Just returned from the PGA Show in Orlando. I had the pleasure of connecting with quite a few of my instructor/clients. I am most gratified that they all: a) read this blog avidly; and b) expressed an interest in more posts. I discussed this with my great friend, Henry Brunton, (now a bona fide instructor/coach Rock Star) as he echoed this sentiment. Understanding the work that goes into each blog post, Henry suggested posting weekly, but making three of every four much shorter. As I do with all of Henry's wise advice, I will take it. Further, if YOU have a statistical topic that you would like me to explore, please let me know!
What about Josh Teater?
Tied for 2nd, Josh finished six shots behind Tiger. Just try to find those six shots in the stats...
Using some of my favorite statistical barometers [Stack-18 (explained) and the 70% Rule (70% Rule explained)], Josh's performance was clearly better than Tiger's.
I can only conclude that Josh sprinkled more than a few of those pesky ERRORS into his game - the ones that cost strokes but disappear in the Tour stats. As the Tour's Shot Tracker data also disappears from its website at some point each Tuesday night, I cannot answer my own question. But true to my word, it certainly makes for a much shorter blog....
I really did look for clues:
1. Missed Fairway Percent - Other: (The % of missed fairways that result in a location other than the fairway or rough.)
Josh had one of these "Others." If it were an OB/Lost, it would account for at least 2 of the 6 lost shots but we'll never know. BTW, this could also have been a par 4 drive that reached the putting surface.
According to the stats, Tiger had NONE of these Others but I don't trust this stat because on the 15th hole in the 4th round, Tiger drove into an "Unknown" location and incurred a penalty (drop). If that's not an Other, what is?
2. Proximity ARG - (How close to the hole on average for all shots starting within 30 yards of the edge of the green.)
I generally like this stat as it tends to correlate fairly closely to ShotByShot.com's short game proximity. Josh ranked 53rd at 8' 2" average proximity. This compares to Tiger's 7' 1" and the field's 7' 11". My guess: Josh made some errors in this part of his game - but again, the proof is lost in the Tour stats.
Finally, if I were Josh Teater's coach, and spent the time to go through this exercise, I would be extremely frustrated with not being able to answer the important question: Why didn't Josh Teater WIN at Torrey Pines?
According to the stats, Tiger had NONE of these Others but I don't trust this stat because on the 15th hole in the 4th round, Tiger drove into an "Unknown" location and incurred a penalty (drop). If that's not an Other, what is?
2. Proximity ARG - (How close to the hole on average for all shots starting within 30 yards of the edge of the green.)
I generally like this stat as it tends to correlate fairly closely to ShotByShot.com's short game proximity. Josh ranked 53rd at 8' 2" average proximity. This compares to Tiger's 7' 1" and the field's 7' 11". My guess: Josh made some errors in this part of his game - but again, the proof is lost in the Tour stats.
Finally, if I were Josh Teater's coach, and spent the time to go through this exercise, I would be extremely frustrated with not being able to answer the important question: Why didn't Josh Teater WIN at Torrey Pines?
I think you're right about errors making up for most of those 6 shots. Looking forward to reading more of your blog posts in 2013.
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