By: Josh Berhow
So, you fancy yourself a golfer, eh? Well you may know how your handicap stacks up against your buddies or the regulars at your club, but how does your game compare to the rest of the United States?
The USGA recently updated its handicap index statistics, offering an intriguing glimpse into the numbers we all care so deeply about (whether we like to admit it or not).
The USGA gathered all of its official registered handicaps —the USGA’s Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) has more than 2 million registered golfers — for both men and women within the United States. There are two specific breakdowns: a bar graph showcasing the most common handicap index ranges using raw numbers, and a table that breaks down each handicap index by percentile.
You can check out the bar graphs here, and we’ll get into some interesting findings below.
So how does your handicap stack up? Here are 8 takeaways:
1. The average handicap index for men is 14.2.
2. The average handicap index for women is 27.5.
3. The most common handicap index range for men is 13.0-13.9, which consists of 5.42% or just more than 95,000 golfers. But the 13-handicappers in the U.S. are barely the most common, holding just one-hundredth of an edge over the second-most common handicap, 12.0-12.9 (5.41%). That’s also slightly more than the third-most common handicap, 14.0-14.9, which is 5.37%.
4. The most common women’s handicap is in the 27.0-27.9 range, which consists of 4.07%, or just under 18,000 golfers.
5. There’s a logjam of men’s golfers who are low double-digit handicaps. Nearly one-quarter of men (21.16%) have handicaps ranging from 10.0-13.9.
6. Are you a male with a 13.9 handicap or lower? Then you’re better than half the men with registered USGA handicaps, as 50.5% of handicaps are below 14.
7. If your goal is to be in the top 10 percent of men’s golfers, here’s the handicap you need: 4.9 or better. According to the statistics, 9.77% — or roughly 170,000-plus people — have handicaps below 5. And if you are looking to be in the top 5 percent of golfers, you need to sneak into that 2-handicap range. To be in the top 10 percent of women’s players you need a handicap of 14.9 or better.
8. Just how many scratch players are there? Perhaps more than you’d think. There are 35,883 men’s and women’s players with a plus handicap index (i.e. below 0.0). That number makes up 1.85% of men’s golfers and 0.69% of women’s players.
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Josh Berhow
Golf.com Editor
Josh Berhow is the managing editor at GOLF.com. The Minnesota native graduated with a journalism degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato. You can reach him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.
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As a golf enthusiast with a deep understanding of the game and its statistical intricacies, I can provide valuable insights into the USGA's recently updated handicap index statistics, as mentioned in the article by Josh Berhow on September 9, 2020.
Firstly, it's crucial to establish the credibility of the information presented. The USGA, or United States Golf Association, is the governing body for the sport of golf in the United States. Their Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) is a comprehensive database with over 2 million registered golfers, making it a reliable source for understanding the national landscape of golf handicaps.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Average Handicap Indices:
- The average handicap index for men is 14.2.
- For women, the average handicap index is 27.5.
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Common Handicap Ranges:
- The most common handicap index range for men is 13.0-13.9, comprising 5.42% of golfers.
- Notably, the 13-handicappers are only slightly more prevalent than the 12.0-12.9 range (5.41%) and the 14.0-14.9 range (5.37%).
- The most common women's handicap falls within the 27.0-27.9 range, accounting for 4.07% of golfers.
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Distribution of Men's Handicaps:
- A significant percentage of men (21.16%) have handicaps ranging from 10.0-13.9.
- If a male golfer possesses a 13.9 handicap or lower, they are superior to more than half (50.5%) of registered USGA handicaps.
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Top Percentile Achievements:
- To be in the top 10% of men's golfers, a handicap of 4.9 or better is required, constituting 9.77% of golfers.
- For the top 5%, entering the 2-handicap range is necessary.
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Scratch Players:
- There are 35,883 players, both men and women, with a plus handicap index (below 0.0), making up 1.85% of men's golfers and 0.69% of women's players.
This information offers golfers a comparative perspective on their handicaps within the broader context of the United States. It provides benchmarks for skill levels, aspirations for improvement, and an understanding of the distribution of handicaps across different ranges.
