We know the stats behind a scratch golfer, with zero-digit players hitting 10 out of 18 greens, making a total of 2.2 birdies a round and 5.2 one-putts per round. But how does that compare to an 18-handicapper and which are the main areas where the biggest differences occur?The stats in this article come courtesy of Arccos Golf, with data gleaned from more than 540 million shots from 11.5 million rounds worldwide using its Smart Sensors.
VIDEO: Dan Parker details the key statistical differences between 18 handicap golfers and scratch golfers
The first and most obvious area of difference between scratch and 18-handicap players comes with scoring, with scratch players averaging 2.2 birdies per round, 10.5 pars, 4.6 bogeys and just 0.7 doubles or worse, compared to 18-handicappers averaging just 0.4 birdies, 4 pars, 8.9 bogeys and 5.7 doubles or worse.
Scratch players play par-3s in 3.1 shots, par-4s in 4.2 shots and par-5s in 4.7, with 18-handicappers 0.8 shots higher on par-3s, 1.1 shots higher on par-4s and 1.3 shots higher on par-5s, illustrating that the longer the hole is, the more strokes a scratch golfer gains compared to an 18-handicapper.
The strokes are gained throughout the round of golf across all aspects of the game, whether it's putting, chipping, approaches and driving.
A scratch player hits 56% of greens for example, with an 18-handicapper finding just 23%. Scratch players get up-and-down from inside 25 yards 57% of the time compared to 26% for an 18-handicapper.
The scratch golfer is also unsurprisingly significantly better off the tee, too, with an average distance of 259 yards, finding 51% of fairways versus 217 yards for an 18-handicapper, who finds 42% of fairways.
SCRATCH HANDICAP VS 18 HANDICAP - THE STATS
AVERAGE PUTTS PER ROUND
Scratch
- 1 putts: 5.2
- 2 putts: 11.5
- 3 putts+: 1.3
18-handicap
- 1 putts: 3.1
- 2 putts: 11.1
- 3 putts+: 3.7
AROUND THE GREEN
Scratch
- Average distance to pin 0-25 yards: 12ft
- Up-and-down 0-25 yards: 57%
- Average distance to pin 25-50 yards: 20ft
- Up-and-down 25-50 yards: 35%
18-handicap
- Average distance to pin 0-25 yards: 20ft
- Up-and-down 0-25 yards: 26%
- Average distance to pin 25-50 yards: 29ft
- Up-and-down 25-50 yards: 12%
SAND
Scratch
- Average distance to pin 0-25 yards: 17ft
- Up-and-down 0-25 yards: 39%
- Average distance to pin 25-50 yards: 24ft
- Up-and-down 25-50 yards: 27%
18-handicap
- Average distance to pin 0-25 yards: 27ft
- Up-and-down 0-25 yards: 15%
- Average distance to pin 25-50 yards: 35ft
- Up-and-down 25-50 yards: 9%
APPROACH
Scratch
- Greens in regulation: 56% (10/18)
- GIR approaches: 26ft
- All approaches: 44ft
18-handicap
- Greens in regulation: 23% (4/18)
- GIR approaches: 35ft
- All approaches: 81ft
OFF THE TEE
Scratch
- Distance off the tee: 259 yards
- Driving accuracy: 51%
18-handicap
- Distance off the tee: 217 yards
- Driving accuracy: 42%
SCORING
Scratch
- Par 3: 3.1
- Par 4: 4.2
- Par 5: 4.7
18-handicap
- Par 3: 3.9
- Par 4: 5.3
- Par 5: 6
Scratch
- Birdies: 2.2
- Par: 10.5
- Bogeys: 4.6
- Doubles+: 0.7
18-handicap
- Birdies: 0.4
- Par: 4
- Bogeys: 8.9
- Doubles+: 5.7
-
How Many Majors Will Masters Champion Rory McIlroy Win In His Career... And Which Is Next?Rory McIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam in dramatic fashion at The Masters, but how many Majors could he go on to win in his career (and which comes next)?
-
'You Can't Win Them All If You Don't Win The First' - McIlroy Grand Slam Odds Shorten After Masters VictoryMcIlroy completed the Career Grand Slam after winning The Masters, with his odds of claiming the Grand Slam in 2025 slashed after his Green Jacket victory
-
Does A 15-Handicap 30-Year-Old Hit The Golf Ball Further Than A Scratch 50-Year-Old?The influence that driving distance has on a player's handicap index is well documented, but how much does age impact the long game battle between two golfers?
-
Data Reveals This Once Popular Club Is Dying Out... But What Are Amateurs Opting For Instead?There have been plenty of moments in golf's history where the game has subtly shifted in a different direction, and we could be witnessing one right now...
-
Less than 10% Of All Tee Shots Are Hit With This Club... Is It Time For A Change Of Strategy?Plenty of amateur golfers step onto the tee box and instinctively pull the driver headcover, but it could be time for a data-informed change of strategy...
-
Amateur Golfers Make Less Than 40 Percent Of Putts From This Crucial Length'... Arccos Data Reveals Stark Putting TruthsWhen standing over a 'makeable' putt, many golfers would fancy their chances as they pull the putter head back... But this data might make them think twice!
-
Fresh Data Shows The Age Amateur Golfers Hit Their Longest Drives... Is This True For You?Driving distance isn't everything, but data suggests longer tee shots can lead to a lower handicap. So, at what age do amateur golfers hit their longest drives?
-
Heading To The 1st Tee? Stop Right There! This Data Proves Why The Range Might Be A Better Choice...Getting better at golf requires more than just playing regularly on the course, with the data suggesting that practise time could be the key to success...
-
Is It Better To Miss The Green In The Bunker Or Rough? The Data Is Clear Cut...When assessing options for your next approach shot, this data will help you make better decisions on the 'good' miss and reduce the risk of bringing bogey into play
-
Why You DON'T Need To Make More Birdies To Chop 5 Shots Off Your HandicapFor a mid-handicap golfer, the route towards shooting lower scores and improving your handicap index is clear... if you have access to the right data!
