A scratch golfer is a term that refers to a player that shoots around even par.
Emphasis on around.
Scratch players DO NOT average even par, as we will explain later on in this article.
A scratch golfer has a handicap of close to 0.00 and would be considered a “stick” or a very good golfer.
According to the USGA, a scratch golfer is “a player with a Handicap Index of 0.0.”
This means that a scratch golfer is capable of shooting close to even par on any golf course.
For comparison, a 12.0 index is capable of shooting about 12 over par on a golf course.
Handicap Index
As explained in this article, your handicap index does NOT determine what you are expected to shoot in every round.
It determines what you are capable of in any given round.
According to the USGA, a golfer should expect to shoot their handicap or below only about 15-20% of the time.
The other 80% of the time, a golfer is expected to shoot 2-4 strokes over their handicap.
A scratch golfer likely plays the tips or close to them most times they play.
Therefore, they likely play courses with course ratings of 0-3 over par.
So, depending on course rating and slope, a scratch golfer likely shoots, on average, somewhere between 73-78.
Course Rating
The USGA states that the course rating of a golf course is “the difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player under normal course and weather conditions.”
Essentially, the course rating is what a scratch golfer is capable of shooting from each set of tees at a golf course.
In other terms, the course rating is the score that a scratch handicap should expect to shoot about 20% of the time.
Course rating is denoted in terms of the total score.
For example, a difficult course may be a par 72 but have a course rating of 74 from the back tees (tips).
This means that a scratch golfer is capable of shooting 74 on that course.
If the course rating is 71 and par is 72, a scratch golfer is capable of shooting 1 under par at that course from those tees.
The course rating is specific to the tees played.
For example, a par 72 course may be rated 74.2 from the tips but only 71 from the white tees. In this case, a scratch golfer’s capability is about 2 over from the tips and 1 under from the whites.
Here are some examples from a quick google search: (all ratings are from the tips)
- Bandon Dunes 76.3 (Par 73)
- Pebble Beach 75.3 (Par 72)
- PGA West Stadium Course 74.3 (Par 72)
- Oakmont 76.4 (Par 70)
As you can see, at these courses, a scratch golfer is expected to shoot between 2 over par or better (at PGA West) and 6 over par or better (at Oakmont) only about 20% of the time.
The other 80% of the time, they are expected to shoot 4-10 over par at these courses.
Again, a scratch golfer is an outstanding player, but scratch does not mean that a player is expected to shoot even par or to have a scoring average of even par.
Scratch Golfers vs. Professional Golfers
Scratch golfers are excellent players but far from as good as professional golfers.
In his book, “Every Shot Counts,” Mark Brodie analyzed millions of shots by scratch and pro golfers and determined a 5.5 stroke difference between a scratch player and a PGA Tour player.
Although 5.5 strokes may not seem like a lot on paper, it is a whole world of difference in skill level.
How To Become A Scratch Golfer
All stats below are courtesy of Lou Stagner.
(If you don’t follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his newsletter, get on that now.)
Guess how many more birdies a scratch golfer averages per round than an 18 handicap?
3?
5?
Nope.
Here are a few other stats:
- Tour players birdie 16% of par 4s and 13% of par 3s.
- Scratch golfers average 4.7 bogeys per round.
- From 100 yards in the fairway, a scratch player is more likely to make bogey (or worse) than they are to make birdie.
What do these stats reveal about how to become a scratch golfer?
Make more pars and bogeys, and avoid doubles and blow-up holes.
Making more birdies is certainly not the answer.
Really, scratch golfers are just solid, consistent golfers that know their strengths and weaknesses and know how to get around a golf course without making too many mistakes.
Read More: Bogey Golf: The Mid-Handicapper