THE TOP TEN

STRATEGY MISTAKES
IN GOLF YOU SHOULD BE AVOIDING

FAIRWAYS
IN REG

SEASON
58%
AVERAGE DRIVER DISTANCE
229 YDS
USAGE 32%

FREE E-BOOK
LOWER YOUR HANDICAP
INTRODUCTION

The 10 biggest strategy mistakes that golfers

make based on Shot Scope performance data.

1. Not hitting enough club

2 . Leaving putts short

3. Not knowing your miss

4. Driver or 3 wood off the tee?

5. Having a favourite ‘Short Game Club’

6. To lay up or not to lay up?

7. Compounding errors

8. Carrying v Pushing

9. Spending too much time in the sand

10. Hybrids or long irons?

shotscope.com | 2
This E-Book looks at 10 strategy mistakes that golfers make on a
regular basis. Each mistake has been analysed through the use of
Shot Scope statistics and top tips have been provided to help you,
the golfer improve your on-course strategy.

To make Shot Scope information more relevant to the individual

golfer, we ask users to enter their handicap into the system. With
feedback from the previous e-book and other statistics based
information that we have shared, there has been a request for a larger
range of handicaps to be included in the analysis. For the purpose of
this e-book we have split the data into 2, 8, 14, 20 and 26 handicaps.

This e-book aims to get you thinking differently next time you play
golf. It contains little nuggets of information based upon not only
stats, but golfing experience, that WILL help change the way you think
about the game.

Shot Scope V3 users reduce their handicaps by

an average of 2.7 shots – improvements made
due to learning the ‘ins and outs’ of their game.
Click here to buy Shot Scope V3 >

shotscope.com | 3
NOT HITTING ENOUGH CLUB

NOT HITTING ENOUGH CLUB

Most golfers think they know how far they hit each club in the bag, yet the
Shot Scope data identifies that of all missed greens, 80% of them are missed short.
This is a huge percentage when you think about it, and why we will break down the
reasons why golfers come up short 80% of the time.

WHERE GOLFERS MISS GREENS GREENS IN REG BY HANDICAP

20%
12% 8%
GREEN GREEN

80% 33% 47%

To explain this more simply, on average a 20 handicap

golfer hits 4 greens in regulation. This means that
they miss 14 greens per round, and of those 14, Shot
Scope data tells us that 11 are missed completely
short of the green altogether. A pretty staggering
statistics when you think about it.
2 8 14 20 26
Statistics reveal that 96% of golfers play the game right
handed. Breaking down where shots miss the green
in more detail shows that 47% are missed short right
compared with 33% short left. SHOT SCOPE COURSE MAPPING DATA
REVEALS THAT 72% OF DANGER IS AT THE
The common cause for missing short right is a lack FRONT OF THE GREEN, USUALLY SAND
of commitment to the shot, in other words golfers are OR WATER, WHEREAS THERE’S ONLY 28%
tentative when it comes to approach shots. The phrase BEHIND THE GREEN. MISSING LONG IS
‘bailing out’ is often used and it means that if a right SIGNIFICANTLY LESS OF A PROBLEM THAN
handed golfer is to ‘bail out’ or not commit to the shot MISSING SHORT.
in hand, then the likely hood is leaving the ball short
right of the green.

shotscope.com | 4
Other reasons for missing the green short:

1. BALL STRIKING
Consistency with the strike plays a major role in the distance the ball will travel. All it takes is a little clip of the turf
before the ball, or a toe/heel strike which will significantly impact the distance the ball will travel. Naturally, as your
handicap improves, your ball striking will too (or vice versa whichever way you’d prefer to look at it). If you feel this is
the weakness in your approach play, there are lots of free online tutorials out there to help you strike the ball then turf.
The images below provide an example of what a good strike would look like

2. EQUIPMENT
We all love to blame bad shots on the clubs… well the good news is it could be your clubs – to an extent. You need
to have equipment that is forgiving enough for you. It could be that those toe/heel strikes could be fixed by using a
slightly more forgiving clubhead. A more forgiving set of clubs will allow for the occasional mishit, and there will be
less of a distance loss from these hits. Just because the professionals use a nice new set of blade irons, doesn’t
mean they’ll work the same for you.

BLADE MUSCLE BACK CAVITY BACK

Thin clubhead with a very small Lies somewhere between a blade Bigger more forgiving clubhead,
‘sweet-spot’. Recommended for and a cavity back. Easier to hit than designed for the regular golfer.
highly skilled golfers. blades, not as easy as a cavity back. Easier to hit properly than blades.

shotscope.com | 5
3. NOT KNOWING HOW FAR YOU
HIT EACH CLUB
Do you know how far you hit every club in your bag?
This is where Shot Scope’s performance tracking
system benefits the golfer greatly. Many golfers think
they hit a 7 iron 150 yards, when in reality, Shot Scope
shows that the average golfer hits the ball nearly a full
club shorter than they think they do.

Shot Scope V2 records all shots hit on the golf course

and provides the user with actual club distances, based
on the distance they hit the ball on the course – not on
the range.

This provides the golfer with a more realistic outlook

on how far they actually hit each club, as it is based
on real shots, in real conditions on a real golf course.
Opposed to being based upon how far you hit each
club on the range, with range balls, a perfect lie and the
same conditions every time.

shotscope.com | 6
LEAVING PUTTS SHORT

LEAVING PUTTS SHORT

‘Never up, never in’ is the famous saying we all know and say on
occasion when leaving a putt short.
This is an obvious statement as the ball physically has SO WHY DO WE LEAVE
zero chance of going in the hole if it does not travel
to it. What percentage of putts do we leave short? PUTTS SHORT?
Shot Scope’s database of over 30 million shots has Often it is an issue of strike, particularly in higher
highlighted that an enormous 84% of putts over 5ft are handicaps. An inconsistent strike will play havoc with
left short! your distance control. For example you may make
the same length and speed of putting stroke, but if
the ball hits a different part of the face each time it is
RESULTS OF PUTTS going to be hard to control the distance.
5FT AND LONGER

16%
MISS LONG

84%
MISS SHORT

TOE STRIKE

This statistic is based upon what real golfers are doing

out on the golf course - something we all need to think
about. 84% of the time we are giving our ball zero
chance of going in the hole… Yes there is an argument
that a putt left 1ft short is better than a putt raced 6ft
past the hole, however working on getting the ball to HEEL STRIKE
the hole, should be a focus point for everyone when
they step on the green.

shotscope.com | 7
EXAMPLE PUTTING DRILL SO HOW FAR PAST
A good drill to work on your strike is placing a tee either THE HOLE IS GOOD?
side of your putter. This will help you to get that centre
There is research from Dave Peltz, where it is found
strike with your putter. Leave a little gap between your
that the ideal pace of a putt is to get the ball rolling
putter and the tee but no more than an inch. The aim
so that it finishes no further than 18 inches past the
is to hit those practice putts without catching either
hole. Peltz suggests that aiming to hit the ball up to 18
tee with your putter. This is a drill that should only be
inches beyond the hole, will allow the ball to travel at
done when on the practice green - not when playing
an appropriate speed so that the ball will fall into the
on the course.
cup, even if it does not hit the centre of the hole.

18 Inches

TEE DRILL

The more work you can do on your speed control, the

Another reason we leave putts short, is confidence. more likely you will be to putt just past the hole – and
A lot of the time if we are unsure of the line or are if you can do that more often, chances are you might
thinking negatively i.e. “don’t 3-putt” it causes us to hole a few more putts.
bail out/not commit to the putt and results in
the ball coming up short. The key to putting well is
being confident that you can get the ball starting on
your chosen line, at the pace you want for it to fall in TOP TIPS TO ENSURE YOU DON’T
the hole. LEAVE ANYMORE PUTTS SHORT.

1. WHEN OVER THE BALL AND LOOKING AT

RECOMMENDATION: READ BOB ROTELLA’S THE HOLE, FOCUS ON THE BACK OF THE
PUTTING OUT OF YOUR MIND, IF YOU HOLE, OR A SPOT JUST BEHIND THE HOLE.
HAVEN’T ALREADY.
2. LOOK AT THE HOLE WHEN TAKING
PRACTICE STROKES, IT WILL MASSIVELY
IMPROVE THE SPEED OF YOUR PUTTS.

3. WORK ON PACE CONTROL DRILLS ON

THE PRACTICE GREEN BEFORE YOU GO OUT.

4. WORK ON YOUR STRIKE, A CONSISTENT

STRIKE MEANS YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL
OVER HOW FAR THE BALL WILL ROLL.

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NOT KNOWING YOUR MISS

NOT KNOWING YOUR MISS

Do you know what your miss is? Are you more likely to miss right or left off the
tee? Is the bunker or water hazard down the right side a big danger to you?
Or do you simply have no idea whether it could be a left or right miss?
Shot Scope V2 provides users with statistics on every left rough / semi rough is a suitable and safer place to
tee shot they hit, ensuring that they know exactly be. Contrastingly if you’re someone who misses left
whether they miss left or right more often. The Shot more often, you know that the water on the right is not
Scope database of over 30 million shots, highlights in play for you. Knowing this allows you to approach
that on average, golfers are more likely to miss right the hole with a more aggressive strategy and take a
than left. slightly tighter line off the tee.

Having a simple strategy based upon what you are most

OFF THE TEE MISS likely to do can really help your game. Improving your
game starts by knowing and understanding what your
42% FAIRWAY 58% current game does, then applying that knowledge to the
LEFT MISS RIGHT MISS on-course strategy. Shot Scope can help you learn how
to manage your misses and improve from there.

Knowing and understanding your game, understanding

your shot patterns and understanding where you are DANGER ON THE RIGHT!
most likely to miss is the first step to improving. The
best players in the world don’t always hit great shots,
however they understand more than anyone where not
to miss, as well as knowing what they are most likely
to do, particularly in a pressurised environment. This
is something which all golfers can do, by taking a little
time to think about your shot patterns and the dangers
you face.

For example on a hole with water down the right side, Fairway
going right will create difficulties. If you know you are
a golfer who is more likely to miss right, you can adapt On this hole,
and build your strategy based on that knowledge. You Left Rough
can see there is danger down the right, so you know to / Semi Rough
keep this one up the left side of the hole (easier said is not a bad
than done right enough) but majority of the time the
result if you Water
tend to miss Hazard
right.
DRIVER OR 3 WOOD OFF THE TEE?

DRIVER OR 3 WOOD OFF THE TEE?

For the majority of golfers there is no such question when they get to the tee,
it’s Driver all day long, everywhere.
Those who have read up on this area will have found This is where the results are probably not what you
that you should look at some holes more conservatively would expect to see. On average Shot Scope identified
and hit less club off the tee. The concept behind this that golfers are only 1%, yes 1%, more accurate with a
being that the shorter club you hit, the more accurate 3 wood than with a Driver off the tee. Obviously 1% is
you are with it. Now, some golf holes will certainly not such small percentage, which just goes to show that
require a Driver off the tee – however Shot Scope data there is very little benefit to hitting a 3 wood off the tee
tells us that you should hit Driver as often as possible. for accuracy.
Here’s why…
DRIVER SIZE V 3 WOOD SIZE
DRIVER V 3 WOOD DISTANCES
D 242yds
3w 214yds
Average based on all handicaps
DRIVER 3 WOOD
The Shot Scope statistics show us the average
distance a player hits their Driver and 3 wood off the
tee. It is evident that on average a Driver will go around Hitting more drivers is well worth considering,
30 yards further than a 3 wood, which is probably what especially knowing how difficult fairway woods are to
you would expect. So the Driver goes further, which will hit properly. They have a smaller head than a Driver,
leave a much shorter shot to the green than if 3 wood but a similar length of shaft. This means you have to
had been hit. This leads to the next question: What club stand about the same distance away from the ball as
is more accurate off the tee? with a Driver, but have a smaller area to strike the ball
with, meaning there is a high level of skill required and
DRIVER V 3 WOOD FAIRWAYS HIT this is not something we would recommend an average
amateur golfer to use off the tee.
D
If your course suits and you decide to put your Driver
3w into play more often, this removes the need for a
3 wood for tee shots. We suggest that you look at
Average based on all handicaps investing in a 3 wood that is easier to hit off the fairway
with accuracy valued more over distance.

shotscope.com | 10
HAVING A FAVOURITE ‘SHORT GAME CLUB’’

HAVING A FAVOURITE ‘SHORT GAME CLUB’

If you were to watch a professional figure out how to play a short game shot,
they will consider many options.
The two main extremes being fly it all the way and
stop it, or play a bump and run. Compare this to your
typical amateur golfer… “I always use my 56” or “this
is my bunker club” or the one who uses a 7 iron from Worn out wedge
everywhere.

There are two main types of amateur golfers – the ones

who believe only clubs named wedges are for short
game shots, and their wedge resembles the image POOR SHOT GAME PLAYER
on the right. Or those who have been informed that a Example 1
bump and run with a 7 iron is an easier shot to execute,
so use this club all the time. CLUB PW GW SW LW Putter
USAGE 16% 9% 24% 42% 9%
Shot Scope data reveals that using a range of clubs
around the greens makes for a better short game Example 2
player. We classified poor short game players as CLUB 7i GW SW LW Putter
anyone who has an average proximity over 20ft and
better short game players as anyone with a proximity USAGE 53% 6% 18% 8% 15%
under 20ft. You can see that the better short game
players use a range of clubs, from 8 iron to putter, GOOD SHOT GAME PLAYER
with a more equal spread of usage.
CLUB 8i 9i PW GW SW
Example 1 shows that golfers use their lob wedge USAGE 15% 14% 22% 12% 9%
42% of the time – yet this club, accounts for only 10%
LW Putter
of up and downs made. These golfers will see an
instant performance improvement by not using their 10% 18%
LW so often.

For the more skilled golfer, using different clubs in TOP TIP: WHEN FACING A SHORT GAME
bunkers can also help get the ball closer to the hole, SHOT, USE A CLUB LESS THAN YOU
particularly on the longer bunker shots. To keep things NORMALLY WOULD. SO FOR INSTANCE, IF
simple, keep the technique the same – but use a club YOU THINK ‘I WILL CHIP WITH MY SW’, TRY
with less loft, for instance a gap wedge, this will help USING YOUR PW INSTEAD. YOUR SCORES
the ball to travel further without any more effort on your WILL THANK YOU FOR IT.
part. Ideal for those 30/40 yard bunker shots.

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TO LAY UP OR NOT TO LAY UP?

TO LAY UP OR NOT TO LAY UP?

A popular theory when it comes to laying up on a hole is that you are better to
leave yourself a full shot in, opposed to a shorter 50 yard shot.

The idea being that a full swing is generally a more Well Shot Scope’s database of over 30 million shots
committed swing and if you practice from a specific completely contradicts this ‘theory’. We looked at the
yardage, say 80 yards, you will perform better at this average proximity from both 50, 80 and 110 from our
distance than a much shorter 50 yard shot. database of mixed ability golfers.

You can see from the image that the closer you are to
the green the closer you hit the shot.

PROXIMITY TO HOLE
50, 80 and 110 yards.

Bunker

50 yds
Av. Proximity 35ft

80 yds
Av. Proximity 48ft

110 yds shotscope.com | 12

Av. Proximity 64ft
PITCHING DISTANCES
This emphasises the importance of being closer to
the green with a lay up shot. Providing there are no
other factors involved, e.g. water hazards or bunkers,
you should lay up as close to the green as possible.

The reality is, the closer you are to the hole, the closer
you will hit the ball to the pin. This is without a doubt,
something you should consider when playing next, 35
particularly if you usually lay up to a specific yardage
which is further away.

FAIRWAY ROUGH

SHOT SCOPE DASHBOARD EXAMPLE

Filtering shots by distance on dashboard.

50-70yds avg prox circle = 18ft 70-90yds - avg prox circle = 24ft

15 30 45 60 75 15 30 45 60 75

Shot Scope users have the ability to track this on the performance dashboard. Analysing approaches and short
game shots by distance is simple to filter on the dashboard. For example, select the desired distance range and
compare against a longer or shorter distance to see which has the better dispersion and closer average proximity
to the hole.

If you find that you do it hit closer from closer to the green, as most people do, you should consider adopting
a more aggressive strategy off the tee or with your lay up shot.

CLOSER TO THE GREEN = CLOSER TO THE PIN!

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COMPOUNDING ERRORS

COMPOUNDING ERRORS
Avoiding big numbers on the card is an easy way to help reduce your scores.
We would class anything from a double bogey upwards as a big number.
To analyse this we have taken the average number of unlikely for a handicap golfer. Yet time after time,
birdies and double bogeys (or worse) per round for 5 golfers find themselves being sucked in to going for
different handicap categories. the flag, which brings bogey, double or even worse
into play.
Looking at the table it is clear to see that between 8
and 26 handicaps there is minimal difference between TRICKY PIN TUCKED
the number of birdies per round. However, when you
look at the average number of double bogeys, the BEHIND BUNKER
26 handicap golfer makes 5 more a round than a
2 handicap golfer. This is where the difference lies
between those top end handicaps and mid-range
handicaps.
Shot 2
DOUBLE BOGEY / BIRDIES
Bunker
D.BOGEY BIRDIES Shot 1
2 1.1 2.1
8 1.9 0.8
14 3.5 0.4
20 5.5 0.2
26 6.1 0.1

It is clear that the fastest way to improve and reduce

your handicap is not to make more birdies but to
reduce the number of double bogeys in a round. One
way to do this is change the strategy with approach
shots. A tough pin tucked behind a bunker is a no go,
unless a perfect golf shot is executed, which is highly

shotscope.com | 14
A simple way to reduce these scorecard demons is to to the hole as possible. Take your medicine and make
simply play for the middle of the green. Hitting the ball sure you get the ball back in play, to give yourself the
here will reduce the likelihood of going in the bunker best possible chance of hitting the green with your
short and making bogey or worse. If you hit to the next shot. Having a longer but clear shot to the green
middle of the green you will always have a putt to the ensures the error is not compounded.
flag rather than a difficult short game shot, plus, you
will never be too far away from the flag if you’re in the If you were to go for the miracle shot – chances are
middle of the green. you end up further in trees or in more bother, what we
call compounding the error of the first bad shot. So if
you find yourself out of position on the course, do not
AGGRESSIVE OR compound the error by attempting to hit a ‘miracle’
shot. Put your conservative head on, and figure out the
CONSERVATIVE best way to get the ball back into play, leaving yourself
Being aggressive has its pros and cons, you need an easy shot to the green. This strategy will help
to be skilful enough to pull off the aggressive shots, reduce the number of scorecard wreckers you have in
otherwise it will cost you even more shots. Everyone a round and over time, will help reduce your score too.
would love to pull of these miracle escape shots
but the chances of you successfully pulling off the
30 yard hook round and under a tree are slim. So if
you find yourself in this situation, this is when it is
appropriate to lay up further away from the hole. This
is an exception to the statistics on laying up as close

Hook round a tree or lay up/chip out onto fairway. The hook is risky
and hard to execute

NEXT TIME YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH The chip out is

an easier shot
A TIGHTLY TUCKED AWAY PIN, OR
and less risky
OUT OF POSITION ON THE COURSE:

1. THINK ABOUT YOUR SKILL LEVEL, WHILE

WE WOULD ALL LOVE TO HIT THESE GREAT
ESCAPE SHOTS IT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT
RESULTS IN A HIGH NUMBER.

2. DON’T HIT A SHOT THAT WILL MORE

THAN LIKELY LEAVE YOU IN A WORSE
POSITION THAN YOU WERE.

3. THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

HITTING THE NEXT SHOT FROM

shotscope.com | 15
CARRYING V PUSHING

CARRYING V PUSHING
This is an area which is overlooked by all golfers. Part of ensuring a solid
strategy on the golf course is ensuring you are prepared and equipped to
perform at your best.
If you knew doing something was likely to hinder your Other specialists in the industry have also had their say
performance and reduce the chances of you scoring on the matter:
well, would you still do it? No.
“Repeatedly lifting and carrying a bag full of
Research suggests that carrying your clubs is that
thing. Golf requires all of your muscles, joints and body metal over a four-hour period is madness. If
parts to work together, to perform at your best. Carrying I asked someone to do the equivalent with
your clubs, requires lifting and setting down the bag up dumb-bells in the gym you would think I was
to 100 times a round placing extra weight and stress crazy!”
upon your body, leading to fatigue, and in some cases a Josh Salzmann, fitness coach for professional golfers.
dreaded injury.

Now yes there are benefits to carrying your clubs, “I work with golfers to enhance their
including; ease, cutting corners, boot space, no set performance and carrying a golf bag does
up pre-round etc. However there are perceived health absolutely nothing to improve your play – in
benefits, such as ‘you lose more weight’, ‘you burn more fact it does quite the opposite.”
calories’ and ‘carrying your clubs makes you stronger’. Mary MacKay, sports therapist for professional golfers.
Playing a round of golf you burn approximately 1400 The experts all conclude that the golfer’s best option
calories per round (walking). Dr. Neil Wolkodoff for both their golf and their life/health is to not carry
researched this topic discovered the health benefits clubs.
to carry clubs are minimal. Over 9 holes golfers who
carried clubs burned 721 calories, opposed to the 718
calories burned by someone who pushed their clubs.
3 calories is nothing compared to a back injury. He CARRY TROLLEY OTHER
concluded by saying:
UK 39% 49% 12%
“People who push a cart have a lot fewer health
USA 27% 19% 54%
issues and a lot less potential for issues. The
golf swing is tough on the back no matter how ROW 48% 36% 16%
you look at it. If you can push a cart and keep
Results from independent Shot Scope Survey
one more stress away from the back that’s a
great thing.”
Dr. Neil Wolkodoff

shotscope.com | 16
PULLING V PUSHING
Now comes the decision of using a push or pull trolley. The decision to push your clubs on a trolley, or carry
All you have to do is look at the posture difference your clubs is down to the individual.
between someone pushing and pulling their trolley.
However, if you are wanting to perform at your best, we
The golfer pulling their trolley, their hand is behind recommend choosing wisely.
them, meaning that their shoulder is twisted from a
natural position.

CARRYING V PUSHING HANDS FREE!

Cons of carrying your clubs: Pros of pushing your clubs

• Lifting and setting down bag up to 100 times • Easier to walk with
a round • No extra weight on your shoulders
• Extra weight 8-15kgs on your shoulders and spine • No lifting a heavy bag up and down
• Physical decline • Saves energy
• Uses extra energy • Less risk of injury
• Fatigue • Burns more calories than people think
• Injury
• Doesn’t burn as many calories as people think

shotscope.com | 17
SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN THE SAND

SPENDING TOO MUCH TIME IN THE SAND

Does your heart start pounding when you see your ball heading towards a bunker?
Do you get the fear when you see your ball heading towards a bunker? Is it usually
the sign of a scorecard wrecker? Don’t worry, you are not alone.
At some point in their golfing career, every golfer has Additionally, it comes down to skill level and
dreaded playing out of a bunker. understanding of how to play a bunker shot, in
particular, a greenside bunker shot. A higher handicap
Shot Scope have provided us with some bunker is less likely to get the ball out of a greenside bunker
specific statistics to help break down and analyse on the first attempt. Meaning that they face another
bunkers. The average golfer faces 2 bunkers shots per bunker shot.
round. Breaking this down by handicap tells us that
higher handicaps face more bunkers shots than lower How many of you leave the ball in the greenside bunker
handicaps. after the first attempt at getting out? Why do you think
you do this? Poor shot execution?
BUNKER SHOTS PER ROUND
RESULTS FROM GREENSIDE
2 1.2 BUNKER SHOTS
8 1.5 INSIDE 6FT MISS GREEN LEFT IN BUNKER

14 2.1 2 32% 10% 1%

8 21% 19% 4%
20 2.3
14 13% 32% 8%
26 2.8
20 8% 42% 14%
26 5% 50% 21%
Why do higher handicaps face more
bunker shots?
The data tell us that overall 22% of golfers leave the
Primarily this is due to lack of a solid course strategy. ball in the bunker after their first attempt. The image
Having a solid course or hole strategy in place allows highlights that as a players handicap improves, so does
you to strategically plan where to be and ultimately their bunker play, with 2 handicappers leaving the ball in
miss bunkers. Of course there are external factors that the bunker only 1% of the time, compared to 21% of the
impact this plan and may affect what happens (wind, time for a 26 handicapper.
rain, unusual lie etc), but having a plan in place helps to
limit the chances of ending up in a bunker.

shotscope.com | 18
ALWAYS HIT THE SAND FIRST

What is the secret to playing well out of bunkers? Always hit the sand first. A bunker shot is a shot like no other.
You want to splash the ball up and out. Do not lean the shaft and hit down into the sand. Low hands mean the
ball goes higher.

TOP TIP: DON’T BE GREEDY. IF YOU ARE

UNCOMFORTABLE PLAYING OUT OF
BUNKERS THEN YOUR FIRST THOUGHT HAS
TO BE TO GET THE BALL OUT. THAT MAY
INCLUDE PLAYING OUT BACKWARDS OR
SIDEWAYS IF YOU FEAR YOU CANNOT GET
OUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PIN. THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT
IS HITTING THE SAND BEFORE THE BALL.

shotscope.com | 19
HYBRIDS OR LONG IRONS?

HYBRIDS OR LONG IRONS?

Are you more accurate with long irons or a hybrid? There is often a decision to be
made when getting new clubs (or after a while of little success with the clubs you
have), whether to go for hybrids or irons to fill the gap at the top end of your bag.
This is a common issue we notice among A simple way to improve accuracy with the longer
Shot Scope users. Many golfers realise through clubs is to switch out irons for hybrids. This obviously
the use of the Club Distances statistic that their depends on the level of golfer. Shot Scope data tells us
club gapping towards the top end of their bag could that higher handicaps have more success with hybrids
improve, see the example below of a 20 handicap than long irons, whereas for lower handicaps, it is fairly
Shot Scope user with poor club gapping at the top of inconclusive and mainly down to personal preference.
their bag.

P. AVERAGE DISTANCES ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET THE

MOST OUT OF YOUR SHOT SCOPE

1. REFER TO YOUR SHOT SCOPE YARDAGES

TO HELP UNDERSTAND WHETHER YOU ARE
BETTER WITH IRONS OR HYBRIDS.

2. IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, TRIAL

A DEMO CLUB AND PUT YOUR SPARE SHOT
SCOPE TAG IN THE GRIP. THEN ADD IT TO
‘MYBAG’ WITH THE MAKE AND MODEL. THIS
WILL ENABLE YOU TO DIRECTLY COMPARE
ITS PERFORMANCE AGAINST YOUR
CURRENT CLUB(S).

IMAGE 3

shotscope.com | 20
IRON v HYBRID investigated within the performance dashboard. For
3 different distance examples of iron v hybrid. those of you who are non Shot Scope users, we would
suggest keeping some stats of your own and see what
clubs you are more successful with from that 160-
220yard range, if you keep coming up short with irons,
HYBRID IRON perhaps it’s time to invest in some hybrids.

2 20% 18% What does success look like? Well in this case you
simply need to look and see which club hits more
8 16% 12%
greens in regulation. For the example used earlier, we
14 12% 7% would recommend that this 20 handicap Shot Scope
user should select to use the clubs in the image
20 9% 4% below.

26 8% 3% Hopefully now this is something a lot of you will

consider looking at within your game. If you are a
high handicapper carrying long irons, have a think,
swapping out your 3 and 4 irons for some hybrids
HYBRID IRON
could change your game. Sorting out the iron or
2 23% 25% hybrid situation will certainly improve not only your
confidence with longer shots but your accuracy too.
8 22% 20%
14 18% 12% CLUB RECOMMENDATION
20 13% 8% P-avg distances club recommendation.

26 10% 6%

HYBRID IRON
2 30% 34%
8 26% 28%
14 21% 19%
20 17% 15%
26 11% 10%

This image cements the findings that higher

handicaps are more accurate with hybrids than irons.
A 20 handicap golfer is more than twice as likely to hit
the green from 210 yards with a hybrid compared with
an iron.

The other side of this is that, generally lower

handicaps are just as accurate with irons as they are
with hybrids. That’s why for lower handicaps it is more
down to the individual golfer and their preference as
there is not much statistical advantage to either club.
For 14 handicaps and upwards though it is certainly
worth considering swapping the long irons for hybrids
as the overall results suggest more accuracy – which
is what you need to improve.

For Shot Scope users who have both hybrids and long
irons it is easy to track which is better as it can all be

shotscope.com | 21
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