Statistics, statistics and damned lies

By Paul Gueorgieff

Statistics, statistics and damned lies

Think about the following.

If you had 36 putts and scored net par would you be happy?

If you had 18 up and downs and scored net par would you be happy?

If you hit 18 greens in net regulation and had net par would you be happy?

In all three of those scenarios you have scored net par. Would you be happy?

The answer to the latter is yes because you have scored the equivalent of 36 stableford points which we all know is good or very good.

But let’s break down those three scenarios.

The first one was 36 putts and scoring net par. Even though this would provide you with 36 stableford points, I can’t help thinking this would be disappointing.

Why?

Because that means you have hit 18 greens in net regulation and you have only averaged two putts per green.

I would be disappointed with that. Very disappointed.

To think I would hit 18 greens in net regulation and not score one net birdie would be disappointing considering I would not expect to three-putt any green.

But what say I only made each of the 18 greens by a few inches and each time the pin was on the other side of the green, perhaps 60 feet or more away?

In that case, two putts is pretty good. But the fact you ended up so far from the pin is not good.

In other words, up and downs are only good if you are not close to the pin.

But if up and downs are only good if you are some distance from the pin, what are you doing be some distance from the pin in the first place? That’s not good.

Very confusing.

Second scenario. That’s 18 up and downs for net pars.

That sounds like you have chipped wonderfully. But it also means you have missed 18 greens in regulation. That’s not so wonderful.

Let’s imagine you have missed the green by a few inches each time and the pin is very near to where you finished. In that case 18 up and downs doesn’t mean you have chipped well. Far from it.

Very confusing.

Third scenario. That was 18 greens in net regulation and finished with net par.

Once again, to me, that would be disappointing. Very disappointing.

Why?

Imagine if nine of the greens you hit in regulation ended up near the pin and you didn’t sink one of those putts for a net birdie. That has to be disappointing.

The point I am making is statistics, statistics and damned lies.

The only statistic that counts is the overall score. A net 71 is better than a net 72. Full stop.

A score of 35 stableford points it not as good as 36 stableford points. Full stop.

I often hear television golf commentators talk about strokes gained putting or strokes gained something else.

Do you understand what these mean?

I don’t and I am not sure if I want to know. Because the only stat that matters is the overall score.

If I have six birdies (yes, I am dreaming) and I have six bogeys (I’m no longer dreaming) that only amounts to par.

If I was good enough to have six birdies but also have six bogeys I would be disappointed. Very disappointed.

Statistic, statistics and damned lies.

Very confusing.