Ryder Cup: USA v Europe Club Golfer Performance
22 September 2021
In the lead up to the Ryder Cup, we have our very own USA v Europe battle Shot Scope style…
We have taken 1000 American and 1000 European Shot Scope users to face off in a 12 v 12 performance statistic match to see which side of the Atlantic has the better golfers in the amateur game!
This data is taken from Shot Scope users who use the V3 GPS Watch which tracks every shot automatically whilst you play.
Note: the players chosen for this match totalled the same combined score to par in 2020.
The data highlighted that European Shot Scope users play golf more often, with an average of 5.76 rounds per month, versus 4.28 rounds played by US golfers each month. European’s also played a greater variety of courses, playing an average of 2.84 different courses per month compared to 2.36 played by US golfers. However, the data identified that US golfers tend to play on longer courses, with an average length of 6,239 yards, compared to the slightly shorter 6,176-yard average in Europe.
The article will break down the 12 individual performance statistic matches in the graphic below.
Match 1 – Scoring Average
It is the European golfers who take the first point in the match, averaging almost 1 full shot less than the US per round.
USA 0 – 1 EUROPE
Match 2: Approach Shots left short
Shot Scope data reveals that amateur golfers miss the green short a mind-blowing 46% of the time. Both 🇺🇸&🇪🇺 surpassed that total in this match, with a whopping 49% and 51% left short! USA take the point.
USA 1 – 1 EUROPE
Match 3: Greens in Regulation
This match was one of the closest contest of the 12. However it is the Europeans who take the point by the slimmest of margins.
Approach play is by FAR the biggest area for improvement amongst amateur golfers!
USA 1 – 2 EUROPE
Match 4: Driving Distance – Drive for show!
It’s team USA that win the point for Average Driving Distance by a comfortable 7 yards over the Europeans. Are you above or below your continents average distance?
USA 2 – 2 EUROPE
Match 5: Fairway Accuracy %
Across all abilities of amateur golfers, the smallest difference in performance is on fairway hit accuracy.
It is USA who trump Europe in this match, taking the lead for the first time in the game.
USA 3 – 2 EUROPE
Match 6: Par 5 Scoring Average
Despite the US golfers leading Driving Distance and Accuracy, its Europe who perform the best on Par 5s…
USA 3 – 3 EUROPE
Europe bring it back to an even match at the halfway stage!
Match 7: Par 4 Scoring Average
This one goes to the US golfers. Worth noting that both teams average a bogey at best, perhaps we should all be looking to improve on Par 4s?
USA 4 – 3 EUROPE
Match 8: Par 3 Scoring Average
Europe claw a point back winning the par 3 scoring average.
How to play par 3s well? Club selection is crucial & manage your expectations.. a typical 15 hcap golfer misses a par 3 green from 150-200y 81% of the time!
USA 4 – 4 EUROPE
Match 9: Average Putts Per Round – Putt for Dough!
Averaging 1 full shot less on the greens per round, Team USA edge back in front once more.
USA 5 – 4 EUROPE
Match 10: Holing out inside 6ft
Again another point for the US golfers on the greens but by only 0.2%
USA 6 – 4 EUROPE
Shot Scope US golfers take a commanding lead with only 2 matches left…
Match 11: Up and Down %
Getting up and down to keep the match alive is Team Europe! Another close match between the 2 teams.
USA 6 – 4 EUROPE
Can the US hang on to their 1 point lead with one game to go?
Match 12: Short Game Proximity from <25yards
Keeping the dream alive! The European golfers have clawed it back to a draw!
USA 6 – 6 EUROPE
After 12 matches of performance statistics USA and Europe cannot be separated… So a PLAYOFF DECIDER for this was needed. To make it exciting we looked at the total number of hole outs from each side. Note: A hole out is classed as any shot holed from off the green.
Congratulations to Team USA on the victory!
A tightly contested match between Shot Scope users on both sides of the Atlantic. Now… who will win the Ryder Cup this weekend?!
Shot Scope offer a range of golf GPS watches and laser rangefinders designed to help golfers improve their game. Tracking more than 100 million shots around the world, Shot Scope have identified that the average Shot Scope user improves their handicap by 2.7 shots after using the performance tracking products for 25 rounds.
www.shotscope.com
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