Colton VanOverberghe
Purdue University
Major: Data Visualization
Minors: Business Management, Innovation & Design
How has new technology changed the game of golf?
CGT 275 Final Project
Background & Data
Project Background
The game of golf itself hasn’t changed since its creation. However the equipment used in today’s age is far more advanced than the beginning
The data I collected does not go as far back to the creation of the game. As many of these statistics weren’t recorded. Through multiple different points of comparison I have deciphered if new technology has impacted the game of golf.
Objective: I set out to see if the technological advancements in golf equipment has had an effect on players average score and other statistical factors. As well as figure out which categories are most correlated with wins and world rank.
Data & Sources
The data collected spans the years 1993-2023. Some categories were not recorded until a later date and thus the timeline is shortened.
Statistical Categories
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Scoring Average
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Birdie Average & Season Total
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Driving Distance & Accuracy
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% of Greens in Regulation
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Average Putts per Round & Low Putt Round
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World #1 Ranking
Main Sources:
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PGATour.com
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ESPN.com
Research Questions
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Has new technology in golf equipment effected average score and statistical perfpormance on the PGA Tour?
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How have individual performance statistics progressed over time?
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How does statistical placement relate to wins/ world ranking?
Analysis
The visuals include data from the highest and lowest ranked player in each category for the year. The variables being studied include: Scoring average, Driving accuracy, Average putts per round, Etc. The combination of this data will answer the question of how golf and golfers have progressed over the last 30 years.
Scoring
There is minimal difference of Average score over the last 30 years
The Average # of Birdies fluctuates year-to-year but remains in teh same range for both top and worst on the PGA Tour.
For mostly all golf courses Par is a score of 72 total shots across 18 holes. There are multiple scores a golf can receive on each hole such as a Bogey (1 over Par). For this study the focus was on Average score and Birdie Average/Total. Birdies refer to scoring one stroke under par on a specific hole. They are crucial as they contribute directly to lowering their overall score, ultimately determining their success in a round or tournament. Achieving birdies requires precision, skill, and strategic decision-making on the course.
Driving
There is a large gap between driving accuracy ranging ~20%
There has been a steady increase of Average Driving Distances over the last 30 years
2018 was the first year in which every tour player recorded a drive of 320YDs+
Driving distance in golf refers to the length a golfer can hit the ball off the tee, while accuracy pertains to how close the ball lands to the intended target. Both are essential for scoring, as longer drives can set up easier approach shots to the green, while accuracy ensures that the ball remains in play and avoids hazards.
Approach Shots
The largest variation year-to-year is seen in average distance from the hole
Greens in Regulation does not stand out in any year as a Significant difference
Approach shots in golf are shots played from the fairway or rough towards the green, aiming to position the ball close to the hole for a putt. The distance from the hole after the approach shot directly influences a golfer's chances of making a successful putt. Accuracy and distance control on approach shots are paramount for golfers to set up favorable putting opportunities and improve their chances of scoring well.
Putting
Putting is arguably the most critical aspect of scoring, as the majority of strokes in a round occur on the putting green. The ability to read greens, control speed, and maintain accuracy while putting greatly influences a golfer's success.
World Ranking
The Green highlighted cells indicate that the World #1 Golfer was also the leader in that statistical category for the year. As you can see by the lack of green cells, I can conclude that there is not one statistic that favors world ranking. However, the most consistent overlap occurred in Scoring Average which is consistent and expected in terms of the world golf ranking standards.
Notable Technology
Improvements
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Composite Shafts
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Perimeter Weighting
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New Putter Technology
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Solid Core Golf Balls