The Analytics of Improvement: Data-Driven Golf with Cory Jez | PGA Players' Podcast #18

Key highlights from the episode

• Context matters in every shot—analytics go beyond the numbers, spotlighting the “why” and “where” that drive performance gains.

• Differentiating roles between technical skill and strategic decision-making helps identify the true levers for improvement.

• Gamified practice routines transform data into clear, actionable feedback for athletes at any stage.

• Rapid analysis means faster correction: pros use these tools to spot weaknesses and pivot training almost in real time.

• Scalable systems like these are just as valuable for collegiate and developing athletes as they are for seasoned PGA Tour players.

The rise of performance analytics in golf and the shift from generic stats to real insight

Step onto the modern PGA Tour and you’ll notice a new playbook in the hands of top contenders—not just swing coaches, but a different kind of strategist. Gone are the days when raw stats or a few numbers scribbled on a scorecard told the full story. Analytics, once the province of MLB front offices and NBA game plans, are now woven into the routines of elite golfers. But true insight means more than tallying strokes; it’s about context, nuance, and action.

Cory Jez’s approach builds on this evolution, transforming data from mere coordinates or ShotLink logs into meaningful decision points. The foundation lies in what he calls “expected strokes”—layering historical shot data, course trends, and real on-course variables to separate genuine skill issues from statistical mirages. The difference between a difficult greenside chip and a “bad chipper” is made explicit. This is analytics deconstructed—turning what looks like a string of numbers into a valuable asset, targeting improvement where it counts and saving a player from spinning their wheels on the range.

The CEO mindset—intentional, efficient practice routines; time as scarce capital

Professional golfers operate as businesses of one. Unlike a basketball or football team, where every training minute is scheduled and tracked, golfers must own their game plan from Monday through Sunday. The lesson borrowed from the pros: treat your day, your routine, your prep as a CEO would—no wasted energy, no empty reps.

This means more than showing up early or logging the most hours. It’s about ruthless efficiency. Champions design their Monday-to-Wednesday game plan with the same intentionality as a team sculpting a championship roster. Each segment of practice carries purpose—warm-up, technical refinement, execution under pressure—all measured, never idle. Jez drills this home: the best players not only know what they’re practicing, they know why they’re practicing it, turning intention into measurable progress. Every drill is built for outcome, with routines that adapt across weeks, tournaments, and venues, keeping every action tied to results that matter under the gun.

Turning numbers into championship practice: gamification, measurement, and course-specific game plans

Building skill is about more than muscle memory. In this new era, practice is gamified, randomized, and periodized. Gone are the endless block-drilled buckets and monotonous routines. Instead, every session becomes a pressure scenario, a scoreboard, or a game—win or lose, with consequences. Whether it’s a customized wedge combine or a “walk of shame” chipping game, accountability runs through the full spectrum of skill acquisition.

These games have three unbreakable rules: they must allow the player to win or lose, represent real on-course scenarios (right down to the pins and lies a player will face next week), and increase in difficulty as skills develop. Results are tracked, flaws uncovered, and technical fixes are separated from strategic misconceptions. This extends to tournament-specific prep. Analytics pinpoint exactly which distances, pin placements, or green speeds matter most at a given venue. The player’s practice transforms into a tailored boot camp—no guesswork, every rep delivering a tangible return.

The enduring advantage of playing the long game with data and intention

In both golf and generational wealth, sustained success springs from understanding every detail, integrating information, and applying it with intention—never leaving the outcome to talent alone. With analytics as the backbone and intentionality as the compass, elite players—and families—build routines that withstand pressure, adapt to changing courses, and translate skill into lasting legacy. That’s the difference between a flash of brilliance and a 100-year standard for excellence.

Links:

Cory Jez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coryjez/

TourIQ: https://www.tour-iq.com/