Opinion & Analysis

10 reasons to add performance-tracking to your game

Published

11 years ago

Jun 9, 2015

There’s simply no denying the fact that statistics have taken over the game of golf. ShotLink has become as much a part of a PGA Tour event as equipment trucks, corporate tents and tournament-goers yelling “get in the hole!” after nearly every shot.

Indeed, it’s quite clear that the data revolution is here.

Thanks to affordable and quite useful technology, there are also a number of products that make it a reality for any player to access the kind of ShotLink-quality data and analysis that was previously only accessible to Tour pros. But, now that you have access to your data, what are you supposed to do with it? How does that help you play better and enjoy the game more?

Those are two questions we aim to answer day-in and day-out at Arccos Golf. One of our charges is to make “performance tracking” as much a part of the game as hybrids and spikeless shoes.

With that in mind, here are 10 reasons to add performance-tracking to your game.

Know Your Distances

Understanding your average and longest distances are the obvious benefits of tracking your performance. Whether factoring in your average distance for a tee shot or seeking ultimate distance control on an approach shot to a tucked pin, knowing your distances is incredibly powerful.

Club Usage

How often do you use your 3 iron? Should you swap out a fairway wood for a hybrid? Are you considering adding an extra wedge to your bag? When factoring club usage into performance tracking, the information gained is usually surprising and always insightful.

Mark Your Misses

Most golfers will agree that big changes often require little action. A simple alignment issue could very well be the reason you’re missing more greens than normal. Understanding percentage of misses — whether left, right, long or short — can help diagnose what’s causing them in the first place, letting you worry about the tweak needed to return you to the right path.

Hole History

We all have that hole. We either love it, or we despise it. Unfortunately for most of us, it’s usually the latter. Regardless, performance-tracking can give you a clearer picture of past performances on any given hole or course. Local knowledge is one of the most valuable tools of the trade in golf. Knowing how you’ve performed on a hole takes that knowledge one step further.

Goal Setting

We all want to get better, don’t we? When it comes down to it, you’ll never improve — or even maintain — in this difficult game without fully understanding where you need to get better. Performance-tracking allows you to better understand where you need to improve and makes measuring that improvement a breeze so you can focus on achieving your golf goals.

Bragging Rights

Did you blast a drive? Have you recorded your lowest round? Are you achieving your golf goals with help from performance tracking? Feel free to tell the world by sharing some of your progress on social media or showing your achievements to your friends.

Finding Your Ball

If you’re having trouble finding your ball, a performance tracker can aid in finding it. Put the guessing and aimless wandering to a minimum. Use your average distances and internal rangefinder functionality to find your ball quicker by zeroing in on the likely distance it traveled. The course rangers and everyone playing behind you will thank you.

Category Breakdown

Handicap indexes are great to summarize your complete game based on course slope and rating. Adding performance tracking to your game will unlock in-depth statistics and handicap information for all areas of your game, again helping you hone in on improvement areas and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

In-Depth Analytics

With all that data captured seamlessly during play, you’ll receive concise and measurable statistics and analysis that go beyond the age-old methods. Performance-tracking captures every shot and aggregates your complete game.

Data Not Habit

Too often, we rely on habit to pick a club and hit a shot. The data acquired on your game when tracking your performance can help you make informed decisions while on the course all for the betterment of your game.

The easiest way to understand performance-tracking is to start at the beginning. It’s actually a concept that’s been in golf for quite some time. Charting your putts, fairways hit or missed and greens in regulation aren’t new techniques.

It’s how you gain that information that’s changed. It’s what you do with that information that’s new.

Whether using scorecards, spreadsheets, Arccos, or one of the many other shot-tracking apps or products, ensure that performance-tracking becomes a key part of your game. Your game will thank you.

Related Topics:

Up Next

What’s your tee time?

Don't Miss

Hole 1: The day I met Ben Hogan

Ben Larsen

Ben Larsen serves as Strategic Content Manager at Arccos Golf. Prior to joining Team Arccos, Ben spent more than a decade in the sports media as a writer, editor, columnist and managing editor, including stints at ESPN, AmateurGolf.com and Back9Network. Having been bitten by the golf bug nearly 20 years ago, Ben takes great pride in honing his daughter's swing, saving par and never, under any circumstances laying up.

23 Comments

Chris n

Jun 15, 2015 at 9:25 am

I’m actually interested in the arccos system, but having an “article” on the value of shot data written by a paid pr person from arccos doesn’t inspire confidence in the other information on this site. Most other sites that have “advertorial” content label it in some way. You should really have labeled this as sponsored content. I should have to read the author bio to see he works for arccos.

Reply Report comment
Hellstorm

Jun 12, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I picked up GameGolf last year and the tapping the club is not really a big deal. In fact, I think it actually helped me develop more of a preshot routine which was much more scattered before. Once I am good with the club I’m hitting, I line up my shot, tap it on the belt and step in and hit. There really isn’t much to it. The stats have actually helped improve my game a little as well, especially on courses I play frequently. I like going home after I am finished playing and looking over the round. for those unfamiliar, you can edit shots out as well….so if you are hitting a 3/4 wedge or something that is not a full swing or a normal shot, you just edit that shot out so its not calculated in the averages. If you remember its a 3/4 wedge or 1/2 wedge, you can save it as that as well.

Reply Report comment
ML

Jun 11, 2015 at 8:09 pm

I hit shots with my pitching wedge that range from 100 yards to 140

It does no good for the guy that hits shots IMO unless I’m missing something

Reply Report comment
Hunter

Jun 10, 2015 at 11:58 pm

It shows by the comments its not for everyone and that’s ok, but the people who like gadgets and want all the advantage they can get, go for it!! If it can be measured it can be managed has been a management strategy that many employ in day to day living, why not take this to our hobbies or ( obsessions… ) I play in a social group of 12 guys, 2 of us want one and cant wait to get an Arccos system and that probably where the system is in social golf. If 10 of the 12 wanted one they might not be $400

Reply Report comment
Sean

Jun 10, 2015 at 10:30 pm

I am one of those that is not a proponent of keeping statistics. I know my yardages, my common misses, and when to take a risk, and when not to. In addition, one can get so caught up in statistics that one forgets to play golf. Also, whether it’s something on a phone, or something on one’s belt, it’s just one more gadget. I like to keep it simple: me, my clubs, and my rangefinder.

Reply Report comment
Brian DeBlis

Jun 10, 2015 at 6:15 pm

It would be great if it ever recorded your shots. I have used for a month. Out of 10 rounds it has recorded 2 full rounds! I keep my phone in my pocket the whole time. I know the batteries are all good as I check before shots, but it still does not record! Very big disappointment

Reply Report comment
- Ben Larsen
  
  Jun 11, 2015 at 11:34 am
  
  Hi Brian: Sorry to hear of your negative experience so far. At your convenience, please feel free to reach out to our Customer Experience team, which will diagnose the issue and get things optimized for you. You can reach them here: http://www.arccosgolf.com/pages/contact
  
  Reply Report comment
tony

Jun 10, 2015 at 3:59 pm

Pretty weak to limit it to only iOS platform users. I guess it makes it easier to decide if I’ll ever try it out.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Jun 10, 2015 at 7:52 am

This are 10 reasons not to waste your time on timewasting gizmos…play golf with a clear head without thinking of anything.

So you know your misses doesnt guarantee you will miss your next shot there….you hit your 7 iron 163 yards well i can tell you that your next 7 iron aint going that distance.

I putted badly today let me work on my putting or my chipping was off let me work on it.Don t need an app for that.

Reply Report comment
- TR1PTIK
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 8:51 am
  
  You’re right, you won’t always hit your club the same distance – that’s why AVERAGES are so important. This is especially true for those who are new to the game or just bad at eyeballing distances (like me). I don’t understand why so many golfers have such distaste for technology on the golf course. They all moan about how it slows down the pace of play or people get too wrapped up into their phones etc., etc., but those are blanket statements that don’t apply to everyone who turns to technology for help. I’ve had plenty of people try and tell me what to do or not to do on the golf course, and you know what? Unless it’s actually interfering with someone else, or in breach of the rules, it’s none of your business how I play the game. We all have our own way of doing things.
  
  Btw, your “10 reasons not to waste your time on timewasting gizmos” only amounted to 2. 2 reason not to waste time on timewasting gizmos, and they’re shaky reasons at best.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Tom
    
    Jun 10, 2015 at 10:36 am
    
    I was just giving you a general view of my opinion be free to use a rangefinder or whatever you wish as long as you are not slowing people down.
    
    No great players used these trevino…hogan ….palmer ….woods …..they learnt to hit the ball well by spending hours on the range not disecting their stats on a screen.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Kevin
      
      Jun 10, 2015 at 1:56 pm
      
      obviously those didnt use something like this because the technology wasnt there
      
      Reply Report comment
ParHunter

Jun 10, 2015 at 6:40 am

At first I thought 7) Ball Finder was a brilliant idea and in most cases I expect it to work nicely, however if you play a tree lined course it might not work. If you slice it into the trees it is likely the shot will be a lot shorter as it will have it a tree.

Reply Report comment
KK

Jun 9, 2015 at 11:30 pm

Thanks for the insight!

Reply Report comment
John Dougherty

Jun 9, 2015 at 11:16 pm

I use the Hole19 app, it’s free and gives me awesome stats! Love it!

Reply Report comment
- TR1PTIK
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 8:55 am
  
  I use Golfshot and have enjoyed it for quite some time, but I recently switched from Android to iOS so I am having to adjust the way I do things ever so slightly. I do think Arccos and Game Golf have their place and can help you save a little bit of time (no more pulling out the phone to press a button for shot-tracking, then having to press another button when you get to your ball then select the club from a list, and finally hit yet another button), but the GPS apps offered on Android and iOS have really evolved into useful tools for those of us who care to use them.
  
  Reply Report comment
Nah

Jun 9, 2015 at 7:48 pm

$399 is a lot for an App

Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 7:09 am
  
  $299 on Amazon. $309 with a battery pack/charger combo and benefits The Dan Plan. Just saying. Still pricey.
  
  Reply Report comment
MHendon

Jun 9, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Give it to me for free and I’ll use it. Otherwise I can keep up with my most important stats pretty simply. FIR, GIR, Putts, score.

Reply Report comment
Ben Larsen

Jun 9, 2015 at 6:27 pm

Hi Guys: Arccos doesn’t require tapping. Via Bluetooth and GPS technology, it requires only a one-time pairing process. Indeed, there are lower-tech ways to track your performance. The data and analysis you can gain from the newer tech, however, is what makes “Performance Tracking” a key piece to the puzzle.

Reply Report comment
snowman

Jun 9, 2015 at 6:07 pm

it depends on the definition of It….. I think Arccos product does not require the ‘tapping’ and the “Game Golf” Product Does. As the article mentions there are also other lower-tech methods and apps that you can use to do similar tracking.

Reply Report comment
Nolanski

Jun 9, 2015 at 4:15 pm

It sounds awesome. Im at work and speed read this article but do you have to tap it against your belt before each shot or something? Cause I’m a scatter brain and I’ll forget that half the time…

Reply Report comment
- TR1PTIK
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 8:39 am
  
  Arccos does not require you to tap. However, it does require you to carry the club upside down until you’re ready to hit the shot. I’ve read that this can be annoying for some in the beginning. Game Golf requires a tap which I think would be a little easier to remember in some ways, but I don’t like the idea of having to wear something on my belt that could fall off or get in the way. Both have their own positives and negatives, and both require you to change your habits a little bit on the course.
  
  Reply Report comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Opinion & Analysis

AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience

Published

5 days ago

Jun 5, 2026

Andrew Von Lossow

This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.

I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.

With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.

Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!

Club Junkie

Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast

Published

6 days ago

Jun 4, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.

Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.

If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.

Follow Club Junkie:
Instagram: @clubjunkiepod
TikTok: @clubjunkiepod
Threads: @clubjunkiepod
X: @ClubJunkiePod

Club Junkie

Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie

Published

2 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

Brian Knudson

On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.

I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.