What is a Good Golf Score?

A good golf score is relative to the skill level of the player. However, on average, amateur golfers will score somewhere in the 90’s.

It is important to understand what level of golfer you are before you know what a good golf score is. Golf is one of the only sports that has a handicap system. A rating for each player to compare them against how good they play on any given day.

For example, if a player’s handicap is 15. And they shoot 87 (+15 on a par 72 course) they achieved they’re version of what par would be for them. If they shoot 85, that would be considered a 2 under par round given their handicap rating.

Average Scores for Each Skill Level

Each skill level carries an average score due to the rigorous golf handicap system.

Beginner:

If someone is just starting out in golf, their score will be very high. Almost too high to even consider counting scores towards your handicap rating. When you start out you will need to start to understand the fundamentals. So it won’t be as important to try and improve your score as it will be to understand the golf swing.

If a beginner player can score less than 120 on the first rounds they play, that is a very good score for them. My first round I shot 155.

Intermediate:

An intermediate player will be someone who plays a lot of golf and has been for some time. Typically, these players will fall into the 10-15 handicap range. Translating into the high 80’s low 90’s range.

Great:

A great player will oftentimes be someone who grew up playing the game and has even had multiple lessons or coaching. These players will typically have a handicap below 10. This means their scoring will range from 72-83. They may break par sometimes but it will be a rare feat as it is for most players.

Professional:

Professionals are so far ahead of the average golfer. You may see it on T.V. golfers score +8 sometimes and think they are closer to the great players. However, they play from further tees and play some of the toughest courses in the world. Most professional players have a positive handicap. This means their average will be below par.

For example, Golf monthly indicated that on January 9th, 2023, Jon Rahm’s current tournament handicap was +13. This means on average he was 13 strokes better than scratch!

Setting Personal Goals

Getting better at golf is one of the hardest things to do as the gains are incremental and take a long time to achieve since you can’t spend everyday playing. One of the best things you can do is set realistic goals for yourself every time you go out and play a round. Here’s some realistic goals to set depending on what skill level you are.

Beginner:

Focus on getting better at hitting the ball straight. A common goal I see for beginners as they start to get comfortable is to try not to lose a ball for an entire 9 or 18 holes. This will slow down the game and stop you from losing confidence when you try to hit shots you just don’t have the ability to hit yet.

Another great target for beginners is to focus on not getting upset. Most players I play with that are beginners are always athletes that are trying out golf as a new sport. It can be very frustrating when you can play basketball,soccer, or football with such ease and then you can’t chip a ball 7 feet with accuracy. Golf is a different beast. Try playing an entire round where you don’t get upset and you will see you learning way more!

Intermediate:

If you find yourself shooting the same scores year after year, their are a ton of things you can do to improve. Now that you have a good understanding of the fundamentals you can venture out of the basics and learn advanced strategies. 

If you currently do not keep track of your handicap, this is a great time to do so. You will be able to reflect on exactly where your round got away from you. Example, if you notice that on par 5’s you keep getting bogey. It may be because you keep opting for the long second shot and not for the safe lay-up. Changing your strategies in certain areas can improve your game. And if you properly track your handicap you can see exactly how these changes are impacting your scores.

Another great opportunity intermediate players have since they’ve started to understand the fundamentals is to get lessons. Lessons can be pricey but they are a great investment for players eager to improve. However, there are some pros and cons. If you’re on the fence about getting lessons, do some reaerch of the pros in your area. You’ll be surprised to find some hometown pros that you’ll relate to easily and the lessons will be natural.

Great:

For great players it is hard to have the drive to improve as this is the ultimate enjoyable level for any golfer. Rounds just above par and a chance to break par. It’s what dreams are made of.

However, there are always ways to improve. Sometimes, you may think you do not need lessons, however, breaking the barrier to scratch golf is one of small, technical changes. Get lessons with a vetted teacher and they will be able to help you improve on areas you probably didn’t even know were lacking.

All skill levels:

No matter what your skill level everybody can benefit from a refresher of the fundamentals. Read our Golf Fundamentals articles here.

If you already know where your game needs attentions here are some specialized areas for getting better:

– Putting Fundamentals
– Swing Fundamentals
– Golf Fundamentals

Understanding what constitutes a good golf score is pivotal for every golfer’s journey. While the definition of “good” varies based on skill level, the average score for amateur golfers typically falls in the 90s. Moreover, the handicap system allows players to gauge their performance against their own potential. Setting personal goals aligned with one’s skill level is crucial for improvement. 

Whether you’re a beginner focusing on fundamentals, an intermediate player refining strategies, or a great player aiming for consistency, there’s always room for growth. Regardless of skill level, a solid grasp of golf fundamentals and targeted practice in specific areas can lead to tangible progress on the course.