I’m a giant data nerd. Have kept personal stats in Excel for 20 years, Game Golf then Arccos, launch monitor at home (first Mevo then GC Quad), DECADE, Every Shot Counts, Lowest Score Wins, Salted Golf insoles, Live View camera, Zepp golf, @Fit_For_Golf, Superspeed…
Most useful data insights in no particular order
- Getting accurate base distances from a launch monitor. Wedges, yes, but also all iron distances… and locking in putting speeds (what putter swing gives me 22’ vs. 32’ vs. 8’). My distance control has never been better putting.
- Translating feels to driver clubhead and ball speed from a launch monitor. I used to just guess on a driving range. Now I know when a certain feel translates to a change of x MPH in clubhead speed or ball speed.
- Impact of “stupid” strokes from my personal stat tracking. I’m a 3 handicap, and I can tell you that I lose 4.7 strokes on average from penalty strokes, 2+ chips to get on a green, and 3-putts. Actionable insight: First, do no harm. This has been reinforced through DECADE, esp. re: penalty strokes.
- Distance >> Fairway >> Angles… from DECADE and Every Shot Counts
- How to allocate practice time leveraging Separation Value from Lowest Score Wins
- Too early to tell yet, but I’m confident that @Fit_For_Golf is going to make a difference re: clubhead speed
In terms of rabbit holes to be avoided: Still figuring out how to get value out of my Salted Golf insoles, though I haven’t given up yet. Various strokes-gained data has only been a little bit useful so far. Zepp was a waste of money. Mevo was a waste of money.
YMMV