Wondering what score your 13-year-old should be shooting on the golf course? It’s one of the most common questions both parents and young golfers ask, but the truth is, there's no single magic number. Scores for this age group can range dramatically, and fixating on a single average can create unnecessary pressure. This guide will walk you through realistic score ranges based on experience, explain the key factors that influence a junior’s performance, and provide practical coaching advice focused on what truly matters: improvement and a lifelong love for the game.
Pinpointing a universal "average" is tough because 13 is a pivotal age where players have vastly different levels of experience. Instead of one number, it’s much more helpful to think in terms of ranges based on how long and how seriously the junior has been playing. Let's break down some realistic expectations for a full 18-hole par 72 course, played from age-appropriate tees.
Average Score Range: 110 - 130+
If your 13-year-old is just starting or plays a handful of times per year, scores will naturally be high, and that's perfectly fine. A score of 120, which is about a 6 or 7 on every hole, is a very respectable place to start. At this stage, the goals are completely different from a competitive player’s. Success isn't measured by score but by achieving smaller milestones like:
At this level, "double par" is often a good mental benchmark. If it's a par 4, picking up after 8 shots and moving on can keep the pace of play up and prevent major frustration.
Average Score Range: 95 - 110
A 13-year-old who has been playing for a year or two and gets to the course regularly will start to see their scores drop. They likely have a developing swing that they can repeat more often. Breaching the 100-stroke barrier is a huge accomplishment and a common goal for this group. Here, the player is starting to:
A score in the low 100s or high 90s shows that the player is building a solid foundation and starting to string together decent holes.
Average Score Range: 80 - 95
For a 13-year-old who has chosen golf as their primary sport, practices multiple times a week, and plays in local or regional tournaments, scoring in the 80s becomes the norm. These players have moved beyond just hitting the ball, they are actively playing the game. They:
Shooting in the 80s consistently shows a high level of proficiency and commitment. Players in this range often have a handicap and are familiar with the pressures of competition.
Average Score Range: 70 - 80
It's important to mention this group to provide full context, but understand that this level is exceptionally rare. A handful of 13-year-olds in the country are capable of shooting par or better. These are highly dedicated athletes who compete on a national level, practice with the discipline of a professional, and have a level of talent and dedication that is far outside the norm. Their performance shouldn't be a benchmark for the average budding golfer.
A raw score is just a single data point. Understanding why the score is what it is gives you the power to help your junior golfer improve. Several factors play a huge part in their performance.
This is the most obvious one. A kid who plays 18 holes every Saturday and spends two afternoons a week practicing will have a massive advantage over one who plays a few times a summer. Time in the game allows fundamentals to become ingrained, turning conscious, clumsy movements into a subconscious, repeatable swing.
The age of 13 is a period of massive physical change. Growth spurts can temporarily throw off coordination and timing. However, this is also when juniors start developing more core strength and power. A sudden increase in distance is common, but it can come with a decrease in accuracy. Patience is vital during these phases. As their body matures, they gain a stable base to build a more powerful and consistent swing.
Self-taught golfers often develop ingrained habits that limit their potential. Good coaching, even just a few initial lessons, can establish a solid foundation in the grip, setup, and core swing motion. As our philosophy at Caddie AI emphasizes, the golf swing is a rotational action powered by the body. A coach can instill this feeling from day one, preventing the common beginner mistake of trying to lift the ball with just their arms.
Your 13-year-old doesn't need a $2,000 set of clubs, but playing with hand-me-down adult clubs that are too long, too stiff, and too heavy will absolutely sabotage their swing. Properly fitted junior clubs are lighter and more flexible, allowing them to swing freely and develop proper mechanics. A club that is the right length makes it much easier to achieve a balanced, athletic setup.
Putting a beginner on a 6,800-yard championship course is a recipe for disaster. It turns a fun challenge into a grueling and demoralizing slog. Playing from age-appropriate tees (often marked as "forward" or "family" tees) makes the game fair. It allows them to reach greens in regulation and gives them a legitimate chance to make pars. A par 3 course or an executive course is an outstanding training ground for developing skills without the pressure of long holes.
As a coach, my biggest piece of advice to parents and kids is to shift focus away from the final score and onto the process of improvement. The score is a result, it's a lagging indicator. The things you do on the course are "lead indicators" that will eventually drive that score down. Celebrate these things instead!
Did they make a fantastic putt on the 5th hole? Cheer for that! Did they smash a drive right down the middle? High-five them! Did they successfully chip the ball over a bunker and onto the green? That’s a huge win! Isolating and celebrating these small successes builds confidence and reinforces positive actions, making the experience rewarding regardless of the number on the final scorecard.
Instead of asking "What did you shoot?", try asking, "Did you feel balanced on your follow-through today?" or "How did your setup feel?" Check in on the building blocks of a great swing:
Mastering these will have a far greater long-term impact on their score than obsessing over breaking 100 on any given day.
A huge leap in a junior's game happens when they stop just banging the ball toward the flag and start thinking about the hole. Did they aim away from the water hazard? Did they lay up on a long par 5 instead of trying an impossible hero shot? Did they notice where the trouble was and play to the safe side? These strategic decisions are the first signs of a golfer who is starting to manage their game, not just their swing.
If you want to track stats, go beyond the final score. Keep a simple log of things like:
Following these specific stats over time provides concrete evidence of improvement and helps identify exactly which part of the game needs the most work.
Knowing you want to help is one thing, knowing how is another. Here are three simple, actionable strategies any parent can use to support their young golfer.
Standing on a range and mindlessly hitting 100 balls in 30 minutes is not effective practice - it's just exercise. Turn practice into a game. Create chipping contests to different holes. Have putting competitions where the loser has to do the dishes. On the range, create a "fairway" between two targets and see how many drives they can hit inside of it. This makes practice engaging and goal-oriented.
A round of 18 holes can take over four hours, which is a big-time and attention commitment for a 13-year-old. A 9-hole round is often the perfect dose of golf. It keeps the energy and focus high and rarely feels like a grind. It's much better to finish nine holes wanting more than to drag through the last few holes of an 18-hole round feeling exhausted and defeated.
Unless you are a trained golf professional, resist the urge to give constant technical swing advice. Your job is to be the department of encouragement, logistics, and positivity. Carry the snacks, offer a word of support after a bad hole, and praise their effort. Celebrate good shots and downplay bad ones. Your role is to foster a positive on-course environment where they can learn and experiment without fear of judgment. Protect their love of the game above all else.
The average score for a 13-year-old can lie anywhere from over 120 to the low 80s, and every single point on that spectrum is perfectly normal depending on their journey. Rather than comparing them to an arbitrary average, measure them against their own progress and praise their dedication, positive attitude, and the small improvements they make along the way.
As a young golfer learns the ropes, navigating tricky situations on the course can be a big challenge. As I have developed into a coach, I've seen technology evolve. One evolution is Caddie AI which acts as a 24/7 coach and on-course guide. If a junior is faced with a weird lie in the rough or is unsure on the strategy for a Par 5, our app can give a second opinion - you can even a photo to see what the play is - to give you smart, expert advice right on the spot. It helps take the guesswork out of the game allowing junior players to learn and build confidence with every round they play.
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