How TrackMan Combine can improve your game
The average USGA handicap for male golfers has been between 14.0 and 15.0 since 2005. GHIN reported the average male handicap at 15.3 in 2003 and 14.3 in 2012.
Although there is a slow trend towards improvement, many in the golf industry wonder why progress has not been faster. To make such large scale improvements, we must first better understand the “patient” in order to diagnose the problems. As such, this article will focus on the performance of the average male amateur (AMA).
The AMA has a reported handicap of 14 or 15. There is no age or nationality restriction for the AMA. The TrackMan Combine data collected from over 10,000 golfers of all levels from around the world will be used to analyze his performance in hopes of better understanding where improvement(s) can be made.
Club Speed for Average Male Golfers
When looking at how the AMA performs, let’s start with the drive. The AMA has an average club speed of 93.4 mph and an average total distance of 214 yards.
The following graph shows the distribution of AMA Driver club speeds. As you can see, 45% have a club speed between 91 and 100 mph.
The AMA is far from efficient with his driver. He has an average attack angle of -1.6 degrees. The following table looks at the AMA versus what is optimal.
Club Speed = 93.4 mph |
AMA (Actual) |
AMA (Optimal) |
Ball Speed (mph) |
132.6 |
140.1 |
Launch Angle (deg) |
12.6 |
14.7 |
Spin Rate (rpm) |
3275 |
2300 |
Carry (yds) |
204 (normalized) |
228 |
Landing Angle (deg) |
34.8 (normalized) |
34.1 |
Total (yds) |
226 (normalized) |
255 |
*Carry, Landing Angle, and Total were normalized under 0 alti- tude, 75°F, and 75% humidity for the AMA to create an apples to apples comparison
Did you know that the average amateur golfer is giving up 30 yards off the tee?
The AMA is capable of carrying the ball much further than his current total distance. He is giving up 30 yards of total distance off the tee, which makes his approach shots more difficult. Let’s consider the (average) approach shot distance that the AMA will have on an “average” par 4.
First we have to determine the average length of the par 4’s at your course from the different tees available.
The following is Torrey Pines South, where golfers line up each morning for a chance to play one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses (Golf Digest). The calculated distances for the approach shot are based on actual driver data and optimized driver data for the AMA is also listed.
Tee |
Average |
Approach After Actual (226 yards) |
Approach After Optimal (255 yards) |
Black |
450 yards |
224 yards |
195 yards |
Blue |
428 yards |
202 yards |
173 yards |
White |
410 yards |
184 yards |
155 yards |
Green |
391 yards |
165 yards |
136 yards |
Red |
328 yards |
102 yards |
73 yards |
*Normalized data was used to calculate approach shot distances
Even when playing from the green tees at Torrey Pine South, the AMA is left with 165 yards for his approach shot. Hitting long irons or hybrids into all of the par 4’s does not set the AMA up for an enjoyable day on the golf course.
Golf critics talk about technology making golf courses obsolete because of distance, but what they fail to clarify is that this only pertains to 0.1% of the golfing population. In truth, the vast majority of golfers are playing from tees that are too long based on their club speed and skill level.
If golfers are to continue playing the same length tees, then optimizing their driver distance is going to be key to enhancing their performance.
The previous table looked at the approach distance the AMA will have based on hole length and average drive distance.
Achievable proximity
Let’s go one step further and use the TrackMan Combine data to see what kind of proximity to hole the AMA will be able to achieve at the various approach distances.
The next table uses the approach distances from the previous and calculates the proximity to hole.
Because of the trends and correlations found in the TrackMan Combine data, it is possible to calculate the proximity to hole for nearly any handicap or approach distance with high confidence.
Approach After Actual |
Distance to Target |
Approach After Optimal |
Distance to Target |
224 yards |
157 feet |
195 yards |
114 feet |
202 yards |
124 feet |
173 yards |
87 feet |
184 yards |
100 feet |
155 yards |
69 feet |
165 yards |
78 feet |
136 yards |
53 feet |
102 yards |
33 feet |
73 yards |
26 feet |
The average green size at Torrey Pines South is 6,000 square feet. That means the distance from the center of the green to the edge averages just under 44 feet.
This data further confirms the need for most golfers to aim towards the center of the green on all approach shots. Or when hazards are present, it may be even wiser to aim for the opposite edge of the green.
Once AMA understands the likely outcomes for various shots, then he can most effectively implement course strategy for the benefit of improving his golf performance.
Knowing what club to hit based on distance and the safest place to aim based on dispersion tendencies will undoubtedly benefit the golfer.
The following graph shows a plot of the AMA’s shots from 160 yards. Notice how few balls landed past the target.
By adding 10 yards to every shot hit by the AMA from 160 yards, the percentage of shots that would hit the green increases from 38.5% to 44.0% and the average distance from the target decreases from 71.8 feet to 60.6 feet.
This demonstrates that without changing technique and only changing strategy, the AMA can improve their performance. Before it is assumed that the AMA should simply “club up”, actual distances with each club should be determined.
Do you know your carry distance?
Does the AMA truly know how far each of their clubs carries? The strategy implemented to create 10 additional yards of carry could be from lack of knowledge regarding how far each club goes.
Course length, driver optimization, and course strategy are three key components to improving the performance of the AMA. Of course, playing shorter courses seems very obvious if you want to improve performance.
However, it is more the fact that golfers are playing courses that are too long relative to club speed and skill level. The following chart shows average handicap versus average club speed.
There is a very obvious relationship between these two variables. As club speed increases, those golfers tend to have lower handicaps. It is not to suggest that a golfer should simply play a shorter course to shoot better scores, but that a golfer should play a course length that is appropriate.
Optimizing a golfer’s distance with the driver (using their existing club speed) is an alternative way to effectively shortening a golf course.
With the AMA averaging 30 yards less than his potential, there is a lot of room for improvement. As he becomes more efficient, the AMA has shorter approach shots which lead to closer proximity to the hole. One suggestion could be to setup course length based on club speed and optimal driver efficiency.
For example, based on the average club speed of the AMA (93.4 mph) he should be able to hit his driver 255 yards (assuming certain ground conditions).
If a 50% greens in regulation (GIR) stat was desired for the AMA, then the approach shot would need to be approximately 140 yards. That means the par 4’s would average 395 yards. Going back to Torrey Pines South, that is somewhere between the Green and White tees. This course setup for the AMA is assuming a perfectly optimal drive by the golfer so in theory 395 yards would be a maximum length for the AMA based on 50% GIR.
Score better without changing your swing
Finally, course strategy is an improvement that can be made without having to change anything relating to the swing, technique, or other physical items.
By understanding simple averages and probabilities, a golfer can choose the best club and target for each shot. And this is where taking the TrackMan Combine and going through a “Find Your Distance” session is so valuable.
Yes, the TrackMan Combine data is extremely valuable for identifying weaknesses that can be improved, but it is just as (arguably more) important for identify strengths that the golfer can “play to” without having to spend any additional time practicing.
This instant gratification can be achieved through the 30-45 minute TrackMan Combine process! And for those golfers looking to make more substantial improvements to their game, the TrackMan Combine provides a roadmap for the improvement journey and accurate, immediate feedback at all checkpoints / stops along the way.
As golf instruction and coaching continue to move more towards “verifiable data” (what the instructor/coach knows) and further away from “guess and check” (what the instructor/coach thinks), we expect to see more improvement in the golf community. Acting upon real data, not opinion, takes a giant step in that direction.
You can use our TrackMan Locator to find your local TrackMan certified and ask for a combine test.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experience in the comment section below.
Great read with invaluable data and information. The facts are in front of us at instructors, now we must help convey your points to the masses.
RJ