Distance Correlation

[yellowlover519]

Branded Chamblee tweeted the following:

 

Correlation of distance to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-13%

1990-14%

2000-31%

2017-44%

 

Correlation of accuracy to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-53%

1990-48%

2000-35%

2017-12%

 

The most challenging aspect of golf is eroding, and that erosion needs to stop.

[tiger1873]

Distance always mattered in golf. Yes everyone can hit longer but you still need to have a short game.

 

I think the new equipment and longer game everyone has help short hitters more then long hitters. I thought back in the day Bobby Jones was 300 yards off the tee and a big reason he dominated the sport. I also think the better equipment is what caused everyone to catch Tiger as well.

 

 

[MadGolfer76]

If the golfing Apocalypse is coming, I wouldn't rely on Brandel to be the one to tell us.

[BertGA]

Branded Chamblee tweeted the following:

 

Correlation of distance to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-13%

1990-14%

2000-31%

2017-44%

 

Correlation of accuracy to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-53%

1990-48%

2000-35%

2017-12%

 

The most challenging aspect of golf is eroding, and that erosion needs to stop.

 

What stats were they collecting in 1980 to determine “accuracy”? You can’t just say GIR equates to better accuracy, or always represents the more accurate player. Pros these days might prefer hitting a bunker and getting up and down from there over missing long on a domed green and rolling off. That may kill their “accuracy” stats if you are expecting them to hit the green.

[heavy_hitter]

Branded Chamblee tweeted the following:

 

Correlation of distance to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-13%

1990-14%

2000-31%

2017-44%

 

Correlation of accuracy to scoring average on the @PGATOUR

 

1980-53%

1990-48%

2000-35%

2017-12%

 

The most challenging aspect of golf is eroding, and that erosion needs to stop.

 

Disagree. We are only talking about 1% of the golfers in the world that this “may” be true for. These are the entertainers. I don’t want to see someone bunt a runner to second. I want to see homeruns.

[kekoa]

Lets face it, seeing guys bomb it is flat out fun and entertaining. A buddy of mine consistently hits it 320 but has a very hard time getting it within 15 -20 ft with wedge. Whether he makes birdie or par the only thing guys are talking about is his ability to hit the long ball.

[mrshinsa]

I agree with this guy more...

 

https://www.golf.com/instruction/furyk-4-easy-ways-hit-more-greens

 

[CTgolf]

Distance (off the tee) really only matters if it improves proximity to the hole for the shot in regulation. Hitting one or two clubs shorter into the green helps, as does being able to take trouble like fairway bunkers and hazards out of play off the tee.

 

Players who are extremely accurate tend to be precise throughout the bag, so hitting a longer club on approach or avoiding trouble is not as much of an issue. I actually see more top players who are middle to above average in distance but with great accuracy run into challenges when they try to start focusing on maximizing distance (happened to Luke Donald, now Lydia Ko and Jordan?). The rare combo of extreme length and accuracy is what has created a new breed of elite world beaters. For the other 99.9% they should just stick with what got them there in the first place.