Drive for Show, Putt for Dough Is Bad Data Dressed Up as Wisdom
Published on: 07/06/2026
Drive for show, putt for dough is a myth. Coach Erik explains why strokes-gained data proves ball striking lowers scores faster.
Golfers Suck

Drive for show, putt for dough is a myth. Coach Erik explains why strokes-gained data proves ball striking lowers scores faster.

Most golfers think scratch is almost pro. In this post I break down real shot-tracking and PGA Tour data—scoring, distance, greens in regulation, proximity, short game, and putting—to show that professionals are at least 5 shots better per roiund.

Discover how I use Strokes Gained to help students lower scores. Learn techniques and insights that turn weaknesses into strengths on the course.