15 Handicap Golf (Scores, Strategy, Equipment, Tips & More) 

Last Updated on February 6, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz

As a former golf professional, golf writer, and daily golfer, I always found it frustrating that golfers got lumped into groups of “mid handicap,” “high handicap,” “low handicap,” and beginner. My game is different than other low-handicap players, as I’m sure your 15 handicap golf game is a bit different than that of other “mid handicaps.” 

Here’s a guide completely dedicated to the 15 handicap golfer. We’ll look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities for scoring, which equipment to play, some of my best tips, and more. 

15 Handicap Golf – Player Profile

An average 15 handicap golfer shoots in the high 80s. The round can vary based on individual strengths and weaknesses, but here is a general look at a 15 handicap golfer.  

• Average Score of 15 Handicap Golfer: 87-90 on a standard par-72 course
• Driving Accuracy: hits 50-60% of fairways
• Greens in Regulation: reaches 4-6 greens in regulation 
• Putting: averages 1.9 putts per hole (occasional 3 putt) 
• Average driving distance: 220-250 yards 

Tips To Lower Your 15 Handicap 

We don’t need to spend too much time reviewing the troubles that 15 handicappers run into on the course. Chances are you are pretty well aware. Instead, let’s jump into the fixes. Here are the best ways to lower your 15 handicap and maybe even work towards single digits. 

Develop A Pre Round Warmup

I can almost guarantee that your pre-round warmup can use some tweaks to make it a better fit for your game. Pre-round warmups go beyond loosening up the body; you also need to get your mindset right. 

Let’s be realistic; an hour-long warmup requires too much of a time commitment. 

Here’s a 20-minute plan to try before your next round: 

Time (Minutes)	Activity	Objective
0-5	Dynamic Stretching	Loosen up the major muscle groups used in golf: legs, back, shoulders, and arms.
5-8	Swing Warm-Up Starting with Short Irons	Focus on feel and distance control with various chip shots; use this time to gauge the speed of the greens.
8-11	Swing Warm-Up with Woods	Hit 4 or 5 drivers, then move to hybrids.
11-16	Chipping Around the Green	Focus on feel and distance control with various chip shots, use this time to gauge the speed of the greens.
16-18	Putting Practice (Short Putts)	Build confidence with 3-5 foot putts, focusing on solid contact and straight lines.
18-20	Putting Practice (Lag Putts)	Practice longer putts to get a feel for the greens’ speed and minimize three-putts during the round.

Become A More Diligent Putter 

You’ve heard it for years, “if you want to lower your scores, take fewer putts.” As a 15 handicap golfer, chances are you take about two putts per hole. 

That needs to change. 

Here’s what your putting looks like compared to golfers with lower handicaps than yours. 

If you can start taking about 3 fewer putts per round, you will be well on your way to being a lower-handicap golfer. 

Start by: 

• Practicing your putting stroke three times per week for ten minutes at a time 
• Pick a golf ball with a great feel that helps improve touch 
• Don’t try to get the 15 footers close, get them in! 
• Create a putting pre shot routine that you repeat every single time. 
• Pick a putting swing thought and use it for the ENTIRE round. 

Golf Course Management Awareness 

Where most 15 handicap golfers get in trouble is when they attempt golf shots that they shouldn’t try to hit. You’ll find that, for the most part, going for the middle of the green is the best option. 

In addition, when you are in a greenside bunker, and you’ve short-sided yourself . . . 

A 15 foot putt coming back at the hole is much better than hitting a second shot out of the bunker. 

For each shot you take (unless you have an unbelievable opportunity), try to hit something that you know you can create 8/10 times. If that’s too difficult, go for 6/10 times. 

Leave the 1/10 and 2/10 shots in the bag for the ENTIRE round. 

Create A Mental Checklist Before Each Shot 

If you have not already started to consider the mental game’s impact, you will want to start. Creating a mental checklist before every shot is important to ensure you are in the right mindset.

Here are a few of the steps that a mental checklist should go through: 

• Relaxation– take a deep breath; tension in the grip makes it very easy to hit a shot offline 
• Visualization – think about the shot you want to play and picture yourself hitting it 
• Pick a Target – choose a very specific target, NOT just the center of the fairway 
• Alignment – ensure your setup is strong and you are properly aligned with the target 
• Clear Your Mind & Focus– all distractions go away, only think about the golf ball and executing the shot 
• Hit The Ball– fully commit, trust it, and hit the shot 
• Post Shot– watch the ball, assess, analyze, make notes/record, and regroup before getting to the ball 

Get Creative In The Short Game 

Even if you love your pitching wedge or can’t function without your sand wedge, you have to get creative around the greens if you want to lower your handicap. 

You should be able to take all four of your wedges (pitching, approach wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge) and hit them both high and low out of rough or short grass. 

Learn the wedges that you should be playing with from certain conditions. Make sure you know the adjustments you must make in your game to hit both high and low shots. 

Equipment for A 15 Handicap Golfer 

As a 15-handicap golfer, you are a better-than-average player. If you put some time into your game and you enjoy it, go for a golf club fitting. You’ll be able to check on specifications based on height, strength, and speed. 

In addition, you can try some of the latest and greatest equipment to see if it gets you a little further and a little closer to the hole. 

The one thing your golf fitting may or may not go through is the accessories and the golf balls. Here are a few of the options that I’ve seen work well for 15 handicap golfers. 

Best Golf Ball For 15 Handicap Golfer – Vice Pro Plus 

The Vice Pro Plus is my favorite golf ball for the 15 handicap player. It’s a 4 piece ball with a great feel, a cast urethane cover, and a price tag of less than $35 a dozen. You’ll get distance, spin, and control with the Vice Pro Plus. 

Best Cheap Golf Ball For 15 Handicap Golfer- Titleist Tru Feel

Not all Titleist golf balls are premium; the Tru Feel is cheap and has tremendous distance. It’s the softest ball in the Titleist lineup, and you won’t get great spin around the greens, but it’s a good option for a cheap golf ball.  

Best Premium Golf Ball For 15 Handicap Golfer: Titleist Pro V1

The Pro V1 is truly the best ball in the game for a 15 handicap player. If you want the spin and control around the green, and you also don’t mind getting some extra distance off the tee, this is where you’ll find it.  

Best Accessories For 15 Handicap Golfer 

Golf accessories are not necessarily a mandatory thing to have with you on the course, but here are a few that we find to be worth it. 

• Stripebird Magnetic Towel Clip
• Palm Golf Glove
• SelfieGolf Record Swing Analyzer
• Pride Professional Tees
• Bushnell Wingman View

Frequently Asked Questions 

How bad or good is a 15 handicap golfer? 

A 15 handicap golf is considered to be better than average. With scoring typically in the upper 80s, 15 handicap golfers are making a bogey or better on most holes. 

What is a 15 handicap golfer?

A 15 handicap golfer is a player who shoots in the high 80s. The 15 handicap golfer makes a few bad swings and has trouble hitting greens in regulation but plays a mostly consistent game. 

How to get from 15 handicap to 10?

The quickest way to get from 15 handicap to 10 is to work on lowering the number of putts in a golf round. If you can take less than 2 putts per hole, your handicap will drop. 

What is my handicap if I shoot 90?

If your average score is 90, your handicap will usually be around 18. Use the formula for calculating a handicap index to get an official golf handicap. 

What is a beginner golf handicap?

Beginner golfers don’t typically have enough rounds played to have a handicap. Most beginners struggle to break 110 until they gain some consistency and control in their games. Therefore the handicap would be anywhere from 30-40 for a new player. 

Final Thoughts 

I hope you feel like this guide was a bit more personalized to use as a 15 handicap player. Stop lumping yourself into the mid handicap group and instead work on dropping the scores one shot at a time. If you are good enough to be a 15 handicap, you can be a 14. Go out there and get working!