TRACK YOUR STATS
Stat tracking is no longer just the preserve of the game’s greatest players. Study the numbers and your handicap could fall – and fall fast
Do you track your stats? Many of us do – but most of us don’t. Yet according to the stat trackers and the golfers who use them, recording your rounds can be a route to lower scores. Arccos is one of the main players when it comes to amateur stats, with its Arccos Caddie app featuring Strokes Gained Analytics (SGA) – just like those on the PGA Tour. “Arccos Caddie gives golfers of all skill levels access to the kind of performance insights reserved exclusively for PGA Tour pros whose data is tracked manually via the Shotlink system,” says Sal Syed, Arccos co-founder. And here’s why you should be sold: the average new Arccos Caddie user improves their handicap by 5.02 strokes in the first year – and we spoke to three golfers who’ve seen notable improvements by using the tech (see opposite)...
‘I’VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MUCH MY GAME’S IMPROVED’
‘I’VE LOST EIGHT SHOTS SINCE I STARTED USING ARCCOS’
‘ARCCOS IS A DREAM FOR ANALYSING MY GAME’
“I never realised how important data can be, even for an under-average golfer, until I got fitted in September for Cobra clubs with the Arccos sensors. The real eye opener was being able to see exactly where I was gaining and losing strokes, which has stopped me from practising the wrong things. For example, I used to think I had a problem with my shots from 150-200 yards when actually I have a bigger disadvantage from 50 to 100 yards out. That’s probably the biggest benefit of using the Arccos app because I now know what I need to work on and it motivates you to improve. After my first five rounds, my handicap had dropped from 30.1 to 24.5 and my whole approach to golf had changed. I used to guess my distances and use the Hole 19 app for stat tracking. The data was very good but it felt like something was missing. That’s what Arccos has given me. I probably couldn’t play a round now without using the GPS rangefinder on the app. I don’t have to mess about with tracking my shots either because it’s all done automatically, so it has had a huge impact on my game and my performance. Whenever I speak to people now who are thinking about buying a new set of golf clubs, I point them in the direction of Cobra and Ping because of the built-in sensors. I know you pay an annual subscription of £75, but the advantages you get from knowing your data is unbelievable. I think every amateur should be using Arccos because it does feel like you’ve got a caddie in your pocket.”
Sam Cooper
Branston Golf and Country Club, Staffordshire
“I started using Arccos sensors for the first time last summer and I’ve been amazed by how much it’s improved my game. Because I went away travelling for a few years, I was given a handicap of nine just after the first lockdown and now I’m off 1.4, the lowest I’ve ever been. And I genuinely believe using Arccos has been a major factor. At first, the data probably dented my ego a bit because I quickly realised I don’t hit the ball as far as I thought I did, especially with my driver. After five rounds, it starts offering club recommendations and effectively takes the choice out of your hand. But once you trust what it’s telling you, it eliminates any indecision. I’m certainly a more consistent golfer now because I’m clubbing up more and it’s made me play a lot more sensibly. I know for a fact that I’m hitting more greens and when I do miss, I’m still pin high which never used to be the case. One of the biggest sceptics was my coach but after playing a few rounds together, he started asking me for yardages using my Arccos. I think once people hear about it and read up on it, they really buy into what it can offer.”
Formby Hall, Liverpool
“I have Arccos sensors in my Cobra Connect Speedzone irons but I didn’t actually use the app for the first year. Once I started I was obsessed. The most significant change it made was realising just how far I hit my clubs in real-world conditions. I was probably 5-10 percent shorter on most clubs than what I’d recorded on the range. The numbers also showed that I could take out a couple of wedges that were just too close to other clubs in terms of gapping. After digging into my approaches, I found that I was coming up short 35-60 percent of the time, depending on the club. So the main thing it taught me was to club up! I wouldn’t say it’s had a huge impact on how I approach a hole, but it has affected how I practise and see my game. Previously I’d have told you that I slice everything off the tee (I’m a lefty), but in truth I actually miss it right just as much, if not more! When I first used it I was playing off 21 and I’m now down to 18.6. I wouldn’t put this all down to Arccos –there’s no device that can replace practice and playing regularly – but it definitely means I am more informed about my strengths and weaknesses.”
John Robins
Wycombe Heights, Bucks