What’s the Typical Par Score for Amateur Golfers?

Alright, let’s be honest: unless you’re a scratch golfer, you’re probably not shooting par every time you head out for 18. And that’s totally okay. Par is a benchmark, not a baseline for most players. But when you hear folks talking about their “par score” or shooting “even par,” it might make you wonder—what’s actually typical for amateur golfers?

Spoiler alert: the average amateur is not breaking 80. In fact, for most weekend warriors, just keeping the ball in play and finishing with the same number of balls you started with is a win. And honestly, that’s a huge win. Golf isn’t just about numbers—it’s about managing chaos with a club in your hand.

Here’s the thing—amateurs come in all flavors: the beginner who just got their first set of clubs, the solid bogey golfer who plays every Saturday, and the low-handicap grinder dreaming of breaking 80 consistently. And they all experience the idea of “par” a little differently.

So let’s dig into what a typical par score looks like for different types of amateur golfers, why it varies so much, and how you can use that info to set realistic expectations (and maybe even enjoy the game a little more without beating yourself up).

First: What Do We Mean by “Par Score”?

Okay, quick gut check—when someone says “I shot par,” what’s your first thought?

If you’re like most golfers, you picture someone shooting a 72 on a par-72 course. Sounds impressive, right? And it is. But let’s break it down further because there’s a little more nuance here.

When people talk about a “par score,” they’re usually referring to one of two things:

Shooting Even Par – This is the gold standard. It means you played the course exactly as it was designed, using the expected number of strokes. No more, no less. Most amateurs? Rarely touch this.
Average Score Relative to Par – This is the one we’ll focus on. If you say, “I usually shoot 90,” and the course is a par 72, then you’re averaging 18-over-par.

This second definition is the real-world one. It’s what most of us are living. It tells the story of how close (or far) you are from that magical even-par number.

So throughout this article, when we talk about a golfer’s “par score,” we’re not expecting Tiger Woods-level play. We’re talking about how far off par the average amateur really is—and why that’s 100% normal.

What’s the Average Golf Score for Amateurs?

Why So Many Strokes Over Par?

There’s a ton of reasons why amateurs shoot well above par:

Lack of Consistency: One great drive followed by a duffed iron. It happens.
Short Game Struggles: Around the green is where most strokes get added.
Penalty Strokes: OB, water hazards, lost balls. These are scorecard killers.
Course Management: Going for the hero shot instead of playing smart.

Also, many amateurs don’t practice nearly as much as the pros—or even as much as they’d like. Between work, family, and weather, consistent improvement can be a slow grind.

Handicap and Its Role

Your golf handicap is a measure of your potential—not your average score. A 15 handicap doesn’t mean you shoot 87 every time. It means that, on your best days, you can. Your average might still be around 90–92.

So, if your handicap is in the teens or twenties, don’t stress if you’re regularly 15–25 strokes over par. That’s actually pretty normal.

What’s a “Good” Score for an Amateur?

Good is relative. For some:

Breaking 100 is a milestone.
Breaking 90 is the next step.
Breaking 80 is a dream.

Here’s a general feel:

Under 100: Solid beginner.
Under 90: Experienced amateur.
Under 80: Skilled player.
Par or better: Scratch golfer status.

So yeah, if you shoot in the 80s, you’re probably better than most of your foursome.

How to Improve Your Score

Okay, so now that we know most amateur golfers are shooting well above par—what can you actually do about it?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a tour-level player or spend 8 hours a day at the range to knock strokes off your game. Small, consistent changes add up. And honestly, you’ll be surprised at how much low-hanging fruit is out there once you start paying attention.

1. Dial In Your Short Game

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times—but we’ll say it again louder for the folks in the back: the short game is where the magic happens. If you’re spending 80% of your practice time pounding drivers and only 10 minutes chipping or putting, flip that ratio. You can save more strokes around the green than anywhere else.

Practice lag putting to avoid 3-putts.
Get comfortable with bump-and-run chips—low risk, high reward.
Focus on getting up and down from within 30 yards.

2. Play Smarter, Not Harder

Course management is HUGE. Sometimes saving a stroke isn’t about hitting a better shot—it’s about avoiding the dumb one.

Aim for the center of the green instead of the pin.
Lay up if you can’t carry the water.
Use clubs you’re confident with, not just what the hole “says” to hit.

A bogey beats a triple every time.

3. Track Your Stats and Find the Weak Spots

Start keeping notes after each round. Where did you struggle? Missed fairways? Chunked wedges? Four-putts? When you know what’s costing you strokes, you can fix it.

There are tons of free apps that let you track fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts per hole. Use that data like a mini cheat code to guide your practice sessions.

4. Focus on Consistency Over Power

Sure, blasting a 300-yard drive feels awesome—but if it’s OB, you’re re-teeing for stroke-and-distance sadness. Solid, repeatable contact matters more.

Swing at 80% effort for more control.
Work on tempo and rhythm, not just speed.
Remember: a 220-yard drive in the fairway beats a 270-yard slice into the woods every day of the week.

5. Practice With Purpose

Going to the range without a plan is like going to the gym and only doing bicep curls. It’s fun, but is it helping you play better?

Create small games: Hit five 100-yard wedges inside a 20-foot circle.
Simulate real rounds: Go through your pre-shot routine.
Don’t just bang balls—practice with intent.

6. Work on the Mental Game

Not every improvement is physical. How you think on the course matters too.

Let go of the last shot (especially the bad ones).
Don’t let one blow-up hole ruin your round.
Set goals based on execution, not just score.

Golf is hard. Stay calm, stay focused, and remind yourself: even the pros hit it in the water sometimes.

Improvement isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Every stroke you shave, every hole you play smarter, it all adds up. And over time, those 100s start turning into 90s… and maybe even 80s.

So pick one or two areas to work on and commit to them. You’ll be amazed what a few small changes can do for your confidence—and your scorecard.

The Mental Game: Par Is a Guide, Not a Must

One of the biggest mistakes amateurs make? Expecting to play at or near par every time. That mindset leads to frustration fast. Instead, think of par as a reference point—a guide.

Make par where you can. Take bogeys in stride. Avoid the big numbers (double, triple, etc.). That alone can shave 5–10 strokes off your round.

Golf’s hard. Even pros don’t hit every fairway or sink every putt. Give yourself some grace.

So What’s the Typical Par Score?

Most male amateurs shoot 90–95 (18–23 over par).
Most female amateurs shoot 105–110 (30–38 over par).
Beginner golfers often shoot 100–120+.
Par is a goal—not an expectation.

If you’re chasing improvement, great. But don’t let the myth of “par” steal the joy of the game. Celebrate your birdies, laugh at the double bogeys, and enjoy the walk.

Because in the end, whether you shoot 72 or 102—it’s still a good day on the course.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the bottom line: golf is hard. Really hard. And the expectations we sometimes put on ourselves to play “to par” just aren’t realistic for the average amateur. Whether you’re shooting 85 or 115, what matters most is that you’re out there enjoying the game, challenging yourself, and having a little fun (even if that fun includes a few shanks and some colorful language).

Knowing the typical amateur score helps you put your own game into perspective. You’re not behind—you’re right there with the majority of players. And every round is a fresh chance to improve, learn something new, and maybe even sink that long putt you’ll be talking about all week.

So next time someone brags about “shooting par,” give them a high five—and then get back to working your own game with confidence, patience, and the joy of knowing that improvement is always within reach. After all, the best golfers aren’t perfect—they’re persistent.

Now go grab your clubs and make some noise out there. You’ve got this.