Trevor Ng
Golf is a game that revolves around progress and improvement. Tracking scores is an essential aspect of the sport, allowing golfers to gauge their performance and set realistic goals to enhance their game. One of the key metrics in golf is the handicap index, which provides insight into a player's skill level and potential. This index is calculated based on a player's best rounds, factoring in course and slope ratings, with lower handicap values indicating better players. Various organisations, such as the USGA and The R&A, have established systems to standardise the calculation of golfers' abilities globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average score for 18 holes for recreational golfers | 100 |
| Average score for 9 holes for recreational golfers | 45 |
| Average score for men for 18 holes | 94 |
| Average score for women for 18 holes | 94 |
| Average handicap for men | 13-14.2 |
| Average handicap for women | 27-28.7 |
| Average handicap for high handicap golfers | 20 and above |
| Average score for golfers with a handicap of 20 and above | 90s and 100s |
| Average score for men with a handicap of 13 | mid-80s to low 90s |
| Average score for women with a handicap of 27 | mid-90s and above |
| Bogey rating calculation factor for women | 4.24 |
| Bogey rating calculation factor for men | 5.381 |
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What You'll Learn
The average golfer's score
Golf is a sport that can be unpredictable, and it can be challenging to define what an "average" score looks like. However, according to the USGA, which has tracked the scores of millions of golfers through a handicap system, the average golfer shoots around 100 on an 18-hole course. This is supported by the National Golf Foundation's surveys of over 36,000 golfers, which concluded that the average 18-hole score for men and women in the United States is about 94.
It's important to note that these averages may not include the scores of millions of recreational golfers who play occasionally and do not keep score. Additionally, some golfers may not follow the rules correctly, resulting in inaccurate scores. The average score can also vary depending on the difficulty of the course, with courses featuring obstacles such as tricky doglegs or deep bunkers having a higher slope rating and presenting more challenges for the average golfer.
Handicap indexes, such as the World Handicap System established by the USGA, provide a more standardised way to calculate a golfer's ability. This system takes into account golfers' best rounds, factoring in course and slope ratings. The average handicap index for men is around 13-14.2, and for women, it is approximately 27-28.7. These handicaps can give insight into scoring, with golfers with a handicap of 20 or above typically shooting in the 90s or 100s.
While the average scores can provide a benchmark, it's important to remember that progress in golf is personal. Tracking your scores and focusing on consistent improvements can help you see definitive results and push you to do better.
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How handicaps are calculated
Golf handicaps are an essential aspect of the game, allowing players of different skill levels to play against each other. A handicap is a measure of a golfer's ability, with a ""scratch golfer" being an excellent golfer with a handicap of zero. For example, a golfer with a handicap of 15 will generally shoot 15 strokes higher than a scratch golfer on a course of standard difficulty. Handicaps are also used to track a golfer's progress and improvement over time, and to ensure fair play.
The World Handicap System (WHS), launched in 2020, provides an official handicap to golfers worldwide, using a single, consistent measure. This system uses the term "differential" to refer to the number of strokes over par at the end of a round of golf. For instance, if a golfer shoots 90 on a par 72 course, their differential is 18. The system then tracks the golfer's past 20 differentials, discarding the worst 12, and averaging the best 8. This average of the best 8 differentials is roughly the golfer's handicap.
The calculation of a handicap index involves taking the course rating, slope rating, and adjusted gross score to determine a handicap differential for each round played. The formula for this calculation is: (113 / Slope Rating) x (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating – Playing Conditions Calculation). The handicap index is then determined by selecting the best 8 differentials from the past 20 rounds and dividing the total by 8. The final figure represents an accurate handicap.
It's important to note that the handicap index does not predict a golfer's average score but reflects their expected performance on a course of average difficulty. A Course Handicap enables golfers to compete fairly across any golf course, taking into account the difficulty of the course and the tees being played from. The course handicap can be calculated using the formula: Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating / 113). This calculation can be done automatically on the My EG app or by consulting a board at the golf course, usually located near the first tee.
Additionally, the Slope Rating is a measure of the relative difficulty of a course for golfers with different handicaps. A higher Slope Rating indicates a more challenging course for high-handicap golfers, with factors such as longer holes, more water hazards, and tighter fairways. The Slope Rating is available on the R&A Course Rating and Slope Database for golfers to reference when calculating their handicaps.
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Course and slope ratings
Golf courses are assigned a Course Rating and a Slope Rating, which are used to determine the relative difficulty of a course for a high-versus-low-handicap golfer. The Course Rating is the expected score for a
The Slope Rating is based on the difference between the Bogey Rating and the Course Rating. The higher the Slope Rating, the more difficult the course will be for non-scratch golfers. A Slope Rating of 113, which is considered the average, indicates a moderate increase in difficulty. A course with a higher slope means more obstacles that could make the game harder for the average golfer. For example, a course with a Slope Rating of 121 would create a ratio of 121/113, meaning it's 7% harder for non-scratch golfers.
The calculation for the Slope Rating is as follows:
- Bogey Rating - Course Rating) x 5.381 = Men's Slope Rating
- Bogey Rating - Course Rating) x 4.240 = Women's Slope Rating
The Slope Rating, along with the Course Rating, evaluates the playing difficulty of the course for the scratch player and the bogey player under normal playing conditions. These ratings are already determined and provided on the scorecard, so golfers can use them to choose the correct tee boxes and clubs for their skill level.
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Average scores by age
Golf is a game of lifelong improvement, and age can impact a player's performance. While youth is often associated with lower scores due to flexible limbs and fearless attitudes, the relationship between age and skill level is more nuanced.
For instance, tweens and younger children tend to have higher handicaps as they are still grappling with the fundamentals of the game. In contrast, teenagers start to see a more noticeable drop in their scores as their power meets precision. However, it's important to remember that physical coordination and mental toughness develop at different rates, so some younger players may progress faster than others.
When it comes to adults, it's interesting to note that, aside from the most senior golfers, the highest scores are often reported by those in their 30s and 40s. This demographic often represents golf's lost generation, as they are in the most intense part of their careers and have less time to devote to the game. However, golfers in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s can show improvement with dedicated practice and lessons, refining their short game and course management.
Across all age groups, the average golfer tends to shoot around 90 to 95 shots per round. The average 18-hole score for men and women in the United States is about 94, with men scoring around the mid-80s to low 90s, and women scoring in the mid-90s or higher. These averages have remained relatively stable despite changes in golfing gear.
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Average scores by gender
Golfers with a handicap of 20 or above usually shoot in the 90s or 100s. The average handicap for men is 13, and they typically score in the mid-80s to low 90s. Women, on the other hand, have an average handicap of 27, which often translates to scores in the mid-90s or higher. The National Golf Foundation found that the average 18-hole score for men and women in the United States is about 94.
It is important to note that the average scores reflect those who actively submit their scores online. Some groups may be more or less active in submitting their scores, which can impact the perceived average. Additionally, slope ratings, which measure playing difficulties, differ for men and women. The calculation uses the difference between bogey ratings and course ratings, with the ratings multiplied by a fixed, constant factor. For women, this factor is 4.24, while for men, it is 5.381.
The USGA has long tracked the 9- and 18-hole scores of millions of golfers through a handicap system. The Handicap Index®, used by about 3.2 million players in the US, is a tool that measures a player's ability on a course of standard playing difficulty, tailored to the course and tees they play on a given day. The average Handicap Index is 14.2 for men and 28.7 for women.
While tracking your scores and comparing them to averages can be motivating, it is important to remember that golf is a game of progress and your biggest competition is yourself. Small improvements in your game can lead to significant changes over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Your handicap is based on your best rounds, factoring in the course and slope ratings. The system encourages steady improvement—every time you play golf, you build a more accurate picture of your skill level.
A good score depends on your skill level. For many players, breaking 100, 90, or 80 is a milestone. For beginners, it may be 120 or higher. Only one in ten golfers breaks 80 with any regularity. Shooting par or breaking 70 is a sign of excellence.
A bogey golfer is a player with a handicap of 20 or above. They usually shoot in the 90s or 100s.
