--- title: Shot Pattern Blog | Golf Strategy & Data description: Explore golf strategy, strokes gained analysis, and course management tips on the Shot Pattern blog. Built for golfers serious about improving. --- [Skip to content](https://shotpattern.app/blog#main-content) [![Shot Pattern Text Logo Trimmed](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/text-logo-trimmed.png)](https://shotpattern.app/) [How it Works](https://shotpattern.app/features) [Pricing](https://shotpattern.app/pricing) [Blog](https://shotpattern.app/blog) [![\BUY NOW\](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/51325885/interactive-382152027853.png)](https://shotpattern.app/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIAhU7oVq9HK4mfiHq%2Fv3xr74%2B%2BaF%2BfWNy9Bx%2Bv0fHNiJKNuajO2KrQ6nAWx2Zz6SUToiaNlKavNqDP8pTjz2Dhr5Gia48HhDnavSyRGktv5NTHxXuMMepqhnwANQiPVu7FiNEQGQExzofHVIY0%2FxNbPRVxFBFnp%2BkXVdTGmsiLvMv%2Br7HmVks%3D&webInteractiveContentId=382152027853&portalId=51325885) # Shot Pattern Blog Strategy and data for golfers who are serious about getting better.  If you want the "why" behind the "what", subscribe so you never miss a post. [![Vertical Flip Self-Print Yardage Book](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/YARDAGE%20BOOKS%202.0.jpg)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/yardage-books-version-2-vertical-flip) ## [Yardage Books Version 2.0 - Vertical Flip & More](https://shotpattern.app/blog/yardage-books-version-2-vertical-flip) September 11, 2026 Two weeks ago we launched Version 1.0 of our print at home yardage books. Today, we released a huge ... [![](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/shot-pattern-printed-yardage-book-course-plan.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/print-your-own-yardage-book) ## [How to Print Your Own Yardage Book and Prep for Events Like a Tour Pro](https://shotpattern.app/blog/print-your-own-yardage-book) August 27, 2026 A pro caddie posted his Q School prep this week. It was simple insight into how pros prepare to comp... [![ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini AI logos alongside the Shot Pattern logo with the text How to Use AI to Analyze Your Golf Stats and Lower Your Scores](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/ai-golf-stats-cover-4x-1.jpg)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/use-ai-to-lower-golf-scores) ## [How to Use ChatGPT to Analyze Your Golf Stats and Lower Your Scores](https://shotpattern.app/blog/use-ai-to-lower-golf-scores) August 6, 2026 Great news, Shot Pattern users! Your stats are now available in a detailed PDF report format. [![Links golf course viewed from the tee with a gold overlay highlighting a section of the fairway in the middle distance, with text overlay reading The Least Valuable 30 Yards in Golf and the subtitle Why closer isn't always better.](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/least-valuable-30-yards-cover-2.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/least-valuable-yards-golf) ## [The Least Valuable 30 Yards in Golf](https://shotpattern.app/blog/least-valuable-yards-golf) July 30, 2026 Getting 30 yards closer sounds like progress. Between 100 and 70 yards, it can be almost all risk an... [![3D course preview of a par 4 hole with water hazard in the Shot Pattern golf GPS app](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/3d_course_preview_4_tips_shot_pattern_blog.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/4-things-to-check-in-3d-course-preview) ## [4 Things to Look for in 3D Course Preview (Satellite Data Won't Show this)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/4-things-to-check-in-3d-course-preview) July 16, 2026 If you're using Shot Pattern, you almost certainly already know the importance of previewing courses... [![Two shot pattern phone screens in front of Brandon dunes golf course with text "is it the club or the swing"](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/how_to_tell_a_Poor_club_fit_from_a_Swing_issue_shot_pattern_blog.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/club-fit-vs-swing-issue) ## [How to Tell a Poor Club Fit from a Swing Issue](https://shotpattern.app/blog/club-fit-vs-swing-issue) July 9, 2026 If one club in your bag has a miss pattern that none of your other clubs share, the problem is proba... [![Golf course with dramatic sky and a golfer hitting an approach shot, with text overlay reading What Is Plays Like Distance and the subtitle Why 150 yards doesn't always play like 150](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/shot-pattern-plays-like-distance-golf-course-management.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/plays-like-distance) ## [How to Calculate Plays Like Distance in Golf](https://shotpattern.app/blog/plays-like-distance) June 25, 2026 The yardage on your GPS tells you how far it is to the pin. Plays like distance is how far the shot ... [![](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/Shot-pattern-golf-skill-vs-strategy.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/skill-vs-strategy) ## [Skill Issue or Strategy Issue: How to Tell the Difference on the Golf Course](https://shotpattern.app/blog/skill-vs-strategy) June 11, 2026 Years ago, my best friend looked at me after a round and said, "I think you just need to get better ... [![ Shot Pattern app round summary showing strokes gained across driving, approach, short game, and putting categories next to a golf ball, with blog title The Self Scout: How to Review Your Golf Stats Like a Basketball Coach](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/self-scout-review-golf-stats-strokes-gained-shot-pattern.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/review-your-stats) ## [Why You Should Review Your Golf Stats Like a Basketball Coach](https://shotpattern.app/blog/review-your-stats) June 4, 2026 Most golfers finish a round with a general feeling about how it went. You know you hit a couple bad ... [![Golf course fairway at sunrise with Shot Pattern blog title: What Is Strokes Gained?](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/shot-pattern-strokes-gained-explained-golf-analytics.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/what-is-strokes-gained) ## [What Is Strokes Gained? A Simple Explanation for Every Golfer](https://shotpattern.app/blog/what-is-strokes-gained) May 28, 2026 Even with the rise of analytics in golf, strokes gained remains one of the most misunderstood concep... [![Shot Pattern app showing tournament game plan tools including tee shot dispersion overlay and course preview mode with wind speed, elevation data, and strokes gained values on an aerial golf course view](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/shot-pattern-tournament-game-plan-course-preview-dispersion.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/how-to-create-a-game-plan-before-your-next-golf-tournament) ## [How to Create a Game Plan Before Your Next Golf Tournament](https://shotpattern.app/blog/how-to-create-a-game-plan-before-your-next-golf-tournament) May 21, 2026 The difference between a good tournament round and a frustrating one usually comes down to what you ... [![Overhead illustration of a golf fairway with a dashed aim line down the center labeled Average, surrounded by dozens of scattered orange shot landing points spread far wider than the aim line suggests, visualizing why average driver dispersion data fails to describe any individual golfer.](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/Driver%20Dispersion%20Hero.jpg)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/average-driver-dispersion-wrong-question) ## [Average Driver Dispersion: Why Amateurs Ask the Wrong Question](https://shotpattern.app/blog/average-driver-dispersion-wrong-question) May 14, 2026 The average driver dispersion for an amateur golfer is roughly 75 to 95 yards wide. [![Shot Pattern app on iPhone showing a color-coded green map with slope arrows, held in front of a golf green.](https://shotpattern.app/hubfs/hero-v5-a.png)](https://shotpattern.app/blog/green-maps-purpose) ## [Green Maps: What They're Actually For](https://shotpattern.app/blog/green-maps-purpose) May 6, 2026 Green maps were one of the most requested features in Shot Pattern's user survey last fall. [![Shot Pattern Logo](https://shotpattern.app/hs-fs/hubfs/customcolor_logo_transparent_background.png?width=200&height=120&name=customcolor_logo_transparent_background.png "Shot Pattern Logo")](https://shotpattern.app) --- [Terms of Use](https://shotpattern.app/terms-of-use) · [Privacy Policy](https://shotpattern.app/privacy-policy) ·[Support](https://shotpattern.app/support) · [Help Center](https://shotpattern.app/help) © 2026 Undaunted Athlete, LLC. All rights reserved.