To get golfers and coaches to adopt the "Strokes Gained" metric, the PGA Tour presented them with two anonymized player rankings. Stakeholders consistently chose the ranking generated by the new metric as more accurate, leading to adoption without needing to explain the complex underlying analytics.
Steve Levitt proposes a new golf scoring system that heavily weights eagles and birdies while giving zero points for double bogeys or worse. This incentivizes risk-taking and focuses players on their best moments, not their worst holes. It's a design principle for any activity: optimize the rules for user enjoyment.
In a golf experiment, forcing amateurs to take a "safe" chip shot out of the woods was less effective than letting them attempt a "heroic" shot through trees. Amateurs frequently failed to execute the simple chip, costing more strokes. This shows that optimal strategy is entirely dependent on the performer's skill level.
Greg Norman didn't just practice on perfect driving range lies. He deliberately practiced from difficult situations like divots, downhill lies, and hitting from his knees. This prepared him for any variable he might encounter during actual competition, a principle applicable beyond sports.
Early in his career, pro golfer Greg Norman was a self-described introvert who felt uncomfortable in the spotlight. He realized that to be a great golfer, he had to change his public persona. He made a "snap decision" to transform, demonstrating that personal traits can be consciously evolved to meet professional goals.
Contrary to common advice, Greg Norman's coach had him hit the ball as hard as possible first, then work on accuracy. This pre-loaded power into his swing, allowing him to scale back for control later, rather than struggling to add power to an already precise but weak motion.
Mark Broadie's "Strokes Gained" analysis revealed that ball striking (driving and approach shots) accounts for two-thirds of the skill difference between top pros and average ones. The long-held belief that putting was the key differentiator was incorrect, showcasing how data can overturn conventional wisdom.
Pro golfer Greg Norman's motivation for endless practice wasn't just winning, but chasing the rare feeling of a "perfect" shot, which he claims is better than an orgasm. He considered a round with just 3-5 perfect shots a success. This highlights the power of intrinsic, feeling-based rewards in achieving mastery.