What are strokes gained in golf? (Meaning and how to calculate)

You may have heard statistics about ‘strokes gained’ in golf broadcasts, but what exactly is it, what does it mean and how do you calculate it?

Simply put, it is a modern performance measure in golf that measures a player’s effectiveness by comparing each shot to a statistical average.

The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LIV Golf, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour all run with important information about players and stroke winnings for putting, irons and driving.

It is more advanced than traditional statistics such as “putts per round” because it takes into account the difficulty and context of each shot and reveals strengths and weaknesses in different parts of the game.

You can also use it to rate your play with the Shots Gained key, which tells you which areas need the most improvement golf practice at home or on the range.

What are strokes gained in golf?

Developed by Professor Mark Broadie, Strokes Gained quantifies exactly how much a shot or series of shots has improved or worsened your score compared to a defined benchmark.​

• A positive Strokes Gained value means your stroke was better than the benchmark average.
• A negative value indicates where you lost strokes compared to your peers.​

The metric divides performance into categories including off-the-tee, approach shots, around the green and putting, allowing objective analysis of every facet of the game.

How are the tricks won calculated?

The basic formula is: Strokes won = Benchmark average (starting position) − Benchmark average (finishing position) – 1

• The benchmark represents the average shots required to hole from a given location, based on massive data sets from professional and amateur golf.​
• After each shot, subtract the new value for the number of shots to be holed from the previous value and minus one for the shot just made. This tells you whether you have gained or lost strokes compared to the benchmark.

Example calculation

Suppose you have a tee shot on a par 4:

• The average number of shots you need to hole off the tee (440 yards, PGA Tour) = 4.08
• You hit the ball to the Rough, 100 yards from the green; benchmark “shots to hole out” from there = 3.02.
• Applying the formula: tricks gained = 4.08 − 3.02 −1 = 0.06
• You have gained 0.06 strokes compared to the benchmark.

For an approach from 160 meters to 10 feet:

• Average for hollowing out from 160 meters = 2.98
• Average to hole from 10 feet onto the green = 1.61
• Strokes gained = 2.98 − 1.61 −1 = 0.37

A positive stroke gain shows above-average performance on those strokes.​

Strokes achieved calculator for amateurs

Many amateur golfers can now use tracking systems such as the Arccos or shot tracking apps like Shot range to calculate their metrics against appropriate benchmarks.

This approach helps identify which parts of the game offer the greatest opportunity for improvement, from putting to driving.​

Objective measurements like these reveal real strengths, not just intuitive feelings in different game elements, and allow for clear identification of areas that need focus, helping with smarter practice or better course strategy.