What Is The Average Golf Handicap?
It’s a question among golfers that allows you to instantly assess another’s golfing prowess.
You may be particularly proud of your low handicap, or it may be something you mutter out ashamedly. However, how valuable a metric is the handicap, and how does it affect the average golfer? If you’ve ever wondered how you stack up against the competition, read on to find out how good the average golfer actually is.
The Problem With Golf Handicaps
In economic terms, a figure which is based on past data is known as a trailing indicator.
A golfer’s handicap is exactly that – an assessment of ability to be applied to future golf outings based on past performance. Depending on your club’s duration between assessing handicaps, you may find yours to be grossly out of tune with your current ability, giving you an unfair advantage. Conversely, you may have had a stellar performance during your last handicap assessment period that isn’t being repeated in recent form, and it’s dragging your score down.
Way down. As golfers, we know that consistent form is hard in practicality, and it can vanish as quickly as it takes to walk from the last green to the next tee.
So, What Is the Average Golf Handicap?
It’s time to get into the data. Of the 2 million golfers that participated in the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN) survey, 77% were men (who posted results for 37 rounds on average), and 23% were women (who posted an average of 22 rounds).
Interesting Findings
The year the golf handicaps were sampled offers some interesting data for reflection.
You may be surprised to know that golf handicaps are actually improving over time.
I know that in times of frustration when you’ve hooked yet another ball into the rough, it may not feel like it, but the data collected over a 21-year time period shows a steady and consistent decrease in handicaps. Males have decreased their handicap by 3.2 from a high of 29.7 in 1991, and females have shaved 2 points off their handicap after starting at 16.3 in 1991.
Want to Improve Your Handicap?
It can be disheartening being stuck on the same handicap for months or even years, and it can cause you to lose interest in the game. Especially when you’re putting in tremendous amounts of effort into perfecting your swing, and you aren’t seeing tangible results.
But there’s no need to fret. If you want to start improving your game; or have loftier dreams of a career in golf, the College of Golf at Keiser University is a great first step.
Our team of skilled professionals work with players at all levels to refine all aspects of your game. If you would like to see how we can help raise your game, contact Keiser University College of Golf today.
