Your game: What to work on
How 'Stroke average' site is catching on with club golfers
Posted: 8 January 2008
by Bob Warters
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Richard Finch who uses the www.strokeaverage.com system, and won the New Zealand Open in December
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For most of us a round of golf, whether socially or in a competition, is over when we hurl the clubs into the boot of the car and head for the bar. We might pick over the odd three-putt or topped tee shot but that's it. It's history.
Strangely every pro and certainly 90 per-cent of improving golfers don't leave it there. They analyse their game, their strengths and weaknesses on the day and attempt to do something about it.
For the pro, that usually means getting their coach to help iron out any faults but for the rest self analysis has tended to be a shrug of the shoulders and an hour or two beating balls. Practice...often with no purpose.
However, a website has been launched to help those keen to get their handicap down by working on the areas of their game that need re-building as well as that which merely needs polish.
Dozens of Golfmagic visitors have taken advantage of a special offer to feed in their own personal game statistics into the 'Stroke Average' system providing an easily decipherable footprint of their own strengths and shortcomings, showing what to work on and what to adapt.
It has been a real eye-opener for many as well as a useful reference for top Ryder Cup players like Darren Clarke and some younger recent winners like Richard Finch, who claimed the New Zealand Open, and Ross Fisher.
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"I've never really considered where my strengths and weaknesses are in my game," said GM member David Hurst. "I've just assumed that I was an okay iron player and a reasonable putter. This package has helped show that this is not really the whole truth!
"The site is easy to navigate and has a good interface. It makes what can be a tedious chore of entering round-by-round details into a worthwhile exercise."
Commented 12-handicapper Ben White: "The filters enable you to make comparisons on how your game is developing, or how you are affected by different conditions. It's easy to use with excellent tutorials if required."
Added Welshman Lindsay Griffiths:"From the stats I produced, I now know that my chipping needs lots of work!"
Chris Sells, who has worked previously as the Performance Analyst for the English Golf Union, helped set up the StrokeAverage site with business partner John Franks and admits there's still work to do improving some of the weaker areas.
"We greatly appreciate the feedback Golfmagic members are giving us and working hard to improve the graphics as well as taking on board some great suggestions. It's gratifying to know we're building a relationship with lots of golfers and helping them to improve their game," he says.
Last word goes to Ian Davidson: "As I was stalking my putts today I remembered from my stats that I always overborrow. It's an excellent website that I recommed everyone looking to improve and a brilliant way to keep the interest up when you get home after a round."
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Discuss this story
I regularly lose shots but struggle afterwards to remember where I went wrong, so struggle to pinpoint weaknesses. The discipline of strokesaver would undoubtedly help. (handicap is 16 so cat 3)
Posted: 29/08/2007 10:12
Ive been in the Cat 3 category for about 3 years now and i believe the Strokeaverage site could take me to the next level. Play once or twice a week. Play off 13
Posted: 29/08/2007 10:22
My h/c has steadily come down due to David Blairs swing build so the stokeaverage may just get me into the Cat 3 category. Society h/c 18...Cat 4 play once a week (every week),..
Posted: 29/08/2007 12:25
The analysis that strokeaverage will provide will highlight areas of my game that can then be worked upon. (male, category 3, handicap 16)
Posted: 29/08/2007 13:09
The Strokesaver will pinpoint the areas in my game where shots are dropped and will highlight the areas of my game that need improvement. (Male, Category 2, handicap 10 - Currently Playing 1 x 18 hole and 2 x 9 hole rounds per week)
Posted: 29/08/2007 16:46
Consistency in my game is a problem, Strokesaver will help pinpoint areas of game that need most work to bring my scores down. Male, Cat 2 H'cap 12 - 1x18 holes & 2x9 Holes/week
Posted: 29/08/2007 19:08
StrokeAverage.com will show me what areas of my game need attention and when, giving me confidence and purpose in my practise routine. Male H/Cap 7 Cat 2, Play 3 times/Week at least once competitively
Posted: 29/08/2007 21:17
Strokeaverage is exactly what I need. I have little idea about my strengths and weaknesses and how to improve. I'm keen to drop my handicap. (Junior male - hcp approx 38. Play 9 holes every couple of weeks) N.B - Does it matter if the scorecards I submit are mostly 9 holes?
Posted: 29/08/2007 21:48
To answer the question(s) above regarding 9 hole scorecards, the StrokeAverage.com site is designed for completed 18 hole rounds (at present). As an alternative you could simply enter a complete round in two halves of nine when you play, even if they are played on separate days.
Posted: 29/08/2007 23:34
Strokeaverage will hopefully show up what parts of my game are weak and which are strong and enable me to be constructive with my practice regime. Male currently 5.8 but with 3 weeks holiday coming up in September hope to get down to category 1. Ah if only I had strokeaverage to help me now !!! 
Posted: 30/08/2007 01:44
I don't want to participate. The more I see of my swing the worse it looks! 
Posted: 30/08/2007 11:51
H/C 18 - Play fortnightly. According to my playing partners, who know every thing about my golf swing and game plan. This system should help with my club selection.
Posted: 30/08/2007 13:57
Im a 16.... at 45 years old ive got 5 years to make the seniors tour, STROKESAVER should help me get there!
Posted: 30/08/2007 23:46
Bob, Nothing personal and I know you of all people wouldn't do anything on purpose to annoy or single out anyone or any group in particular. Just making a point backed up by the fact that you were told what they were looking for.
Posted: 31/08/2007 18:00
Hi Marty, Sorry if we have overlooked and offended all you CAT 4 Golfers, Bob's article did use the word IDEALLY, so we will add some additional memberships , watch this space for further details!!! Looking at the responses so far, it seems that most applicants are either CAT 2 or 3 which is excellent, but we are looking to get the full range of abilities reviewing the StrokeAverage Golf Stats Analysis System. Come on everyone help us to drum up some more interest from the Pro's and CAT 1 golfers to participate in the review of the system, perhaps try mentioning it to or recommending some of your friends  . Regards The StrokeAverage Team PS Marty's case will be looked at favourably! It gave us a laugh 
Posted: 01/09/2007 10:05
Cat 2 golfer off 8. Am always tinkering with my game and this site gotta be better than an Excel spreadsheet!! Hope to get to cat1 asap.
Posted: 04/09/2007 10:53
I'm a junior (age 13), keen to get down to single figures. The analysis will help pin-point the areas I need to work on to achieve my goal. I play at least one full round a week weather permitting, all year round.
Posted: 04/09/2007 20:53
As my friends call me Butch harmon, it would be excellent to use the system to develop my own game. Play twice a week, 18 in society, 28 club, not put any cards in this year at new club.
Posted: 05/09/2007 22:51
Hi Everyone, Thank you for all of your entries so far. We have spoken with the guys at Golf Magic and they are happy for us to add the additional two free memberships for some Cat 4 Golfers (so no-one will be overlooked). Where are all those CAT 1 golfers hiding? Has anyone spoken to their club professional/assistant about taking part in the reviews? Regards Chris StrokeAverage.com
Posted: 08/09/2007 08:00
I'd be happy to give this a go. I'm always looking for anything that will help me save that extra shot around the course. Handicap - 4 - Play once or twice per week.
Posted: 15/09/2007 13:05
I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to write a Excel program to do what you guys are providing. Choose me, I need the data. I play off 12, down from 21 3 years ago, I have lessons and play 3 times a week.
Posted: 18/09/2007 22:36
Hi Everyone, Applications for the Free Trial annual accounts to review the StrokeAverage website closes on Sunday, come on lets get another low handicap and perhaps a Pro involved. Regards and thanks to all who have entered so far. Regards Chris StrokeAverage.com P.S. Has anyone already signed up for the 14-day free trial?
Posted: 27/09/2007 22:45
Sorry for the delay in moving this forward everyone, Bob (The Editor) will announce who's going to be the 'golfing guinea pigs' in due course - he has been away and has therefore been very busy catching up etc.. Regards Chris StrokeAverage.com
Posted: 23/10/2007 16:05
Apologies for not getting this to you sooner but hopefully this will explain who has won and what they need to do to claim their prize. ED http://www.golfmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/5390/v/1/sp/
Posted: 24/10/2007 16:14
Ok I signed up Paull16 as username.
Posted: 24/10/2007 16:50
all signed up Username - The Golden Ferret
Posted: 24/10/2007 17:24
Signed up under :- Beast of Barnsley
Posted: 24/10/2007 17:34
Signed up User name: Daff
Posted: 24/10/2007 18:50
Signed up User name Joroni
Posted: 24/10/2007 19:04
signed up - username olipoole Cheers
Posted: 24/10/2007 19:05
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