ABSTRACT
This paper describes an experimental investigation of factors related to observed variation in putting performance. An experiment was carried out with active players having USGA handicaps varying from 1 to 30. Subjects attempted to hole out from distances less than 3.7 m (12 ft) from starting points with a uniform angular distribution about the cup; numbers of 1, 2 and 3-putts were recorded. The experimental design included trials on two different locations on the same green, with a total of 1290 attempts resulting in 2058 putts to hole out. The probability of holing out on the first putt (one-putt percentage) was examined for its relationship to handicap and also to distance, slope and break of the putt. Handicap was statistically related to putting performance, and the weak quantitative relationship is presented. The propensity to three-putt was found to be significantly greater for the group of golfers with handicaps greater than 14 (mean handicap 20.7) than for the remainder of the subjects, who had mean handicap 7.7. Predominantly uphill putts were found to be significantly easier to make than other putts, but no significant differences were found among right-to-left, left-to-right and downhill putts. Strategic implications for chips and approach putts are noted. The one-putt percentage dependence on distance is compared to published results of Tierney and Coop and also those of Pelz.
