If you’ve ever walked off the 18th green wondering, “Is my score any good?”, you’re not alone. Most golfers don’t shoot par, and a huge number of players will never see the 70s. That’s normal.
On this page, we’ll look at typical scores for different types of golfers, how to think about your own scoring trends, and a few simple tools that make it easier to track your stats. If you want to go deeper, you can also learn how to calculate your handicap and how official handicap formulas work.
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Exact numbers vary depending on the source and how the question is asked (only golfers with handicaps vs. everyone who plays once a year), but a few patterns show up again and again:
So if you’re shooting around 100, you’re not “bad”—you’re actually very typical. Your main job isn’t to compare yourself to scratch players; it’s to understand where your shots are going, then chip away at the big mistakes. Our guides on how to swing a golf club and how to tee off without nerves are good companions to this page.
Everyone’s journey is different, but here’s a broad way to think about common scoring ranges for 18 holes on a standard par-72 course:
| Typical 18-hole score | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 120+ | You’re likely very new, still figuring out contact, direction, and basic rules. A lesson or two and some time on the range will pay off quickly. |
| 105–119 | You hit some solid shots but lose strokes to penalties, topped drives, and chunked wedges. Focusing on tee shots and simple chip-and-putt skills can save a lot of strokes. |
| 90–104 | You can get around the course without disaster most of the time. Big blow-up holes and three-putts are the main things keeping you from breaking 90 consistently. |
| 80–89 | You’re playing solid golf. You control your golf ball most of the time, understand your distances, and manage the course reasonably well. |
| 70–79 | You’re a strong player. You likely keep an official handicap, practice with purpose, and hit a lot of greens and fairways. Mistakes are smaller and more strategic than mechanical. |
You don’t have to live inside a scorecard, but understanding where you roughly sit can help you set more realistic goals, whether that’s breaking 100, 90, or 80 for the first time.
You can absolutely track your scores with a pencil and a notebook. But score-tracking apps, GPS watches, and simple stat tools make it easier to see patterns—where you’re losing the most strokes and where you’re quietly getting better. Below are a few popular options pulled from Amazon.
| Product | Rating | Approx. price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Craftsman Golf 10pcs 5.3 x 3.7 Inch Golf Score Sheet Golf Scorecards Record Score Keeper Card Track Golf Stats ASIN: B0C27S82X7 |
5 ★ (3) | $4.99 | View on Amazon |
|
CRAFTSMAN GOLF 10pcs 6.3 x 4 Inch Golf Score Sheet Golf Scorecards Record Score Keeper Card Track Golf Stats ASIN: B089T9W351 |
4.4 ★ (56) | $7.99 | View on Amazon |
|
SGS002 G Stats Golf Statistic and Score Tracking System ASIN: B001B6CH80 |
4.3 ★ (389) | $9.99 | View on Amazon |
|
G Stats Replacement Pads (2 Pads) Track Golf Stats ASIN: B002NEALEQ |
4.5 ★ (357) | $7.68 | View on Amazon |
|
Golf Scorecards & Stat Tracking Booklet (21 Rounds) - Weatherproof Golf Journal - Golf Log (4" x 5.5" When Closed) - Golf Notebook fits in Holder or Pocket ASIN: B0DRTP97QY |
5 ★ (5) | $8.95 | View on Amazon |
|
BookFactory ''The Golfer's Companion'' Notebook/Golf Score Tracking Log Book/Score Keeping Journal - 100 Pages, 5'' x 7'', Wire-O (Made in USA) ASIN: B0CVMK5Z6B |
4.7 ★ (5) | $12.99 | View on Amazon |
Prices and availability change often, so always double-check the current listing on Amazon before you buy.
Rating: 5 ★ (3 reviews)
$4.99 $9.99
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Rating: 4.4 ★ (56 reviews)
$7.99 $9.99
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Rating: 4.3 ★ (389 reviews)
$9.99
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Rating: 4.5 ★ (357 reviews)
$7.68
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Rating: 5 ★ (5 reviews)
$8.95
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Rating: 4.7 ★ (5 reviews)
$12.99
This product came up in our search for popular golf score and stat tools. If it looks helpful, click through to read recent reviews and see whether it fits how you like to practice and play.
Looking at a single round in isolation doesn’t tell you much. What really matters is the trend over time. Are your bad rounds getting less bad? Are your good rounds getting a little more frequent?
If you’re not sure where to start, focus on logging your score, total putts, and any penalty strokes. As you get more comfortable, you can add more detail—or keep it simple if that’s what keeps you consistent.
You don’t need a complete swing overhaul to shave a few strokes off your average. Most golfers can drop their scores faster by cleaning up obvious trouble spots than by chasing a perfect move on video.
You’ll still have bad swings and messy holes. The goal is to make your worst holes less catastrophic and your average round a little more boring—in a good way.