EJS GOLF BLOG
Learn about the golf swing and what you can do to improve your score on the golf course. Fill out the form below if you have any questions or want to set up a time to talk.
Mastering the Art of Golf with Coach Erik Schjolberg
I’m Coach Erik Schjolberg, and welcome to the EJS Golf blog—Scottsdale’s authority on science-driven ball-striking. Here you’ll find in-depth analyses of swing mechanics, data-backed breakdowns of impact and launch dynamics, and actionable practice routines designed to rewire your muscle memory from day one. Each post peels back the curtain on cause-and-effect in your swing, whether you’re chasing Tour-level precision, collegiate consistency, or lower weekend scores. Dive into our deep-dive articles, master the drills that drive real improvement, and transform your game with proven science and strategy.
But let’s be clear: golf isn’t only about perfecting swing mechanics. The mental battle you fight on each tee is often the one that determines whether you stay in the game or walk off the course. Here, we’ll tackle the psychological hurdles—the pressure of a tight leaderboard, the frustration when a swing fails under stress, the self-doubt that creeps in after a bad hole. You’ll learn evidence-based mental strategies—visualization routines, pre-shot rituals, stress-management techniques—that fortify your focus and resilience. Mastering these mind-set tools is just as critical as dialing in your impact position, and I’ll show you exactly how to integrate mental training into your practice for lasting confidence on every shot.
Explore Our Blogs
Scratch Golfer vs Tour Pro: What Separates the Best in Golf
The Science Behind Scratch Golfers and Tour Professionals: A Comparative Performance Analysis
Hi friends and golfers. My name is coach Erik Schjolberg, founder and owner of EJS Golf and the Science of Better Golf community. You can find me teaching live at McCormick Ranch golf course located in Scottsdale, AZ. Having coached thousands of lessons over the past 25 years plus, I have learned that the more golfers focus on data and what is real vs. feels or imagined, the better they get. This is a super important topic that you are going to read and learn about today. Check out my most recent blog where I analyze golfers at 100, 90. 80 and 70 and how to make the jump to the next level.
Let me be clear: shooting scratch is an impressive accomplishment. But being a scratch golfer does not mean you’re playing at a professional level. My entire coaching framework at EJSGolf.com, and the educational resources inside TheScienceOfBetterGolf.com, are based on this very principle—understanding the quantifiable performance differences between scratch golfers, PGA Tour players, and LPGA professionals. These gaps are not just theoretical—they are grounded in data and biomechanical truths. Once you understand them, you can begin to train toward them with precision.
This article outlines those performance differentials through six critical skill domains: Driving, Penalty Avoidance, Greens in Regulation (GIR), Approach Play, Short Game (Scrambling and Sand Saves), and Putting. We’ll conclude with statistical visualizations that clarify these distinctions.
Driving: Combining Distance with Precision
Scratch golfers typically average 260 yards off the tee and hit approximately 50% of fairways. Respectable, but insufficient at the professional level. PGA Tour players average over 300 yards, while LPGA professionals average closer to 253 yards—but with a significantly higher fairway accuracy of 70–75%.
This superior positional play leads to better scoring opportunities. LPGA players, despite similar driving distances to scratch golfers, start each hole from far more favorable angles and lies due to their consistency.
[Insert Bar Chart Here: "Driving Distance and Fairway Accuracy"]
Penalty Avoidance: Minimizing the Invisible Threat
Penalty strokes are one of the most overlooked areas where scratch golfers lose strokes. A scratch player may incur 1–2 penalty strokes per round, often from OB drives, hazards, or recovery situations.
Tour professionals excel at managing dispersion and shot selection to avoid these costly mistakes. Their edge is less about elite power and more about decision-making, course management, and technical consistency—all of which are central to my instruction at EJS Golf.
Greens in Regulation (GIR): The Foundation of Scoring
Scratch players hit approximately 10–11 greens per round. PGA Tour pros average 12–13. LPGA pros often exceed that, hitting as many as 13–14 greens in regulation.
That seemingly small gap translates into major scoring advantages: more birdie opportunities, fewer recovery situations, and less reliance on scrambling.
[Insert Radar Chart Here: "Skill Performance Profile"]
Players who consistently break 80 understand this intuitively. Players looking to break par must train to match the consistency of Tour-level approach patterns, particularly from 100–175 yards. In The Science of Better Golf, we develop this through structured yardage controls, launch windows, and dispersion feedback.
Approach Play: Precision That Pays Off
The true separation begins with proximity. From 125–150 yards, Tour players often average inside 30 feet to the hole. Scratch golfers? Often over 40 feet.
That gap has direct scoring consequences. Tour professionals convert more birdies not because they are better putters per se, but because their birdie putts begin from makeable distances.
In our coaching sessions at EJS Golf, we integrate shot dispersion patterns, distance control drills, and biomechanics to close this gap.
Short Game: Scrambling and Sand Save Efficiency
When greens are missed, the ability to recover becomes critical. Scratch golfers successfully scramble around 50–55% of the time. PGA Tour pros exceed 58%. LPGA players generally sit between 55–60%.
Even in bunker scenarios, pros save par more often. Scratch players average about 44% in sand saves, compared to 49% on the PGA Tour and about 45% on the LPGA Tour.
While these differences may appear marginal, over 18 or 72 holes, they become highly consequential. These are trainable skills. Inside The Science of Better Golf, we provide shot decision models and short game progressions designed to address exactly this.
Putting: Eliminating the Cost of Inconsistency
On paper, scratch golfers average about 30.7 putts per round. PGA pros? Closer to 29. LPGA pros land around 30. The difference may seem negligible—until you account for distance-specific make percentages and 3-putt avoidance.
From 10 feet, scratch players make roughly 17% of putts. PGA Tour pros approach 30%. That alone creates a 1–2 stroke advantage over 18 holes.
[Insert Line Chart Here: "Scoring Metrics"]
Inside EJS Golf, we teach players how to construct a putting game around measurable skills: distance control, pressure putt execution, and make-zone optimization. Repetition is not the answer—structure is.
Scoring Consistency: Birdies, Bogeys, and the Cost of Mistakes
Scratch golfers average 4–5 bogeys and approximately one double bogey per round. PGA Tour pros average only 2.7 bogeys and rarely make doubles. LPGA pros are similar, averaging about 3.3 bogeys per round.
In terms of birdies, scratch golfers average around 2 per round. PGA Tour pros make nearly 4. LPGA pros come in around 3.5. Again, it’s not talent—it’s consistency and risk management.
At The Science of Better Golf, our system is built to engineer these outcomes with purpose: predictable scoring windows, reduced error margins, and smarter round management.
Final Synthesis: Scratch Isn’t the Summit
Even par is an outstanding benchmark, but it is not professional-grade performance. Tour professionals operate at a fundamentally higher level—not due to extraordinary gifts, but due to better systems, superior structure, and more refined skill application.
My approach to coaching is grounded in biomechanics, physics, and data feedback. I don’t believe in vague tips. I believe in cause-effect systems that players can measure, repeat, and master.
✅ Ready to elevate your performance? Start at EJSGolf.com
✅ Join our data-driven community at TheScienceOfBetterGolf.com
Now you know what separates scratch players from professionals. Let’s close the gap—systematically, scientifically, and with intent.
[Performance Summary Chart]
Driving Distance: Scratch – 260 yds | LPGA – 253 yds | PGA – 300 yds
GIR: Scratch – 56% | LPGA – 73% | PGA – 66%
Scrambling: Scratch – ~52% | LPGA – ~57% | PGA – ~58%
Putting (3-Putts): Scratch – 1.3 | LPGA – ~0.6 | PGA – ~0.5
Birdies per Round: Scratch – 2 | LPGA – ~3.5 | PGA – ~3.7
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What You Can Expect from Our Blog
1. Expert Insights on Swing Mechanics:
With over 25 years of experience as a PGA Professional Golf Instructor, I delve deep into the nuances of golf swing mechanics. My articles break down complex theories into understandable concepts, focusing on ground reaction forces (GRFs), biomechanics, and efficient energy transfer.
2. Advanced Technological Guidance:
Our academy is equipped with state-of-the-art tools like the Trackman 4 Launch Monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and Hackmotion, among others. On the blog, I share how to leverage these technologies to gain precise feedback on your swing, helping you make informed adjustments and see measurable improvements.
3. Tailored Practice Routines:
My philosophy is built on the belief that improvement should be evident from the first lesson. I advocate a '15 minutes per day' practice model, designed to fit into your busy schedule while ensuring consistent progress. Each blog post aims to offer practice drills and routines that are easy to implement and effective in refining your skills.
4. Real Success Stories:
Read about the experiences of those who have trained at EJS Golf Academy. These testimonials not only inspire but also illustrate the practical application of our teaching methodologies and the real results achieved.
5. Interactive Learning:
We occasionally feature video tutorials and interactive content that allows you to visually grasp techniques and corrections. This blended approach helps reinforce learning and allows you to engage with the content actively.
How Our Blog Helps Golfers Get Better
Every post is crafted with the intent to educate. We cover everything from basic fundamentals to advanced techniques, ensuring there's something valuable for every skill level. By presenting data and evidence-backed strategies, our blog demystifies the 'why' and 'how' behind effective golf training. This analytical approach empowers you to make smarter decisions about your practice and play. We understand that generic advice does not suit everyone. Our blog posts are designed to help you identify your own needs and adapt our techniques accordingly. Whether it’s adjusting your grip, stance, or swing path, you’ll find personalized tips that resonate with your specific challenges. Beyond just reading, our blog serves as a community hub where you can interact with fellow golfers and share your experiences. This supportive environment encourages learning and improvement through collective wisdom.
Join Us on Your Path to Mastery
Whether you’re looking to refine your swing, understand the biomechanics of your body, or simply get more enjoyment out of the game, our blog at EJS Golf Academy is your go-to resource. Bookmark our page, subscribe to updates, and start transforming your game today.
Remember, at EJS Golf, we don’t just teach golf; we craft master golfers. Let’s begin this journey together. Visit us atEJSGolf.com to learn more about our programs and start your training online or at our Scottsdale location. Let’s make every swing count!
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phone: 480.861.9370 email: [email protected]
I've taken multiple private lessons with Erik and he's been by far the best swing coach I have ever worked with. He has the ability to dissect your swing and make small changes for big improvements. What I love most about his lessons is they go far beyond the 1 or 2 hours you're with him. He follows up with videos of how you can improve at home and on the range. The value he provides is absolutely worth the cost of his sessions. I would recommend any golfer at any level who truly wants to get better to go see Erik.”
- Reanol H.
Erik is the best! and that is not an exaggeration. There has not been a single lesson where I haven't walked out and felt like a far better golfer than before. What can't be praised enough is the effort and dedication that Eric puts into each of his students, as his approach to fixing and improving my golf swing was specific to me. While teaching, Erik takes the extra time to truly dive into what he is trying to convey rather than just telling you, allowing for a better understanding. Beyond the instruction at the course, Erik sends specific drills to you from an app that allows for slow motion replays, letting you break down everything and work on your game at any time. I genuinely mean it when I say that I would recommend Erik to anyone wanting to improve their golf game, as he is not only a top not instructor but also a top notch person who cares about his students.
- Brennan K.
Erik is flat out a great coach and mentor! I highly recommend him! Working from the ground up, my swing is healthier and smooth! I wanted a coach that shared the same main principles as the late Tony Manzoni and Erik hits the mark! Found Erik by listening to the Golf Smarter podcast by Fred Greene and connected with EJS Golf through the Perfect Motion app. Erik is motivated and incredibly gifted at his craft!
- Bryan B., Indiana, USA
