Last Updated on January 26, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
People throw the term “average golfer” around quite a bit. Have you ever wondered what is an average golf score? I know that many golfers believe you are average if you shoot in the 90s.
As a former membership director and golf professional, I can give you some insider information on what an average golf score really is, what it means in relation to your handicap, and how it’s impacted by age.
What Is The Average Golfer Score?
The average golfer score for men falls between 92 and 100. For women, the score is a few shots higher, generally between 95 and 105. Things like course conditions, age, and consistency of play will impact these scores.
Why Does Average Golf Score Matter?
Most golfers talk about their skill level and the numbers they shoot based on their golf handicap index. However, not every player has a golf handicap setup.
The biggest reason golfers want to know what an average golf score is comes down to comparison.
Is your average golf score closer to that of a beginner or professional golfer? People love to compare themselves to other players. Even if you know you are not a scratch golfer with eyes for the PGA Tour, you may still be better than average.
Average Golf Score By Age
The average golf score by age increases as golfers get older. Amateur golfers over the age of 60 are known to lose distance and speed in their golf swings, making it very difficult to play the same game they once did. There are tee boxes that accommodate these players to ensure they still shoot a good golf score, but the reality is that the game changes.
As you can see from this chart of, the average golf score for men by age starts to change when players hit their 50s.
However, there is an exception to this.
Some golfers who have had trouble spending enough time on the golf course or driving range because of work and family actually get better as they age. The average score for these players may go down in the 50s and 60s and not inch back up again until they get into their 70s.
| Age Group | Average Golf Score for Men |
| 20s | 90 – 95 |
| 30s | 92 – 97 |
| 40s | 94 – 99 |
| 50s | 96 – 101 |
| 60s | 98 – 103 |
| 70s | 100 – 105 |
| 80s | 102 – 107 |
The chart highlighting the average golf score by age for women is a similar instance of losing distance as we age, and the game of golf gets more difficult.
Average female golfers have a turnover of around 95-100 for a good portion of their lives. If you are a female player shooting in the low 90s or 80s at any age, that’s a very good score.
| Age Group | Average Golf Score for Women |
| 20s | 95 – 100 |
| 30s | 97 – 102 |
| 40s | 99 – 104 |
| 50s | 101 – 106 |
| 60s | 103 – 108 |
| 70s | 105 – 110 |
| 80s | 107 – 112 |
Average Golf Score by Skill Level
You can say that average golf score and skill level are a bit subjective. A Bogey golfer should shoot around 90, and a scratch golfer should shoot around 72.
Outside of that, it’s hard for us to really determine what “average” is. In addition, if you want to play a match with a golfer who doesn’t have a proper handicap, you may want to get a better understanding of how these different skill levels impact the game.
When you look at the average golf score by skill level chart, the thing that should stand out the most is the range in scoring from professional golfers to high handicappers.
The average amateur golf score tends to be in the range of 89 to 95.
Professionals can be nearly 50 shots lower on a round than a higher handicapper or beginner golfer. Think about all of those shots! Many of them are penalties and short game shots, but it’s still a massive range.
| Skill Level | Average Golf Score |
| Professional Golfer | 62 – 70 |
| Experienced Amateur | 70 – 80 |
| Club Level Player | 78 – 88 |
| Average Amateur | 89 – 95 |
| Casual Player | 96 – 102 |
| Novice/Beginner | 103 – 110+ |
Are Average Golf Score and Golf Handicap the Same?
Average golf score and golf handicap are not the same.
An average golf score is the score that you typically shoot. A golf handicap is a formula that incorporates course rating and slope rating to develop a handicap index. This information can be used to play in net tournaments and events, and it is considered an official ranking.
The handicap system is the same for female golfers and male golfers; the only difference is the slope and course rating for these golfers.
In the case of our average golf score by age chart, you could easily convert that to an average golf handicap by age. The chart would look something like this.
| Age Group | Average Golf Handicap for Men |
| 20s | 18 – 25 |
| 30s | 20 – 27 |
| 40s | 22 – 29 |
| 50s | 24 – 31 |
| 60s | 26 – 33 |
| 70s | 28 – 35 |
| 80s | 30 – 36 |
What Does the Average Golfer Shoot?
The average golfer shoots 95. We went through how this number is impacted by age and skill level, but other things come into play when determining what the average golfer shoots. Let’s look at some of the things that go into the number of strokes it takes golfers to get around the golf course.
Course Difficulty
The more difficult the course is, the easier it is to shoot a bad golf score. Even a golfer who shoots in the 90’s may go to a US Open golf course and make a double bogey or higher on every hole. Golf course difficulty is a big factor, and it has a major impact on a golf game. The United States Golf Association handicap system takes this into consideration, but you should also consider it when looking at what average golfers shoot.
Seriousness of Play
Weekend golfers sometimes have fun on the course, listen to music, and enjoy time with friends. They may not take much time to read a putt or line up a shot. It’s a different level of play and requires slightly less focus, so the scores can sometimes be higher. Let’s face it: if you make a bad score on a hole, does it really matter? In a tournament or a match, it will.
Equipment
An average player with a brand new bag full of equipment has a better shot at shooting a lower score. Modern equipment is highly effective, forgiving, and long-hitting. Your equipment can impact your score and increase or decrease the average score.
Weather Conditions
Average scores are almost always higher in the wind and rain. Even good players struggle to keep their ball flight controlled and hit a shot straight down the fairway. In all the tournaments
I’ve played, I loved playing in the rain because you had a real chance to beat the competition. Some golfers just can’t handle the change in weather conditions, and it throws off their game entirely.
Pace of Play
The pace of play is another problem that can have an impact on your average golf handicap. Slow rounds sometimes become incredibly boring, making it hard to stay focused. If a normal round of golf is 4 to 4.5 hours, and it takes you 5.5 to 6 to play, your attention span will start to fade. The pace of play is a major reason why an average golfer’s handicap is a bit higher than normal.
What’s A Good Golf Score?
A good golf score varies depending on skill level. A new player may shoot 99, and it’s time to throw a party. However, a golfer who’s been playing for 10 years and worked on game improvement may be distraught to shoot 99.
Here’s a chart showing what a good golf score looks like based on skill level.
| Skill Level | Average Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Above 100 | New to the game, still learning the basics |
| Intermediate | 90 – 100 | Understands basic techniques, plays occasionally |
| Average | 80 – 90 | Regular player with a decent understanding of the game |
| Advanced | 70 – 79 | Plays regularly has good control and understanding, practices, and works on the game |
| Professional | Below 70 | Competes in tournaments, high skill level |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the average golf score.
What is the average men’s golf score?
The average men’s golf score is 84. This assumes that the golfers are keeping score properly and making sure they count penalty strokes and each shot correctly.
How many golfers can break 90?
Less than a quarter of all golfers ever learn to break 90. To break 90, you must make less than a bogey on at least a few of the holes you play. One bad approach shot or drive could be the end of breaking 90 for that day.
What’s my handicap if I shoot 90?
If you shoot 90 and you are playing on an average-difficulty golf course, your handicap is likely around 18.
What’s a good golf score?
A good golf score for a new player would be anything under 110. As you spend more time in the game, most golfers consider a 90 or below to be a good golf score. What is considered a good score often depends on the physical ability of a player and the time they are putting in to improve.
What is my handicap if I shoot 92?
If you shoot 92, you are likely a 20 handicap. You would be considered an average golfer.
Has anyone ever birdied all 18 holes?
Birdieing all 18 holes would leave you with a score of 54. Even a scratch player and the best professionals we have seen have not done this. Some golfers may have birdied every hole on a front or back nine, but not all 18. The lowest scores you see from female and male players who are seasoned professionals are 58 and 59, respectively.
Why is 59 the magic number in golf?
Shooting in the 60s is a big deal in golf. Many golfers dream of shooting in the high 70s or even low 80s, so shooting in the 60s is a big deal. Taking that down into the 50s is even more incredible. It takes 13 birdies and all parts to get to a 59, something that is incredibly hard to do, regardless of the difficulty of the course.
What does a 20 handicap shoot?
A 20 handicap will shoot between 88 and 94 for an average round of golf.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a better idea of the average golf score, are you an above-average golfer? The good news is that if you score correctly and enjoy yourself when you spend time on the course, you win. What do you think a good golfer shoots? It’s hard for me to say I’ve seen golfers who have played their best game and shot 82 and others who shot 92, and it was a near miracle. That’s just part of what makes golf so much fun.
