Evaluating the Performance of Golfers on the PGA, LPGA and SPGA Tours

James Lambrinos

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to study the variation in the efficiency of professional golfers on the PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA golf tours. Output is measured by earnings per event and inputs are measured by driving distance, driving accuracy, the percentage of greens hit in regulation, number of putts per green hit in regulation, sand saves percentage and scrambling percentage. An efficiency score is obtained for each golfer measuring the extent to which the golfer is earning at their maximum potential, given their inputs. Peer groups are identified for inefficient golfers so that golfers with low earnings can see which golfers have roughly the same inputs but significantly higher earnings.