Short Game Data Stats: You'll Find Interesting

You’re standing in the rough, about 15 yards out, eyeing the green, determined to knock it somewhat close if not hopefully in the cup. You know this shot could make or break your round. The perfect wedge could save your par, but anything less than that? Well, let’s just say you might be in for a bumpy ride on the scorecard. This scenario is all too familiar for most golfers—but especially for those of us on the journey to breaking that next handicap milestone.

The rough doesn’t just look menacing. The numbers back it up.

Did you know that for a scratch player, a shot from 10 yards out in the rough lands them just over six feet from the pin on average? Add another 10 yards, and now their target is more than 10 feet away. By 40 yards? We’re talking nearly 18 feet. Even the best players see the challenge of saving par from the thick stuff.

But what if you’re a 10 handicapper? Here’s where things get really interesting. That little 15-yard shot from the rough could be worth the same number of strokes to hole out as a 91-foot putt. Yup, you read that right. As daunting as a 91-foot putt sounds, trying to stick a shot from the rough may be just as tricky. Roughhhhh round.

This data paints a clear picture: Getting on the green, even if it's not right next to the pin, can be the difference between making or breaking your score. For most of us, getting stuck in the rough means battling for a solid recovery shot—but the numbers show the real value in aiming for the green on approach shots to avoid these tough spots entirely.

Here’s an example for our 15-index friends. You’re about 15 yards away, with a solid 12 yards of green to work with. Which club do you pull? You might instinctively grab your trusty pitching wedge, which has historically given you better control. Well, the stats don’t lie: On average, a player in this situation will need 2.68 strokes to hole out with the pitching wedge, compared to 2.85 strokes with a 60-degree wedge.

Now, we’re not saying all shots and putts are created equal. But understanding how many strokes it really takes to save par from certain distances can shift how we approach our games.

The bottom line is this: Hitting the green in regulation is always your friend. It’s not just about avoiding the rough—although, let’s be honest, we could all use fewer adventures in the thick stuff—but it’s about giving yourself the best chance to score. Whether you’re a scratch player or working your way down from a 15-handicap, these numbers are your guide to smarter decisions.

Next time you find yourself looking at that short game shot from the rough, ask yourself: What can I do to hit more greens? Because as much as we’d all love to magically lower our handicaps overnight, the true key to improvement is making sure we’re setting ourselves up for success from the start.

At Arccos, we’ve got your back with data-driven insights and personal tips to help you hit more greens, make smarter decisions, and get closer to your goals. Let’s make sure those proximity numbers are working in your favor—one shot at a time.