Golf-FAQ.com

what is a good golf handicap for men

by Assunta Runolfsdottir Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

  • Golfers between the age of 7 and 12 years have a handicap of 150-180.
  • Golfers between the age of 12 and 20 years have a handicap of 90-180.
  • Golfers between the age of 20 and 30 years have a handicap of 80-90.
  • Golfers between the age of 30 and 70 years have a handicap of 91-94.

7. If your goal is to be in the top 10 percent of men's golfers, here's the handicap you need: 4.9 or better. According to the statistics, 9.77% — or roughly 170,000-plus people — have handicaps below 5. And if you are looking to be in the top 5 percent of golfers, you need to sneak into that 2-handicap range.Sep 9, 2020

Full Answer

What are some good golf handicaps for beginners?

Your target should be something like these (by X date):

  • 15 handicap
  • break 90 for the first time
  • Average 10 pars per round

What is considered a mid to high handicap in golf?

What Is a High Golf Handicap?

  • Definition. A handicap is a numerical calculation of a golfer's on-course ability. ...
  • Calculations. A golf handicap is calculated by compiling a golfer's recent scores and comparing those scores against the difficulty of the courses that were played.
  • High Handicap. ...
  • Ratings. ...
  • Handicap Calculators. ...

What handicap should you aim for at golf?

  • The championship tees (back tees) are for low-handicap men.
  • The middle tees are for middle to high handicap men, low-handicap or long-hitting women, and low-handicap or long-hitting senior men.
  • The forward tees are for middle or high handicap women and seniors, and beginners of all stripes.

What is the highest handicap a golfer can have?

What Is the Maximum Golf Handicap?

  • Definition
  • Male Maximum
  • Female Maximum
  • Course Rating and Slope. Among the most important factors in determining a handicap are the rating and slope of a golf course.
  • Handicap Calculators. There are a number of free online handicap calculators for those interested in learning their handicap.

image

What is a good golf handicap for a man?

What Is A Good 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.

What is the average handicap for a male golfer?

The average handicap index among men Among the 2,305,672 of male golfers who kept a handicap through the USGA, the average handicap for men in the United Stats in 2021 was 14. This is slightly lower than the 14.2 average that was reported in 2020 — perhaps the golf boom has made for more talented golfers?

Is a 20 handicap good for a golfer?

If you goal is to break 100, then a good golf handicap could be a 20. But if you're trying to become a scratch golfer, a 20 handicap is quite a ways from zero. In general, if you can break 90, that is a good standard of golf.

How good is a 15 handicap golfer?

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.

How many golfers can break 90?

14% of golfers do not break 100. 49% of golfers break 90 regularly. 10% of golfers break 80 regularly.

Is a 30 handicap in golf good?

If your handicap sits in the low to mid 30 range, your goal is to start breaking 90 consistently to lower your handicap into the 20s. If your handicap is in the higher 30s or low 40s, set a target of breaking 110 regularly.

How many golfers can break 80?

Only about 2 percent of all golfers ever break 80, which generally is considered the Holy Grail of scoring. To legitimately break 80 — no improved lies; no 3-foot gimmes; no free drop from out of bounds — is to breathe the rarefied air of good, if not great golf.

What does the average golfer shoot on 18 holes?

According to the National Golf Foundation, the average 18-hole score for the average golfer is about 100. This hasn't changed in several decades.

What's a scratch golfer?

A scratch player essentially is one who can manage every aspect of their game, consistently, and can plot their way around the golf course hitting the right shots at the right time. A Scratch golfer will very rarely hit two bad shots in a row and has the mindset to recover rapidly from setbacks in a positive way.

What tees should a 15 handicap play?

Championship/ Back tees are for lower handicapped golfers; most often men. Member/ Middle tees are for middle to higher handicapped male golfers, low-handicap or long hitting ladies, and low-handicap or long-hitting senior men.

How far should you hit a 9 iron?

For men, the average 9 iron distance is between 130-140 yards. A more experienced golfer who makes better contact and is longer, will usually hit it 135 yards and further. A tour pro will hit it closer to 150-160 yards on average. For women, the average will be around 90-100 yards.

How good is a 10 handicap golfer?

A 10 handicap in golf is quite good as it is well below the current US average of 14. To achieve a 10 handicap, an accomplished, competent golfer would need to consistently shoot around 80-85 on average and the occasional sub-80 round with the equally occasional 88 to balance things out.

What percentage of golfers have a 12 handicap?

What Percentage Of Golfers Break Par? (and 70, 80, 90, 100)Handicap IndexPercent of TotalCumulative12.0 to 12.95.72%48.12%13.0 to 13.95.69%53.82%14.0 to 14.95.47%59.28%15.0 to 15.95.10%64.38%34 more rows•Dec 6, 2020

How good is a 7 handicap golfer?

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.

What percentage of golfers can break 80?

Only about 2 percent of all golfers ever break 80, which generally is considered the Holy Grail of scoring. To legitimately break 80 — no improved lies; no 3-foot gimmes; no free drop from out of bounds — is to breathe the rarefied air of good, if not great golf.

How good is a 9 handicap golfer?

Moderate and High Handicaps If a golfer has a handicap between 10 and 18, she is a skilled player with a moderate handicap. Basically, a handicap of 10 means the player consistently shoots 10 strokes higher than the difficulty rating of the courses she plays regularly.

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.

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.

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 Handicap Do Beginners Start On?

When you first start playing golf you do not get assigned a golf handicap. After all, you would not know what handicap to award yourself and it’s only when you have played several rounds of golf that you can start the process of assigning yourself a handicap.

How Do I Calculate My First Golf Handicap?

As set out by the USGA you need to have played at least 54 holes, which is 3 full rounds of golf on an 18 hole course in order to establish your first golf handicap. You can also play on a 9 hole course in order to meet the legal requirement – just a long as you record 54 holes of golf.

What is the Maximum Golf Handicap?

The maximum golf handicap for all players including both men and women is 54. This recent change is designed to encourage more players to take up the sport without being saddled with a gender-focused handicap.

Is a 36 Handicap Good?

A handicap rating of 36 is considered to be a beginner’s score and not good. New golfers are encouraged to practice as often as possible in order to reduce their handicaps and post better scores.

What is a Respectable Handicap?

Although subjective, a golf handicap of around 20 is considered respectable to most club golfers and a handicap of under 10 is regarded as good.

What is a Bad Golf Handicap?

When golfers refer to a bad (or high) handicap, they are generally talking about a handicap of 30 or more. Golf can be a frustrating game so golfers often refer to themselves as having a bad handicap after shooting a high-scoring round of golf.

How Many Rounds Do You Need for a Handicap?

You need to complete three, full rounds or 6 nine-hole rounds of golf in order to receive a golf handicap. Your local golf club will assign you a GHIN number (Golf Handicap and Information Network). You submit your scores via cell phone app or at the score posting terminal at your local course.

What is the handicap of a golfer?

Golfers between the age of 12 and 20 years have a handicap of 90-180. Golfers between the age of 20 and 30 years have a handicap of 80-90. Golfers between the age of 30 and 70 years have a handicap of 91-94.

How many golfers have a handicap?

The answer is one-third of golfers across the country. Around 33- percent of the players have a handicap between 15 and 10. And only 2-percent with a better or scratch handicap. Compared to Australian golfers, American golfers have a comparatively lower handicap in general. Much the same with the UK and England.

What is the average handicap of a female golfer?

Women players, on the whole, have a much higher golf handicap than their male counterparts. In America itself, the average handicap is 26.4. More than 70-percent of female players among them have a handicap above 21. With just a little over 4-percent touching the single-figure handicap level.

Why is golf so fun?

The reason why golf is a fun sport is that most golfers don’t stress about their handicaps. In fact, the majority of them don’t even have any handicap. So how about you go a little easy on yourself. And just make the most of your time on the golf course!

Why do junior golfers have the highest handicap?

That means taking more shots for putting the golf ball in that hole. This explains why junior golfers have the highest handicap. Compared to them, teenagers have greater strength. And that’s the reason behind the improvement of average golf scores. Likewise, your physical and mental capacities decrease with age.

What is the average golf score for a senior?

Nonetheless, the majority of senior players can achieve a score of around 80. And if he/she is an elite golfer, then 60 is a possible-to-score number as well. So the bottom line is that your actual handicap and score depend on your physical fitness. And that’s why age matters such a great deal in golf.

Is there any universal information about handicaps?

That it’s impossible to come across any detailed and universal information about handicaps. Because there’s no one right answer. No matter the geographic location or country. In America, around 8-percent of the male population indulges in the game of golf.

How many strokes is a good golf score?

A good golf score is a maximum of 108 strokes, while a bad score is considered to be 120 strokes or higher. Since golf is such a complex sport, there are many degrees of skill levels. You have the professionals, once a year golfers, and many variations in between. What a good score is for an amateur player will be completely different ...

How many shots are required to par in a 9 hole golf course?

These courses contain 9 holes and are much shorter than a full 18 hole course. This means each hole requires a maximum of only 3 shots to reach par. At least 2 of the holes in a 9 hole course will offer a hole in one chance. All golfers look forward to scoring a hole in one; especially beginners.

How many shots does it take to hit 18 holes?

The extra fairway allows golfers to hit some long shots, and while really testing their skills. The average score a golfer will make after 18 holes is 90 strokes. This means it will take 90 total hits of the ball to complete the full 18 rounds. This figure averages out to be 5 shots per hole.

What does "above par" mean in golf?

What does Above Par Mean in Golf. A good par score for a beginner is scoring a bogey on every single hole! This is also known as scoring above par. In the case of a par 72 course, that means it would take you 6 shots to sink each hole. That would result in a total of 108 strokes for a standard 18 hole course.

What is a par 3 golf course?

Par 3 golf courses are perfect for a fast game of golf. I find 9 holes to be the perfect action packed golf match that leaves you wanting more. Many amateurs and beginners will play their first game of golf on a par 3 course. These courses contain 9 holes and are much shorter than a full 18 hole course.

How many shots do kids get in golf?

Kids score an average of 144 to 180 shots per 18 holes. This averages out to be 8 to 10 shots each hole, 5 more strokes than adult golfers. This is obvious as children lack the strength and coordination skills golf requires. As the golfer gets older, the average stroke different is minimal.

What does 121 mean in golf?

A score of 121 means you’re taking at the minimum 30% more shots to complete a 18 hole course than the average golfer (90 strokes). I believe this skill level falls in the “bad golf score” range.

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.

image

Why Is There A Handicap System?

Image
The idea is to give golfers of different skills, abilities and experience a relatively even playing field. This is not an easy task. It does work, for the most part. Much is built on the trust and honesty that is inherent to the game but for the most part, the system works. It is one of the few if not the only sport in which amateur players c…
See more on golfspan.com

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…
See more on golfspan.com

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 handicap to be the average golfer. The USP…
See more on golfspan.com

Final Thoughts

  • 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. 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...
See more on golfspan.com

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9