J6 – a version of the Tiger 5

Tiger Woods is famed for many things. One of his “methodologies” was the Tiger 5 rules of golf. I think that there are some great measurements in this but I thought I’d add another really relevant stat and modify the whole system based on my playing abilities.

Tiger’s 5 Rules of Golf

1. No three putts
2. No bogeys on par 5s
3. No blown easy up and downs
4. No doubles
5. No bogeys within 150 yards

J6 – amended version of the Tiger 5

Here’s my modified list, I’ll explain these in detail since I need help in modifying the criteria – I believe it is too harsh for my ability.

1. 3 putts
2. Bogeys on Par 5s
3. Bogeys from 9 iron or less to the green
4. Doubles (or worse)
5. Penalty shots
6. “Anyway” shots

3 putts

This metric is fairly obvious. 3 putts are bad. However, if the proximity to the hole is bad is it really bad putting?

• Metric: number
• Perfect score: 0

Bogeys on Par 5s

This is a confusing metric for me. I am a 5 handicap (at time of writing) and I still get shots on Par 5s. Maybe this would be better suited to me nett scores or total score to par for the par 5s.

• Metric: Number of bogeys as percentage of par 5 holes
• Perfect score: 0

Bogeys from 9 iron or less to the green

Every hole where the approach shot is a full club of 9 iron or less (120 meters) I count whether I take more than 3 shots to get down.

• Metric: number of holes with 9i or less bogeyed from total holes with 9i or less approaches
• Perfect score: 0 < 34% – 1 in 3 up and down in regulation

Doubles (or worse)

Another straight forward metric. Double bogeys are bad. Triples and more are a disaster. Steady golf should mean that you avoid doubles or worse. Reading Jon Sherman’s book, Four Foundations of Golf, is helping me to fight for bogeys instead of fighting for pars if things go t*ts up.

• Perfect score: 0

Penalty shots

I include, in this metric, shots that are from recovery positions, mostly from the tee, but I would include drives that mean that I have to play sideways or have no chance to get the green under normal circumstances. My goal, according to Golf Gamecock should be about 1,5 penalties per round on average over the season. Obviously, the less penalties that better my strokes gained will be and scores in general over time.

• Perfect score: 0

“Anyway” shots

This is an interesting metric and I don’t know really what a good score would be. This measures all the shots where I am uncommitted, or distracted and just hit is anyway. This can be indecision over club selected or a player partner ripping their glove open mid swing.

• Perfect score: 0 but realistically as low as possible

J6 – what my “reports” look like

Above is a summary of an 85, 28 points on stableford: not a good round. Below is a 78, net par. It’s never going to be perfect.

And finally, below is a 79 where I actually knocked 0,1 off my handicap. I did play really well but lost 4 balls to the water, so maybe I didn’t play that well?:

I need your help

The image above shows May data, with 1 pint for each category based on the criteria listed above. There’s obviously been a couple of good round but should I tweak it to get better scores?

I think I have managed to gauge my expectations reasonably well. I don’t expect to get up and down in regulation with a 9 iron or less all the time. Is it unrealistic not to 3 putt or have a penalising shot every round?

The main flaws I see in this analysis is that a) is it too negative?, and b) how do you gauge par 5s correctly? Scores to par overall? Nett or gross?

I’m very open to suggestions, even in its current form I can track my progress or constancy but I would like to make it better. Can you help?

Any input or feedback greatly appreciated!

Extra

If you would like customised reports/output like the images in this post, please ping me – I can generate these reports with your input for free!!!