ABSTRACT
Classical performance analysis in golf usually relies on statistical performance indicators. Most of these indicators are defined by classifying shots with respect to the distance to the hole (James, 2007). Performance indicators such as driving distance, approach shot accuracy or putting average are commonly used for performance analysis in golf (James and Rees, 2008) but ignore most of the factors which make up the difficulty of a shot. They do not take into account environmental influences like the ball lie, break or slope in putting, and compare shots within certain classes which are not comparable. Furthermore, most of these performance indicators each represent more than one ability. For example, putting is a composite measure of several abilities since the starting position of the first putt is determined by the approach shot. Hence, players who are able to perform approach shots well give themselves easier putts. Moreover, the starting location of the approach shot is determined by its previous shot. Thus, putting average is a composite measure of several abilities.
