Have you heard the saying “feel vs real” in golf? That would be where you feel like you are doing something, but the real deal is you are doing something else. Let’s take a look.
“If you aren’t measuring what you do in golf, you are guessing.”
Use me for an example.
Feel vs Real Putting
Several years ago, I found a nice putter while on vacation that helped me make putts.
When I got home, I bought two of them. I did well for a long time.
Then when I started this blog I began measuring my putting with Blast Motion Golf.
I found out my putting was all over the place. That explained why I was “sporadically brilliant.”
I needed more than a new putter and now it’s much better.
Now, my putting is much more consistent. My face angle at impact is good and my speed is pretty good.
Measuring my back stroke length helped me zero in on various length putts.
While you are “finding out what’s real,” don’t beat yourself up too much.
The chart below shows make percentages and average number of putts for the pros.
Notice that the cut line for making 50% of their putts is 8 feet.
Focus on 8 foot putts and in.
Do not miss the shorter ones like 3 footers.
Keep track some how. I use the Shot Scope X5 for performance tracking on the course.
Printable version of the table above.
Feel vs Real Strokes Gained
The graphic above mentions the book “Every Shot Counts.” I have the hard copy and the digital version. It’s a great read and is recommended.
It was written by Mark Broadie and covers using the revolutionary strokes gained approach to improve your golf performance strategy.
Shot Scope figures strokes gained for you. It’s interesting to see how strokes gained can change.
I was concerned that my putting strokes gained had declined slightly.
It was because my approach shot strokes gained had increased slightly.
So, I gained somewhere else.
Thinking about it… If you take 4 shots to get on the green and one putt…where did you really gain.
Now, I tend to hit the ball on the green more, but have longer putts. So, I have more two putts.
My make percentages are about the same. However, I’m gaining by making more long putts.
Conclusion
This is the first in a series of articles on “Feel vs Real.”
I believe I’ve collected training aids or data collection devices that will be helpful for everyone.
I’ve created a list of options below.
Several of those are brand new to me and you can find reviews of those coming soon.
Those not marked new… already have reviews on this site as of this posting.
My list of great options
Here is a brief list of items that are very useful tools in collecting real data on your golf game.
I have not reviewed HackMotion Golf or deWiz Golf.
These are really limited descriptions of all the items.
- Shot Scope X5 – Performance tracking / GPS watch. (works outside)
- EXPUTT RG – Putting Simulator (works inside)
- Blast Motion Golf – Performance tracking for full swing, short game, putting and “Air Swings.” Air Swings work without a ball. (works inside and outside) (can be used for speed training)
- NEW HackMotion Golf – golf swing analyzer. I initially got this for putting and it works well. This is a pro level data collection device. It mostly tracks wrist angle at setup, top of back swing and at contact. It can be set to give you audible “correct position” indications. (works inside and outside) (works with or without a ball)
- NEW deWiz Golf – golf swing analyzer. I got this one to measure my backswing length. It gives me the ability to accurately judge backswing distance, swing tempo, etc. This is another pro level device. It comes highly recommended by professionals. From deWIz “a revolutionary wearable technology that delivers groundbreaking, real-time swing data and instantaneous feedback.” It can be set to give you audible feedback and / or “correct position” indications. (works inside and out) (works with or without a ball)
- FlightScope Mevo+ 2023 – launch monitor. I bought the base model with upgrades including the Pro Package and Impact Location. This is darn close to a top of the line launch monitor outside. Inside it is excellent as well. I wouldn’t get this without getting the Pro Package and Impact Location. All together you get club and ball data. (works inside and outside) (can be used for speed training)