Stick welding electrode holder systems and methods

A welding system, comprising:

• a welding torch;
• and
• a computer configured to:
• determine an initial position of a welding operation;
• determine a terminal position of the welding operation;
• determine a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position;
• and
• determine a welding score based on the welding path,
• wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding or a length of the welding path, and determining the welding score comprises disregarding a first portion of the welding path starting at the initial position or a second portion of the welding path starting at the terminal position.

A method for providing a welding score, comprising:

• determining an initial position of a welding operation;
• determining a terminal position of the welding operation;
• determining a welding path between the initial position and the terminal position;
• and
• determining the welding score based on the welding path,
• wherein the welding score takes into account a time used for welding or a length of the welding path, and determining the welding score comprises disregarding a first portion of the welding path welded during a first time period and a second portion of the welding path welded during a second time period.