Toolset in relation to goals: how far do you want to hit the ball?

Metaphor:

• A putter is PowerPoint / Excel.

• A 3 Iron is SPSS or R.

• A 1 Wood is python or octave.

Here we go:

• The putter is used when you’re on the green and trying to get it into the hole. Lots of nuance on the slope. Lots of finesse with arms and angles. High variability. Little repeatability. It doesn’t scale, won’t scale, and doesn’t need to.

•  The 3 Iron has a bit more power. It’s really great for getting onto the green from certain approaches.

• The wood has a lot of power. It’s really great for driving right down the range. It’s essential on the par 5’s.

Knowing which tool when is important, right?

Unless you’re playing mini putt, you shouldn’t be using a putter exclusively. You shouldn’t be teeing off with a putter.

Sure, the putter is the easiest way to start. And yet, I don’t have the patience to put myself to a 42 on a par 5. And neither should you.

Spending some time on the driving range is in order.

Here are a few links to help you get started:

• http://www.r-project.org/

• http://buzzdata.com/content/

Spending a few hours on the driving range, aiming for the distances you want and occasionally trying to take out the ball cart, can help you start playing a very fine long game.

If it feels like work, you’re doing it wrong.

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I’m Christopher Berry.
I tweet about analytics @cjpberry
I write at christopherberry.ca