Some Equipment Stats for 2010 Tour Winners

[ssrs8]

I am always tinkering with the 14 clubs I carry so I decided to compile some stats of the 2010 PGA Tour winner's clubs and share just in case anyone finds it useful. These stats are from 29 winner's bags starting with the SBS Championship last January through the Canadian Open.

Driver Stats
===================================
Driver Loft Average: 9.362068966

Driver Loft Low: 7.5 (Phil and Bubba)

Driver Loft High: 11.5 (Carl Pettersson)


5-wood-equivalent Stats
===================================
Percentage carrying a 2-iron: 3.448275862

Percentage carrying a 5-wood: 48.27586207

Percentage carrying a hybrid: 41.37931034

Percentage leaving 5-wood-equivalent out of the bag for another wedge: 6.896551724


3-iron-equivalent Stats
===================================
Percentage carrying a hybrid: 37.93103448

Percentage carrying a blade: 13.79310345

Percentage carrying a players club: 44.82758621

Percentage carrying a game improvement: 3.448275862


4-iron-equivalent Stats
===================================
Percentage carrying a hybrid: 0

Percentage carrying a blade: 20.68965517

Percentage carrying a players club: 72.4137931

Percentage carrying a game improvement: 6.896551724

[Gerald]

Hmmm ......

Interesting to see ZERO pro's carrying a hybrid instead of a 4i and still about 6 of 10 use a 3i instead of a hybrid.

I personally feel that more pro's were replacing the long irons by hybrids about a year ago and I wonder why they tend to come back to irons ?

Also more 5W than I expected, although the Hybrid is getting closer than a few years ago.

You also have stats on the wedges ..... as I feel most pro's use fewer wedges than amateurs...... most pro's carry a PW and only one SW, while most of us carry 4 wedges (PW, GW, SW, LW) ..... fewer options .... more control ?

[Gordon McTavish]

You also have stats on the wedges ..... as I feel most pro's use fewer wedges than amateurs...... most pro's carry a PW and only one SW, while most of us carry 4 wedges (PW, GW, SW, LW) ..... fewer options .... more control ?

After looking at the profile of various Titleist staff, I noticed that 48*, 54*. 60* seemed to be the most popular wedge setup.

I don't have any stats, but I wouldn't be surprised if most people are gaming a Gap Wedge simply because the Pitching Wedge from their set is really just a re-branded 9-iron.

[CrazyXGolfer]

Driver Stats

I think you may have that wrong, phil I believe used a 6.3* driver in the masters.

[Gerald]

Also interesting to see that GIR average and Fairways hit are both only about 65% and that the Pro's must be great putters, because the even best don't get an average below 8 ft. from the hole within 30 yds.

[Zeph]

Does it matter to us what the pros play? Not so much I would say. Statistics is fun, but there is limited things to gather from it. Investing more time and money in lessons and learning the swing, instead of equipment will go a long way.

These stats won't be a whole lot different from the average stats on the PGA Tour. The winners win by a couple of strokes, doesn't make their game a whole lot more awesome than the rest.

Comment on the Phil driver loft: Are these stats from one round per person only, the tournament they won, or every round played this year by the winners?

[ssrs8]

I think you may have that wrong, phil I believe used a 6.3* driver in the masters.

I have heard it was 6.2 or 6.3 too. The 7.5 was in a WITB from a main golf publication that I used as the my main source. This same source also stated that Rory McIlroy used AP1 3 and 4-irons in his win at Quail Hollow. I did correct for this, since it is directly contradicted by Titleist's site.

[ssrs8]

Does it matter to us what the pros play? Not so much I would say. Statistics is fun, but there is limited things to gather from it. Investing more time and money in lessons and learning the swing, instead of equipment will go a long way.

Strictly speaking for myself, I believe one can still infer or make certain assumptions from this data:

- The main goal of a Tour Pro is to shoot low scores and win tournaments. Some amateurs have other priorities such as looking good or chasing that feeling of puring a blade. I did too, but now I just want to shoot the lowest scores I possibly can out of curiosity. - Some Tour Pros have to consider, to some degree, their sponsors when putting a club in their bag. But this is probably not a consideration when deciding to play a Nike full cavity 3-iron vs. Nike blade 3-iron vs. a Nike hybrid. - If 40% of 2010 tour winners play a hybrid or GI 3-iron, what was I doing with a 3-iron MP-60? I don't have nearly their talent or as much time to practice. Again this statement is just for me, and I am only sharing because this is what I found useful since you kind of asked - not trying to start another amateurs with blades holy war. I chose to focus on winner's bags for two reasons. 1. Though it is infinitely debatable to what degree, equipment does play some role in winning a tournament. 2. It's obviously impracticle for me to compile equipment stats (which are always changing throughout the season) for all tour pros for an entire season. Phil's driver loft was what he played when he won the 2010 Masters. According to CrazyXGolfer, it may have actually been a 6.3 lofted driver and he may be right.

[cody west]

Hmmm ......

howdo you get 6 out of 10 when it was like 38% i might not be good at math but i would think that means about 4 out of 10

[delav]

howdo you get 6 out of 10 when it was like 38% i might not be good at math but i would think that means about 4 out of 10

Look closer at the stats and the statement he made.

[cody west]

Look closer at the stats and the statement he made.

oh my bad

[andef]

Hmmm ......

This is not to contradict you as I feel you're right. Most pros usually have PW and then something like 54-58/60. Usually three wedges is what most players use. On the other hand you are right, fewer options means that you can play more shots with the same club, giving you much more control.

howdo you get 6 out of 10 when it was like 38% i might not be good at math but i would think that means about 4 out of 10

Well he's saying that 6 out of 10 tour pros usea 3 iron instead of a 3 hybrid. You are reading the data the same way, just saying that 40% uses a 3 hybrid rather than a 3 iron.

[chilly]

Also surprised that many are carrying 5w, but not hybrids. Then again, they are trying to hit every par 5, so I'm guessing they need it for the ability to hit it high and land it from 240ish.