Strokes Gained Putting Calculator

Calculate your putting performance using the PGA Tour's strokes gained putting metric. Compare your putting performance against tour averages to identify strengths and weaknesses in your putting game.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your total number of putts for the round
Specify the number of holes played (9 or 18)
Input your average first putt distance in feet
Adjust your skill level slider if desired
Select whether to use PGA Tour averages as baseline
Click Calculate to see your strokes gained putting results

Formula Used

Strokes Gained Putting = (Tour Average Putts - Actual Putts) × Holes Played

Where:

Tour Average Putts = Expected number of putts based on distance and skill level
Actual Putts = Total putts you took during the round
Holes Played = Number of holes in your round (9 or 18)

Example Calculation

Real-World Scenario:

A golfer plays an 18-hole round and takes 34 putts with an average first putt distance of 15 feet.

Given:

Total Putts = 34
Holes Played = 18
Average First Putt Distance = 15 feet
Tour Average for 15 feet = 1.8 putts

Calculation:

Tour Average Putts = 1.8 × 18 = 32.4 putts

Strokes Gained = (32.4 - 34) × 18 = -1.6

Result: -1.6 strokes gained putting, meaning the golfer lost 1.6 strokes to the field through putting

Why This Calculation Matters

Practical Applications

Identify specific weaknesses in your putting game
Track improvement over time with consistent metrics
Compare your performance against professional standards

Key Benefits

Provides objective data rather than subjective feelings
Helps focus practice time on areas with greatest impact
Allows goal setting based on measurable improvements

Common Mistakes & Tips

For accurate results, track every single putt during your round, including tap-ins and short putts. Even 1-foot putts count toward your total and affect the calculation.

Be consistent with how you measure your first putt distances. Use the same method each time, such as stepping off the distance or using a rangefinder, to ensure accurate averages.

Frequently Asked Questions

On the PGA Tour, the best putters gain approximately 0.5-1.0 strokes per round through putting. For amateur golfers, a value of 0 indicates average putting performance, while positive values indicate above-average putting.

Calculate after every round to track your progress over time. Keeping a log of your results will help you identify trends and measure the effectiveness of any putting practice or instruction.

Yes, this calculator is perfect for tournament play as it uses the same metrics that professionals use to evaluate their putting performance. It can help you understand how your putting compares to competitive standards.

References & Disclaimer

Golf Performance Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates based on statistical averages and should be used as a tool for improvement rather than an absolute measure of performance. Individual results may vary based on course conditions, weather, and other factors.

References

PGA Tour - Strokes Gained Putting Explained - Official explanation of the strokes gained putting metric used on tour
Mark Broadie - Every Shot Counts - Research behind the strokes gained methodology by Columbia Business School professor
USGA - Strokes Gained Explained - United States Golf Association's guide to understanding strokes gained metrics

Accuracy Notice

This calculator uses standardized PGA Tour data as a baseline. Results may not perfectly reflect your performance on different courses or under varying conditions. For the most accurate assessment, track your putting over multiple rounds and calculate averages.

About the Author

Kumaravel Madhavan

Web developer and data researcher creating accurate, easy-to-use calculators across health, finance, education, and construction and more. Works with subject-matter experts to ensure formulas meet trusted standards like WHO, NIH, and ISO.

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