People toss around the term “average golfer,” but it doesn’t say much about what players actually shoot. As a former membership director and teaching pro, here’s a clear, practical look at average golf scores—how they vary by gender, age, and skill level—plus how handicap fits into the picture and what a “good” score really is.
Golf has a way of getting under your skin—in the best possible way. After decades in the game, I’m convinced the “golf bug” is real. If you’ve caught it, these ten signs will feel painfully (and hilariously) familiar.
Do you par or birdie every par 5? Probably not. The fastest way to lower scores on three-shot holes isn’t a heroic second—it’s a smarter third. Here’s the single strategy that transforms par-5 scoring for amateurs: stop getting as close to the green as possible and lay up to a full, confident wedge number.
Do the courses you play affect your score? In many ways—yes. As a former golf professional who grew up on public tracks and later worked and played at private clubs, I’ve seen both worlds up close. Below is a clear, practical rundown of how country clubs and public courses differ, how those differences show up on your scorecard, and how to decide what’s right for your budget, goals, and lifestyle.
Modern golf bags have a pocket for everything—which makes it easy to carry the wrong things (or forget the right ones). After 30 years of playing, here are the seven essentials that actually save strokes, protect your hands, and keep you steady from the first tee to the final putt.
Golf is full of hand-me-down “truths” that quietly sabotage progress. After decades in the game—as a player, coach, and gear tinkerer—these are the seven myths that deserve retirement today. Bust them, and you’ll free up strokes without overhauling your swing.
We all love the game—but some on-course behaviors can drive playing partners up the wall. Before you point fingers, make sure you’re not the culprit. Here are seven common habits that annoy golfers, why they’re a problem, and quick fixes to keep your group happy and pace of play moving.
There’s a lot of well-meaning—but misleading—advice in golf. Some myths slow improvement, drain your budget, or add swing clutter. Use this guide to separate fact from fiction and focus on what actually lowers scores.
We’re told to ditch “bad habits” to play better golf. But some so-called mistakes can boost confidence, contact, and scoring—if you use them the right way. Below are five habits worth keeping (with guardrails), plus simple cues you can try on your next round.
Buying new clubs should be exciting—longer drives, tighter approaches, lower scores. Not always. Avoid these common pitfalls so your next setup actually helps you play better.