In golf, players complete 18 holes for a regulation round. While professionals and other elite players may aim to shoot under par, most amateur golfers simply try to break 100 strokes. Shooting a score of 100 or lower for 18 holes is a noteworthy accomplishment for the average golfer. But what exactly constitutes a “good” score can vary substantially based on a golfer’s age, gender, and skill level.
This guide examines what score standards exist for 18 holes of golf across different handicap tiers. We will explore beginner scores compared to intermediate, advanced, and professional averages. Factors like age, gender, course difficulty, and conditioning will be considered in evaluating ideal 18-hole scores. For amateur players seeking to improve, the impact of practice, lessons and fitness training will also be discussed. While individual golfer goals differ, understanding score benchmarks helps each player maximize their potential.
What is considered a good score in golf for 18 holes?
A golfer’s score for 18 holes is dependent on many factors, including skill level, age, gender, weather conditions, and course difficulty. While there is no definitive answer, golfers generally strive to break 100 strokes in a round of 18 holes. For most amateur recreational golfers, breaking 100 is considered achieving a good score.
For seasoned amateurs and older golfers, shooting in the 80s for 18 holes is typically viewed as a good score. Shooting par (72 strokes) or below for a round is rare, even among professionals. An amateur able to shoot in the 70s has reached an advanced skill level. Lower handicap golfers with indexes of 5 or less would hope to regularly shoot in the 70s.
Younger golfers and college players may average in the 60s for 18 holes on appropriate difficulty courses. Any score in the 60s demonstrates an exceptional skill level for an amateur. Professionals and elite amateur tournament players average 18-hole scores in the 60s.
For beginners or high handicap amateurs, simply breaking 120 strokes could be considered a good achievement. Scoring closer to 100 should be the goal for most recreational golfers early in their development. With practice over time, 18-hole scores can drop into the 90s and eventually the 80s. Setting reasonable goals and incremental improvements are key.
While the score standards vary based on skill level, breaking 100 shots is widely seen as an indicator of a good 18-hole score for an amateur player. Shooting par (72) or better is rare even for professionals. Every golfer’s goal should be incremental improvement to reach their highest potential.
What is the ideal 18-hole score for an amateur golfer?
The ideal 18-hole score that an amateur golfer should strive for depends significantly on the player’s age, gender, experience level, handicap, and overall skill. While professionals and some elite amateurs may aim for scores in the 60s, a more reasonable target for most recreational players would be in the 80s or 90s.
For a beginner or high handicap golfer, breaking 100 shots should be the initial goal. Beginning amateur men golfers should aim to shoot between 100-110 strokes, while beginning women golfers should target 110-120 strokes for a complete 18-hole round. Playing to those scores demonstrates good progress at that level.
As an amateur golfer improves through lessons and experience, their ideal score target drops. For intermediate players with some years behind them, shooting in the 90s becomes feasible. Male golfers at this level should aim for 90-100 strokes as an ideal score, while female players should target 100-110 shots.
Advanced amateur golfers with lower handicaps in the 5-15 range should set their sights on scores in the 80s for an ideal 18-hole round. Well-practiced male amateurs should seek to score in the mid 80s on appropriate courses, while female counterparts should aim for the high 80s.
Recreational golfers who manage to reach the skill level of shooting scores in the 70s have exceeded most amateur expectations. Only golfers with considerable talent and training will ever reach the ideal of scoring near par (72 strokes) for 18 holes. However, every amateur should keep striving for incremental improvement towards their peak potential.
What are the differences in average 18-hole scores for golfers of different skill levels?
There can be major differences in the average scores shot by amateur golfers across various skill levels. Beginners and high handicap players often average over 120 strokes for an 18-hole round. As amateurs gain experience and improve through practice, their average scores gradually drop into the 100s, 90s, and ideally the 80s.
Complete beginners starting out may average 130-150 strokes for 18 holes. With some basic lessons and practice, new players can get into the 120-130 range within their first year. High handicappers with a course handicap over 20 will average 110-120 shots per round. Only with considerable experience will high handicap players break into the 100s.
Intermediate golfers with handicaps from 15-20 typically average between 100-110 strokes for 18 holes. More seasoned intermediate amateurs in the 10-15 handicap range will generally score in the mid to low 100s for a complete round. Good ball striking and course management helps these players break 100.
Advanced amateur players with single digit handicaps of 5-8 regularly shoot rounds in the 80s. Well-trained male amateurs at this level will average 85-95 strokes per 18 holes. Female counterparts play to 95-100 on average. Only the top tier of amateurs can average in the 70s for a round.
Professionals and elite amateur tournament golfers comprise the highest skill bracket. Pro golfers averaging over 70 shots per round will have trouble making cuts. The top PGA Tour pros average a stroke count in the high 60s for 18 holes. Only a tiny fraction of overall golfers reach that elite scoring ability.
There is no definitive handicap level where a golfer’s average 18-hole score crosses into the next tier. But the general spread shows higher averages correlating with lesser skills, and experience over time can significantly lower scores.
What is the average 18-hole score for a professional golfer?
For the top tier of professional golfers playing on the PGA Tour and European Tour, the average 18-hole score is typically in the 60s, which is well under par for most championship-level courses. The very best pros in the world average in the upper 60s for a round, while scores in the mid 60s can put a player near the top of leaderboards.
The current average 18-hole scoring average for all players on the PGA Tour is approximately 70.8 strokes. The top 10 players on the PGA Tour average around 68-69 strokes per 18 holes. Some elite players like Rory McIlroy have averaged as low as 67 strokes over a season.
Scoring averages do vary notably between tournaments based on course difficulty and conditions. On an exceptionally challenging course playing long and tight, even top pros may average over par, in the low to mid 70s for a round. At certain tournaments known for easier conditions, PGA Tour players could average 18-hole scores in the mid 60s.
Up and coming players on the Korn Ferry Tour aiming for a PGA Tour card average a couple strokes higher than the PGA Tour at around 72-73 per round. This scoring ability allows them to contend on the AAA-level Korn Ferry circuit, with the best players graduating to the PGA Tour.
There is a noticeable difference between the averages of full-time tour pros compared to the scores of elite amateurs and part-time older pros. The typical Champions Tour player for pros 50 and over averages around 72 strokes per 18 holes. Amateurs rarely break 70 strokes for a round even on the best days.
While hot streaks and bad slumps affect a pro’s scoring average, the best professionals demonstrate a long-term consistency of shooting scores several strokes under par for most 18-hole rounds, showcasing their exceptional talent.
Can reasonable practice and training help improve 18-hole averages?
For amateur golfers seeking to improve their scoring averages, adopting a structured practice routine and training regimen can definitely pay dividends. Combining range sessions, putting practice, lessons, fitness training, and on-course experience allows skills to progressively improve.
Establishing a weekly practice schedule provides regular repetition for honing swing mechanics and shot skills. Even 30-60 minutes per day at the driving range and practice greens builds more consistency week to week. Lessons from a teaching pro identify areas needing improvement.
Practicing with a purpose also helps amateurs shoot lower scores. Setting specific targets for driving accuracy, greens in regulation, and number of putts helps develop measurable skills. Tracking progress in those areas will lower scores.
Building golf-specific strength and flexibility through fitness training keeps the body aligned for an efficient, repeating swing. Stretches, cardio, and exercises to strengthen the core, hips and legs give amateurs a stable foundation to play their best golf.
Playing regular 18-hole rounds immerses amateurs in real course situations. Keeping thorough stats on driving distance, fairways hit, greens reached, and putts taken allows reflection on areas to practice. Applying lessons and skills from the range onto the course is vital.
With dedication and effective time management, amateur golfers can carve out 10-15 hours weekly for practice, training, and playing. That regimen combines skills training with physical conditioning to build score-lowering potential. Reasonable effort focused on continuous improvement will pay off in better averages.
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