Ever wonder why your golf handicap seems lower than your average score? You’re not alone. Many golfers find themselves puzzled by this discrepancy, but understanding the mechanics behind the handicap system can shed some light.
The USGA handicap system isn’t just about your average score. Instead, it considers the best 10 of your last 20 rounds, with a 96% factor applied.
This means more than half of your scores should be within three strokes of three over your handicap. For example, if your handicap is 16, you should typically score between 87 and 93.
Additionally, exceptional rounds significantly impact your handicap.