Golf
What Is a Handicap in Golf?
Have you been watching Golf on TV or perhaps a friend has invited you to play a round of Golf Whether you’re a pro golfer, or a beginner taking your first swing of a Golf club and hoping not to embarrass yourself at the Golf course, or if you’re trying to impress your friends with your stylish Golf Game, understanding What Is A Handicap In Golf is key to your enjoyment and understanding of the game.
Golf Player Making a Successful Stroke//Getty Images
Now it’s time to get your game on! You calmly reach for your Driver and you embrace the atmosphere, and just as you’re about to show off your Golf skills and get that hole-in-one, your friend asks you, so tell me your Golf handicap?
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to a handicap In Golf. Our experts at SportsBoom will take you through everything you need to know about a handicap in Golf including, What Is A Good Handicap In Golf, What Is A High Handicap In Golf, & more!
A handicap in Golf is basically your Golf skill level. Your handicap allows you to play against Golfers of a similar or the same Golf handicap so that you have a competitive game of Golf.
A Golf handicap represents the number of strokes a player is expected to take above or below the course’s par score. The higher the handicap, the more strokes a player is allowed to subtract from their score to determine their net score.
Two Male Golfers High Five//Getty Images
Do I need to know my Golf Handicap?
No, it is not essential for you to know your Golf handicap, however if you are serious about improving your Golf game, you should always be looking to improve your Golf handicap.
Is It Better to Have a High Golf Handicap or a Low Golf Handicap?
The lower your Golf handicap, the more skilled golfer you are. Therefore, it’s better to have a low Golf handicap which means that you’re expected to have a lower net score. A higher Golf handicap means that you’re expected to have a higher net score. Unlike other sports, in Golf it’s better to have a lower net score rather than a high net score.
What Is a Good Handicap in Golf?
In order to answer this question, it is important for you to understand the three categories of Golf handicaps - low, medium, and high.
- Low Handicap: 0-10
- Mid-Handicap: 11-18
- High Handicap: 19+
Therefore a good Golf handicap for a beginner is anything under 20, however, if you’re a pro Golfer, of course you’ll be aiming for a low handicap in the range of 0-10.
What Is a High Handicap in Golf?
According to various sources like What Is A High Handicap In Golf - a Golf handicap is considered high when it goes above 18. Some interesting stats from Stitch Golf What Is A High Handicap - around 25% of male and 81% of female Golfers have a high Golf handicap.
Now that you have a better understanding about the basics of Golf handicaps, we’re going to teach you about a 6 handicap. What is a 6 handicap in Golf? A 6 handicap In Golf means that you’re expected to play 78 strokes or six over par.
Golfer Playing Shot//Getty Images
How can I improve my Golf Handicap?
So, you want to take your Golf handicap from a high handicap of 19+ to a low handicap of 0-10? Like anything in life, it will require time, effort, and consistency to improve your Golf handicap.
Of course, practice makes perfect and the more Golf you play, the better you’ll get. Go for Golf lessons and play Golf with as many different Golfers as possible. You’ll also become familiar with the various Golf courses that you play at and this will help you understand how to play these Golf courses.
We also recommend that you test your Golf skills by playing at Golf courses that you’ve never experienced before. You can also get some tips by reading Golf content on our site and by following the latest Golf news on the PGA Tour.
Now that you know exactly what a handicap Is In Golf, it’s time to get your Golf clubs out, put on your golf shirt, call your mates and head to the Golf Course to try and improve your Golf handicap.
Josh has over ten years of experience as a Sports Writer. Josh has created content for some of the biggest sports brands and publications in South Africa. Josh is a creative writer who puts you in the game with his unique content. Josh writes about Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball, Darts, Golf, and all major sports.