Putting Statistics by Handicap: Which Stats to Track?
Why Putting Stats Matter
Most golfers spend hours on their swing but overlook one key area—putting. Yet putting makes up roughly 35–40% of all strokes in a typical round. That means no matter how far you hit it off the tee, your scoring ceiling is still determined on the green.
By studying putting statistics, you can pinpoint where your weaknesses are and build a plan to improve them.
Putting data helps you see trends that emotion often hides. For example, you might feel like you’re missing long putts, but your stats may show you’re actually losing more strokes from inside six feet.
Knowing the truth lets you focus practice where it matters most. If you can take just two fewer putts per round, that’s potentially four strokes saved over 36 holes—without changing your swing at all.
Tracking putting performance also builds awareness of expectations. When you realize even PGA Tour pros miss most putts outside of ten feet, you stop being frustrated about every miss. You start managing distance, speed, and consistency instead of chasing perfection.
Average Putts per Round (Pros vs Amateurs)
One of the simplest and most telling golf putting stats is putts per round. On the PGA Tour, the average player takes about 28 to 29 putts each round. The best in the world—guys like Denny McCarthy and Patrick Cantlay—average closer to 27.8 thanks to their ability to avoid three-putts and convert from six feet and in.
For the rest of us, the number looks very different. Scratch golfers typically average between 30 and 32 putts per round, while mid-handicap golfers average around 34–36. High-handicaps often record 38 or more putts, which adds up fast over 18 holes. Every extra putt is a missed opportunity for par or birdie.
If you can get your total putts under 32 per round, you’re performing at a strong amateur level. It usually means you’re eliminating three-putts and converting a few extra saves. Consistency on short putts (inside six feet) is what drives this number down—not draining long bombs.
To lower your putts per round, track how many greens you hit in regulation and how many total putts you take. You’ll quickly spot whether your putting is the issue or if poor approach shots are leaving you too far from the hole. In either case, the data gives you direction instead of guesswork.
Putting Make Percentages by Distance
When you look at putting statistics by distance, the numbers tell a powerful story. Even the best players in the world make far fewer putts than most golfers think.
On the PGA Tour, pros make around 99% from 2 feet, 96% from 3 feet, 88% from 4 feet, and about 77% from 5 feet.
From there, the odds drop steeply—only 56% from 8 feet and roughly 40% from 10 feet. By 20 feet, the average make percentage falls to just 15%, and from 30 feet, it’s closer to 7%.
For amateur golfers, those numbers are much lower. Data from ShotScope shows that a scratch golfer makes about 93% of putts inside 6 feet, while a 10-handicap averages closer to 85%, and a 20-handicap makes just 70%. From 12 to 18 feet, scratch players hole around 25%, while mid-handicaps make only 15–20%.
The message is clear—if you can tighten your performance inside 6 feet, you’ll instantly lower your scores.
This is the range where every golfer, regardless of skill level, can realistically approach professional standards with the right practice structure. The drop-off beyond 10 feet is natural, even for the best, so set expectations accordingly.
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Three-Putt Frequency: The Hidden Stroke Killer
Few stats expose a golfer’s weaknesses faster than three-putt frequency. On the PGA Tour, the average player three-putts only about 2% of the time, which equals roughly one three-putt every two rounds.
That’s remarkable considering how much longer and faster Tour greens are.
For comparison, the average amateur three-putts at least once every four to six holes—nearly five times as often as the pros.
Data from Arccos and Golf Monthly shows that scratch golfers average one three-putt every 36 holes, while 5-handicaps average one every 17 holes. 15-handicaps three-putt about once every nine holes, and 20-handicaps can average two or more per round.
Most of these mistakes happen from 25 feet or longer, where speed control becomes crucial.
The key takeaway? Lag putting is one of the fastest ways to save strokes. If you can consistently roll your first putt to within three feet of the hole, you’ll nearly eliminate three-putts.
Spend more of your practice time on long-range distance control rather than chasing miracle 30-foot makes. This one change alone can lower your scoring average dramatically.
Strokes Gained Putting Explained
One of the best modern ways to measure putting performance is through a stat called Strokes Gained: Putting.
It was created by golf statistician Mark Broadie and adopted by the PGA Tour to compare every player’s putting performance relative to the field. In simple terms, it shows how many strokes a player gains or loses compared to the average Tour pro on the same holes and distances.
For example, if a Tour player holes a 10-foot putt that the field makes only 40% of the time, he gains 0.6 strokes on the field. But if he misses a 5-footer that most players make 80% of the time, he loses 0.8 strokes.
Over four rounds, those small gains and losses add up and separate elite putters from average ones.
Recreational golfers can use this same logic even without Tour-level tracking.
You can compare yourself against Tour averages by distance—how often you hole 6-footers, how close you leave 30-footers—and calculate where you’re losing strokes. If you’re missing more than half of your 4- to 6-foot putts or consistently leave 20-footers outside a 3-foot circle, those are your biggest opportunities for improvement.
Understanding strokes gained makes putting practice more targeted. Instead of spending equal time on every distance, you’ll know where your “leaks” are and can design drills that give you the highest return on time invested.
What These Stats Mean for Practice
All the putting statistics in the world don’t mean much if you don’t know how to apply them. The goal isn’t just to memorize Tour averages—it’s to use those numbers to guide your own improvement.
By understanding where the biggest scoring gaps exist, you can practice more efficiently and track meaningful progress over time.
For example, if you’re missing short putts, dedicate 60% of your practice to inside six feet. These are the putts that lower your total count per round and build confidence under pressure.
Set up drills like the “3, 6, 9 Drill” where you putt from three distances in a circle around the hole, repeating until you make three in a row from each.
Spend about 30% of your practice time on mid-range putts from 15–30 feet. This range improves both birdie conversion and distance control, which directly reduces three-putts.
Use gates, chalk lines, or tees to train your starting line and pace. Finally, devote 10% of your session to lag putting from 30+ feet, focusing only on leaving the ball inside a three-foot circle.
Tracking your results matters just as much as the reps. Write down your make percentages by distance and note any drills where you’re seeing consistent improvement. Treat it like strength training for your stroke—measured, repetitive, and intentional.
Realistic Putting Goals by Handicap
To make meaningful progress, it helps to know what realistic putting goals look like for your skill level. The following benchmarks are based on aggregated data from ShotScope, Arccos, and PGA Tour averages. Use them as targets—not pressure points—to guide your expectations and shape your practice focus.
Scratch Golfer (0 Handicap)
- Average putts per round: 30–32
- Make percentage inside 6 feet: 85–90%
- Three-putt frequency: 1 every 36 holes
- Strength: Excellent distance control, confident short range
10 Handicap Golfer
- Average putts per round: 33–35
- Make percentage inside 6 feet: 70–80%
- Three-putt frequency: 1 every 15–20 holes
- Strength: Good mid-range pace, needs sharper short-putt consistency
20 Handicap Golfer
- Average putts per round: 36–38
- Make percentage inside 6 feet: 55–65%
- Three-putt frequency: 1 every 8–10 holes
- Strength: Needs improvement in both distance control and setup alignment
High Handicap (25+)
- Average putts per round: 40+
- Make percentage inside 6 feet: 50% or lower
- Three-putt frequency: 2+ per round
- Focus area: Green reading, setup posture, and confidence over short putts
These targets show that you don’t have to putt like a pro to lower your scores—you just need to climb one tier at a time. Reducing even one three-putt per round or improving short-putt accuracy by 10% can easily save two to three strokes.
How to Track Your Own Putting Statistics
Tracking your putting stats doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be consistent. The goal is to collect enough data to identify patterns. Once you know where you’re missing, you can design smarter practice sessions and set measurable goals.
Start with your scorecard. Add two extra lines at the bottom: one for total putts per hole and another for three-putts. After the round, record your totals and averages. Over several rounds, you’ll see trends—maybe your three-putts spike on fast greens or you miss more short putts late in the day.
To go deeper, use a golf stat app like ShotScope, Arccos, or 18Birdies. These apps automatically log your putts by distance and track make percentages over time. They’ll even show your strokes gained putting, helping you pinpoint which ranges are costing you the most strokes.
If you prefer old-school tracking, create a simple spreadsheet. Record:
- Total putts per round
- Putts made from 3 ft, 6 ft, 10 ft, and 20+ ft
- Three-putts per round
- Birdie putts converted
You can also track practice drills. For example, note “90/100 from 3 feet” or “60/100 from 6 feet” and watch your numbers climb each week. The key is consistency—measure your progress the same way every time so the data stays reliable.
Final Takeaway: Let the Numbers Guide Your Improvement
Putting statistics aren’t just numbers—they’re a window into how efficiently you score. Once you start tracking your data, you’ll realize that improvement isn’t about making every putt; it’s about eliminating waste.
If you can reduce three-putts, improve make percentages inside six feet, and build better distance control, your scores will drop without touching your full swing.
The pros rely on data for a reason. They know exactly where they gain or lose strokes, and they use that feedback to guide every practice session.
You can do the same on a smaller scale. By knowing your averages—putts per round, short-putt make rate, and three-putt percentage—you’ll practice with clarity and confidence.
Remember, progress happens gradually. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s improvement. Every percentage increase, every fewer putt per round, compounds over time.
Let the numbers motivate you rather than discourage you. The more honest you are with your stats, the faster your game will grow.
If you take one lesson from this article, it’s this: what gets measured gets improved. Start tracking today, set small targets, and watch your putting transform into a consistent strength that carries you to lower scores.
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Thanks for reading today’s article!
Nick Foy – Golf Instructor
