Ever wonder how your golf score stacks up against everyone else's? The average golf score for amateur players in America hovers somewhere between 90 and 100 strokes for 18 holes. This article breaks down what that number really means, identifies the common mistakes that inflate scores, and gives you a clear, actionable plan to start lowering your own.
If you search for the average golf score, you'll see a few different numbers. The United States Golf Association (USGA) has stated in the past that the average score is around 100. However, many golf data apps like Arccos and The Grint report an average closer to 90. So, which is it?
The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and the difference comes down to who is reporting their scores. The players who meticulously track every shot in a data app or maintain an official USGA handicap are, on average, more dedicated and likely more skilled than the casual golfer who plays a few times a year. Most casual golfers don't post scores, so their higher numbers (100+) don't get factored into the app-based averages. Therefore, the true average score for every person who picks up a club is likely closer to that 100-stroke mark.
What's more important than a single average number is understanding where you fit on the spectrum of amateur golf. It's about personal milestones and progress.
Forget the pros on TV for a second. In the a world of recreational golf, scores are best viewed in brackets. Finding where you are can give you a a realistic goal for your next step.
Getting your score from 100 down to 89 isn't about suddenly developing a picture-perfect swing. It's about eliminating the silly mistakes and poor decisions that plague the average player. As a coach, I see the same scorecard-wrecking trends over and over again. Here are the biggest ones.
For many golfers, the driver is both their favorite club and their worst enemy. An out-of-bounds tee shot isn't a one-stroke penalty, it's a two-stroke swing because you also lose the distance of the original shot. Hitting one or two of those per round makes it nearly impossible to break 90.
The solution isn't to hit your driver better, but to put it away more often. The goal off the tee is to put the ball in play, nothing more. Hitting a 3-wood or even a hybrid 200 yards down the middle is infinitely better than a 250-yard drive into the woods. Ego costs strokes.
Here’s a simple truth: you aren't going to make every putt outside of 10 feet. Even the pros have low conversion rates from a distance. High-handicap golfers, however, constantly try to jar 40-foot putts. This aggressive mentality leads them to blow the first putt five or six feet past the hole, creating a stressful second putt that they often miss.
The goal of your first putt from long distance is not to make it. It’s to get it inside a three-foot "social security circle" around the hole. This turns one big putt into two easy ones and practically eliminates three-putts from your scorecard. A round with three or four fewer putts is a score in the 80s.
The anaysis is clear: about 60% of all your shots in a given round will occur from within 100 yards of the hole. Yet, where does the average golfer spend their practice time? On the driving range, hitting bucket after bucket of drivers.
Your "scoring zone" is where the game is won and lost. Learning the difference between a low-running chip shot and a high, soft pitch shot is game-changing. If you can confidently get your ball onto the green from anywhere inside 50 yards and give yourself a chance to one-putt, your scores will plummet.
Most amateurs approach golf shot by shot, with no overarching plan. They see the flag, grab the club that *might* get them there if they hit it perfectly, and swing for the fences. This 'go-for-broke' strategy is why double and triple bogeys are so common.
A better way is to "play golf backward." When you approach a hole, first identify the absolute worst places you could hit it (water, OB, a deep bunker). Then, decide on a safe target that takes the danger out of play. For example, on a par 4 with water guarding the front-right of the pin, the smart play isn't to aim at the flag but to aim for the center or left side of the green. A wise miss leaves you an easy chip, a foolish miss adds a penalty stroke.
Knowing is one thing, doing is another. Here is a simple, practical four-step process to start applying these ideas and shaving strokes off your average score.
You cannot improve what you don't measure. Next time you play, take a notepad and track four simple things:
After your round, you’ll have a clear snapshot of your game. You might think your putting is the problem, but the data might show that you only hit one fairway all day, forcing you to constantly scramble.
Your stats from Step 1 will almost certainly reveal that your short game needs work. It always does. To fix this, invert your practice routine. Start dedicating 60% of your practice time to the short game area and putting green, and only 40% to the full swing on the range. Twenty minutes of chipping to different flags, followed by twenty minutes of lag putting, will do more for your score than hitting 100 drivers.
Every golfer needs a reliable shot they can turn to under pressure when a hole is going sideways. This is your "get out of jail free" card. For many, it's a simple, low punch shot with a 7- or 8-iron that flies straight and only goes about 120-150 yards. You find your ball in the trees? Instead of trying a hero shot, take out your go-to club, punch it back into the fairway, and live to fight another day. It turns a potential 8 into a 6, saving your round from disaster.
Before every single shot - from a tee shot to a simple chip - take ten seconds and ask yourself three quick questions:
This simple mental checklist forces you to engage in basic course management and prevents the thoughtless swings that lead to big numbers.
The average golf score in America may be floating around 90-100, but the more important score is your own and the progress you're making with it. True improvement comes not from chasing a perfect swing, but from smarter play - eliminating penalty strokes, avoiding three-putts, and thinking your way around the course.
Shifting your mindset from simply hitting shots to strategically planning them is the fastest path to a lower score. In fact, that's precisely why we built Caddie AI. As your personal on-demand golf expert, it helps you think like a seasoned caddie on every single hole. If you’re unsure what the right play is from the tee or find yourself in a tricky situation around the green, you can get instant, expert advice right when you need it, removing the guesswork so you can play with confidence and finally start dropping those scores.
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