Average Handicap Index Per US State Revealed
The USGA has revealed which states and territories held the lowest average handicap at the end of 2023
If you want to want to become better at golf, it might be worth considering moving to the southern parts of the United States. According to the USGA, eight of the 10 states with the lowest average handicap are situated either along or one state above the country's southern border.
Although, that theory is not completely water-tight as the state which sat dead last among the 52 ranked areas is remarkably... Florida! Home to many of the PGA Tour's best and brightest. An ageing population could have something to do with the higher handicap index as well, but let's not allow the facts to disrupt what could be golf's most-intriguing theory.
Data from the USGA shows that almost 3.5 million adults held an active handicap in America in 2023 - while over 80% of those are male. The average handicap for female players is 28.0 while it is 14.0 for male golfers.
But officially the best state in America (in terms of average golfing ability), Mississippi's adult population can boast an extraordinarily-low average handicap of 11.6. Neighboring Arkansas is second with 12.8 - a significant 1.2 shots higher. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Washington D.C trail behind in increments of 0.1.
Tennessee and North Dakota share an average handicap index of 13.5 in seventh and eight place in the table, respectively, while Texas (13.8) just beat Georgia (14.3) to ninth in the top-10 standings.
The best of the best! Where does your state stack up to the rest of the country?See the full list below 👇 pic.twitter.com/WWyZyQFobPDecember 29, 2023
According to the USGA, Texas is among the top-three states for scores posted along with California - which finished 35th with a score of 17.1 - and Florida. The latter shared around eight million official cards in 2023.
While the Sunshine State was the most keen to get out on the course and play, it did not translate into a lower handicap for those involved. Florida's average handicap turned out to be exactly 20 at the end of 2023, behind Delaware (51st - 19.6) and Wyoming (50th - 19.2).
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Completing the 10 highest average handicap indexes was; Maine (49th - 18.7), Idaho (48th - 18.7), Alaska (47th - 18.6), Montana (46th - 18.3), New Hampshire (45th - 18.3), Arizona (44th - 18.1), Vermont (43rd - 17.7), and Washington (42nd - 17.7).
Average Handicap Index Per US State
- 1st: Mississippi - 11.6
- 2nd: Arkansas - 12.8
- 3rd: Louisiana - 12.9
- 4th: Oklahoma - 13.0
- 5th: Alabama - 13.1
- 6th: Washington D.C. - 13.2
- 7th: Tennessee - 13.5
- 8th: North Dakota - 13.5
- 9th: Texas - 13.8
- 10th: Georgia - 14.3
- 11th: Kentucky - 14.4
- 12th: Kansas - 14.5
- 13th: West Virginia - 14.7
- 14th: Iowa - 14.9
- 15th: Indiana - 15.1
- 16th: Missouri - 15.1
- 17th: Utah - 15.1
- 18th: Ohio - 15.5
- 19th: Illinois - 15.7
- 20th: North Carolina - 15.8
- 21st: Virginia - 15.8
- 22nd: Pennsylvania - 16.1
- 23rd: Nebraska - 16.2
- 24th: Wisconsin - 16.4
- 25th: Hawaii - 16.5
- 26th: Minnesota - 16.5
- 27th: Michigan - 16.5
- 28th: South Carolina - 16.7
- 29th: New Mexico - 16.7
- 30th: Maryland - 16.7
- 31st: Massachusetts - 16.8
- 32nd: New York - 16.9
- 33rd: Puerto Rico - 16.9
- 34th: New Jersey - 17.1
- 35th: California - 17.1
- 36th: South Dakota - 17.1
- 37th: Oregon - 17.2
- 38th: Rhode Island - 17.4
- 39th: Nevada - 17.4
- 40th: Connecticut - 17.6
- 41st: Colorado - 17.7
- 42nd: Washington - 17.7
- 43rd: Vermont - 17.7
- 44th: Arizona - 18.1
- 45th: New Hampshire - 18.3
- 46th: Montana - 18.3
- 47th: Alaska - 18.6
- 48th: Idaho - 18.7
- 49th: Maine - 18.7
- 50th: Wyoming - 19.2
- 51st: Delaware - 19.6
- 52nd: Florida - 20.0
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. An improving golfer who still classes himself as ‘one of the worst players on the Golf Monthly team’, Jonny enjoys playing as much as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Opens and is keen to make it an annual pilgrimage.
-
Myrtle Beach Classic Prize Money Payout 2024
A new tournament on the PGA Tour takes place at South Carolina’s Dunes Golf and Beach Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Does Your Mind Race On The Golf Course? Stay In The Moment With These 5 Tips (Inspired By Nelly Korda)
Staying in the moment on the golf course is easier said than done, but here are tips to give you the best chance of playing your best
By Jess Ratcliffe Published