2006 Versus 2005 in Numbers

The numbers in 2006 show a slowdown in distance and more accuracy from players. These trends are small in effect compared to the drop in tournaments played by golf’s top players… which could mean a strange situation for the FedEx Cup.

The Numbers GameI know there is still one tournament left. Sure the numbers may change a little bit, but that won’t stop me from comparing 2006 to last year.

Is Driving Distance up? What about accuracy? Are the top performers in these stats making more or less money? These are just a few things I’ll be answering this week in The Numbers Game.

Making the Cut

With the last tournament starting today, all eyes will be on those wanting to get into or stay in the top 30 and top 125.

The Numbers GameThe chase for the top 125 and 30 is almost over. The PGA Tour’s best have one more tournament to get into the Tour Championship and players on the bubble to secure their card for next year. It’s always fun to pick apart some of the names that are (and are not) in the cut.

This week I’ll pick apart a few of the names and positions in the money list that might surprise you in this week’s edition of The Numbers Game.

Side Note: If you’d be interested in writing The Numbers Game, please read this forum thread on the topic. Thank you.

Newport Cup 2006 in Numbers

We had a great time last week at The Newport Cup. I made some new friends and took away a few numbers for this week’s column.

The Numbers GameThe second annual Newport Cup is over and the numbers are in. Unfortunately for myself and rest of the Blue team, our numbers were not large enough to overcome the Red team’s. They were led by a father-and-son combination that proved too much for the Blue Sand Trap staff member team.

This week in The Numbers Game I’ll talk about all things number related at the 2006 Newport Cup held in my home state of North Carolina.

A Wednesday on the PGA Tour

In the spirit of the baseball playoffs, we throw a change up and show some of the sights from the GGCC and some thoughts about the recent course changes too.

I live near Greensboro, NC and this week’s PGA Tour stop is at Forest Oaks Country Club for the Greater Greensboro Charity Classic. In place of my normal Thursday column, The Numbers Game, I thought I’d bring you some sights and experiences from the tournament site. Rob Goodman and the people at the GGCC were kind enough to provide The Sand Trap with credentials, and I’m happy to provide some thoughts on the tournament and the recent renovations to Forest Oaks by Davis Love.

Brad Faxon Corey Pavin GGCC
Corey Pavin and Brad Faxon are in the field this week. Brad is winless this year, but Corey isn’t!

Though most of the feedback has been positive, some of the changes border on “gimmicky.” Read on to find out why…

Europe vs. America in Numbers

After the Ryder Cup I thought it would be interesting to compare the European Tour and the PGA Tour. Players participating on both tours provided interesting, and somewhat strange results.

The Numbers GameA stat appeared on my television while I was watching the Ryder Cup on Sunday. The stat listed Paul Casey as being sixth on the European Tour in Greens in Regulation (GIR) at 75.1%. As the resident “numbers guy,” I was taken aback. I knew that Tiger Woods was ranked first on the PGA Tour… but with a GIR rate of nowhere close to 75%.

So I thought it would be worthwhile in this installment of The Numbers Game to compare players stats on both sides of the pond – the European Tour and the PGA Tour – to see what it might reveal. I’m not looking to identify the better tour – just see what the numbers tell us. I was surpised what they had to say!

2006 Winners by the Numbers

So what does it take to win on tour? Greens and putting once again rule. With all the talk about distance, are you surprised?

The Numbers GameLast week I talked about what the winners had in their bag. This week in The Numbers Game I look at the winners again, but not at what driver or putter they used. This time I wanted to see what they excelled at in winning the tournaments they did.

Was it putting? Greens in regulation? Or was it one of the driving stats that they led on their way to victory? Read on to find out.

What’s in the Bag, Volume Three

I thought it was time I took another peak at what’s in the winner’s bags on the PGA Tour. Thanks to the number one player in the world, a certain company based in Oregon has taken the lead.

The Numbers GameIt’s time again for another installment of “What’s in the Bag?” at The Numbers Game. Earlier in the year, Nike had an early lead in drivers, irons, and wedges. It was also hanging close in the ball category as well. Has Nike kept their lead? Or has Titlest or TaylorMade closed the gap?

Read on to find out.

Nuggets, Volume Two

Volume two of Nuggets gives us some insight into a couple injured players trying to recover, interesting facts about Tiger and sheds some light on the Euro Ryder Cup selection.

The Numbers GameI always make a few notes as I thumb through the stats pages and other websites as I compile my column. Some things aren’t worth an entire article, but together they make for a good read.

This week in The Numbers Game, it’s the second installment of those little bits of information I find interesting. Read on to see if you do too.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Volume One

Good, bad and ugly. It can be found in the pro’s game and our game as well. In the last few weeks, there’s been plenty of each kind of golf.

The Numbers GameIn every sport, there is good, bad, and ugly. Over the last few weeks I’ve seen a little bit of each. Of course there is some Tiger and a bit of Love, but I won’t even spare myself from the steely glare of the Numbers Game microscope.

This week in The Numbers Game I’ll break down what I thought was good, bad, and ugly in all of golf, including my own game.