Here is the way the USGA currently defines the term in its handicapping manual, broken down into its three parts:
- A "scratch golfer" is a player who can play to a course handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses.
- A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in...
How do scratch golf Scratch Scores work?
This is done by having golfer deduct his handicap from his final scores. For instance, a scratch golfer who shoots 72 on the round would list her score as 72, while a 14 handicapper who shoots 86 would deduct 14 strokes from her final scores, and also shoot 72 for the round, per scramble rules.
Is Scratch Golf difficult?
It is a long, winding journey that is easier for some golfers, and much more difficult for others. Most will not reach scratch golf. According to the USGA, less than 2 percent of golfers have a handicap of zero or lower. That is because it is incredibly difficult, and it takes a great deal of time to accomplish this goal.
What is the average approach distance for a scratch golfer?
This, when correlated with the average approach distance for the Pro Golfers, 175 yards, means that a scratch golfer would on average be playing the approach shot from around 205 yards. This will add 2.52 strokes over the course of a round.
How many scratch golfers are there?
How Many Scratch Golfers Are There? According to the USGA, 1.6-percent of male golfers who have a USGA Handicap Index have indexes of zero or better. Among women golfers, the percentage is even smaller: 0.37-percent. So the percentage of golfers who are scratch is very, very small.
What qualifies as a scratch golfer?
The USGA love their numbers, and they define a male scratch golfer as being able to hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two strokes. In comparison, a female scratch golfer to hit tee shots on average 210 yards and be able to reach a 400-yard hole in two shots.
What percentile is a scratch golfer?
1.85 percentApproximately 1.85 percent of male golfers are scratch or better, while 0.69 percent of women are scratch or better. However, lots of professional golfers don't enter their scores on the reg, either in recreational rounds or from competition.
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 far do scratch golfers hit driver?
We see a similar trend on the DP World Tour, where the average driving distance was 296.2 yards in 2021, a 10-yards improvement since 2003. A scratch golfer would, on average, be 37 yards behind a tour pro off the tee.
What does it take to be a scratch golfer?
What Does it Take to Become a Scratch Golfer? Being a scratch golfer is defined as “a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses.”. Most of us would associate it with having a handicap of zero. In plain words, scratch golf means that on a neutral golf course a player has the ability to shoot par on any given ...
What does scratch golf mean?
In plain words, scratch golf means that on a neutral golf course a player has the ability to shoot par on any given day. Becoming a scratch golfer is the ultimate goal for many players. I have been chasing it for more than 20 years. Currently, my handicap sits at .7, and I am right there.
What is the difference between scratch golfers and the rest of the pack?
The difference between a scratch golfer and the rest of the pack is that they know they can recover from these mistakes. It is incredibly rare to see a golfer at this level make two disastrous mistakes in a row. That takes a combination of mental fortitude, course management skills, and of course physical talent.
Is scratch golf a steady ship?
Tempers and negativity should have no part of your game. Remaining positive, and keeping your emotions at bay is critical. Scratch golf is a steady ship.
Is scratch golf harder than a golf handicap?
It is a long, winding journey that is easier for some golfers, and much more difficult for others. Most will not reach scratch golf. According to the USGA, less than 2 percent of golfers have a handicap of zero or lower. That is because it is incredibly difficult, and it takes a great deal of time to accomplish this goal.
Does scratch golf happen by accident?
At this level, you really need to be doing something golf related almost every day. Scratch golf does not happen by accident! Striking a balance between effective practice and playing is key. Doing too much of either will hinder your progress.
Do scratch golfers make double bogeys?
They are remarkably steady with their games. They don’t make double bogeys much, and are hitting tons of greens in regulation.
What is a scratch golfer?
According to the USGA, a scratch golfer is defined as "a player who can play to a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. A male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots at sea level.
How many strokes can a scratch golfer deduct?
For instance, a scratch golfer who shoots 72 on the round would list her score as 72, while a 14 handicapper who shoots 86 would deduct 14 strokes from her final scores, and also shoot 72 for the round, per scramble rules.
What is a slope rating in golf?
For instance, a course with a slope rating of 92 is what a bogey golfer can expect to shoot on that course, with even par being 74.
How many yards can a female scratch golfer hit?
A female scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400-yard hole in two shots at sea level.".
What is a course rating?
Course rating is a number assigned to a course that indicates its difficulty in relation to a scratch golfer. For instance, a scratch golfer can expect to shoot 72 on a course rated 72, 74 on a course rated 74, and so on.
How many pars can you shoot with a 19 handicap?
For instance, while a scratch golfer has a 0 handicap, golfers with 12 and 19 handicaps can expect to shoot 12 over par and 19 over par, respectively, during their average round.
How many yards can a scratch golfer drive?
For golf course rating purposes, which is the foundation of determining player handicap indexes, a "scratch golfer" is a player who can drive the ball at least 250 yards and can reach a 470-yard hole in two shots at sea level.
What is a golf course handicap?
A course handicap is how many strokes an individual player gets on a specific course based on their handicap index and the course rating. The scorecard par really has nothing to do with defining a golfer's handicap index. A golfer's handicap index takes into account the best 10 scores of a golfer against each course rating, ...
Is a scratch golfer better than a scratch?
If a scratch golfer plays in a net tournament, their gross score is the same as their net score, or worse. A scratch golfer can have better than a 0.0 USGA Handicap Index. They could have a positive handicap and be better than scratch, meaning they actually have to add strokes to their score in a net competition.
How many yards can a scratch golfer hit?
According to the USGA, a male scratch golfer, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots approximately 250 yards at sea level, while reaching a 470-yard hole in two shots. Meanwhile, a female scratch golfer can hit an average of 210 yards off the tee box while reaching a 400-yard hole in two shots at sea level.
What is the highest handicap in golf?
For instance, a scratch golfer has a handicap of 0 (or par) while a high handicap is considered 20 and above. The highest handicap the USGA recognizes is 36 for men and 40 for women; this is the golfer's strokes over par on a USGA-recognized course.
What is a bogey golfer?
Bogey Golfers. While a scratch golfer is defined as having a 0 handicap, a "bogey golfer" is defined as having an 18 handicap. What this essentially means is that a "bogey golfer" will bogey every hole on an 18-hole courses, leaving him 18 over par; hence, the 18 handicap.
What is handicap calculation?
Calculating a handicap defines a scratch golfer. By measuring a player's recent scores on golf courses of differing difficulties, a calculation exists by which a number is assigned--this being the handicap.
Can scratch golfers play to zero handicap?
Scratch golfers can play to a zero handicap on any rated golf course. Anyone who's heard the term "scratch golfer" might be confused about its meaning. Fortunately, a better understanding of golf handicaps, course and slope ratings and other factors can help define the term in a clear and simple way.
Can you deduct a 10 handicap golfer?
Typically, a 10-handicap golfer will be able to deduct 10 strokes from her final tally, while a scratch golfer won't be able to deduct any. This helps even the playing field for non-professional golfers looking to enjoy some scramble or tournament competition.
What is scratch golf?
The short answer to your question “what is a scratch golfer” is that a scratch golfer is someone who can shoot the course rating at any golf course they go play. Course rating?
How many rounds of golf do you need to get a handicap?
You’ll need roughly 20 rounds of golf that get turned into the golf course club house that tracks your handicap. If you’re not a member of a golf course then enter your scores manually online at the USGA website.
How wide is a golf ball?
The ball is 1.68 inches in diameter, and the functional striking area on a golf club is about 1.5-inches wide. If you vary in your setup by even 3/4 inch, you have imposed a serious obstacle to success. If you do nothing else to improve your golf game, learn how to set up the same way every time.
What is the first step in golf?
First the foundation , then the framing, roof, exterior walls, interior, paint, and trim. You can’t do one before the other. In golf, it all starts with the grip. If you do not hold the club properly, you’ll never accomplish a sound golf swing.
What is a golf swing?
In contrast, the golf swing is just that – a swing of the club. You have total control over where the ball is going to be so that you can be quite precise in the relationship between your body and the ball and the target line. You can swing when you want to at the pace you find comfortable.
Is golf swing forgiving?
The golf swing is not a very forgiving thing. If you are too close to the ball or too far, if it’s too far forward or backward, if you are aligned right or left of your intended line, your chances of success are diminished quickly and significantly.
Is golf a hitting action?
Learn to “swing” the club, not “hit” the ball. This sounds simple, but the golf swing is not a hitting action: it’s a swinging action. The baseball hitter is just that, because the ball is in a different place every time – high, low, inside, outside, curve. He has to rely on quick eye-hand coordination.