Comments on: 1995 to 2005 in Numbers

By: j.p. Corbeil

j.p. Corbeil — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:30:06 +0000

Your stat analysis is most interesting. I wish we could see more of this from "experts" providing opinions in the media or other forums. Long term scrutiny is the only way to really make valid observation. If I may add a comment on driving accuracy, I think the decrease is linked to factors you mentioned, but also to the new risk reward situation: 30 yards more on average makes for easier, shorter recovery shots. I am not original in this remark because we have often heard on TV that longer hitters (ex: Vijay Singh)will use more drivers because getting back with a 9-iron or wedge will be easier or leave you with a short chip shot.

On the other hand, I think it has become imperative to provide driving distance stats with carry and roll figures. It is useless to lenghten and narrow courses if you are going to give the players concrete fairways. Furthermore this distinction is particularly obvious on the LPGA tour.

Keep up the interesting work.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 00:39:29 +0000

Good points. I may try and save and research some of the stats for each of the tournaments this year. That way I can look at GIR/DD/DA/etc by length of course.

To answer your second question, I think that improved condtions does offset length to some degree. There are a lot of factors at work, but it is definitely one of them. It's not easy to prove, but it is almost impossible to say that roll has not increased tremendously over the years.

By: point1golf

point1golf — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 21:50:30 +0000

Great info as always. How about the effect of longer golf courses on the stats like scoring and GIR? Do improved conditions offset the length and shot making impriovements?

I enjoy the thought provoking information you provide.