What Is a Good Golf Score? A Beginner’s Guide to Scoring in Golf

If you are just getting into golf, you have probably asked yourself, “What is a good golf score?” It’s a simple question, but the answer can be a bit tricky, especially for beginners. For beginning players, one of the most difficult things is knowing what counts as a good score, how golf scoring actually functions and what targets to shoot for. It’s easy to get frustrated when you don’t know what’s considered normal or excellent.

Knowing what a good golf score looks like helps you if you are trying to beat your friends on a Sunday. It enables you to monitor progress and establish reasonable objectives even if you are only trying to get better.

Understanding Golf Scores

Good Golf Score

Before discussing what makes a "good" score, let’s first address how to correctly score golf.  The better in golf is the less strokes it takes you to get the ball in the hole.  In golf, lower is better.  Every hole has a "par," or predicted number of strokes for a skilled golfer.

  • Par 3: Expected to complete in 3 strokes

  • Par 4: Expected to complete in 4 strokes

  • Par 5: Expected to complete in 5 strokes

If you complete a hole in fewer strokes than par, that’s great. If you take more, well, there is room to grow.

So, What Is a Good Golf Score?

Usually, a good golf score for novices is about 90-100 for a complete game of 18 holes.  That indicates you are averaging roughly 5 to 5.5 strokes each hole.  Scoring in the 80s puts you rather good; even seasoned amateurs strive for that range.

A good golf score would be about 45-50 strokes if you were playing only 9 holes, which many casual players would prefer.  This allows newcomers a shorter game to concentrate on, while still teaching the fundamentals.

Common Score Ranges and What They Mean

Good Golf Score

Here is a simple breakdown to help you figure out where your score falls:

  • 70 or below: Excellent golf score (usually for advanced players or pros)

  • 70-80: Very good score, typically low handicap golfers

  • 80-90: Good score, intermediate players

  • 90-100: Average golf score for beginners

  • 100+: Common for new golfers still learning the ropes

Challenges Beginners Often Face

When you are just starting out, you might feel confused by golf score terms like bogey, birdie or par. Not knowing what’s a good score can lead to doubt and frustration. Not knowing what normal golf scores look like could make you feel as though you were playing worse than you actually are.

And let’s not forget scorecards. They are often filled with numbers, boxes and terms that don’t make much sense at first glance. But once you get the hang of it, keeping a golf score card becomes second nature and it’s incredibly satisfying to see your improvement over time.

What Makes a Golf Score “Good”?

Good Golf Score

A good golf score is not just about numbers, it’s also about progress. Think about your goals. Are you trying to break 100? Get to 90? Or eventually shoot in the 80s? A good score is one that’s better than your last game.

Factors that influence your score include:

  • Course difficulty

  • Weather and wind conditions

  • Your swing consistency

  • Your short game (putting and chipping)

  • Mental focus during the round

Golf Score Terms to Know

Understanding some basic golf score terms will help you read your scorecard better and talk golf like a pro:

  • Par: The expected number of strokes for a hole

  • Birdie: One stroke under par

  • Bogey: One stroke over par

  • Double Bogey: Two strokes over par

  • Eagle: Two strokes under par

  • Hole-in-One: Completing the hole in a single shot

These terms are helpful whether you are playing casually or watching PGA golf scores or even Olympic golf scores.

Tips to Improve Your Score

Good Golf Score

Want to aim for a better-than-average golf score? Here are some things that actually work:

  • Practice your short game - most strokes are lost within 100 yards

  • Use the right clubs - matching clubs to your skill level makes a big difference

  • Track your progress using a scorecard or app

  • Take lessons or watch tutorials - learning proper form early helps

  • Stay calm and focus on one shot at a time

Check out How Does Golf Scoring Work?

Best Golf Scores Ever Recorded

Curious about how the pros perform? The best golf score ever recorded in a professional round is 58, shot by Jim Furyk during a PGA Tour event. While you might not be chasing that number, watching PGA golf scores or LIV golf scores can be inspiring.

It’s wild to see how much control and precision those players have. But remember, they started where you are now.

Average Golf Score by Player Type

Here is a quick overview to give you context:

  • Beginner golfer: 100+

  • Casual weekend golfer: 90-100

  • Intermediate golfer: 80-90

  • Scratch golfer (no handicap): Around par (72)

  • Professional golfer: Usually scores under par

And when it comes to 9-hole play, the average golf score for beginners tends to be 50-55, while skilled players can shoot in the low 40s or even 30s.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, what is a good golf score really depends on your skill level and goals. But most beginners should aim to break 100 for 18 holes or 50 for 9 holes. Keep in mind that a “good” golf score is one that improves over time.

Whether you are learning how to score golf, utilizing an app or keeping score on a conventional golf score card, remain focused on progress, not perfection. Your game will get better faster than you believe by knowing golf score averages, practicing consistently and knowing how to prevent typical errors.

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FAQ's

Around 90 or below is considered a good score for most amateur players.

A good score for 9 holes is typically around 45 or lower.

A score between 70 and 90 is generally seen as good, depending on your skill level.

Yes, 72 is an excellent score, it means you shot par on a standard 18-hole course.