What Would You Shoot At The US Open? This Cool New USGA Tool Reveals Just That
The USGA's target score calculator shows how hard it is to break par at the notoriously difficult US Open
![General view of a golf ball at Pinehurst No.2 for the 2024 US Open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BJwfe48zLrSHeCARo2vHq8-415-80.jpg)
Ever wondered what you would shoot at the US Open? The USGA has a handy tool that shows golfers of any level their target score if they were teeing it up at Pinehurst No.2 this week – and most won’t even come close to breaking par.
The US Open is considered to be the most difficult of the four Majors and is widely billed as the ‘toughest test in golf’.
The USGA, which runs the US Open every year, is known for its brutal course setups, from narrow fairways and thick roughs, to tricky pin locations.
Former USGA boss Mike David once said that the US Open aims to test “all aspects” of a players’ game.
“We are truly fixated on getting the most out of each golf hole to really challenge the players in every facet of the game,” he said.
So for most amateurs wondering if they could potentially hang with the pros at the US Open, the answer is almost universally no.
According to the USGA’s Championship Course Handicap Calculator, only golfers with a +7 handicap index or better can expect to break par at the par-70 Pinehurst No.2 during this week’s US Open.
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.
The tool shows golfers their target score based on their handicap index. Target score is calculated by adding a golfer’s course handicap (the number of strokes needed to play to par from the tees played) and par of the course played.
The USGA says target score can “help you set a realistic goal for every round”.
It means even a scratch golfer (handicap index of zero) would still be given eight strokes at the US Open, with a target score of 78.
To have a target score that breaks 100, you would need to have a handicap index of 16 or better. If you were playing off the maximum handicap of 54, you would be expected to shoot a whopping 149.
Handicap Index | Course Handicap | Target Score |
---|---|---|
24 | 39 | 109 |
23 | 38 | 108 |
22 | 37 | 107 |
21 | 35 | 105 |
20 | 34 | 104 |
19 | 33 | 103 |
18 | 31 | 101 |
17 | 30 | 100 |
16 | 29 | 99 |
15 | 27 | 97 |
14 | 26 | 96 |
13 | 25 | 95 |
12 | 24 | 94 |
11 | 22 | 92 |
10 | 21 | 91 |
9 | 20 | 90 |
8 | 18 | 88 |
7 | 17 | 87 |
6 | 16 | 86 |
5 | 14 | 84 |
4 | 13 | 83 |
3 | 12 | 82 |
2 | 10 | 80 |
1 | 9 | 79 |
0 | 8 | 78 |
Joel Kulasingham is freelance writer for Golf Monthly. He has worked as a sports reporter and editor in New Zealand for more than five years, covering a wide range of sports including golf, rugby and football. He moved to London in 2023 and writes for several publications in the UK and abroad. He is a life-long sports nut and has been obsessed with golf since first swinging a club at the age of 13. These days he spends most of his time watching, reading and writing about sports, and playing mediocre golf at courses around London.
-
Charlie Woods Misses Cut In US Junior Amateur Debut
The son of 15-time Major winner Tiger failed to make it through to the knockout stages of the prestigious Oakland Hills event
By Mike Hall Published
-
The Open Final Round Viewing Figures Hit Nine-Year Low
Xander Schauffele’s second Major win of the year failed to inspire the TV-watching public in the US
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tour Pro Forced Into 16-Hour Drive To 3M Open After Flight Cancelled
Travel cancellations - as a result of the recent global technology outage - saw Wesley Bryan and Ryan Brehm's caddie, Lee Chaney end up making a long drive to Minnesota
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
3M Open Prize Money Payout 2024
Lee Hodges defends his title at TPC Twin Cities as players compete for a record purse in Minnesota
By Mike Hall Published
-
Golf World Pays Tribute To Mark Carnevale After Broadcaster Dies Aged 64
One-time PGA Tour winner and PGA Tour Radio broadcaster Mark Carnevale died "unexpectedly" on Monday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Much Money Has Xander Schauffele's Caddie Austin Kaiser Earned In 2024?
Austin Kaiser has likely earned a significant amount of money this season as a result of Schauffele's double-Major-winning campaign
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'It's Something I've Always Wanted' - Xander Schauffele Reveals Grand Slam Ambition After Open Victory
Xander Schauffele says he's always had an eye on winning a career Grand Slam even before he became a quick-fire double Major champion
By Paul Higham Published
-
Watch The Stunning Moment Si Woo Kim Makes First Hole-In-One Of 2024 Open
The Korean star hit a stunning long iron on the long par 3 17th at Royal Troon that found the bottom of the cup
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Tiger Woods Flies To Michigan To Support Son Charlie At US Junior Amateur
The 15-time Major winner missed the cut at The Open in Scotland and quickly flew back to America to support his son
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The 2024 Open
A number of box office names are heading home early after missing the cut at Royal Troon
By Elliott Heath Published