As the Ryder Cup heads to Bethpage Black, the competition between Team USA and Europe is no longer just about swing speed and clutch shots—it’s also a high-stakes game of data and strategy.

The Ryder Cup, long known for its intense atmosphere and high-pressure moments, has evolved into a battleground where data-driven decisions play a crucial role in determining the outcome. While the world’s top golfers still rely on their nerves and skill, the modern tournament has become a proxy war between teams of analysts and consultants who scrutinize vast amounts of statistics to inform every choice, from team selection to course setup and player pairings.

Jason Aquino, founder of Scouts Consulting Group, highlights that his role with Team USA is to provide the captain with the necessary data to make informed decisions. With the U.S. team captained by Keegan Bradley, the process involves continuous communication, from text messages to video conferences, to ensure that every decision is backed by analysis. Aquino has been working with the Americans since their 2016 win at Hazeltine and has been deeply involved in every major decision since Bradley was named captain. In fact, Bradley even left himself off the team roster after a strong performance in the past year, showing a willingness to take a step back and rely on the data and advice of his team.

The home advantage also plays a significant role, as the host team can tailor the course to suit their players’ strengths. This includes adjusting tee boxes, green speeds, and rough lengths. However, the traditional assumptions about player performance have shifted, requiring more nuanced analysis. For example, the Americans used to benefit from longer setups due to their powerful hitters, but Europe has closed that gap, making the insights more granular than ever. In the 2023 edition in Italy, Team Europe used data to determine that longer approach shots and drivable par-4s would be advantageous, a strategy that led to their seventh consecutive victory on home soil.

Player pairings, particularly in four-ball and foursomes formats, are among the most complex decisions. Finding the right combinations involves assessing not only statistical strengths but also personal compatibility, as even the best data can’t fully capture the dynamics between individuals. In four-ball, each player competes individually, with only the best score from each two-man team counting on every hole. This format rewards volatility—players who birdie half the holes and bogey the other half can be more valuable than someone who cards 18 pars.

Foursomes, where each pair shares just one ball and takes alternate shots, is even more complicated. Captains have to sift through factors such as which players are better at teeing off on which holes and whose approach game fits with another player’s driving distance to find the best tandem. At Bethpage, the data suggests that the odd-numbered holes favor longer players off the tee.

Edoardo Molinari, an Italian golfer and vice captain for Team Europe, emphasizes that foursomes is the most time-consuming aspect of the strategy. “It’s all like a big puzzle where you need all the pieces to fit together to make it work, which is very difficult,” he says.

While data is a powerful tool, it cannot account for everything. Two players might look like statistical fits but not get along as individuals. This is a reminder that even the most advanced analytics can’t fully capture the human element of the game. As Aquino notes, the success of the Ryder Cup isn’t solely determined by spreadsheets—it’s a blend of hard data and the “squishy things” that make the game human.

Moreover, the psychological pressure of the event remains a key factor. The Ryder Cup is known for its fierce rivalry and the intense atmosphere created by the fans, which can affect even the most composed players. The data may guide the strategy, but the ability to perform under pressure remains a critical component of success.

As the teams prepare for the showdown at Bethpage Black, the balance between analytics and instinct will be more crucial than ever. The outcome may well hinge on the interplay between the cold, calculated insights of the analysts and the unpredictable, human side of the game.