Stats for golf betting

• Eagle: A golfer scores an eagle when they shoot two under par on a given hole. For example, if a golfer finishes a par 5 hole in three strokes, it’s an eagle. 

• Birdie: A golfer scores a birdie when they shoot a one under par on a given hole. For example, if a golfer finishes a par 4 hole in three strokes, it’s a birdie. 

• Par: A golfer scores par when they shoot even on a given hole. For example, if a golfer finishes a par 3 hole in three strokes, it’s par. 

• Bogey: A golfer scores a bogey when they shoot one over par on a given hole. For example, if a golfer finishes a par 4 hole in five strokes, it’s a bogey. 

• Strokes gained: Total: This stat compares the player’s score to the field average. For example, a player will gain three strokes on the field if he shoots 69 on a day when the field averages 72. A player who shoots 74 loses two strokes to the field. 

• Strokes gained: Putting: This measures how many strokes a player gains or loses on the greens. 

• Strokes gained: Tee-to-green: This measures many strokes a player gains or loses not taken on the putting green. 

• Strokes gained: Off-the-tee: This measures player performance off the tee on all par 4 and par 5 holes. This is something to look at for players’ performances when dealing with longer courses. 

• Strokes gained: Approach-the-green: This measures player performance on approach shots, which include all that are not from the tee on par 4 and par 5 holes. These shots are not included in strokes gained for around-the-green and putting, and also do not include tee shots on par 3 holes. 

• Strokes gained: Around-the-green: This measures player performance on any shot within 30 yards of the edge of the green (not including on the putting green itself). This needs to be looked at when considering a player’s short game.

• Greens in regulation (GIR): This determines whether a golfer has found the green in enough strokes to have a birdie or eagle putt. Maintaining a high greens in regulation percentage is a sign of consistent ball-striking, although it does not account for the distance the golfer had from the green. 

• Fairway in regulation (FIR): This is used to determine accuracy from the tee. If a golfer hits a fairway off the tee, it adds to their mark. While it can help to determine which players are accurate off the tee, FIR also doesn’t account for distance. 

• Proximity to hole: This measures the distance a player gets to the hole from an approach shot. This will determine the player’s likelihood of a birdie and whether or not they are prone to three-putting. It is measured by the average distance the ball comes to rest from the hole. 

• SSCRM: This is a term for scrambling. When a golfer misses the green with an approach shot, this stat measures how often they get up and down. Making more saves and reducing errors knocks strokes from your card. 

• Putting average: This measures how many putts a golfer takes once they reaches the green. 

• Three-putt avoidance: This measures how often a golfer avoids three-putting during an 18-hole round. 

• Top-10 finishes: A stat that measures how many times a player has finished in the top 10 for any given tournament. 

• Cuts made: This measures how many times a golfer has performed well enough at a tournament to pass the Friday cutline, which on the PGA TOUR is comprised of the top 70 golfers through the first two rounds (36 holes). 

• Driving distance: This measures a golfer’s average distance off the tee with a driver in hand.

PGA stat leaders refer to the players who are at the top of different statistical categories on the PGA TOUR. These can help with finding value in outright winner bets, head-to-head bets, and over/under markets, as knowing who is leading the field for certain metrics is vital for finding the right golfer(s) to bet on.  

For example Sahith Theegala (26), Si Woo Kim (22), Maverick McNealy (22), Denny McCarthy (22), and Brain Harman (21) led the field in made cuts during the 2021-22 PGA TOUR season, which would be helpful information when attempting to identify golfers likely to make the cut during any given tournament.  

Looking at lengthier courses, driving distance is another smart stat to consider once you cross reference the course with a player who plays it and drives the ball well. During the 2021-22 season, Cameron Champ (321.40 yards), Rory McIlroy (321.30), Cameron Young (319.30), Wyndham Clark (319.00), and John Rahm (318.90) led the PGA TOUR in driving distance and would be a good crop of players to study in more depth when wagering on a long course.  

Furthermore, finding the players with correct form and who are riding a hot streak is vital information if you are looking to bet on a certain player(s) to make the top 10 at a tournament. During the 2021-22 season, Patrick Cantlay (12), Scottie Scheffler (11), Rory McIlroy (10), Justin Thomas (10), and Matt Fitzpatrick (10) led the field in top10 finishes. Watching the form of these players would be a good place to start if you are looking to wager on certain golfers to finish within the top 10 of a given tournament.