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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...

How the FedEx Cup Works: PGA Tour's Season-Long Championship Explained

white golf ball
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

The FedEx Cup rewards season-long consistency. Here is how it works.

Points System

Every event awards points by finishing position, with majors and elevated events awarding more.

Regular Season

Roughly 45 events from late September through August determine the top 70 who advance to playoffs.

The Playoffs

FedEx St. Jude (70 players), BMW Championship (top 50), Tour Championship (top 30) — a progressive cut across three events.

Tour Championship Format

Staggered starting scores based on season ranking — the top seed starts at 10 under par. The winner takes home an $18 million bonus.

Why It Matters

Determines tour membership status and category for the following season, with major financial and career stakes for players near the top-125 cutoff.

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