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Why Distance Control Matters More Than Direction on Approach Shots

Photo by Lo Sarno on Unsplash Statistical analysis of amateur golf performance consistently reveals a counterintuitive finding: distance control errors on approach shots cost recreational golfers more strokes than directional errors, even though most golfers practice and worry about direction far more. The Statistical Pattern Shot-tracking data from systems used across recreational and competitive golf shows that amateur golfers are typically far more likely to miss an approach shot short or long of their intended distance than they are to miss significantly left or right of their intended line. A shot that's 15 yards short or long frequently finds trouble — a bunker, water, or simply a much longer subsequent putt — in a way that a shot 10 yards left or right of the pin, but still on the green, does not. Why This Happens Directional misses are usually caused by face-to-path errors, covered in our ball flight laws article , which tend to be relatively consistent for an individual g...

Golf Handicap Explained: How It Works and How to Get Yours

white golf club on green grass field
Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash

A handicap allows golfers of different skill levels to compete fairly. Here is the complete explanation.

What Is a Handicap

The number of strokes above par you're expected to shoot. A scratch golfer (0) shoots around par; a 20-handicap shoots around 92.

The World Handicap System

A single global calculation using your best eight of 20 rounds, adjusted for Course Rating and daily playing conditions.

How to Get One

Join an affiliated club and post at least three 18-hole scores. Apps like The Grint and GHIN maintain your handicap digitally.

Playing to Your Handicap

In stroke play, subtract your handicap for net score. In match play, strokes are allocated on the hardest holes per the scorecard's handicap rating.

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