There’s obsessive… and then there’s Matt Fitzpatrick.
The man has been tracking every shot he’s hit since he was 15 years old. We’re talking about over a decade of data, logged and analyzed — long before most weekend golfers even knew what “strokes gained” meant.
But here’s the kicker: that same data obsession helped him win a U.S. Open.
So, what does that mean for the rest of us — the golfers with more swing thoughts than rounds played and more 3-putts than we care to admit? Turns out, plenty.
“Data Weirdo” — And Proud of It
Fitzpatrick’s own words: “I’m a bit of a data weirdo.”
That’s not a humblebrag. It’s a full-blown golf philosophy.
While most of us are guessing why our game’s off (“Maybe I moved my head?”), Fitzpatrick is busy combing through stats to find out exactly where the wheels are wobbling.
He’s been doing this since before it was cool — or even common. According to his college coach, Pat Goss, Fitzpatrick was “ahead of the curve,” recording shot data before strokes gained was mainstream.
If you’ve ever stood on the range wondering what to work on, Fitz’s method offers a pretty compelling answer: stop guessing, start measuring.
Why Strokes Gained Beats Fairways Hit (Every Time)
Traditional stats like fairways hit or greens in regulation tell you what happened.
Strokes gained tells you why it mattered.
Let’s say you missed a fairway. That’s one stat. But strokes gained can tell you if that miss actually cost you anything — and how much. It doesn’t treat all misses the same (which makes sense… a ball one yard off the fairway isn’t the same as one in a pond).
In Fitzpatrick’s case, he used this insight to dial in key parts of his game — like putting, where he gained a staggering 0.880 strokes in 2020, making him the second-best on TOUR that season.
That’s not a hot streak. That’s targeted, data-driven improvement.
Fitz’s Fixes: What He Actually Changed
This isn’t just a bunch of numbers. Fitzpatrick has used strokes gained to make real changes:
- Putting: After identifying putting as a potential edge, he became one of the best putters on TOUR.
- Distance: He realized he was losing strokes off the tee, so he worked with biomechanics expert Dr. Sasho Mackenzie and used “The Stack” to gain speed. The payoff? Bombing it past guys like Will Zalatoris at the U.S. Open.
- Short Game: He even changed his chipping technique to cross-handed — an unconventional move, but one that helped him climb to 22nd in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green in 2023.
Fitzpatrick doesn’t try to fix everything. He picks his battles — and then attacks them with stats.
OK, But What About Us Normal Golfers?
You don’t need a tour coach or a launch monitor to get started. Here’s what you can do:
1. Understand the Basics of Strokes Gained
It’s simpler than it sounds. The formula is:
Average strokes from starting location – average strokes from ending location – 1
Translation? If your 7-iron approach gains you more than the “expected” strokes from that distance, you’re doing great. If not, maybe that’s a spot to improve.
2. Set a Baseline for Your Skill Level
You shouldn’t compare yourself to Fitzpatrick. (Unless you like pain.)
Instead, compare yourself to golfers close to your skill level. If you’re a 15-handicap, use a 10-handicap as your benchmark. It’ll help you understand where you could gain strokes with smart practice.
3. Use Tools You Already Have
You’ve got options:
- Shot tracking apps like Shot Scope, 18Birdies, or Golfshot
- A basic spreadsheet (channel your inner Fitz)
- Even a notebook — if you’re old-school like that
You don’t need perfection. You just need patterns.
Practice Smarter, Not Longer
One of the smartest things Fitzpatrick’s team does? They ignore some weaknesses.
As his coach Steve Robinson explains, if a shot (like a lob wedge from thick rough) only comes up once every four rounds, it’s not worth grinding over.
Instead, they focus on where he’s consistently losing strokes — and create practice routines around those areas.
You can do the same:
- Track where your strokes are leaking
- Identify your biggest opportunity areas
- Build short, focused practice sessions around them
No more wasting hours hitting the same 7-iron when your real problem is missing 4-foot putts.
The Bottom Line: You Can Be a “Data Weirdo” Too
Fitzpatrick’s journey proves you don’t need to swing like Rory to get better — you just need to understand your own game.
Track your shots. Find your gaps. Target your practice.
As Fitz says: “If it helps your game and it helps you improve, then there’s no reason not to do it.”
That’s as down-to-earth as golf advice gets.