What Is a Good Golf Average?

Figuring out what a good average golf score is can feel like a moving target because, in reality, it is. The truth is, good is entirely relative to your experience, goals, and handicap. This article will break down what average scores look like for different levels of golfers, help you understand where you stand, and provide clear, actionable advice to help lower that number, no matter where you're starting from.

What Do Most Golfers Actually Score?

Let's get the big, broad number out of the way first. Data from various golf associations and stat-tracking apps consistently show that the average 18-hole score for a male recreational golfer is right around 100. For female golfers, that number is closer to 110-112. So, if you're consistently shooting around 100, congratulations - you are, by definition, an average golfer!

But that number includes everyone: the person who plays once a year, the competitive amateur, and everyone in between. A better way to think about scores is in tiers:

• Shooting 100+: This is typical for beginners or very infrequent players. The main goal here isn’t about a specific average, but about enjoying the game, making more consistent contact, and reducing the number of lost balls.
• Shooting in the 90s: Regularly scoring below 100 puts you ahead of a large chunk of recreational golfers. At this stage, you're likely hitting some solid shots each round but struggle with consistency.
• Shooting in the 80s: Welcome to the club of seriously good golfers. Breaking 80 is a huge milestone that the vast majority of players will never reach. If you live in the 80s, you have a solid, repeatable swing.
• Shooting in the 70s: This is an exceptional level of golf, known as a "single-digit handicap." You are in the top 5-10% of amateur golfers. You have control over your ball and a plan for how you play each hole.

Gross Score vs. Handicap: The Truest Measure of "Good"

Your raw score (or gross score) is the total number of strokes you took. If you shot a 95, your gross score is 95. Simple. However, the most accurate way to measure your ability and a "good" round is with a handicap.

A handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential, designed to level the playing field. In simple terms, it represents how many strokes over par you are expected to shoot on a course of average difficulty. For example, a golfer with a 20-handicap playing a Par 72 course is statistically expected to shoot around a 92 (72 + 20).

This is why handicap is the best judge of performance. If a 20-handicapper shoots an 89, they’ve had an excellent day. If a 5-handicapper shoots an 82, they might be disappointed. "Good" is all about playing better than your average.

Breaking It Down: What's a Good Average at Your Level?

Instead of chasing a single magic number, it's more productive to set realistic goals based on your current skill level. Here’s what a "good" score looks like and what you should be working on at each stage.

Level 1: The High-Handicapper (Score: 100+)

What the Game Looks Like: The primary goal for golfers at this level is to break 100 consistently. A "good" hole is a bogey (one over par) or double bogey. Your scorecard probably features a few pars mixed with a lot of bigger numbers (7s, 8s, and higher). Success isn’t about birdies, it’s about damage control and advancing the ball.

What to Focus On for Improvement:

• Course Management over Hero Shots: The fastest way to break 100 is to stop trying to be a hero. Instead of trying to hit a 3-wood out of the rough over a lake, just take a wedge and punch it back into the fairway. This turns a potential 9 into a manageable 6. Play the high-percentage shot, not the one-in-a-million shot.
• Master One Shot Around the Green: You don't need to know how to hit a fancy flop shot or a low, spinning checker. Learn one reliable, basic chip shot. Take an 8-iron or 9-iron, stand closer to the ball, make a putting-style stroke, and get the ball on the green and rolling. This single shot will eliminate the dreaded "chunk and blade" cycle that kills scorecards.
• Forget Par, Love Bogey: Mentally adjust your par for each hole. If you’re on a par 4, think of it as a par 5. Hitting the fairway, advancing the ball, chipping on, and two-putting for a 5 is a massive win. This mindset relieves pressure and leads to smarter decisions.

Level 2: The Mid-Handicapper (Score: 88-99)

What the Game Looks Like: You consistently shoot in the 90s and are knocking on the door of the 80s. You have a handful of pars each round and maybe an occasional birdie, but double bogeys still pop up too frequently. You can hit your driver well one day and your irons poorly, or vice-versa.

What to Focus On for Improvement:

• Attack the "Scoring Zone" (100 Yards and In): Golfers at this level often lose the most strokes from close range. Becoming deadly with your wedges is the key to breaking 90. Go to the range and figure out your exact yardages for a full, a three-quarter, and a half-swing with your sand wedge and pitching wedge. Knowing if a 75-yard shot is a smooth PW or a full SW makes a world of difference.
• Eliminate the 3-Putt: Nothing destroys a potentially good score like a 3-putt. Most 3-putts are a result of poor speed control on the first putt. The majority of your putting practice should be on lag putting - hitting putts from 30+ feet and focusing solely on getting the ball to stop within a 3-foot "tap-in" circle around the hole.
• Know Your Miss and Aim for It: Almost every golfer has a predominant miss (a fade/slice or a draw/hook). Instead of trying to fight it, accept it and plan for it. If you have a 15-yard slice, aim 15 yards left of your target. Aiming for the left side of the fairway and watching your ball drift back to the middle is far better than aiming down the middle and slicing into the right trees.

Level 3: The Low-Handicapper (Score: 78-87)

What the Game Looks Like: You’re a very competent golfer who consistently scores in the 80s and is pushing to break 80. Your bad holes are bogeys, not doubles or triples. You have solid fundamentals and are now working on converting scoring opportunities.

What to Focus On for Improvement:

• Short Game Finesse: This is where getting up and down becomes the name of the game. You're no longer just trying to get the ball on the green, you're trying to give yourself a makeable putt. Practice hitting chips with different trajectories - a low-running chip with a 7-iron, a mid-flight pitch with a PW, and a high, soft shot with a sand wedge. Having multiple tools in your short-game arsenal is essential for saving par.
• Strategic Course Management: You need to think one or two shots ahead. It’s not just about hitting the fairway, it's about hitting the correct side of the fairway to give yourself the best angle into the green. It’s knowing which pins to attack and which to respect by aiming for the middle of the green.
• Know Your Numbers, Cold: You must know exactly how far you hit every single club in your bag to a 5-yard window. This isn't your "best ever" 7-iron, it's your average, real-world carry distance. Use a launch monitor or a range with accurate yardage markers to chart your clubs. This removes the guesswork and allows you to swing with commitment.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, a "good" golf average is a personal benchmark, not a universal number you need to hit. The beauty of golf is that your main competition is yourself. Focusing on improving from a 105 to a 95 is a far more rewarding and motivating goal than worrying about how you compare to someone else.

Developing that feel for the game, from knowing the smart play on a tricky par-5 to getting a confident opinion on how to escape trouble, is often learned through years of trial and error. To help shorten that learning curve, our app, Caddie AI, acts as an on-demand golf expert in your pocket. You can get instant, simple strategic advice on how to play a hole, ask about club selection, or even snap a real-time photo of a tough lie to get a clear recommendation on how to play it, helping you make smarter, more confident decisions on the course.