Keep your head down, practice makes perfect. The list goes on. These common sayings or myths are banded about but when you look into it in more detail, there’s often not much truth behind them.
The same can be said of golf strategy and some of the misconceptions around course management and club selection. So with the help of data from Shot Scope, we’re going to dispel some of the biggest myths in the game to help you make better decisions on the golf course.
Myth 1: 3 Wood is more accurate off the tee than driver
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to a tight hole where a fairway finder is needed, many players will keep the driver in the bag, believing that they will find the fairway considerably more often with the three wood. The theory makes sense – the extra loft and shorter shaft should make it easier to control but Shot Scope data shows players only hit 1–2% more fairways with three wood than driver — a negligible difference.
This is obviously player dependent – some people hit their driver terribly, others their three wood really well, but the averages for every handicap suggest there is little advantage in benching the driver in favor of three wood.
In terms of scoring, where players think the three wood is going to benefit their scoring, it is actually more likely to hinder them. This is because they are at least 20 yards further away from the green and just as likely to be in the rough. The only time the three wood is safer off the tee is if a hazard is within reach of the driver. Otherwise, pull out the big stick and let her rip!
Myth 2: Better players hit every fairway
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
You might think that good players have it on a string off the tee but Shot Scope data tell us that lower handicap players do not hit a significantly greater number of fairways per round compared to higher handicap players.
Missing fairways is actually very normal. Last year on the PGA Tour (2024), the driving accuracy average was 61% with the leader in the stat at 72%. The main difference between the high and low handicap players is actually distance. A scratch golfer is on average 80 yards longer off the tee than a 25 handicapper, which is a huge advantage.
Myth 3: Par threes are a birdie opportunity
(Image credit: Future)
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