Golf term
Baseline (Expected Strokes)
A baseline is the average number of strokes a benchmark golfer needs to hole out from a given distance and lie — the reference every strokes gained calculation is measured against.
Baselines come from large shot datasets (for example PGA Tour ShotLink). From 8 feet on the green the tour baseline is about 1.50 putts; from 150 yards in the fairway it’s roughly 3 strokes to hole out. Your shot gains or loses strokes relative to that number.
Related terms & guides
Strokes Gained
Strokes Gained Explained: The Complete Guide
Strokes gained measures every shot against a benchmark of expected scores, revealing exactly where you gain or lose strokes versus a chosen standard — instead of guessing from fairways, greens, and putts.
Glossary
Scratch Golfer
A scratch golfer is a player with a Handicap Index of 0.0 — someone who, on average, plays to the course rating from the tees they use.
Glossary
Bogey Golfer
A bogey golfer is a player whose Handicap Index is roughly 18 (men) or 24 (women) — someone who averages about one over par per hole.
Guide
How strokes gained is calculated