Forget Par - Aim for Your 'Target Score' Next Round

APRIL 11, 2023 | LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.
By Terry Benjamin

How do you define “playing well”? How can you set a reasonable goal for the round, especially on an unfamiliar course or a new set of tees?

The short answer: by knowing your target score.

While “target score” isn’t defined within the Rules of Handicapping, it is certainly a term that every golfer with a Handicap Index® would benefit from knowing. Here are three key things to know about target score:

What is it?

A target score is the score you will shoot if you “play to your handicap.” Think of it in the same way as a professional would think of par.

How do you determine it?

Course Handicap™ +  par of the tees you’re playing = your target score. If your Course Handicap is, say, 20, and par is 70, your target score is 90.

For ease of calculating your Course Handicap, use the USGA’s calculator.

How often should I shoot it?

Your Handicap Index measures your demonstrated ability when you’re playing well – so to play to your handicap takes a solid performance. Generally, players shoot their target score about 15-20 percent of the time and can expect to shoot 2-4 strokes higher in most rounds.

Since your Course Handicap changes from one set of tees to another, you can also use target score to identify the most appropriate set for you. At the very least, knowing your target score before starting a round lets you better anticipate the challenge that lies ahead.