Q. What is Player Quality?
A. Player Quality is an algorithmically-driven view of a golfer’s skill or quality level at a given point in time. It’s represented as a number between 0 and 200, with 100 being an approximation for Tour standard and 108 being an approximation for a top-25 player on the tour.
Q. How is Player Quality Calculated?
A. Player Quality is calculated using our proprietary Clippd Aggregated Skill Estimator (CASE) algorithm. The CASE algorithm takes into account all the shots an individual has previously played (Shot Quality data) and predicts what your next shot looks like based on historical trends.
Importance is given to shots played more regularly and that have the greatest impact on your game. Player Quality also factors in and adjusts for whether shots were played on or off the course as well as the circumstances in which a player is hitting their shots. Ie. Tournament, practice rounds and off-course practice. We add different weights to these activities with tournament rounds having the greatest impact on Player Quality and off-course practice having the least.
Total Player Quality is the score given for a player’s overall skill, shown in the blue ring at the top of the dashboard. Total Player Quality can be subdivided into Player Quality in each of the key facets of the game – Off The Tee (OTT), Approach (APP), Around The Green (ARG) and Putting (PUTT). It can also be broken down still further.
Player Quality moves with the player over time, with the algorithm predicting, measuring and adjusting in order to learn the specifics, or ‘DNA’, of each individual player.
Q. Why does an average male tour player have a Player Quality of 100?
A. The CASE algorithm uses a benchmark based on the tour average. From that benchmark, the algorithm has determined that the average male tour player has a Player Quality score of 100.
Q. How does Player Quality relate to handicap?
A. There is a strong link between Player Quality and handicap/scoring, however they are measured in different ways. Player Quality measures at a much more granular level – individual shots – and will therefore be more closely associated with the typical standard of the shots you play during a round. Handicap, on the other hand, simply measures at the aggregate score level.
Player Quality is also much faster to adjust to changes in your performance than handicap, meaning that it gives you a more current view on your ability than handicap does.
Q. How can Player Quality help me improve?
A. Clippd provides clarity on your performance, showing how things have changed over time. It highlights strengths, weaknesses and trends right across your game.
Our data science enables golfers to understand their strengths, weaknesses and surfaces actionable insights into how to improve. As the machine learns, the insights become more tailored and personalised to you.
Every golfer is different and over time Big Data will allow us to see what changes lead to the most improvement in overall performance for individual golfers at different levels and with different styles of play.
Q. What do the practice drills in Clippd measure and what impact do they have on Player Quality?
A. The results from the drills will play into the overall view of your Player Quality, albeit the value of these practice shots is greatly reduced – 5% of on-course shots. This means that your practice shots have an impact on your Player Quality but it is a fraction of your on-course activity.
In comparison, Trackman Tests are valued at 25% of an on-course shot.