Read your dispersion before choosing a target
An average distance tells only part of the story. A dispersion map shows how shots are spread around a target, helping a player and coach discuss club choice and the consequences of a miss.
Look beyond the best shot
A club’s best strike is not a reliable description of every shot. Review the cluster: its centre, its width, its length and the less common misses. The pattern is more useful when it represents the shots the player is likely to hit.
Check how many shots are included and how they were collected. A pattern from a small sample or a different set of conditions should be interpreted cautiously.
Separate carry, target and finishing position
Carry distance, distance to the intended target and proximity to the pin answer different questions. A shot can finish close to the pin without matching the intended plan, or miss the pin while following a sensible target.
When comparing clubs, use the same units and understand which distances are being displayed. Do not treat total distance and carry as interchangeable.
Consider the whole pattern against the hole
Look at where the dispersion would sit relative to the green and surrounding hazards. A target that looks attractive for the centre of the pattern may leave a substantial part of the usual misses in trouble.
Use the pattern to discuss choices, not to assume that every future shot will land inside an ellipse. Wind, lie, elevation and the day’s execution can change the outcome.
Bring the discussion into MetriQ
MetriQ displays club dispersion on course maps, alongside distances that help frame the decision. Review the player’s pattern with the coach, then connect the questions it raises to practice and subsequent rounds.
Keep a distinction between what the data shows and what you infer. The separate intention × execution × outcome analysis described on the MetriQ site is marked as coming soon in the app.
A practical guide from MetriQ Golf. Dispersion describes a sample of shots; it does not guarantee where the next shot will finish.