Scratch vs 10 vs 20 Handicap - How The Stats Compare

How do the stats compare between golfers that regularly shoot in the low 70s (scratch players) to those who shoot in the low-mid 80s (10 indexes) and those who generally card scores in the 90s (20 handicappers)?

We thought it would be interesting to find out, so we asked our official data partner, Shot Scope, to run some numbers.

Let's start off with the long game and some key stats off the tee. At first glance, the numbers below might come as a bit of surprise.

However, the lack of a significant difference between the three handicap levels in terms of accuracy might have something to do with the distance scratch golfers are able to hit the ball.

If a player can drive the ball closer to 300 yards off the tee than 200, it does tend to bring more danger into play, especially if a swing is slightly off.

How about approach play? This is one of those areas of the game where you would expect scratch players to really show how accomplished they are.

Thanks to Shot Scope, we could do into quite some detail here, but these are some of the key numbers to show the differences in approach play quality between the three handicap levels.

One of the obvious differences is how many greens in regulation (GIR) a scratch golfer hits (59%), versus a 10-handicapper (32%) and 20-handicapper (14%).

Now we're starting to build a picture of why a scratch golfer is able to put those lower scores together.

When you look at the short game statistics, it's really clear where mid to high handicappers have so much room for improvement.

This is why we're continually asking our panel of Top 50 Coaches to provide short game tips and drills.

As you can see, scratch golfers have that ability to get the ball up-and-down more frequently, keeping that scorecard nice and clean.

As you would expect, their bunker play is also of a better standard.

Let's finish off our comparison with a quick look at the key putting statistics, another area of the game where the differences between a scratch golfer and mid to high handicap golfers are clear to see.

We can't not mention a few extra interesting stats, specifically around scoring.

On average, a scratch golfer will make 2.34 birdies per round, versus 0.72 for the 10-handicapper and 0.36 for the 20-handicapper.

What is it they say about better players keeping big number off the scorecard? Look at the table below and you'll see what we mean.

For the 20-handicap golfer, those doubles bogeys or worse (6.66) really are a beast.