Golf is a sport full of unknowns and randomness, and it seems difficult to define it as "average" or "standard". But whether you are a novice or an experienced golfer, most golfers will be curious about where their level ranks among most golfers. What is the standard score of an "ordinary" golfer?

Authoritative data

According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Handicap Index® is a tool to measure the level of golfers. Through this system, the USGA has long tracked the 9-hole and 18-hole scores of millions of golfers. Currently, the average handicap index of American male golfers is 14.2, while the average handicap index of women is 28.7.

These golfers with handicaps usually take golf more seriously and participate in competitions more frequently. According to the National Golf Foundation, the average 18-hole score of American golfers is about 94 strokes. This provides us with a reference, but it does not represent the level of all golfers.

Key factors

Several key factors affect this "average": many casual golfers who play occasionally do not record their scores, and some even have an inaccurate understanding of the rules of golf, resulting in incompletely true scores. In addition, some golfers will arbitrarily give themselves a lower or higher score because of friendly matches.

In recent years, the epidemic has driven the rapid growth of the golf population. A large number of young, female and diverse background golfers have flocked to the golf course. They not only choose traditional 18-hole courses, but are also more interested in non-traditional golf forms such as short courses, golf entertainment centers and 9-hole leagues. This makes the entire golf population more diverse and interesting.

USGA

The USGA and various golf management organizations hope to promote the handicap system to let more novice golfers understand the value of this tool. Not only for participating in competitions, the handicap system is also a fair "regulator" when golfers compete with each other. Lee Rainwater, director of USGA handicap education, said: "Even if it is just a friendly game, the handicap system can balance the gap between different golfers and make the game more interesting." Rainwater emphasized that handicaps can not only be used for competitions, but also help golfers track their progress through objective data. More than 1 million American golfers use the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) application to record their scores. This application not only records scores, but also tracks detailed data such as the number of fairways hit, the number of putts, and the number of greens hit. After the data is aggregated, it will form a complete player statistics chart to help golfers find areas for improvement.

In addition, the GHIN application also has an upgraded version with enhanced GPS support, including attack distance "heat map", putt break map and shot tracking function. With these tools, golfers can not only improve their game strategy, but also better understand their game performance. Another benefit of the handicap system is that it provides many social and competitive opportunities. Whether it is an invitation to participate in a member's guest tournament or a charity event, having a handicap is often a prerequisite. By joining the local state or regional golf association (AGA), players can also get access to some of the top private or public golf facilities.

For those golfers who meet strangers on the course to form a temporary team, handicaps can also avoid embarrassment. You don't need to vaguely say: "I'm probably around 12 strokes." You can confidently say: "I'm 12.2 strokes." As Rainwater said, the handicap system makes golf, a highly social sport, more fun and fair.

In recent years, the USGA and other golf governing bodies have been working to make the handicap system easier to use. For example, starting in 2024, the score of the nine holes will be immediately calculated into the handicap, without having to wait until the second nine holes are completed. This change gives players more flexibility and can get a fair handicap calculation regardless of how many holes they play that day.

Affected by many factors

Golf scores vary from person to person, and are affected by many factors such as player level, course difficulty, and weather conditions. Generally speaking, amateur golfers usually play between 80 and 100 strokes on a standard 18-hole course. Here are some general descriptions of golf strokes:

Professionals: Professional golfers usually play around 70 to 80 strokes on a standard 18-hole course. They have excellent skills and a stable mentality, and can accurately control the ball flight trajectory and landing point to minimize the number of strokes.

Low-level amateur golfers: Low-level amateur golfers may play more than 100 strokes on an 18-hole course. Their hitting skills may not be mature enough, and they need more practice and experience to improve their skills and reduce mistakes.

Ordinary amateur golfers: Most amateur golfers usually play between 80 and 100 strokes. They may have some advantages and some mistakes, and their overall performance is relatively average.

The impact of course difficulty: The design and difficulty of the course will also affect the number of strokes of the golfer. Some courses are more complex in design, such as complex layout, different grass heights, and many water hazards, which may increase the challenge and number of strokes for the golfer.

Weather factors: Weather conditions can also affect a golfer's performance. Factors such as wind, humidity and temperature can affect the ball's flight trajectory and the golfer's feel for hitting the ball, which in turn affects the score.

In general, the score of a golf ball is a relatively subjective and variable indicator, which is affected by many factors. Whether it is a professional or amateur golfer, they need to practice and improve continuously to achieve better results on the course.

Last words

As for the typical image of a golfer, data shows that the golf population in the United States is about 26.6 million, of which about three-quarters are men, and the proportion of female golfers is 26%, which is the highest in history. The average age of golfers is 43.5 years old, while the average age of female golfers is 4.5 years younger. The proportion of people of color such as African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos has reached 23%, which is also a record high.

"What every golfer has in common is their love for the game, the challenge, the outdoors and the company of other golfers," said Greg Nathan, president of the National Golf Foundation. This passion thrives not only on traditional courses, but also in golf recreation centers, stand-alone driving ranges and golf simulators.

So, are you an "average" golfer? The answer probably doesn't matter. The beauty of golf is its diversity, and everyone can find their own fun and fulfillment in it.