Strokes Gained Explained: The One Stat That Changes How You Practice
What strokes gained means, how tour pros use it, and how RoundCaddy brings the same framework to amateur golfers.
Strokes gained (SG) answers a simple question: compared to a benchmark player at your skill level, did this shot help or hurt your score? The PGA Tour has used SG for over a decade. RoundCaddy brings the same framework to your phone — no tour card required.
The four buckets
- Off the tee — driving distance and accuracy vs expected
- Approach — iron and wedge play into greens
- Around the green — chips, pitches, bunkers
- Putting — make rates from each distance
A total SG of +1.0 over 18 holes means you played one stroke better than baseline. Negative SG in approach but positive off the tee? That's your practice plan — not guesswork.
Try it on your next round
Log a round in RoundCaddy (free tier includes basic tracking). Upgrade to Pro for full category breakdowns, dispersion maps, and trends over time.