Here is what a 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 handicap averages on the stats most golf apps track. Find your column, then compare it with your own rounds. There is a blank row further down for exactly that.
The ChartAverage stats by handicap
| Handicap | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average score to par | +0.83 | +6.33 | +10.88 | +17.38 | +21.69 | +28.97 |
| Fairways hit | 50% | 48% | 49% | 48% | 46% | 46% |
| Greens in regulation | 61% | 44% | 36% | 24% | 17% | 10% |
| Up-and-down | 47% | 41% | 31% | 21% | 20% | 18% |
| Putts per round | 29.4 | 30.2 | 31.2 | 33.1 | 33.1 | 33.8 |
| Penalty shots per round | 0.56 | 0.91 | 1.62 | 2.45 | 3.03 | 4.67 |
Source: Shot Scope, "Traditional Statistics v Strokes Gained" (ebook 4), Chapter 1, Benchmark Statistics. Averages from Shot Scope users.
One oddity, shown here exactly as printed: Shot Scope lists 33.1 putts per round for both the 15 and the 20 handicap, and does not explain why. Read putts as a general trend, not as a precise step between those two columns.
Notice how little the fairway row moves. Scratch golfers hit 50% and 20 and 25 handicaps hit 46%. Greens in regulation, up-and-down and penalty shots are where the columns pull apart.
How to Read ItWhere am I losing strokes?
Put your own numbers next to your handicap's column and look for the stat that is furthest from it. Here is what each row can tell you.
- Fairways hit. Shot Scope calls the small spread between handicaps surprising. If you are near your column, the tee is probably not what separates you from a better player. If you are well below it, the penalty row is the next place to look.
- Greens in regulation. This is the row with the biggest drop, from 61% at scratch to 10% at a 25. Shot Scope says it is where golfers of every level should invest their time. Missing greens often comes down to not knowing how far each club really goes, and the club distance chart lists Shot Scope's averages for every club by handicap.
- Up-and-down. It falls with handicap too, and the golfers who hit fewer greens also face more chip shots. If your number is low, the problem may be in the short game or in how often you are being left with one.
- Putts per round. Shot Scope says to read this next to greens in regulation, not on its own. Your putt count depends on how many greens you hit and how close you chip.
- Penalty shots. From 0.56 a round at scratch to 4.67 at a 25. Each one is a full stroke on your card, so a high number here is often the quickest fix: a safer club off the tee, or a smarter line around water.
Your RoundFill in your own numbers
Print this page or copy the row onto a scorecard. Averaging a few rounds is steadier than using one.
| Fairways hit % | Greens in regulation % | Up-and-down % | Putts | Penalty shots | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your round | |||||
| My handicap's column | |||||
| Better or worse? |
How to count each one, in the usual way:
- Fairways hit: par 4 and par 5 tee shots that finish in the fairway, divided by the number of par 4s and 5s.
- Greens in regulation: holes where the ball is on the green in two shots fewer than par.
- Up-and-down: holes where you missed the green, then got the ball in the hole in two shots.
- Penalty shots: strokes added by penalty, such as a ball in water or out of bounds.
Apps count these a little differently. Pick one way and stick with it, so your rounds can be compared with each other.
Good to KnowCommon mistakes
Comparing yourself with the wrong column. A 15 handicap measuring against the scratch column will feel terrible about everything. Use your own.
Judging a single round. One round is noisy. A windy day or one bad hole can swing penalties and up-and-downs a lot.
Treating the chart as a target. These are averages. Shot Scope notes that the average score to par is above the handicap in every column, so if you usually shoot a few over your handicap, you are in ordinary company.
Reading putts alone. Fewer greens hit means more chances to chip and putt, so putt counts and greens in regulation belong together.
FAQQuick answers
What is a good greens in regulation percentage for a 15 handicap?
Shot Scope's average for a 15 handicap is 24%. A 10 handicap averages 36% and a 20 handicap 17%. Scratch golfers average 61%.
How many putts per round is good?
Shot Scope lists 29.4 for a scratch golfer, 30.2 at a 5, 31.2 at a 10, 33.1 at both a 15 and a 20, and 33.8 at a 25. Compare your count alongside your greens in regulation.
What is the average up-and-down percentage?
It depends on handicap: 47% at scratch, 41% at a 5, 31% at a 10, 21% at a 15, 20% at a 20 and 18% at a 25.
How many penalty shots does a 10 handicap take?
Shot Scope's average is 1.62 per round for a 10 handicap. A 5 takes 0.91, a 15 takes 2.45 and a 20 takes 3.03.
Do better golfers hit a lot more fairways?
Not by much. Shot Scope lists 50% at scratch, 48% at a 5, 49% at a 10, 48% at a 15 and 46% at both a 20 and a 25. Shot Scope called this surprising.
Why do the 15 and 20 handicaps have the same putts per round?
Shot Scope prints 33.1 for both and gives no explanation. It is shown here exactly as published.