In a previous post, I explained how my Putting Probability Tool works. Since then, I have calculated probability data for all 144 golfers from the original All-Time Greats set and made an updated version of the tool (v.1.006) available on my Downloads page.
The tool is an Excel spreadsheet, which means you can manipulate and sort the data many ways. In addition to providing data on the probability of making putts and 3-putting (or worse) from various distances, I have created a 3-putt avoidance “score” for each golfer. When combined with the cumulative “make probability” percentage, it gives you an overall sense of how good of a putter each golfer is.
At the top of my list of Best Overall Putters is Jack Nicklaus (1975), perhaps, to no one’s surprise. However, the second place finisher is Johnny Revolta (1935). Bet you didn’t see that coming! Here are the Top 10 finishers, using my rating system:
The method I used gives much more weight to the ability to make putts versus avoid 3-putts. Basically, the ability to avoid 3-putts serves mostly as a tie-breaker when the ability to make putts is equal (or nearly so.)
At the other end of the spectrum are the Worst Overall Putters. Here’s what that list looks like:
There were very small differences between golfers ranked close together on the list of 144 with the exception of the two extremes. Nicklaus came out significantly ahead of Revolta and Wayne Levi (1990) at dead last rated far worse than the penultimate putter, Al Geiberger (1966).
In future posts I’ll look at some of the other findings, but no need to wait. Download your free copy of the spreadsheet, play around with it, and let me know what you find. If you want, you are welcome to share your discoveries on this site.
If you are interested in learning how to enter your own data, there is a video tutorial available on the Game Caddie Channel. It’s for an older version of the Putting Probability Tool (v.1.003), but most of the differences are cosmetic. A macro-enabled version that makes entering data a little easier is available upon request: smohler9@gmail.com.