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


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.
-
Garmin Approach S44 Golf Watch Review
How does the latest installment in Garmin's golf smartwatch range perform both on and off the golf course?
By Conor Keenan
-
LIV Golf Korea 2025 Picks, Odds And Predictions
As the LIV Golf League arrives in Korea for the first time, check out the odds for the leading players and our picks to win this week
By Jonny Leighfield
-
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Prize Money Payout 2025
Scottie Scheffler is the biggest name in the field as players compete for a record purse in Texas
By Mike Hall
-
Blades Brown Has Just Given Up His CJ Cup Byron Nelson Sponsor's Invite... And For A Good Reason
The 17-year-old is officially listed in this week's Talum Championship field on the Korn Ferry Tour in order to focus on earning his status on the PGA Tour feeder circuit
By Elliott Heath
-
Andrew Novak And Ben Griffin Seal Maiden PGA Tour Titles At Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
The duo held off the challenges of Rasmus and Nicolai Hojgaard and Frank Capan III and Jake Knapp to win the TPC Louisiana team tournament
By Mike Hall
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times: Final Round
Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin lead the pairs event by three shots going into the final round, with both men searching for a maiden PGA Tour victory
By Matt Cradock
-
Scottie Scheffler Adds Extra PGA Tour Event To Hectic Upcoming Schedule
The World No.1 begins a hectic period of the season with an appearance in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson
By Mike Hall
-
6 Big Pairings Who Missed The Cut At The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
A range of pairings are in contention at the Zurich Classic Of New Orleans, where a number of big groups also failed to make it into the weekend
By Matt Cradock
-
PGA Tour Truist Championship Creator Classic Line-Up And Format Revealed
The PGA Tour has announced the line-up for the second Creator Classic ahead of the Truist Championship - with YouTubers from outside golf taking on the challenge
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham