What is the average golf score?

Beginner Questions
1

When I say “average golfer,” I mean someone who plays at least twice a season but not every weekend.

I think there’s a lot of exaggeration about how well the average golfer plays. Almost all my friends, family, and co-workers say they’re average and score in the 80s or 90s. But I’ve only seen one of them score under 100. They usually score around 115 or higher.

So, I’m wondering if my group of golfing friends is too small to judge, or if this is typical. Is the real average golf score closer to 115, or is it actually in the 80s or 90s?

2

By the honest-to-goodness rules, most hackers score 10 more strokes than they think they do. Out of bounds penalties, lost balls, and forgotten third chips can quickly rack up the score.

I play to a handicap of around 17, but that’s by playing the ball as it lies and taking penalties. On my home course, I’ll shoot about 89 on an average day from the 6,200-yard tees, and that’s better than most of the people I randomly get paired with.

3

A weekend golfer outside of NYC plays 15-25 rounds a year. The average is 95 but many of those could shoot 85 if the short game had any focus. There is some deception with all this. if you want to score, work wedge & putter first, you want to hit more greens because you might not believe that, so get a lot better off the tee. Took me a few decades to figure this out but going to the range hitting the #7 iron to “improve” is probably the dumbest way to use limited practice time.

4

The average golf score for an amateur golfer is around 100 to 110 strokes per round. Professional golfers typically have much lower scores, averaging in the mid-to-low 70s per round.

5

Breakdown of golfer averages:

Beginner (100+): Golfers who play occasionally and haven’t received much instruction often average scores in the triple digits.

Average (90-100): This range is closer to the USGA average, representing golfers who play regularly and have some basic skills.

Good (80-90): Golfers who practice consistently and have developed solid techniques might average scores in the 80s.

Low Handicap (Below 80): These are highly skilled golfers who have honed their game through dedication and practice, often scoring below 80.

6

Industry Averages: According to the USGA (United States Golf Association), the average golfer shoots around 90-100 for 18 holes. However, this can be skewed by better players.

Considering Your Definition: If, as you say, an “average golfer” plays a few times a season but not every weekend, their score might realistically be closer to 115 or higher. Regular practice and playing experience significantly impact performance.

7

So, your experience with friends and family is likely more realistic than them all claiming scores in the 80s. Don’t feel discouraged! An average score in the 90s-100s is totally normal for golfers who play occasionally.