How does the PGA Tour use Strokes Gained? Follow
PGA Tour's Shot Link
ShotLink is the PGA Tour’s proprietary, near real-time, scoring system that captures multiple data points for every shot struck during competition. This allows for the calculation of detailed statistics that provide far greater insight into player performance and golf course playability. ShotLink is the foundation on which the PGA Tour is able to provide Strokes Gained data for each player in every tournament.
ShotLink requires 350 volunteers at each PGA Tour event in order which equates to an army of 10,000 volunteers over the course of the season. Alongside the volunteers the ShotLink employs 60 full-time staff in order to be able to capture the requisite data and provide the statistical analysis that is available on the PGA Tour's website.
Understanding the PGA Benchmark
Through the use of ShotLink the PGA TOUR now has the data to be able to determine the number of strokes the average PGA Tour player will take from every distance and location on the golf course. The average PGA Tour, Mr. Tour Average, is the benchmark used by the PGA Tour.
Using Mr. Tour Average as the benchmark the PGA Tour is able to calculate the strokes gained for every shot taken in competition.