What post-tournament statistical data is most useful in planning course difficulty levels from year to year?

In planning course difficulty levels from year to year, analyzing hole-by-hole scores provides the most valuable statistical data. This detailed breakdown allows tournament organizers and course managers to assess which specific holes posed challenges for players during the event. By examining the average scores, birdies, bogeys, and other relevant statistics for each hole, they can pinpoint areas that may need modification to either increase or decrease the difficulty.

For instance, if a particular hole consistently yields high scores, it may indicate that the hole is too challenging, prompting adjustments such as redesigning the layout or altering tee placements. Conversely, if another hole results in low scores across the board, it may suggest that its difficulty level could be raised to provide a more balanced challenge for future tournaments.

While finishing times, field size, and formats can provide context about the tournament's overall structure and player performance, they do not offer the same level of insight into the specific challenges presented by the course itself as hole-by-hole scores do. This detailed analysis enables more informed decision-making about course adjustments to enhance the competitive experience for future tournaments.