Walking off the 18th green and adding up your score for the first time is a rite of passage, but the final number can often feel confusing or even a little defeating. Everyone talks about par, but what does a genuinely good score look like when you're just starting out? This article will give you realistic benchmarks to aim for, a healthier way to track your progress, and actionable advice to start lowering your scores right away.
One of the biggest sources of frustration for new golfers is the concept of par. Par is an expert-level target, a score a seasoned, scratch-level golfer would expect to make on a hole under ideal conditions. Expecting to hit that number when you’re learning is like expecting to play a Chopin nocturne after your third piano lesson - it’s just not realistic, and holding yourself to that standard will only lead to disappointment.
Golf is hard. Between awkward lies in the rough, shots that splash into water hazards, the pain of a bladed chip shot, and the dreaded three or four-putt on the green, there are dozens of ways to add strokes to your score. The world’s best players hit bad shots, it's a part of the game.
So, the first step is to shift your mindset. Forget about getting a 4 on a par-4 for now. Your score is going to be high, and that is completely normal. Embracing this reality allows you to focus on what actually matters as a beginner: making small improvements, managing the course, and - most importantly - having fun.
Now for the real answer you came here for. While there's no single magic number, we can look at scoring in terms of milestones. Your goalposts will move as you improve, and that’s a great thing. It means you’re getting better.
For your very first rounds, a fantastic score is simply any score you can count honestly over 18 holes. If you finish your round and add everything up - we're talking every single swing, penalty, and putt - and you come away with a number, you have succeeded. In this phase, a score of 120-130 and above is very common. Don't sweat it. Your goal here isn’t breaking records, it’s learning the rhythm of the game, understanding the basic rules, and figuring out how far you hit each club.
For a majority of amateur golfers worldwide, breaking 100 is the first massive achievement. It separates you from the true beginners and shows that you have some consistency in your game. A score of 99 means you’re averaging 5.5 strokes per hole on a par-72 course - a significant step forward.
What does it take to get there?
Breaking 100 for the first time is something most golfers never forget. If you can shoot in the high 90s, you are no longer just a beginner - you're a golfer.
Once you are comfortably shooting under 100, the next goalpost is breaking 90. A score in the 80s signifies that you have real control over your shots and a solid understanding of course management. This is the mark of a skilled amateur golfer. Beyond that lies the challenge of shooting in the 70s, a goal that takes serious dedication and practice to achieve.
Constantly comparing your score to par is a recipe for frustration. A much more supportive and productive system for a beginner is to aim for "Double Bogey Golf." It’s simple, actionable, and completely transforms your mindset on the course.
A "double bogey" is golfing terminology for a score of two over par on a single hole. Thinking in these terms provides a clear, attainable goal for every single hole:
Let’s do the math. On a standard par-72 course, averaging a double bogey on every hole equals a total score of 108 (72 + 36 strokes). A score of 108 is a fantastic, respectable score for someone learning the game! It shows you can manage your misses and avoid those catastrophic holes.
This approach flips the script entirely. Instead of feeling down about getting a 6 on a par-4, you can walk to the next tee feeling like you hit your objective. It builds confidence, reduces pressure, and helps you see solid progress, hole by hole, instead of fixating on a final number that feels impossibly far away.
You don't need a picture-perfect swing to get your score under 110 or 100. Lowering your score is often less about hitting amazing shots and more about avoiding the most common mistakes that pile on extra strokes. Here are the main culprits:
This is when a single hole goes completely off the rails and you walk away with a 9, 10, or even more. It’s often caused by a snowball effect: one bad shot leads to a risky, frustrated second shot, which leads to another compounding error. The single best way to lower your a_blank" rel "noopener" "t_blank rel="noopener" target="score is to limit these disasters. Sometimes this means taking your medicine and punching the ball back out to the fairway instead of trying an impossible hero shot through the trees.
The one-stroke penalties for hitting your ball into a water hazard or out of bounds are score killers. Beginners often hit their driver on every long hole, but if you're not consistent with it, those errant tee shots can quickly add 5-10 strokes to your score. Sometimes, hitting a more reliable hybrid or iron off the tee is the smarter play, even if it means a longer approach shot.
New golfers understandably focus on their full swing, but nearly 40% of all shots happen on or beside the putting green. Wasting three or four putts to get the ball in the hole is one of the fastest ways to inflate your score. You can save countless strokes by focusing on your pace control. Your goal for the first putt shouldn't always be to make it, but to get it close enough to guarantee an easy second putt.
Ready for some practical advice? Here are a few simple things you can do in your very next round to make the game easier and see your score start to drop.
Ultimately, a "good" golf score for a beginner is one you can be proud of, based on your own journey. Stop measuring yourself against the pros' standard of par and start celebrating your own progress - whether that’s finishing 18 holes, breaking 120, or finally writing down that satisfying "99" on your scorecard. Focus on small improvements, smart choices, and having fun, and the good scores will follow.
As you get better, making smarter decisions on the course is how you’ll really lower your scores. This is where a tool like Caddie AI can become your new best friend. For example, if you’re unsure how to approach a hole, you can get a simple strategy for how to play it. Or, if you’re stuck in a really bad spot, you can take a picture of your ball’s lie and get instant advice on the best shot to play. It’s all about removing the uncertainty so you can commit to every swing confidently, turning those big numbers into manageable scores.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
