Golf Score: What Type of 80’s Shooter are You?
by Dr. T.J. Tomasi A Legacy Post by Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research (1940-2023)
According to the National Golf Foundation, a bunch of people who get paid to figure stuff like this out, the average score shot by the 25 million or so American golfers is ~102. A mere ten percent of all players consistently break 100. Only five percent break 90 and less than one percent break 80. In a typical round, golfers who consistently break 100 but fail to shoot lower than 90 hit only four fairways with their tee shots, take 40 putts, and usually don’t make any birdies. Golfers who consistently shoot lower than 90 typically hit six fairways with their tee shots, take only 32 putts, and commonly make no more than one birdie during the round. At first blush, that probably doesn’t seem like much of a statistical difference to you. Certainly, it’s not a difference so insurmountable that you can’t close the gap. So, what is it about the 80’s shooters that sets them apart from the 90’s shooters?
What is a Golf Handicap?
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s potential ability, calculated to allow players of different skill levels to compete on an even playing field. The handicap system takes into account a golfer’s recent scores, the difficulty of the courses played, and adjusts scores to reflect performance. It allows players to determine how many strokes they should receive in relation to par on any given course. This system promotes fair competition and encourages improvement by providing a benchmark for golfers to gauge their progress. Essentially, a lower handicap indicates a more skilled player, while a higher handicap reflects a less experienced golfer.
How to Calculate a Golf Handicap?
To calculate a golf handicap, you first need to record your scores over a series of rounds, ideally at least 20. For each round, calculate your Adjusted Gross Score (AGS) by adjusting for any maximum score per hole based on the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) guidelines. Next, determine the Course Rating and Slope Rating for each course played. Subtract the Course Rating from your AGS, then multiply the result by 113 (the standard Slope Rating) and divide by the Slope Rating of the course. This will give you a Handicap Differential for each round. The handicap is then calculated by averaging the lowest 10 of your most recent 20 Handicap Differentials and multiplying the average by 0.96.
To shoot an 80, your handicap should generally be around 8-12, meaning you typically score 8-12 strokes above par on average. To shoot a 90, a handicap of about 18-22 is common, indicating you usually score 18-22 strokes above par. For shooting a 100, a handicap of approximately 28-32 is typical, reflecting that you score around 28-32 strokes over par on average.
What Handicap is a Pro Golfer?
A professional golfer typically has a handicap of +4 to +6, meaning they are exceptionally skilled and consistently score below par. Unlike amateur golfers, pros have honed their skills through extensive practice, competition, and experience, allowing them to perform at such a high level. The “+” sign indicates that their handicap is in the positive range, reflecting their ability to regularly shoot under par.
Professional handicaps are not commonly used in official tournaments since pros compete in gross score formats where no strokes are given or received. However, having a +4 to +6 handicap illustrates their ability to consistently achieve scores that are four to six strokes under par. This level of play requires precision, consistency, and mastery of all aspects of the game, from driving and iron play to putting. In essence, a pro golfer’s handicap showcases their elite status and remarkable proficiency in golf.
A +4 handicap means that, on average, the golfer is expected to shoot four strokes under the course rating. For example, if the course rating is 72, a golfer with a +4 handicap would typically score around 68. Similarly, a +6 handicap means the golfer would usually shoot six strokes under the course rating, so on a course rated 72, they would score around 66.
These scores demonstrate the golfer’s exceptional proficiency and ability to perform at a high level consistently, showcasing their advanced skills in all areas of the game, from driving to putting.
What is an Average Handicap in Golf?
An average handicap in golf typically falls around 15-20 for male golfers and 25-30 for female golfers. This means that an average male golfer usually scores about 15-20 strokes over par on a standard course, while an average female golfer scores about 25-30 strokes over par. These handicaps reflect the level of skill and consistency found in recreational players who play regularly but are not highly competitive or professional.
The average handicap allows golfers of varying abilities to compete on a more level playing field by providing a system to adjust scores. It takes into account the difficulty of the course and the golfer’s recent performance, making it a useful measure for gauging improvement and setting personal goals. Achieving a lower handicap involves regular practice, improvement in technique, and better course management skills. Most importantly, the handicap system encourages participation and enjoyment of the game by making it accessible and competitive for players of all skill levels.
Golf Shooter – Scoring 80
There are two types of 80’s shooters. The first type is made up of better-than-average ball strikers who don’t have the time or inclination to work on their short game or think about course management. They could probably shoot in the 70’s if they spent some time to upgrade their short game and management skills. The other type of 80’s shooter doesn’t strike the ball much better than the golfer who shoots 95 every week, but their overall game is enhanced by their deftness at those parts of the game, which don’t require as much strength and flexibility. Those things are putting, chipping and sand play, course management, and brain management, including keeping their emotions under control. There’s a great deal of hope for both groups – in fact, the strategies necessary to improve, no matter what your current game is like, can be used by any player from expert to beginner. The rule is: always put yourself in a position, so your next shot is one of your strengths.
Golf Shooter Examples:
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus used his Strength and Weakness profile to win a record number of majors. He was especially famous for two strengths:
- His ability to hit high long irons that would hold the fast greens typical of the majors.
- He was a great lag putter from long distances. On the last day of a major, when everyone else was shooting at the flags, Jack would hit a three wood off the tee, a long iron into the middle of the green, and lag his putt stone dead while other players crashed and burned trying to make birdies.
Current Golfer Comparison: Rory McIlroy & Bryson DeChambeau
Rory McIlroy: Similar to Nicklaus, Rory is known for his powerful and high-driving shots. Both players have a combination of strength and precision, allowing them to dominate long par 4s and 5s.
Bryson DeChambeau: Like Nicklaus, DeChambeau is renowned for his distance off the tee. Both players revolutionized the game with their emphasis on power, although DeChambeau takes it further with his scientific approach to the game.
Gary Player
Gary Player is a legendary South African golfer, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Known as the “Black Knight” due to his signature black attire, Player achieved an illustrious career with nine major championships and over 160 tournament wins worldwide. He played the game with remarkable precision, exceptional fitness, and unwavering discipline, setting new standards for professional golfers. Player was renowned for his outstanding short game, strategic course management, and tenacity, which enabled him to compete at the highest level well into his senior years. His dedication to fitness and mental toughness has left a lasting legacy on the sport, inspiring countless golfers around the globe.
Current Golfer Comparison: Dustin Johnson & Justin Thomas
Dustin Johnson: Player was known for his incredible fitness and discipline, which parallels Dustin Johnson’s approach. Both have a smooth swing and focus on maintaining peak physical condition to enhance their game.
Justin Thomas: Both Player and Thomas excel in versatility and adaptability on the course. Thomas’s ability to shape shots and his solid short game are reminiscent of Player’s skill set.
Lee Trevino
When he first came out on tour, Hall of Famer-to-be Lee Trevino’s major weakness was his bunker play – ball striking-wise, he was a +6, but from the sand, he was a 10 handicap. It didn’t take him long to seek out Gary Player, then the world’s best from the sand, to ask him for help. By identifying a major weakness and turning it into a major strength, he could safely shoot at more flags. This meant that he made more birdies and less bogeys, a strategy that made Trevino one of the greatest players in history.
Current Golfer Comparison: Patrick Reed & Jordan Spieth
Patrick Reed: Like Trevino, Reed is known for his creativity and ability to scramble. Both players have a knack for recovering from difficult positions and possess a strong mental game.
Jordan Spieth: Trevino’s unconventional swing and exceptional short game find a modern parallel in Spieth. Both players thrive on their inventive shot-making and clutch performances under pressure.
How to Improve Your Golf Game
Improving your golf game involves a combination of practice, technique, and mental focus. Start by working on your fundamentals, such as grip, stance, and swing mechanics. Regular practice at the driving range and on the putting green can help you refine these essential skills. As Brian Hughes, PGA Master Professional, says in the video above, “you’ve got to be really good.” That comes with practice, “a whole lot of years, a whole lot of work, a whole lot of dedication” to be a professional golfer. Incorporate fitness into your routine to enhance flexibility, strength, and endurance, all of which contribute to better performance on the course. Focus on course management by learning to choose the right clubs and strategies for different situations, minimizing risks, and maximizing scoring opportunities.
To be the best player you can be at any given time, self-knowledge in the form of a comprehensive Strength and Weakness Profile is a necessity. The following questionnaire will help you increase your self-knowledge. Keep in mind that the better the player, the more accurately he or she can answer each of these questions. If you don’t know the answer to a question, be sure that you take steps to find out. Once you have answered all the questions, bring the information to your update: (PGA teaching pro, golf instructor or local golf professional) so the two of you can develop a program for improvement.
STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PROFILE
Can You Work the Ball?
Draw __
Fade __
High __
Low __
How good a wind player are you?
In General __
Downwind __
Headwind __
Cross-wind L to R __
Cross-wind R to L __
What are your dragons (mistakes and swing flaws that continually recur)?
Describe your typical bad shot?
Why do you think you hit this shot?
What shot do you fear hitting the most?
Note: Because of their ability to compensate, the better player often fears a shot other than their typical bad shot. For example, you may fear a hook, but your typical miss is a block (straight right).
What is your miss pattern?
Fat or thin __
Hook or slice __
Push or pull __
Other __
Medical Information
Any physical problems that affect your golf game? ______________________________
How’s your vision? _____
Stigmatism? R __ Left __
Contacts? ___
Bifocals when you play? ____
Which is your dominant eye? ___
Are you taking any medication that affects your stamina, balance, or vision? __________
Do you exercise? __
Cardiovascular? ___strength ___ flexibility ___
Do you like to dance? ___ Are you a good dancer? ___
Other sports? Current ____________ Past _______________
Are your clubs Fit? __ Off the rack? ___
Do you like them? Irons ___ Driver __ SW __
Wedge __ Fairway Woods ___ Putter ___ Other _________________
Can you read your divots? ___
What do they say to you? ___________________________________
Have you checked the lies of your clubs? __ Recently?____
Have you checked your lofts recently? ______
What is the composition of the ball you use?
What is its spin rate?
Why do you use this ball? _______________________________
How far do you hit each of your clubs? _____________________
(Many good players have three distance gradations for each club, as in a little seven-iron, a regular seven and a nuke seven. This allows a high-level player to cover all the distances encountered on the golf course. If your goal is to compete at the higher levels, you should practice this skill with all your clubs, including your driver.)
Learn more!
Want more tips? If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, we can elevate your game to new heights together. Give us a call today at 888-355-4465.
