Jump to content
IGNORED

Lowest Score Wins: Calculating the shots gained for SV values


Note: This thread is 3549 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

I'm not sure I understand how the 'shots to be gained' values are being calculated. Or at least, I think I understand the principle and where the base data is coming from, but I don't understand how it is being applied in the following case.

The discussion on Driving the Ball on p80 begins by reminding us that a typical 90s golfer can save nearly 3 shots per round, an 80s golfer can save 2 shots and so on.

Yet, directly below, the S value ("How many shots can you save each time by improving at the skill" (pxiii)) is 0.5 for 90s, 0.3 for 80s etc. If 'shots per time' means 'every time you use your driver off the tee', then clearly the calculation isn't Shots times Opportunities .

I'm obviously missing something, but I can't find a way of squaring these two figures.

It looks like it must be that the S value is tied to a different level of improvement than the '20 yards and 1 degree accuracy' used in the text above, so what is that level of improvement? It can't be the Ceiling figure, because as the text agrees, that would be unattainable for most golfers.

This doesn't really affect the value of the lessons in the book, but it's bugging me that I can't work what's going on...

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Administrator

The discussion on Driving the Ball on p80 begins by reminding us that a typical 90s golfer can save nearly 3 shots per round, an 80s golfer can save 2 shots and so on.

Yes. The Ceiling is a lot more than 1° or 20 yards better, though. The ceiling is an average PGA Tour player.

Yet, directly below, the S value ("How many shots can you save each time by improving at the skill" (pxiii)) is 0.5 for 90s, 0.3 for 80s etc. If 'shots per time' means 'every time you use your driver off the tee', then clearly the calculation isn't Shots times Opportunities.

Sure it can be.

You've seemingly confused the ceiling (which plays a role in determining the S-value) with some of the data in the preceding paragraph. The ceiling is not 1°/20 yards better.

It looks like it must be that the S value is tied to a different level of improvement than the '20 yards and 1 degree accuracy' used in the text above, so what is that level of improvement? It can't be the Ceiling figure, because as the text agrees, that would be unattainable for most golfers.

It is based on the ceiling value. It's how far you are away from the "gold standard" in any particular skill.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Thanks for you reply.

Quote:
Yes. The Ceiling is a lot more than 1° or 20 yards better, though. The ceiling is an average PGA Tour player.

Quote:
You've seemingly confused the ceiling (which plays a role in determining the S-value) with some of the data in the preceding paragraph.

I understood that the ceiling relates to tour players and that it's not limited to 20 yes / 1 deg. I was trying to work out how the figures in the paragraph relate to the SCOR figures, that's all.

Let me put it another way. When I said it can't be If 'shots per time' means 'every time you use your driver off the tee', you've corrected me and said 'Sure it can be'.

OK, so that's S * O = 0.5 * 14 or 7 shots per round but only if the average 90s golfer can improve their driving performance to the level of the average tour pro . Is that right? Of course, lesser improvement will mean fewer shots saved.

If so, given that you've said that they could improve by 2.5 shots simply by achieving 20 yds / 1 degree improvements, then it implies that they need to increase average distance and accuracy by just under 3 times (≈60 yds and the equivalent improvement in accuracy) to save those 7 shots each round, on average. (7 / 2.5 = 2.8 ish.)

Is that how it works?

Again, I'm not questioning the validity of the methodology: just trying to understand it.

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Administrator

Pretty much. You also have to factor in penalty shots too, but yes, you're pretty much there.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3549 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...