The 3 Most Underrated Golf Stats Every Golfer Should Track
Fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts per round have long been golf’s most tracked stats. But if your scores aren’t improving, it’s probably because you’re measuring the wrong things.
If you want to shoot lower scores and practice with purpose, it’s time to focus on what really matters. Here are the three most underrated golf stats every golfer - beginner to advanced - should start tracking today.
1. Stroked Gained: Know Where You’re Losing (or Gaining) Strokes
What is it?
Strokes Gained compares how you perform on a shot or series of shots to a benchmark-usually the average number of strokes it takes a golfer to hole out from a certain distance. It measures how many strokes you gained or lost in each part of your game: off the tee, on approach, around the green, and on the putting surface.
Example:
If the average golfer takes 2.8 strokes to hole out from 100 yards and you take 2, you gain 0.8 strokes. If you take 3, you lose 0.2.
What it measures:
Off the Tee: Are you drives gaining or costing strokes?
Approach Shots: Are your irons setting up scoring opportunities?
Around the Green: Are you converting difficult recoveries?
Putting: Are you making more than expected for your distance?
Why it matters:
Traditional stats like “fairways hit” or “putts per round” don’t tell the full story. You might be hitting fairways but still leaving yourself tough second shots. Or you might be putting well overall, but missing crucial 5-footers.
Strokes Gained helps you understand where your real weaknesses and strengths are - so you can stop guessing and start improving.
How to track it?
Use apps like Arcos, Shot Scope, Golfmetrics, or V1 Game
Or log your shot distances manually and compare to online benchmarks for your handicap level.
Start simpler: Focus on just one area, like approach shots or putting, and track trends over several rounds. You’ll quickly see what part of your game is costing you the most strokes.
2. Up & Down Percentage: Scrambling to Save Pars
What is it?
This stat tells you how often you make par (or better) after missing a green in regulation. It includes a chip or pitch and a one-putt-commonly called an “up and down.”
Why it matters:
Everyone misses greens, even Tour pros. What separates low scorers from the rest is their ability to recover and scramble. A missed green doesn’t have to mean a bogey if you can get up and down consistently.
How to track it:
Record each missed green
Note if you got the ball in the hole within two shots
Calculate your success rate as a percentage
Good Benchmarks:
PGA Tour average: ~ 60%
Amateur target: ~ 35 - 45% is solid
Why it works:
Tracking this stat puts a spotlight on your short game - arguably the fastest way to lower your scores. It motivates practice on chips, pitches, and putting under pressure.
3. Putting Inside 6 Feet: The Short Game Game-Changer
What is it?
This tracks your make percentage on putts from inside six feet-your highest pressure, highest frequency scoring chances.
Why it matters:
Missed 3 to 6 foot putts add up fast. You can play a solid round and still give away several strokes on short misses. This is the most controllable part of the game - and often the most overlooked.
How to track it:
Log each putt attempted from 6 feet or less
Track how many are made vs. missed
Optionally separate into 3-4 ft and 5-6 ft categories for clarity
Benchmarks:
Tour Pros:
99% from 3 feet
88% from 5 feet
70% from 6 feet
Amateur target:
Aim for 80% from inside 6 feet
Why it works:
You’ll start practicing these putts more often and under pressure - exactly what you need to build confidence, reduce 3-putts, and protect your scorecard.
Final Thoughts: Measure What Matters
You don’t need to guess why your scores fluctuate. Start tracking:
Strokes Gained to reveal where you’re gaining or losing the most
Up & Down % to improve your short game consistency
Putting Inside 6 Feet to eliminate careless misses
These stats give you real feedback-and the power to focus your time where it will make the biggest difference.