“Are you looking to improve your golf game? One key metric to measure your progress is your score. A good golf score can vary depending on course difficulty and skill level.
For beginners and average golfers, breaking 108 par-72 course on an 18-hole course is considered a good score.
For amateurs, breaking 90 par-72 course is excellent, while experienced players aim to break 70/72. Professional golfers have even higher expectations, aiming to break 72 or below.
In this article, I will explore what constitutes a good golf score and provide tips for improving your game.
What is a Golf Score?
Before you dive into what makes a good golf score, let’s first define what a golf score is.
In golf, a score is the number of strokes it takes you to complete a round of golf on a specific course.
Each hole on a golf course has a designated par, the number of strokes a skilled golfer must take to complete that hole.
A Good Golf Score
Now that you understand a golf score let’s answer the question: what is a good golf score? The answer, of course, depends on your skill level and the difficulty of the course you are playing.
For a beginner golfer, a score of (100-108) or higher may be considered good, while for an intermediate player, a score of (80-90) is a worthy goal. A professional golfer’s under (65-72) score is considered exceptional.
It’s important to note that a good golf score is not just about the number of strokes you take. It’s also about playing the game with skill, strategy, and precision.
So, even if your score is lower than you’d like, you can still feel good about your game if you play with skill and strategy.
Factors that Affect Your Golf Score?
Here are the factors that affect your golf score:
- Skill level: Your skill level is a significant factor that affects your golf score. Beginners are likely to have higher scores than advanced players.
- Course difficulty: The difficulty of the course you are playing can also significantly impact your score. Courses with longer fairways, narrow fairways, and many hazards can make it harder to get a good score.
- Weather conditions: Weather conditions like wind, rain, and heat can also affect your golf score. Wind can make it harder to hit the ball straight, a shower can complete the course wet and muddy, and heat can make you tired and dehydrated.
- Equipment: The quality and fit of your golf clubs can also affect your score. Clubs that are too long, short, heavy, or light can affect your swing and accuracy.
- Mental focus: Your mental focus and attitude can also affect your golf score. Being distracted or stressed can lead to poor shots and higher scores.
- Physical fitness: Physical fitness can also affect your golf score. Being in good shape can help you maintain focus and energy throughout the round.
- Short game: Your short game, including putting, chipping, and pitching, can also affect your score. Improving your short game can help you save strokes and lower your overall score.
- Strategy: Finally, your strategy and decision-making on the course can also impact your score. Choosing the right shots and avoiding unnecessary risks can help you lower your score.
The Terminology of Golf Scoring
| Term | Definition |
| Birdie | Scoring one stroke under par on a hole. For example, getting a 3 on a par-4 hole. |
| Bogey | Scoring one stroke over par on a hole. For example, getting a 5 on a par-4 hole. |
| Double bogey | Scoring two strokes over par on a hole. For example, getting a 6 on a par-4 hole. |
| Eagle | Scoring two strokes under par on a hole. For example, getting a 2 on a par-4 hole. |
| Fairway | The course area between the tee box and the green was mowed short for easy ball lie. |
| Green | The area around the hole mowed short and where the ball is putted. |
| Handicap | A numerical value that represents a player’s skill level and is used to adjust their score for a round of golf. |
| Par | The number of strokes a good player is expected to take to complete a hole or course. |
| Rough | The area of the course that is unmowed and has longer grass than the fairway. |
| Scorecard | A card is used to track a player’s score for each hole and their overall score for the round. |
| Stroke | A swing of the club that makes contact with the ball. |
| Tee box | The area at the beginning of a hole where the ball is teed up. |
| Yardage | The distance between the tee box and the green for each hole. |
These terms are commonly used in golf and understanding their meanings can help improve your understanding of the game and your ability to score well.
Best Tips for Improving Your Golf Score
Now that I’ve covered some of the factors that can affect your golf score, let’s provide you with some tips for improving your game.
Practice regularly
Practice makes perfect, so make sure you are practicing your swing and other skills regularly. Consider joining a golf league or taking lessons from a golf pro to improve your technique.
Focus on your short game
Your short game, which includes putting, chipping, and pitching, is critical to your overall golf score. Spend time practicing these skills to improve your game.
Stay relaxed
Tension in your body can affect your swing and your overall performance. Stay relaxed and focused during your game to improve your score.
Use the right equipment
Invest in high-quality golf clubs, balls, and other accessories to improve your game. Make sure your equipment is suited to your skill level and body type, and consider getting fitted for your clubs to ensure they are the right size and weight for you.
Play strategically
Golf is not just about hitting the ball as hard as you can. It’s also about playing strategically and making smart decisions on the course. Take your time to assess the situation and choose the best shot for each situation.
Stay positive
Golf can be a frustrating game, but it’s important to stay positive and focused. Don’t let a bad shot or a high score ruin your game. Stay focused on your goals and keep a positive attitude.
What does a golf score reflect?
A score of 90 or less is a good score and it will reflect the level of practice and hard work put in by the golfer to achieve this range. The less the score, the more expertise the golfer has in this game.
A score of 70 or less is a fantastic score, accomplished by only the best golfers. On the other hand, a score of 100 or above would certainly state that the golfer is at the beginner level and needs much more practice and hard work to come to the 90s range.
For an amateur golfer, a score of 100 is a good golf score and it is expected to reduce with time as the golfer becomes better day by day.
On the other hand, for an experienced golfer, a score of 90 is a bad score because he is expected to be skilled enough to be in the 70-80 range.
An average golfer, for instance, could easily exceed a good golf score of 120 if he or she played nine holes on the course. A first-time golfer, on the other hand, could barely get to a rating of “seventh.”
Read More: Why is Golf so hard and The Solution?
Is 85 a good golf score?
If you read the history, this is a rear case for an average golfer to Score below 90 consistently on regulation 18-hole courses. Maximum Golfer Score more than 100 in course. But if you are a Beginner, 80-100 is a very good score. As an amateur, you need more practice to become an expert.
If you are an Expert Golfer, you should score Less Then 85. Because less than 85 score is a good score for an expert to win the match. So, 85 is an Average score for professionals, but this is a Very Good score for a beginner.
Read More: What is an Ace in Golf?
What is Par 72?
It is the expected number of strokes that a professional golf player will achieve in an 18-hole round in a given tournament. Value of Par can be set as more or less than 72 but 72 is the most common value.
A Par value of 72 will mean a professional golfer is expected to take an average of (72/18=)4 strokes to put the ball in each hole. Golfers can achieve scores greater than or less than par depending on how good they are. Setting the value of par depends on the weather and the golf ground.
For instance, the Par value will certainly be higher in bad weather and difficult grounds, as odds will be against the golf player and so golfers will be expected to score higher. Par 72 is the most important part of your golf course.
Handicap Scoring System:what is a good golf score
Handicap is the number of strokes above par, which a golfer is expected to have for a given round of the game. If Par is 72, then the total number of strokes that will be required after 72 strokes is called Handicap.
Read More: Best Golf Balls for Mid Handicappers.
Handicap reflects the average performance of the golf player. The lower the handicap, the better the player is at golf and vice versa.
Measurement of Handicap
Handicap is measured for the last 5 rounds of the golf game. It is calculated as Handicap= (score -course rating) times 113/slope rating. The course rating is the expected number of strokes a scratch golfer would require to complete an 18-hole round.
Slope rating is the expected number of strokes a bogey golfer would require to complete the same round in the same game. A scratch golfer is one whose handicap score is 0 and a bogey golfer is one whose handicap score is 18.
Low handicap
A single-digit value for handicap (1-9) is considered to be a low score and if a golfer has a value within this range, then that will mean he only needs 1-9 strokes above par and he is a very good player. Golfers should improve their game on a daily basis to lower their handicap scores.
High handicap
A value equal to or greater than 10 is considered to be a high handicap and golfers with a high handicap need to spend more time on the ground to work on their golf skills to lower their handicap.
Read More: Best Golf Balls For High Handicappers.
A high handicap value is not necessarily a bad value, for example, 20 is a good value for amateur golfers but a bad value for professional golfers. As a Professional, you have to mind it in your memory.
Zero handicap
A player with a zero handicap has the ability to shoot at par or less, which means the player can finish a par-72, 18 hole course with 72 strokes or less.
Zero handicaps are difficult but not impossible and it requires a golfer to learn day-by-day and keep practising with determination and hard work to come to that GOLF score.
Comparison of handicap scores
A player with a handicap score of 8 or 9, who regularly plays on easy ground, does not mean he/she is better than every golfer with a higher handicap value.
For example, a golfer with a handicap of 15 or 16, who plays regularly in difficult ground, may be as good as a golfer, who has a handicap of 8 or 9 and plays regularly in an easy ground.
Importance of handicap
A handicap can be used as a tool by golfers to improve their performance. Through a handicap score, an amateur player will get to know his/her current condition in golf and how hard he/she needs to work to come to their target score.
It is a slow process and golfers must keep their patience and keep practising hard, without giving up, until they reach their target.
Read More: Best golf Balls for Mid-Handicappers?
What Is The Common Mistake In A Good Golf Score?
Here are some specific points regarding the common mistakes golfers make when trying to achieve a good golf score:
- Neglecting the short game: Many golfers focus too much on their long game and neglect to practice their short game, including putting, chipping, and pitching. This can lead to high scores even if they hit the ball well off the tee.
- Poor course management: Failing to manage the course properly can also impact a golfer’s score. Smart decisions about which shots to take and where to aim are crucial to avoid hazards and minimize mistakes.
- Lack of focus: Golfers who get frustrated or angry after a bad shot can lose focus and make poor decisions, leading to mistakes and high scores. It’s important to stay positive and maintain a clear mind throughout the round.
- Ignoring the mental game: Golf is a mental game as much as it is a physical one. Golfers who neglect their mental game, such as failing to stay calm under pressure or visualize their shots, can also struggle to achieve a good score.
- Poor physical conditioning: Golf requires a level of physical fitness and conditioning to perform well, especially for long rounds. Golfers who are out of shape or neglect their physical health can struggle to maintain their form and focus throughout the round.
By avoiding these common mistakes and focusing on a well-rounded game that includes a strong short game, smart course management, a positive mental attitude, and physical conditioning, golfers can improve their chances of achieving a good golf score.
What’s the best golf score ever ?
58 is The Best golf score ever in golf history. Jim Furyk is the man who scored 58 in the 2016 PGA Tour Tournament. This happens just once in golf history. Jim Furyk is the man who created history.
If you Wanna be like Jim Faryuk you have to practice regularly and concentrate on your game.
(FAQs) About What is a Good Golf Score?
What is a good score for a beginner golfer?
A good score for a beginner golfer is usually around 100 or higher.
What is a good score for an intermediate golfer?
A good score for an intermediate golfer is usually between 80 and 90.
What is a good score for a professional golfer?
A good score for a professional golfer is usually under 70.
What can I do to improve my golf score?
You can improve your golf score by practicing regularly, focusing on your short game, using the right equipment, playing strategically, and staying positive.
How important is physical fitness in golf?
Physical fitness is important in golf, as it requires a lot of walking, swinging, and bending. Adding strength training and cardiovascular exercise to your routine can help improve your game.
Final Remarks
As an Expert or Beginner, you have to know every specific information about golf. And you also have to understand what is a good average golf score for golfers. You can find so many articles about golf on our website, that may help you to become a good and professional golfer.
As you can see, the average score is only a ballpark figure depending on several factors. Your age, experience level, and handicap will all affect the averages. It’s essential to know your current situation and then match it to the expectations outlined here.
If you’ve been playing golf consistently for 6 to 12 months, the results should be higher. You should be at par or 1 under par after 12 months of routine play if you have any time on your hand. And Practice is more important for beginners and professionals also.
Looking to improve your golf game and take your skills to the next level? Look no further than Golfer’s Park, founded by me, Sonjay Chowdhury – a professional golf writer and player with 6 years of playing experience and a wealth of knowledge in the sport.
With 6 years of experience playing golf and extensive knowledge of the sport, I am committed to helping others improve their game and get on the right path to success.
Iam realized that many aspiring golfers need more resources to get started and need more resources to succeed. That’s why I created “Golfer’s Park” – a comprehensive platform that provides simple, easy-to-understand golfing advice for players of all levels.
As the founder of Golfers Park, I am committed to providing simple and actionable golfing advice that any golfer can comprehend and execute.
So whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, Golfers Park is the perfect resource to take your game to the next level. Trust me, as your coach and guide, you can achieve your goals and become a better golfer.
So let’s visit my website and start playing your best golf!
