
Here are 8 takeaways:
- The average handicap index for men is 14.2.
- The average handicap index for women is 27.5.
- The most common handicap index range for men is 13.0-13.9, which consists of 5.42% or just more than 95,000 golfers. ...
- The most common women’s handicap is in the 27.0-27.9 range, which consists of 4.07%, or just under 18,000 golfers.
What is considered a mid to high handicap in golf?
Oct 19, 2020 · USGA Handicap Trends. So, if we want to define a “good handicap” based just on having a lower handicap index than most other golfers with indexes, we answer a handicap lower than 14 for men and less than 28 for women. Here are handicap distributions for men and women in the United States:
What handicap should you aim for at golf?
Aug 27, 2021 · The average golf handicap for a male golfer is 16 and for a female golfer, it’s 28. That gives you an idea if you’re better or worse than average. For the sake of this question, let’s say a 10-handicap is a good golf handicap. That means that the player is shooting between 80-84 on par 72 courses.
What is the highest handicap a golfer can have?
Sep 21, 2021 · Good Handicap for an Average Golfer on the Golf Course? According to US National Golf Foundation, a man’s average index is around 16.1, and a woman golfer’s average is around 29.2. In other words, the average male golfer on a good day will play around 85 or 90, hoping to break 90 that day, and a woman will play about 105.
How to to calculate your golf handicap?
A good handicap score for you as a beginner would be anywhere below 110 for a course of 72 par. As time moves on you will get used to the course as well as learn technicalities of the game which would bring your score down. Anyone who has a final score of 100, in the beginning, is performing better than an average golfer.

What is the average male golf handicap?
The average male golfer has a handicap of 16.1, while the average female has a handicap of 28.9.
Is a 7 handicap good?
Congratulations. As a 7-handicap, you're in the top 21 percent of male golfers—top 3 percent for females—according to the United States Golf Association. A professional career isn't happening anytime soon, but you should be proud of the level you've attained.Feb 20, 2018
What is a respectable golf handicap?
A good golf handicap is ten or less. With a handicap index of ten or less, you will generally shoot somewhere around 82. Shooing in the low 80s is better than average but certainly not good enough to be considered a scratch player.Mar 22, 2021
Is a 20 handicap good for a golfer?
If you want to be considered good you at least need to have an official handicap. The survey found golfers around 16 to 20 handicap to be the average golfer. The USPAG puts the “official” average at a 15 handicap. This would mean a player who typically scores around 90 on the average course.Aug 1, 2019
How good is a 15 handicap golfer?
According to the USGA, nearly 60% of men's handicaps are below 15. This implies that a 15 handicap is a below average golfer. But for me, someone who can break 90 and can shoot the occasional 84 or 85 is a pretty good golfer in the grand scheme of things.Feb 12, 2015
Is a 6.7 handicap in golf good?
A high handicap is anything above 18, but even a high handicap can indicate you are an okay golfer. According to the Golf Channel, the average score for all U.S. golfers is 100. This number takes into account many golfers who play only occasionally.
What's a good golf score on 9 holes?
45A good golf score for 9 holes for the average adult is 45 and considered to be bogey golf. Consider this idea: the average 9 hole score at the turn is 40-70. Scoring below 40 after 9 holes is usually left up to the professional golfers we see every Thursday – Sunday on TV.
What percentage of golfers can break 90?
According to data from the National Golf Foundation, only 26 percent of all golfers shoot below 90 consistently on regulation 18-hole courses; 45 percent of all golfers average more than 100 strokes per round.”Aug 18, 2021
What's my handicap if I shoot 85?
13If you shoot between 81 and 85, your handicap will be between 6 and 9. If you shoot between 86 and 91, your handicap will be between 10 and 13. If you shoot between 92 and 97, your handicap is between 14 and 19. If you shoot between 98 and 101, your handicap is between 20 and 24.
How far should a 70 year old man hit a golf ball?
A 70-year-old man should be hitting a driver anywhere from 180 to 190 yards. This number has grown a bit in the last few years with the introduction of improved driver and shaft technology. At 70 years old, some golfers are having no trouble getting the ball to fly 200 yards or more.
What does a 27 handicap mean?
The Handicap Line Is Used with Your Course Handicap Remember, the purpose of the handicap system is to allow golfers of different playing abilities to play fair matches against one another. If I have a handicap of 27 and you have a handicap of 4, you'll beat me every time if we are using our gross (actual) scores.May 24, 2019
What handicap is a 90 golfer?
around 18The lower the number, the better the golfer. For example, if you typically shoot around 90 on par 72 golf courses, your golf handicap would be around 18.Aug 27, 2021
What Is A Golf Handicap?
The WHS (World Handicap System) was put in place to give golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete on an even playing field. The USGA (United States Golf Association) has detailed information available on the WHS.
So, What Is A Good Golf Handicap?
Defining a “good” golf handicap can be tricky. If you’re a 30-handicap, you probably feel that a 10-handicap is a good golf handicap. It’s all about perspective. The average golf handicap for a male golfer is 16 and for a female golfer, it’s 28. That gives you an idea if you’re better or worse than average.
How To Calculate A Handicap
The golf handicap calculation gets complicated quickly. Most golfers will use a service or phone app to manage their handicap. The most popular is the GHIN phone app. Using this type of service, you simply enter the course, the tees you played, and your score. The application calculates and maintains your golf handicap.
What Is A Good Golf Handicap: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the primary services that maintain golf handicaps, the average male golf handicap is a 16 and the average female golfer is a 28 golf handicap.
Establish Your Golf Handicap Today
What are you waiting for? Establishing a golf handicap is inexpensive (typically less than $30 per year, depending on the service you select). Not only is a golf handicap a great way to play against other players, it’s also the perfect metric to determine if your game is improving.
Golf Index, Handicap and Average Golf Scores
The index and handicap in golf are means of judging and classifying a player’s level. These are two imperative things during competitions. It is also a central aspect of golf, which helps golfers to judge their progress better. Finding the 1-digit index is a very common goal for the vast majority of golfers.
Understanding and Calculating Your Handicap
In golf, the handicap is your ranking, which allows you to compare yourself to other golfers. Your handicap varies according to your results in the competitions in which you participate.
Good Handicap for an Average Golfer on the Golf Course?
According to US National Golf Foundation, a man’s average index is around 16.1, and a woman golfer’s average is around 29.2. In other words, the average male golfer on a good day will play around 85 or 90, hoping to break 90 that day, and a woman will play about 105.
What Handicap is a Professional Golfer?
A pro golfer is good at golf. However, it is sometimes difficult to put into perspective how much better a pro player is than an average or an amateur. An average professional golfer has a handicap index of +5.4, according to the statistics between 2016 and 2020 based on pro golfers’ scores relative to rating and slope.
What is the Average Golf Handicap for a Beginner?
If a person completes a course with par 74 in 85 strokes, his handicap will be 11. In golf, the maximum handicap is 54, and the minimum is 0, equivalent to a professional player. This assessment is used so that golfers of different levels can compete in the same tournament or match.
Average Golf Handicap by Age
Thanks to the amazing handicap system of golf, it is possible for a golfer at any level to play with anyone. It gives the opportunity to golfers of every level to play rounds with each other. Think of yourself playing with Brooke Henderson. However, this idea brings a common question at the forefront: What is the average golf handicap by age?
What is Golf Handicap for, and Why is Age a Great Deal in Golf?
Average golf handicap by age allows all golf players, at their level, to compete with each other in any competition and with equal opportunities to win it. Or, put another way, a handicap is golf’s way of putting all golfers on the same level.
What is the average golfer's handicap?
These players typically score a bogey on most holes. They generally score a bit over 90- and play off around a 20 handicap. According to Golf Digest, the true average is probably a lot higher as a result of players without an official handicap.
What is handicap in golf?
Quite simply expressed, a handicap is a numerical value assigned to the ability of a golfer based on recent past performance. It is typically equal to the number of strokes over par a player will make. As the skill of the golfer increases, the number decreases. A good player that generally makes par or less on a course will have a scratch ...
What does it mean when you have a zero handicap?
Once you achieve a handicap of zero you are considered a scratch golfer. That is obviously a sign of a very good golfer. It means that you can get around a rated course on handicap or on par, or, under par. It will generally take years of practice, dedication and effort to achieve a scratch handicap.
Where did the handicaps originate?
Handicaps date back almost to the origins of golf in Scotland. It was first recorded by Thomas Kincaid in the 17 th century. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and wrote widely on the subject of golf.
Is a scratch player a good golf handicap?
While there is no clear definition of a good golf handicap, if you are in the single digits, you are pretty much there. While not quite a scratch player, you have plenty of experience and get around a course well.
Is a 10-15 handicap good?
If you are in the 10 to 15 handicap range, you are well above average and would be considered good by most standards. For the rest of the golfers near the middle and above, it is all about practice and experience. Most golfers do not become good without years of dedication and effort.
Is 15 a good golf handicap?
By that logic, players below 15 could be considered good. As much as golf is a competitive sport that you play against other players or teams, the most important aspect is personal development. All golfers have goals of shooting under a specific number or achieving a certain handicap.
What is a golf handicap?
The USGA defines a golf handicap as a “mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player’s scoring ability to the level of scratch or zero-handicap golf.”. Basically, a Handicap is the adjustment of the ability ...
How many golfers have a handicap below 10?
Though everyone you meet would say that he’s a single-digit handicap golfer but the stats say that this is not the case. According to the USGA, only 31.31% of the golfers have a handicap below 10. While only 0.92% have a handicap below 1.
How to get a USGA handicap?
To get an official USGA Handicap Index you must register to a golf club authorized by USGA Handicap Index, you must join a golf club authorized by the USGA and submit your golf scores to the authorities for calculating your Handicap index.
How much handicap do you have to have to play golf?
Approximately the average handicap for a male golfer is about 16 and that of a female is 28.9.
What is a good handicap score for a beginner?
A good handicap score for you as a beginner would be anywhere below 110 for a course of 72 par. As time moves on you will get used to the course as well as learn technicalities of the game which would bring your score down. Anyone who has a final score of 100, in the beginning, is performing better than an average golfer.
What is a scratch in golf?
A scratch is a pro golfer, who has a zero-handicap. So, after you have your handicap score, it will be subtracted from your score on the scoreboard which gives you your final score.
Is a handicap of 15-20 good?
For example, a handicap of 15-20 is considered as good for an amateur golfer but the same would not be considered good for the one who has spent many years playing golf. Generally, a handicap is considered as good as long as it is a single-digit number.
What is a good handicap for a male golfer?
If you’re a male, there are different handicap statistics as compared to female golfers. But for most golfers in general, a single digit handicap index is a good golf handicap to strive for. To achieve a single digit golf handicap, you need to score consistently below 80 in golf on par 70 to par 72 holes.
What is the average golf handicap?
This is something about 50% of players achieve since the USGA states the average golf handicap at a 15. To break into the top 10% of golfers, you’d need a really good golf score which means breaking 80 consistently. And the top 1% of golfers break 75.
How many golfers have a handicap of par?
Only 1.5% of golfers achieve a handicap index of par golf or under par golf. But as we stated in this article, just because you’re a scratch golfer doesn’t mean you’re on the same level as professional tour players. Check it out as we highlight the differences between a scratch golfer and pro golfer.
What is the average score for a par 72 golf course?
This would put the average golf score around an 87 to 88 on a par 72 golf course. The average golf score is relative to the golf association just like handicap is. For example, the average golf score on the PGA Tour is in the low 70’s with the top golfers in the world achieving a PGA Tour scoring average of 68-69.9 for the season. ...
What is a good golf score?
What’s a good golf score. The first stage of achieving a good golf score is breaking 100. There are more golfers who score above 100 in golf than there are golfers who score under 100. So good scores in golf would be anything under 100.
What is the average golf score for beginners?
The average golf score of beginners is above 100. The average golf score for amateur women golfers is in the 90’s and in the high 80’s for males. It really depends which category group you are looking to compare to but the overall average would be judged by the handicap system with the USGA and that states males at a 15 to 16 usually year to year.
How many golfers break 90?
It’s estimated that roughly 30% of golfers who play consistently (more than once in their life) achieve a score of 90 or better. It may take several attempts and possibly years of trying but 30% is still a decent amount of golfers breaking 90. Resource: Golf Practice Plan to Break 90.
How high should my handicap be for golf?
It is possible that elite amateur golfers have a “plus” handicap, but playing golf as a beginner, you can expect your handicap to start around 30 or higher . If you dedicate some practice time most weeks and play a couple of times a month, you could come down to a 20 or slightly lower in a year, but that will not be easy.
How to improve your golf handicap?
If you want to reduce your golf handicap, spend at least 50% of your practice time on your short game. Learn how to chip and putt and your handicap will improve.
What is slope rating?
While the course rating applies to a scratch handicap, the slope rating accounts for variances in golf course playing difficulty for golfers of different abilities. If you are talking handicap with friends a couple terms to keep in mind.
What is WHS in golf?
However, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The Royal and Ancient (R&A), working with the various existing handicapping authorities, devised a new World Handicap System ( WHS) which is in the process of being introduced globally and sees the end of Equitable Stroke Control.
What is the rating of a golf course?
All golf courses have a “course rating” and this rating is used to determine how many over or under par you shot. For example, you might play an easy par 72 course that has a rating of 69 or a hard course that has a rating of 74.
What does scratch mean in golf?
If someone says they are “scratch” they mean they are a zero handicap. They shoot even par 40% of the time. If someone says they are a “plus” handicap, it means they shoot under par. Interestingly, your handicap may actually change between countries due to the inconsistencies each organization uses to work it out.
Can you post your handicap on a phone app?
They will enter you in the system and you can start posting scores immediately. If you want your handicap to be accurate, you need to post every score you shoot. You can post via a phone app. If you do not want to sign-up at a golf club, there are online options as well.
What is the maximum handicap for a 38 over par golfer?
Set by the United States Golf Association (USGA) the maximum ranges are as follows: Men 36.4. Women 40.4. So men if you shoot 38 over par consistently your handicap would be 36 and not 38 because you would be scoring above the maximum allowed.
What is handicap in tennis?
A handicap is a number that shows a player’s ability and it’s a way of leveling the playing field in competitions of those with varying abilities. It acts as a number that you can subtract from your score to give you a net score. So it follows the lower the handicap the better the ability of the player.
How many holes of golf are handicapped in 2020?
The good thing about this is that your handicap becomes far easier to transport to playing in different countries. However one of the biggest changes here is that you will be able to get a handicap once you have submitted 54 holes of golf or 3 rounds of 18 holes. Additionally, the highest handicap will be set at 54 regardless of the player’s gender.
How many scorecards do you need to get a handicap?
There is a calculation required and you need to submit a minimum of five scorecards to your club. They will then calculate a handicap after taking into account your adjusted gross score (AGS), the difficulty and the slope rating of the course.
Is there a handicap limit for golf?
Yes, there is a maximum for handicap purposes. To get the AGS first gather the five rounds played. Then you need to adjust the score (AGS) for each round. To figure this out you will need the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC), for your course, which is the maximum number of strokes, allowed per hole. This might be published on ...
Is age a factor in golf score?
As a beginner, you may well be wondering what a good score is for you. Now that does depend on a lot of variables including your age. Age is a really important factor when looking at a beginner’s ability. If it’s your first time playing golf then don’t expect miracles.
Can you hold an official handicap index?
Right well, you can still hold an official handicap index approved by the USGA through various websites. You can submit scorecards online and they do the rest. The advantage here is that you may need to prove an official handicap where a course requires it.
How to get the most distance out of a golf driver?
2. Hit Up on the Golf Ball. The driver is the one club in your bag that you want to ‘hit up’ with while swinging. Since the ball is on a tee, an upward angle is the most effective for getting the most distance out of your driver.
How far can an amateur golfer drive?
What is the average driving distance for amateur golfers? The average driving distance for amateur golfers is 216 yards across all handicaps and age groups, as reported by the USGA in their 2020 distance insights report. 56% of amateur golfers drive the ball between 200-250 yards, and only 31% drive the ball over 250 yards.
What percentage of golfers now spend time in the weight room?
Times have definitely changed, and we would venture to say that at least 90% of PGA Tour players now spend time in the weight room.
How much driving distance do you lose in golf after 40?
Golfers can expect to lose about one yard of driving distance each year after turning 40. Interestingly, there is not much difference in driving distance in the 20’s and 30’s age group.
Is driving the golf ball fun?
Driving the golf ball may only be one small segment of the game of golf but, let’s be honest, it is the most fun! After all, nothing comes with more bragging rights on the golf course than driving the ball further than all your playing partners. If you want to increase your driving distance, here are a few short tips.

Why Is There A Handicap System?
How Did The Handicap System Come Into Effect?
- Handicaps date back almost to the origins of golf in Scotland. It was first recorded by Thomas Kincaid in the 17thcentury. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and wrote widely on the subject of golf. Quite simply expressed, a handicap is a numerical value assigned to the ability of a golfer based on recent past performance. It is typically equal to the n…
So, What Is A Good Golf Handicap?
- According to UK site Golf Monthly, Insurers Golf Care did an extensive survey into handicaps. While, as we have said before, many players do not register for an official handicap, it is still the best way to measure skills. If you want to be considered good you at least need to have an official handicap. The surveyfound golfers around 16 to 20 hand...