Average Putts Per Round

← Golf Gameplay & Rules | Golf Scoring and Handicaps

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• For beginners, aim for 36-40 putts per round. That’s a solid starting point.
• Intermediate players should shoot for 30-35 putts per round. Getting better.
• If you’re serious, pros are typically under 30 putts. Keep it simple.

Who This Is For

• Golfers who are curious about their putting game and want to know where they stand.
• Anyone looking to identify putting as a key area for improvement and shave strokes off their score.

What to Check First

• Track your last 5-10 rounds: You gotta know your starting point. Don’t guess your average.
• Know your handicap: This gives you a benchmark for your skill level. It helps put your putt count in perspective.
• Check your GPS or app settings: Make sure your gear is set up to count every single putt, even the little tap-ins. I’ve seen buddies miss that, and it messes up their stats.

Step-by-Step Plan to Improve Your Average Putts Per Round

• Track every single putt:
• Action: As you play, count every stroke you take once you’re on the green. From your first putt to the final tap-in.
• What to look for: The total number of putts you use for the entire 18 holes. This is your raw data.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to count those short, “gimme” putts. They all count towards your total, plain and simple.
• Record your total putts after each round:
• Action: Write down the total number of putts you had for that round. Use your scorecard, a dedicated notebook, or a golf app.
• What to look for: Consistent and accurate data entry. This is crucial for building a reliable picture of your game.
• Mistake to avoid: Inconsistent or incomplete recording. If you skip a round or forget to log it, your average will be off.
• Calculate your average putts per round:
• Action: Once you have data from 5-10 rounds, sum up all your total putts and divide by the number of rounds played.
• What to look for: A solid, representative average that reflects your typical putting performance, not just a hot or cold streak.
• Mistake to avoid: Relying on too few rounds. A 2- or 3-round average can be skewed by luck or a particularly bad day.
• Analyze your putting stats over time:
• Action: Regularly review your average putts per round. Are you seeing a downward trend?
• What to look for: Progress. Are your efforts paying off? Also, look for patterns – are you putting better on certain types of greens or courses?
• Mistake to avoid: Not actually looking at the data you’ve collected. All that tracking is useless if you don’t use it to inform your practice.
• Focus on improving your short putts:
• Action: Dedicate practice time to those crucial 3- to 6-foot putts. These are the ones that often decide your score.
• What to look for: A higher percentage of makes from this distance. This directly impacts your overall putt count.
• Mistake to avoid: Neglecting short putts in favor of long ones. You can be a great lag putter, but if you miss the short ones, your score will suffer.
• Develop your lag putting skills:
• Action: Practice hitting long putts to within a few feet of the hole. The goal is to minimize three-putts.
• What to look for: Consistently getting your long putts close, leaving yourself makeable second putts.
• Mistake to avoid: Hitting lag putts with inconsistent speed. Too hard and you’re past the hole; too soft and you’re still a long way off.

What’s a Good Number of Putts Per Round? Understanding Your Golf Game

Knowing your average putts per round is a critical piece of the puzzle for any golfer looking to improve. It’s not just about how many strokes you take, but where those strokes are happening. A golfer who consistently takes 30 putts might be excellent at reading greens and making long putts, but struggles with short ones. Conversely, someone with 35 putts might be solid from close range but drains fewer long putts. Understanding your average helps you pinpoint where to focus your practice time. It’s like knowing your car needs new tires versus a new engine; you wouldn’t waste time tinkering with the transmission if the problem is clearly the rubber.

When we talk about how many putts per round is good, it’s essential to frame it within the context of skill level. A beginner will naturally have a higher putt count than a seasoned player. The goal isn’t to reach pro-level numbers overnight, but to see consistent improvement relative to your current ability. For example, if you’re a beginner averaging 40 putts, dropping to 38 is a win. If you’re an advanced player averaging 30, then focusing on shaving off just one or two putts per round becomes the challenge. This metric is a fantastic diagnostic tool, revealing not just your putting prowess but also your approach game’s effectiveness. If you’re constantly leaving yourself 40-foot putts, your total putt count will reflect that.

Common Mistakes When Tracking Your Average Putts Per Round

• Not counting tap-ins — Why it matters: These tiny strokes add up. Missing them can make your average look artificially low, or if you’re trying to improve and think you’re doing better than you are, it’s misleading. — Fix: Make a conscious effort to count every single putt, no matter how short. It’s a habit you need to build.
• Inconsistent tracking methods — Why it matters: Using different apps or methods across rounds creates unreliable data. You can’t compare apples and oranges, and your average will be skewed. — Fix: Choose one method – a scorecard notation, a dedicated notebook, or a specific golf app – and stick with it religiously for all your rounds.
• Forgetting to record data after a round — Why it matters: Incomplete data means an inaccurate average. You’ll never truly know your putting performance if you’re missing entries. — Fix: Make it a habit to record your putts immediately after finishing your round. Do it before you even get to the parking lot.
• Not tracking enough rounds — Why it matters: Averages based on only a few rounds can be misleading. A lucky streak or a terrible day can throw off the numbers significantly. — Fix: Commit to tracking at least 5-10 rounds to get a representative average that truly reflects your typical performance.
• Focusing only on the total number of putts — Why it matters: This gives you a general idea, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. You might be great at long putts but terrible from close range, or vice versa. — Fix: Consider breaking down your stats further. Look at putts per Green in Regulation (GIR), 3-putt avoidance percentage, and make percentage from specific distances.
• Ignoring your approach game’s impact — Why it matters: If you’re consistently leaving yourself long, difficult putts, your total putt count will naturally be higher, regardless of your putting skill. — Fix: Work on your approach shots and chipping to leave yourself closer to the hole, making those putts easier.

FAQ

• What is considered a good average number of putts per round for a beginner?

For beginners, aiming for 36-40 putts per round is a respectable starting point. The key is consistency and focusing on reducing three-putts. Don’t get discouraged; improvement takes time.

• How many putts per round do professional golfers typically have?

Professional golfers are incredibly dialed in on the greens. They usually average under 30 putts per round, often in the 27-29 range. They make a lot of putts and rarely three-putt.

• Should I track putts on practice greens?

It’s generally not necessary to track putts on practice greens for your official average. The focus for statistics is typically on rounds played on the course. Save your tracking efforts for when you’re playing for score.

• Does my handicap affect what’s a good number of putts?

Yes, absolutely. Your handicap is a direct indicator of your skill level. A higher handicap golfer will naturally have more putts than a scratch golfer. Your target putt count should be relative to your current ability and handicap.

• How can I improve my putting average if it’s too high?

Practice is the obvious answer, but be smart about it. Focus on short putts (3-6 feet) as they are crucial. Work on your lag putting to get long putts close and minimize three-putts. Analyzing your stats will tell you if you need more work on speed control or direction.

• Is there a difference between tracking putts on different course types?

Yes, course conditions can influence your putt count. Fast greens, slow greens, undulating greens, or windy conditions can all affect how many putts you need. It’s good to be aware of this, but focus on your overall average first.

• How often should I recalculate my average putts per round?

It’s a good idea to recalculate your average every 5-10 rounds. This ensures your average stays current and reflects your recent performance, allowing you to track progress effectively.