Lie Types for Strokes Gained

Two key pieces of information are used to calculate Strokes Gained for each shot in 18Birdies:

• Distance to the Pin
• Lie Type

This article explains the different lie types available in 18Birdies, what each one means, and why choosing the correct lie is important for accurate Strokes Gained stats.

Why Lie Type Matters

Your lie affects the expected number of strokes it will take to finish the hole.

For example, a PGA Tour player is expected to take 2.8 strokes to get the ball in the hole from 100 yards in the fairway. However, from the rough, that number increases to 3.0 strokes. 

In general, the more difficult the lie, the more shots it takes to complete the hole. Selecting the correct lie ensures your Strokes Gained categories and calculations are as accurate as possible.

Lie Types in 18Birdies

In 18Birdies, you can choose from five different lie types in Smart Tracking mode depending on where your shot starts:

• Tee: Flat, manicured surface where you can place the ball anywhere within the teeing area. This lie is automatically assigned for your first shot on each hole.
• Fairway: The short grass area between the tee and green. This is typically the easiest place to hit from (besides the tee box).
• Rough: Longer grass surrounding the fairway. Shots from the rough are more difficult to control and can reduce accuracy and distance.
• Sand: Any bunker or sand trap, whether greenside or in the fairway. Shots from sand require more precision and can be challenging to execute consistently.
• Recovery: A situation where you cannot play a normal shot – often due to obstacles like trees, bushes, or hazards blocking your path. Recovery shots usually require sideways or creative play and take more strokes to reach the green.

The more accurate you are with lie selection, the more meaningful your Strokes Gained stats will be, helping you better understand where you’re gaining or losing strokes in your game.

Smart Tracking: Auto Lie Detection

When you are tracking your score with Smart Tracking, most courses will have Auto Lie Detection. Based on the location of your shot, the lie will automatically be assigned based on our course maps! This makes tracking with 18Birdies easier and more accurate than ever. 

🛠️ Auto Lie Detection can only assign Tee, Fairways, Rough, and Sand lies. For recovery shots, you will need to update the lie manually.