What Is Strokes Gained—and How TrackMan Helps You Beat the Field, Not Just the Ball

What is Strokes Gained in golf? Learn how this advanced stat measures performance and how TrackMan’s Performance Center at South Bay Golf Club helps you target real improvement that translates to lower scores.

Golf Isn’t About Looking Good—It’s About Gaining Strokes

You strip a drive down the center and your playing partner says, “Nice shot.” Cool. But was it actually good? Did it help you beat the field—or just look pretty on Instagram?

Enter Strokes Gained, the data-driven way to measure performance that actually matters.

What Is Strokes Gained?

Strokes Gained tells you how much better or worse you are than the average golfer from a given situation. It’s not about how far you hit it or whether you “felt good over it.” It’s about how many strokes you gained—or lost—against the field.

Instead of guessing where your game is falling short, Strokes Gained shows you exactly which parts of your game need work:

• Off the tee

• Approach shots

• Around the green

• Putting

Example: If you’re gaining +1.5 strokes off the tee per round and losing -2.0 on approach, your swing isn’t the problem—your irons are.

Want to dive deeper? Check out the PGA Tour’s breakdown of Strokes Gained and how pros use it to fine-tune every club in the bag.

Why Old Stats Suck (and Strokes Gained Doesn’t)

Traditional stats like fairways hit or greens in regulation are… fine. But they don’t give you the full story.

A missed fairway by two feet and a snap hook into a pond both count as a miss. Same with GIR—hit the green and three-putt? That’s a "green hit," apparently. Helpful.

Strokes Gained actually answers: “How well did you execute this shot compared to everyone else?” That’s real insight—and it’s what you need if you actually want to improve.

So… How Does TrackMan Help?

Glad you asked. At South Bay Golf Club, our TrackMan-powered Performance Center gives you Tour-level analytics to work on the areas that cost you the most strokes.

Here’s how TrackMan helps you dominate your stats sheet:

🎯 Targeted Practice Based on Data

TrackMan’s combine tests and custom skill assessments identify your weak spots—from wedges to woods—and give you measurable results. It's the perfect companion to your Strokes Gained data.

🧠 Shot-by-Shot Feedback

Launch angle, spin rate, carry distance, face angle, club path—everything is measured in real time. You’re not just swinging—you’re learning.

🔄 Repeatable Improvement

TrackMan lets you simulate on-course conditions, test distances under pressure, and measure real improvement over time. You’re not just hitting balls into a net—you’re gaining strokes, every session.

📊 Performance Center Leaderboards & History

Compete with other members, track your growth week by week, and make your practice time actually mean something. Welcome to golf with purpose.

Measure more than you distance and find out how you stack up against the pros and handicappers of every level at South Bay Golf Club.

What Happens at SBGC Stays on the Scorecard

The difference between winning your weekend money game and Venmo-ing your buddy (again) is usually just a few strokes. Strokes Gained shows you where to find them. TrackMan helps you take them.

At South Bay Golf Club, we’re not just hitting shots—we’re training smarter. Whether you're chasing the club championship, a college scholarship, or just trying to finally break 80, our Performance Center is your secret weapon.

Ready to gain strokes, not just hit balls?Check out our memberships, come in for a TrackMan Combine, and let’s start lowering your handicap the modern way.