PGA · Strokes Gained
What Is Strokes Gained in Golf DFS?
Last updated September 22, 2026 by Ship It Nation
Strokes gained compares every shot to the field average from the same spot. It splits into off the tee (par 4 and 5 tee shots), approach, around the green (within 30 yards, not putts) and putting.
Why It Matters
Approach and off the tee numbers hold steady from week to week, while putting swings wildly, so a strong ball striker who has putted poorly lately is a classic buy-low play. Tee to green, the first three categories combined, is a popular starting point for ranking a DFS player pool.
Example
Say a golfer ranks near the top of the field in strokes gained approach over his last several events but has lost strokes putting in each one. His finishes look ordinary, so his salary has slipped. Because approach play holds steadier than putting, a normal week on the greens could turn that ball striking into a top-10 finish at a mid-range price.
Rank your pool by strokes gained tee to green over a meaningful stretch of rounds, not one hot week. Treat putting streaks, good or bad, as the part most likely to change.
Common Questions
Which strokes gained category matters most for DFS?
Approach is usually the most important. Iron play sets up birdie chances on nearly every hole and holds up well from week to week. Off the tee comes next, especially at long courses, while putting is the least reliable category to project forward.
How many rounds of strokes gained data should you use?
There is no fixed number, but more than a single event is better. Many players blend a longer window, such as the past year, with a shorter window of recent rounds to catch changes in form without overreacting to one hot or cold week.
Why is strokes gained putting less predictive than ball striking?
Because putting swings much more from week to week. A few putts dropping or lipping out can move a golfer's putting numbers sharply, while ball striking reflects repeatable skills like distance and iron control, so it projects future scoring better.