Ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Troon, Shot Scope has pulled on-course data from their database for the one hole everyone is talking about: No. 8, the famous Postage Stamp.
Playing 123 yards but potentially as short as 99, depending on weather and tee location, this short hole can make or break a player’s score. A big miss isn’t required to make a big number.
Here we have some high-level statistics for the hole before we take a closer look at the bunkers that surround the green.
Postage Stamp – 123 yards
Looking at the average score, players are right in the middle of par and bogey, meaning it can go either way, really. This is largely due to the high green in regulation (GIR) percentage.
The average putts per GIR is 2.0, meaning that if you want to par the Postage Stamp, you need to hit the green. It is not impossible to get up and down, with one in four attempts being successful from all lie types*, but it definitely isn’t easy.
*This includes Shot Scope data for all shots that missed the green, including those that are just off.
However, with the average score when players miss the green being just shy of a full stroke over par, you really need to find the putting surface to prevent a dropped stroke.
A shot that finds the sand, regardless of which bunker, will almost certainly result in a bogey or worse but should you have to choose a bunker to play from, there are better ones to be in.
Despite its daunting name, the Coffin has a marginally lesser impact on average score than some of the other bunkers on the Postage Stamp.
If players miss the green in any of the bunkers, then a shot that finds one of the bunkers on the left side of the green appears to be the best option, if such a thing exists.
That being said, players will likely make a bogey, providing they get out the sand as we already know that the green typically sees players take two putts to get down.
Players in the back right bunker have had a very tough time, with an average score creeping close to a triple bogey, with a double all but certain.
A shot that finds the back right bunker seems like a great way to kill any momentum heading into the back nine. While it is a game of two halves, shooting yourself in the foot before the turn puts a damper on morale.
The gist when it comes to missing the green at the Postage Stamp, then left is the lesser of evils as all of the bunkers on the right play a minimum of 1.5 strokes over par.
Play the par-3s well to have a chance at Royal Troon
Taking a quick look at all of the par-3s at Royal Troon, the importance of hitting the green from the tee becomes apparent:
Interestingly, it would appear that the Postage Stamp is, marginally, the easiest par-3 at Royal Troon. However, it is the hardest to score on should you miss the green, which is why it can make or break your score.
The general takeaway message? Keep out of the bunkers because they will cost you dearly!
Create your optimal strategy for Royal Troon with Shot Scope MyStrategy
Shot Scope performance-tracking users can plan their perfect strategy for Royal Troon on the free-to-use MyStrategy feature. Overlay your on-course performance data on every hole to see exactly how you would tackle this year’s Open Championship venue.
Not sure if performance tracking is for you? Shot Scope offer various different methods of shot tracking products to suit every golfer’s needs and budget. Save strokes with Shot Scope.
Note: the average handicap index for the Royal Troon dataset is 8.2
Shot Scope is the Official On-Course Data Partner of MyGolfSpy. Start tracking your game today.
Leave A Reply