What is strokes gained approach, and which yardages count as approach play?
In plain language, what does "Strokes Gained Approach" mean on my monitor or export?
SG Approach measures how much your approach shots (typically the 2nd shot on par 4s, 2nd/3rd on par 5s, tee shots on par 3s) gain or lose vs. the baseline. It captures both distance to the pin and whether you hit the green.
Units: strokes per round
Why does this metric matter for ball flight, dispersion, or scoring?
Approach play is where the best players separate themselves. PGA Tour data consistently shows that SG Approach has the highest correlation with money earned. Good approach play means more GIRs, closer birdie putts, and fewer scrambles.
What is a typical or competitive range for this stat?
Tour leaders: +1.0 to +1.5. Tour average: 0. Scratch: -0.5 to 0. Mid-handicap: -1.5 to -3.0.
What usually makes this number look bad or noisy in real rounds?
Negative SG Approach: poor distance control, misses short-sided, or wrong club selection. Launch monitor data (carry, back spin, descent angle) feeds directly into improving approach quality.