Been watching these videos and the have made me play more strategically. Just shot 87!

[@GolfSidekick]

Well done my good man!

[@Outlaw1fafo]

How's this for strokes gained... i just shot an 86, all my pars on 4s and 5s came from a 4 iron and I hit 3 drivers and pared 0 holes.

[@mariooo88]

Dear golfers, strokes gained should not be an objective, but a result. Happy golfing and Matt you're always the best

[@Cornwall1888]

This will upset crossfield

[@TopblokeGolf]

Yep , it already has, read his tweet from a couple of hours ago

[@Cornwall1888]

Topbloke Golf Vlogs that tweet was before this was released

[@TopblokeGolf]

Cornwall1888 must’ve been for RMW then lol

[@Cornwall1888]

Topbloke Golf Vlogs he is a shit coach to be fair “Don’t look at the ball or over think it just hit it and it’ll work out brilliant” No wonder he hasn’t got a pot to piss in, its a bit more complicated than that, there is actually technique involved

[@frostbrock]

Crossfield is getting redundant and boring.

[@scipiofinancial2013]

Great analysis playa. Stress free golf works...the hell with strokes gained.

[@GolfSidekick]

LOL, the more I read comments, the more I think I need to read deeper. But essentially, it seems the best way to approach it is with common sense and avoiding the dear and dread you're filled with when holding certain clubs!

[@GetGoodwithVince]

Broke 100 for the first time in 10 years twice last week with a 97 followed by a 93 all by playing stress free golf. For me that meant leaving the driver in the bag. These videos are worth more than any training aid, lesson from golf pro or fancy club I ever purchased. Thanks Matt! On a side note. Could you make a quick video about the feel you are trying to recreate on all your full shots? Is it pulling down from the top like the club is a rope? Or maybe it's "swing the club, don't hit the ball"? I would love to know how you get so much distance and hit the ball so solidly on a such a consistent basis.

[@GolfSidekick]

BOOM BOOM well done playa! I can't make a video on full shots because I really have no idea. I just think, tempo, finish the swing and release the hands. Those three thoughts either one at a time or two at a time

[@btown49]

Playa, Thanks for this video. I'm a subscriber from your second video on. Watching your videos has allowed me to shoot lower scores and enjoy the game much more. I'm usually 3 hun with the driver but only hit the fairway 24% of the time. My 5 iron goes 200 all day and I'm 86% in the short stuff. I always wondered if I was losing strokes because I keep my longest club in the bag but I see your score this round and see that I'm doing the right thing. My putting has gone from 2.7 per hole to 1.7. That alone has me taking money from my friends to pay for more golf. If you are ever in Las Vegas, come play a round with us, courtesy of my golf buddies.

[@GolfSidekick]

You sir, are a loyal subscriber! Damn bro one stroke per hole on the putting? That is what I am talking about playa! Thank you for the offer, I will need to get to the US and A soon to take you all up on the golfing offers!

[@jedimark5260]

what's strange to me is that my driver is my most consistent stress free shot. I'm stressed out standing over a pw or 9 in the middle of the fairway though.

[@jimmyarkthida5210]

Any course you recommend in Vietnam or golf Society

[@bruceh72]

One of Mark Broadie's findings is that we are more likely to hit the ball closer to the hole, and therefore more likely to make the putt, from closer to the hole. Another finding is that most amateurs are barely more accurate with 3w and 2i etc. than they are with driver. Another is that we are as accurate from the rough ~30 yards further down as we are from the fairway. (ie. 160 from the fairway = 130 from the rough). That set suggests that driver is often a good option for all us. The counter balance comes from the negative strokes gained from penalties, bunkers etc. (Maybe you haven't got up to that chapter yet) Strokes gained says go as far as you can while avoiding trouble or at the very least make sure the trouble you take on is worth it.

[@GolfSidekick]

Good post! Thank you sir, will look into it. I guess it's about weighing up the pros and cons of each shot and that kind of ties into my philosophy of avoiding danger and maximize your potential. Maybe I got this all wrong, which I did admit to in the video and description. No one said I was a smart guy hahahhaa

[@colliscole]

Without a doubt some of the best golf content on KZbin - have seen a 4-6 shot improvement since I’ve seen your videos. Have recommended to my buds and we shall see how they get on - for me, content sans pareil #worldclass #whaddaplaya

[@GolfSidekick]

Thanks sir !!!!

[@jpquinn91]

Strokes gained isn't about hitting driver off every tee...

[@GolfSidekick]

I assumed it wasn't but I reckon a lot of playas will be confused about the real meaning so hopefully after this video, guys will go out and seek their info and maybe pick up some nuggets to help them

[@GreenDistantStar]

Strokes gained only makes sense if you've gained some advantage from taking a shorter iron for the approach. There's no 'field' for social players, you're right Matt.

[@GolfSidekick]

I agree with this wholeheartedly,. I'm learning more about this strokes gained and it may be an interesting addition to advanced playas after they max out their Stress Free Golf. But THIS is the main point I have a hard time with. It's PGA Tour pros against a field of equally adept players. We just don't have that. We have so many levels and handicaps and abilities. I guess I better read more, but this is the main point that makes me think it's a load of baloney. Strokes Gained vs ourselves is better

[@KevinSheedy10]

The stats show that on average there is an advantage to being closer to the hole.

[@Sokko13]

👍🏌️ thanks Matt! No Stress! Love your videos!

[@BaldyFella]

Agree with you totally on this one Matt. For the majority of golfers this concept is a load of complete bollocks. You shouldn't be aiming to compare yourself to others anyway (which is what this concept is all about - others being the so-called 'field'). You are playing against the challenges each hole in front of you offers and each hole will present a different challenge depending on topography, weather conditions and how the hole sets up and makes you feel as you stand on the tee. You might hit anything from driver to 5-iron even on a long par-4 or 5 to put the ball in the next position to make the best next shot. As you've rightly pointed out on many occasions, finding the fairway consistently is all you need to do, even if each shot is 170 yards. Better that than 250 yards OB, in the drink or in the trees or gorse bushes. It is more down to recognising your own strengths and playing to them and practising hard with several clubs on pitching, chipping, lag putting and nailing the 4-6 footers in my view.

[@GolfSidekick]

That's how I see it my good man. Some good stuff in there I am sure, but just goes to show, it's best to investigate it fully rather than pick up tidbits from people selling drivers and lessons. It just sounds too PGA Tour to me which makes people mental.

[@gavinsgolfs5288]

Do you have the black Wilson 56 degree wedge

[@GolfSidekick]

No this is an old Cleveland Reg 588 50°

[@B8kedBean]

great vids the strokes gained actually can work towards what your philosophy would be ie. stress free golf, missing in the right spots and keeping out of trouble, distance is only 1 aspect of it

[@GolfSidekick]

I am starting to see this. It's quite interesting to read the comments and learn something. Thanks playa

[@B8kedBean]

@@GolfSidekick vids are quality really good course management and no bullshit 👍 thanks

[@karlkopf520]

What loft and shaft length is your 2 iron?

[@morf8311]

I think that strokes gained needs to not be looked at as a philosophy and instead as a measurement tool. It is a way of calculating the value of each position that your ball ends up in. At the end of a hole there is only 1 number that matters, total strokes made. Strokes gained is simply a way to look at each shot you make and say has this shot improved my chances of getting the ball in the hole in less strokes (compared to an "average" golfer of similar ability). Is it flawless and a magic elixir for being good, no of course not. Can tracking one's strokes gained lead to improvement, it can but ONLY if you use the data as a guide on what to focus on when practicing. I don't see strokes gained as a philosophy that says always hit it as far as possible, its more always hit is as close to the hole as possible without risking out of bounds, unplayable, or lost balls. Strokes gained is a long term statistical approach to tracking you golf which is vastly superior to traditional golf stats (fairways, greens, putts) when used to guide how to improve.

[@sfuller94]

Strokes gained merely means that a shot that lands closer to the hole is statistically better than the a shot farther away. It doesn’t mean hit driver off of the tee. If you’re three wood puts the ball in the fairway and your driver puts you in the woods, then there’s no stroke’s gained.

[@KevinSheedy10]

You’re looking at it the wrong way. It doesn’t tell you what shot to play in any particular situation. It tells you where you are losing shots compared to better players. So if I play 3 iron because everytime I hit driver I lose my ball, I am immediately at a disadvantage compared with someone who can hit driver. I am going to lose strokes off the tee. The conclusion is therefore not that I need to hit driver if I suck at it, it’s that if I want to get better I need to learn to hit driver.

[@baggrabb]

I agree with your point (which is, I think, use the clubs that you are comfortable with and can score with consistently, not the ones that feed your ego, like driver) but don't think strokes gained has much to do with it. Strokes gained is an incredibly complicated stat, and requires performance from the entire field to calculate, because your performance is compared to the average of the field for each metric. Amateurs simply can't do that. I'd also agree that most amatuers w/ double-digit handicaps would be better off hitting a shorter club off tee, keeping the ball in the fairway, and positioning for an up-and-down more often than going for the green in regulation. Keep up the great content.

[@GolfSidekick]

See this is my viewpoint. I may be right, I may be wrong, but like you say, COMPLICATED and NEEDS A FIELD OF PLAYERS ON AN EVEN SKILL LEVEL

[@Momyficator]

Hello all, I am not sure if it is the best spot to asked but here I go. How so much people have handicap? I mean, to get an handicap you must make you scorecard signed by the captain of the club and having a witness of the course you did. And after that you must doing it a lot of time to have decent amount statistics to be able to calculated you handicap. Well, from what I read. It seems very complicated. But every golfers around are always talking about their handicap as their level of golf. Does all those golfers goes through all the process to have and maintain that numbers? Or if most the time it just people that choose a number that fit their score just to be able to compare with others? My English is far from perfect but it something that bogging me from a long time ago and since I have no friends that have handicap and have no clue how I can be in that secret club too. Thanks folks.

[@GolfSidekick]

Depends where you are. Some countries and some clubs need only competition rounds played with a group where someone marks your card. Some places you just put in whatever scores you made in social rounds too. Now on the internet, we careful because everyones handicap drops about 3 strokes on the internet. Same as everyone drives it 300 AVERAGE. THe handicap is just showing your potential I think. I think the old way was to calculate your average and just give you like 85% of that average. I think the new system reflects your potential based on your scores so I think it lowers the general handicap. But if a handicap is 5 like mine then that doesnt mean I shoot 77 every round. I can shoot 72 but also 85. They take your best rounds in the last few and give you a handicap so it doesnt just change all the time from round to round We have handicaps to level the playing field with each other so we can play against each other in matchplay or stableford or medal. A 15 handicap shooting 85 will beat a 5 handicap shooting 79 even though the actual score is more. Most people use handicap as an ego boost. Some guys take a few shots they dont count and pretend it happened or didnt happen. Best thing is to count all your shots and take the maximum on any hole you screw up badly by checking the maximum allowed per hole for your handicap system

[@Momyficator]

Golf Sidekick thanks for the answer. So if I am not interested to do all that it is required to have an authentic handicap score I can just for exemple: I use to play between 104 and 94 on différents courses, but 85% of the time I use to play more like between 102 and 96. So I can say that m6 handicap “should be” around 15 and 20 just to have an idea. Is this correct? I know that we must take into account the difficulty on the golf course etc but it seems to be a good number right?

[@GolfSidekick]

@@Momyficator In general if you were playing against me in a match with no handicap, I would give you an 18. If for stableford individual competition, 20 sounds about fair. There are alternative ways to get a handicap. Have a look at options online.

[@AnantJain-es5xj]

What music do you use for your birdies

[@GolfSidekick]

Jump Higher. Available on motionarray.com but you have to buy a membership

[@johnantinora6222]

How do you add the red track to shots

[@UncleDanBand64]

No doubt about it brother. I'm definitely going to drop strokes using a 2 or 3 iron off the tee. Now yesterday I played driver, 5 iron, 9 iron and putter. I played great but, the driver is one I cut down to 40". I did it a couple years back when I started playing. I thought I'm going to try that driver again. I call it the Green Hammer 😂 Honestly I hit my 2 iron a bit straighter but, not by much. This was my what's in the bag a few years back. I think going forward I'll just stick with those 4 clubs. After all it's fun to beat your buddy's when they have 14 clubs and a matching bag and I've got a Sunday Bag and all my clubs came from the dollar bin at Goodwill 😂👍

[@GolfSidekick]

LOL!!!!

[@GreatEighp]

I think the use for the general public is actually identifying which parts of your own game are weaker or stronger. Most amateurs will lose shots against the field in all facets, but if you're losing 1 shot in the putting category and 4 shots in the approach category, you'd likely be better served practicing or getting lessons for iron/approach shots.

[@GolfSidekick]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Dammit man, this is succinct and beautiful

[@RPCAFF]

Like the birdie music... What's the eagle music?

[@AdrianWheat]

You're part right - part wrong. Mark Broadie has said that you should get as close as you can get to the green - SAFELY. So your approach of taking the stress free club is actually very much in alignment with the true Strokes Gained philosophy, at least according to the guy who invented it!

[@zacharymilos392]

Might not be a recipe for sub 70 golf, but for me, taking a 3w or hybrid off the tee and taking a controlled swing, getting my approach NEAR the green, chipping close and trying to make par is almost a sure 80 or even sub 80 if the putting is on fire. Don't even need a driver unless I go playing over 6700 yards. Even then... Still might not hit driver.

[@GolfSidekick]

Good point sir! There is always room for improvement and I guess as long as we are analyzing where we can improve, we are improving if we act on it. But I am just not sure we can compare one amateur vs another one, even off the same handicap! I like your approach outlined here

[@karmababy5077]

I think your usual approach is perfect for the beginner golfer or high handicapper, but when you're a category 3 handicapper or below and you want to be attacking par 5s and short par 4s for birdies, I think you need to be pushing your limits more. I broke 100 and 90 following your stress-free gold approach and even recently shot 83. But, to break my new target of 80 I've been taking driver + hybrid/long iron to attack par 5s for birdies and it is paying off.

[@GolfSidekick]

Beautiful and I agree 100% Well done playa that is quite an improvement. Fyi, shipping of shirt and hybrid happening tomorrow. Will send you tracking thereaftwr

[@BTal-kp1qd]

I feel like most people think understanding SG will automatically make them a better golfer or that taking a driver is always the best play because it gets them closer to the green. What SG highlights is the potential value of a range of different shots. The value of a 300 yard drive is higher than the value of a lag from 25 feet. The problem is that most golfers can’t hit a 300 yard drive, if they could, they’d be much better at the game. Instead, they’re hitting balls OB or into recovery positions, which is where they lose all of their shots. To me, there’s only so much you can improve on chipping or putting from 10 feet and the reward for improvement is nowhere near as valuable as the reward for improving ball striking and cutting out those punishing drives. The reality is that most people aren’t coordinated enough to hone this, which is why they’re not very good to start with.

[@KnockedStiffGolf]

Here's my rough interpretation of "Strokes Gained" - It's the measure of strokes gained or loss vs similar handicap averages. So when a pro has +2 strokes gained in putting - that means (for example) the average amount of putts that round/tournament is 28 - that particular player is only requiring 26 putts. It's essentially taking your stats vs. the average to determine where you are picking up or losing strokes when you are playing against other competitors. Please let me know if I have this mixed up - thanks! Great video as usual.

[@tzeus84]

thats basicly a correct interpretation. the problem is, is that their is no accurate average for amateurs because there is no accurate data and the courses played by amateurs a way to different. The only accurate dataset for an average is from the pros and the pga courses they play, which is completely different from a amateur average.

[@KnockedStiffGolf]

@@tzeus84 I certainly can understand that. The reference to a 20 handicap was mentioned in the video and I can see that specific stats are pretty lacking in that - but as you get down to single digit handicap where stats are kept a bit more precisely, I could see there being strokes gained against a 0 handicap, 5 handicap, and 10 handicap. Also, you could use the concept of strokes gained on yourself based solely on your own stats over a period of time. Again, this is the opposite stress-free, worry-free golf that this channel is built on, so it's certainly not a stat to keep for everyone. Thanks for the insight! Take care,

[@sactownjoey]

@@tzeus84 This distills the issue very nicely. I have a friend who is about a 5 who obsesses over his strokes gained data but he doesn't need it to confirm that an inability to get up and down reliably costs him shots. He has two choices: hit more greens or chip better.

[@GolfSidekick]

Kyle, yeah man I think your second comment here is so great. Lower handicaps under 5 or 4 definitely. And also if we use it to compare OURSELVES vs OUR POTENTIAL BEST SELVES. I like this thread the most. It's common sense isn't it? Regardless of what shot I hit into the greens on this round, I made no putts. I couldn't see the line. Leaving the round and driving home, I realized I ned to get on a practice green and get my eyes in tune with the slopes and grass...couldn't read a damn thing. i didn't need maths to tell me that, And how many hours have I practiced putting since this round? ZERO. KNobhead

[@KnockedStiffGolf]

Yep, we can certainly get lost in the world of stats, but when you are in tune with your own game, i think you naturally "know" where you are lacking in golf - and if you don't, that's where some of these stats can come to the rescue.

[@micr7307]

Strokes Gained is a very interesting theoretical concept. It is difficult to apply to a practical amateur game, since it needs a clear idea of the risk-reward-ratio of any shot in any situation on a certain hole. Strategy changers.... Strokeplay vs Stableford points, high vs low rough, easy vs difficult pin position etc.... SG does not take this into account!

[@GolfSidekick]

I like your post. That makes a lot of sense. Amateur games are tooooo nuanced to be applied to this and vice versa.

[@aaron_b.]

If you're a mid-/high-HI player (which I'm guessing is the majority of the subscribers of this channel), you really shouldn't care about specific SG, even if you're paying someone online (LOL!!) to calculate it against a "field." As a framework, I think it's beneficial to understand, especially if you're missing the same off the tee with shorter clubs as you do with your driver. Keeping track of traditional stats and adding in some others (e.g. where your misses on approach shots go, distance to the hole when you do land on the green for approach shots but also chips/pitches) will do the same thing in terms of showing your strengths and weaknesses and will give you clearer baselines from where to work toward improvement (i.e. I can't track SG for 30-40 yard pitches during practice, but I can track what percentage I can get within 10 feet for practice, and if it's not translating to the course, I have a baseline to measure against)

[@davidlee2474]

ok - the thing with strokes gained is that you must make it specific to you. Most strokes gained apps let you compare your game to similar handicap golfers which can be both good and very bad at the same time. If I was a tour pro who has a consistent ball striking game and a consistent shot shape every shot then distance off the tee is key - Frankie M adds 15 yards on his drives and breaks into the top 10 and wins the Open. DJ Rory etc. are always competitive because they are long. But that is also because all of their game is strong and they are playing against people whose games are all strong. so at that level the area where they can make the biggest difference compared to their peers is long off the tee, If you are not a tour pro this MAY not be the case. (Most likely it isn't). The difference between hitting a wedge into a green even from the rough compared to a 7 iron is huge for these guys in their ability to make birdies. If you are the kind of player that can miss a green with any club, lose the ball out of bounds off the tee or play on courses with narrow fairways and lots of trees and can't hit it straight (for tour pros a bad shot is 25 yards off line!) then being longer probably means you are just further into the s**t when you hit the bad one. Look at Matt's recent video where he took a subscriber around and then gave her a putting lesson - she was losing shots against every handicap player - and a lot of shots at that - putting. She was losing a lot of shots with poor chipping. That's where SHE could gain strokes and improve quickest. If she hit it 15 yards further how as that going to improve her game against anyone else she played against? For we handicap golfers, keep stats and look for areas where you are losing against your fellow handicap golfers and those players slightly better than you. If I compare my averages to that of the average 10 handicapper (I play off 11) I lose 0.8 off the tee (a lot of my recent rounds have been under winter conditions in the UK so its travelling short) and I'm losing 0.5 on short game and over 3 on putting. Hitting the ball longer will help with the 0.8 but hey maybe I should just practice my putting a bit better? As a data junkie - stress free golf is the only way to reduce your scores.

[@luke2183]

I like to use my driver as often as I can but on narrow fairways gotta use hybrid or long iron for sure. Some days we golf better than others but still golfing 😎

[@luke2183]

Went out the other day at home course, birdie the first then shat the bed and boogied 2-8 with only 2 pars. Still a beautiful day to go out and had the gf caddie

[@marnixsimon1215]

Strokes gaines is just bs for anybody not playing professionally... you fuck up a shot, you don't need statistics comparing you to pga pro's to know what you could have done better... thanks for all the great vids!! Enjoy them a lot and your course management tips make a lot of sense to me! My game will be helped by all those tips after learning to how hit good shots!

[@BeachBow]

Great video! And right on the mark.

[@KeatonSmiley]

I would like to see you play your normal game and keep track of strokes gained with the TM app? You can set the benchmarking to any skill level you like not just PGA Tour. Also I believe approach shots 100-250y is the most important category followed by driving, short (

[@GolfSidekick]

Sounds good. I will download it

[@carsonbaugher4671]

Stroked Gained is not just about hitting longer clubs. It’s a way to track how you score compared to the field. Normally it is strokes gained off the tee, strokes gained approach, strokes gained chipping, strokes gained putting. It would only make sense to hit longer clubs off the tee if your strokes gained off the tee was significantly better than the field. It will have no impact on your own game if you aren’t tracking it and tracking the field. Your stress free approach is 100% the correct way to approach the game for anyone that doesn’t have shotlink (pgatour tracking of all your shots and proximity to the hole)

[@Hugo5t1gl1tz]

I got zoned in on your video and when the camera fell over I thought I was dying