Golf Scores Decoded: What is a Good Golf Score？

• What is a Good Golf Score?
• What is a Good Score in Golf 9 Holes?
• What is a Good Score in Golf for 18 Holes?
• What is a Good Golf Score for a Beginner?
• How to Improve Your Golf Score?
• Summary
• FAQs

Figuring out what constitutes a good golf score isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. It really depends on a bunch of factors like your experience, age, gender, and the difficulty of the course. Understanding your own performance is key for personal improvement. For those of us who are a bit more competitive, it’s also a way to see how you stack up against your buddies. In this article, we’ll break down the average scores across different categories of golfers and competitions to help you get a clear picture of what is a good golf score. Plus, we’ll share some strategies to help you improve your game and achieve better scores.

What is a Good Golf Score?

A good golf score is relative rather than absolute and depends on several factors such as your experience, age, gender, and the difficulty of the course. One of the easiest ways to assess a good golf score is to consider what stage you are at. I have divided these stages into four categories below.

Beginner Benchmarks: For beginners, a good score is typically under 120 on an 18-hole course. If you’re playing a 9-hole course, aim for 60 or below. These benchmarks give you a solid starting point and something to strive for as you improve.

Amateur Goals: As you gain more experience, a good score for amateur golfers is around 90-100 on an 18-hole course. Breaking 100 is a significant milestone and shows that you’re progressing well.

Advanced Players: For more advanced golfers, scoring in the 80s is considered very good. If you can consistently score below 80, you’re doing great and showing a high level of skill.

Professional Standards: Professional golfers typically score in the 60s or low 70s on an 18-hole course. While this might seem out of reach for most, it’s a good reference point to understand the upper echelons of the sport.

What is a Good Score in Golf 9 Holes?

A good score for 9 holes in golf depends on your skill level. Generally, for an average golfer, a score of 40-45 (4-9 over par) is considered good. For more experienced players, a score around par or better (35-36) is excellent.

For reference, the standard par for 9 holes is usually between 35 and 36. According to the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), a score of 39-40 would be around the average for an amateur male golfer, while women tend to average around 45-50.

What is a Good Score in Golf for 18 Holes?

Image and Data of 18-holes from NGF

A good golf score for 18 holes is pretty impressive if you’re above average. According to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) Golf Participation Study, the average score is 94, and this hasn’t changed much over time. The NGF also notes that 62% of golfers score above 90. Dave Pelz, a renowned golf instructor, believes the average score for all golfers is around 96.

So, if you’re scoring below 90, you’re not quite at the professional level yet, but you’re definitely beyond the amateur stage. This means you can set higher standards for yourself and aim to move up to the professional level. Keep practicing, and you’ll get there!

What is a Good Golf Score for a Beginner?

For a beginner, a good golf score is definitely different from what a pro golfer would consider good. If you can score 60 or below on a 9-hole course (or a par 36 course), that’s pretty solid. On an 18-hole course, shooting under 120 is a great target. Hitting the ball 120 times on a par 72 course is quite an achievement for a newbie. And hey, if you feel like that’s not challenging enough, you can always aim for 115 or even lower. The key is to keep improving and enjoy the game!

How to Improve Your Golf Score?

Pick a Quality Golf Polo Shirt: Believe it or not, what you wear can impact your game. A quality golf polo shirt, like those from Deolax or Nike Dri-FIT, can keep you comfortable and focused. Look for features like moisture-wicking fabric, breathability, and a good fit. When you’re comfortable, you’re less distracted and can concentrate better on your swing.

Work on Your Short Game: The short game, including putting and chipping, is where you can shave off the most strokes. Spend extra time practicing these shots. Use drills to improve your accuracy and consistency around the greens.

Play Smart: Course management is crucial. Instead of always going for the hero shot, play to your strengths and avoid unnecessary risks. Know when to lay up and when to go for it. This strategic approach can help you avoid big numbers on your scorecard.

Track Your Progress: Keep a record of your scores and stats. Identify patterns and areas where you need improvement. Use this data to set realistic goals and focus your practice sessions on your weaknesses.

Summary

So, what is a good golf score? It’s something you can judge based on your current experience and level of play, and by comparing your scores to those of golfers at the same level. By setting realistic goals and practicing more, you can definitely end up with a good golf score. But remember, the most important part of this journey is to enjoy the game and the continuous improvement that comes with it. Encourage your golfing buddies to share their personal best scores and keep striving for higher ones. Let’s celebrate those small victories together on the fairway!

FAQs

What is a perfect golf score?

A perfect golf score would be 18, which means scoring a hole-in-one on every hole. However, this is practically impossible in real play.

What percentage of golfers can break 90?

Approximately 26% of golfers can break 90 consistently.

What is a beginner’s handicap?

A beginner’s handicap typically ranges from 28 to 36 for men and 36 to 40 for women.