Bogey Golfers....how many are there really?

**Uthinkso** · October 6, 2008

Figuring average par at 71 + 18 bogey strokes that puts you at a net score of of 89. I'd say most golfers can easily cover that mark. This spurred a discussion this past weekend at the 19th hole. I had just turned in a 89, and mentioned it was a round of bogey golf on the nose. I had the best score of my group, but two of the three had called themselves bogey golfers and didn't break 100.

So my question is simply, how many people out there really can break 100 on a regular basis? Bring on the pole.

**Franco!** · October 6, 2008

Yes.
Haha.
I have a lot of friends who claim they're pretty good and shoot in the 80s but, they can't break 100 on a mini-putt course.

**GaijinGolfer** · October 6, 2008

IMO, most weekend golfers arent bogey golfers. Most of them are far worse than that. Take away the mulligans and the, "that was just a practice swing" shots and most of them are probably snowman golfers at best.
Im a bogey golfer if the holes are all par-3s (because my iron shots are pretty decent), but on any par-4 or par-5 Im double or triple bogey at best.

**glebert** · October 6, 2008

Copied from Yahoo Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Nearly a year ago, I answered this question and attached a link to the National Golf Foundation. That site is now under construction but I've linked the original question at the bottom. Meanwhile, here's my original answer (with a couple of useless sentences removed):

The National Golf Foundation [NGF] is the leading resource for the info you want. In a report released in 2005 (most recently published), the average score of an adult amateur golfer was 98.3 (by gender: MEN-96.4, WOMEN-108.1).

To answer your question specifically, the NGF breaks down the scores as such:

<80: 5.0% of golfers
80-89: 19.7%
90-99: 27.2%
100-119: 32.8%
>119: 15.3%

Therefore, the percentage of golfers that scores less than 100 is 51.9. Moreover, the NGF makes the assumption that all golfers are playing by the rules so there is an inherent flaw in the stats anyway. We'd all love to think that no one submits a score when a rule has been breached, especially knowingly, but it is what it is. I just want to emphasize that the NGF is reputable but the numbers are only as legit as the golfers that submit them. By no means do I endorse these numbers to be absolutes. Nor should anyone else.
3 weeks ago

So the number that break 90 is about 25%.

**firstcut** · October 6, 2008

Not many.. And thank goodness. If I was always paired with bogey golfers my golf ego would be even lower than it already is.

On the other hand, I wish these guys would realize they are not bogey golfers and play from the whites where they (we) belong...

**Smallville** · October 6, 2008

So my question is simply, how many people out there really can break 100 on a regular basis? Bring on the pole.

The poll is for bogey golf (scores at +18 or better - - - could be 89, could be 91, whatever). I say no, most golfers are NOT bogey golfers (myself, for this year, included). My guess would be 10 to 20 percent tops.

But then you ask about breaking 100 on a regular basis. On a par 72 that would be 27-over par. In fact, personally, I would rather have a round of 27-over on a par 73 than a round of 28-over on a par 70. So let's go with 27-over par as your basis of a "100" score - - -27-over translates to 1.5-over par per hole. I had one round over 100 this year (the last one I played), so I can do that (break 100 regularly). For a percentage, I would say less than 50 percent can on a regular basis. Probably in the 30 to 40 percent range. Now on this board, I would say the numbers are substantially higher. Most golfers who would take the time to join and participate in, a "golf forum" are probably, as a whole, better than your average golfer. So your rates would be higher here thatn going out and polling people on a golf course on any given day.

**Baraethon** · October 6, 2008

I can break 100 consistently... but i usually have the occasional mulligan that I don't count.

**T.J.K.** · October 7, 2008

I can honestly say that I have been saying that I am a bogey golfer for about 5 years. I still call myself and consider myself a bogey golfer even though I expect better these days and my handicap is better than your definition of a "bogey golfer".

I also think someone that is say a 22 handicap could legitimately call themselves bogey golfers as well. They may consider it to be what they strive for when they say they are bogey golfers rather than what they actually shoot.

That being said, it does amaze me how many people you can ask what they shoot and 90% of your answers are...."In the 80's".

**golf_junkie27** · October 7, 2008

That being said, it does amaze me how many people you can ask what they shoot and 90% of your answers are...."In the 80's".

I read an article that only 6% of all male golfers ever break 80 and only 1% of women. The average score is still 100 and has not changed much over the last decade.

It's amazing how those guys that shoot in the 80s always shoot a 104 when they play with you, too.

**dave s** · October 7, 2008

I remember seeing stats taken from (I believe) country club averages? Can't recite any facts or figures, but raised my eyebrows due to higher scoring than I would have guessed.

Looking back however, I caddied at a suburban chicago CC back in the mid- late-70s and RARELY carried a bag for a guy who could break triple digits. But these guys were the older set, too.

Maybe a better representation and cross-section of player scores could be found by looking at league night scoring averages over an entire year. My league has 24 players. 2-3 have sub 40 round averages. Another handful, (maybe 6-8) have sub 45 avg. The bell curver widens dramatically between 45 and 50. Then we've got 3-4 who average 50+.

My guess is that significantly more than HALF are bogey PLUS players.

dave

**AlCzervik** · October 7, 2008

I have not yet broke 100, came close though. It's really my first season talking golf seriously though. When people ask my handicap or my usual scores, I am honest.

**golf rules** · October 7, 2008

I feel like anyone over a 10 handicap is a bogey golfer as the majority of the holes you play are bogeys and bogeys make up the majority of your round.

**thr33** · October 7, 2008

I calculate my handicap using an Excel template I downloaded off the internet called "Handicap Manager", so I'm not positively sure how accurate my 10.2 handicap really is. My scoring average is ~83, but the courses I play have a slope of approximately 128-130 and a rating of ~70-71. If I played more difficult courses and my scoring average increased to i dunno, 90, would I then be considered a bogey golfer? Does anybody know what the average slope/rating of golf courses are?

**bobbydacron** · October 7, 2008

I feel so much better for reading this forum. I have been playing for a year now and my golf ego regularly takes a bashing. While I am not very good I am always amazed that most of the people I play with are not that much better. Now I can relax and enjoy the game. I would be extremely happy to become a bogey golfer. Thanks Sandtrap for taking the pressure off.

**ZaPPPa** · October 7, 2008

There's a big difference between breaking 100 and being a bogey golfer (~90). I can break 100 reasonably often, but hitting a low 90 requires a very good round, which I haven't achieved yet.

Of all golfers I have been paired with so far, I'd say about 50% would break 100.

**clearwaterms** · October 7, 2008

I try for bogey golf. Last weekend, I played with my dad at an easy par 72 course (slope was in the 115 range if memory serves) I shot a 52 on the par 35 front and a 47 on the par 37 back. So I play worse then double bogey golf up front and after the turn slightly worse then bogey golf. I have a listed handicap of 25ish, but I usually shoot around bogey or double bogey golf. I generally break 50 on 9 holes, but have had a few 50+ rounds. I would say I am in the middle of the group with most people I have played with this year. The ones that were better were alot better, and the ones that were worse were not much worse.

It seems like the good golfers make good shots followed by excellent shots. and me, I can make an excellent shot and then hit my pitching wedge off the toe and end up in a trap. but you take the good with the bad, and enjoying a nice walk in the park with friends is what it's all about.

My normal play mates have all commented that if I put the best parts of my game together for 9 holes, I could break 40 (this is on a fun little par 32 muni course) and if the worst comes out, shoot 55 just as easily. and my best round on that course YTD is a 43, and my worst is a 53 (playing the ball down, counting penality strokes, no mulligans, gimmies inside of 3')

**Bogie Hokie** · October 7, 2008

I always play for bogey golf, average my pars with my double bogeys and hope for nothing worse. I have yet to achieve a true 18 over on a full 18 holes. My lowest score is a 91 on a par 72. Perhaps my most memorable round. I was well on my way to sub 90 on a course I rarely hit mid 90's on, and then the triple bogey and 4 over par came. I was quite upset, and in fun my brother tossed an old shitty wood he had in his bag and told me to relieve my anger. I did, I broke it over my knee and threw it into the woods. However, that wasn't all. I threw the club end in by holding near the broken side and it cut my hand pretty good.
My hand was bleeding pretty good and not wanting to call it a day because I only had 3 holes left, I played on. I parred out the last 3 holes after that, the best 3 hole stretch I had all day. I attribute it to holding the grip lighter, a more proper grip I presume.
Sorry, for going way OT, but I learned a good lesson that day. I will never break another club in my life. I was so mad at myself for almost cutting short one of my best rounds ever.

EDIT: The only thing keeping me from bogey golf now is my putting. I am going to keep track of my stats per round starting tomorrow and may get a new putter. I'm looking to get a face balanced putter that would be more suited for my stroke.

**Uthinkso** · October 7, 2008

At the begining of this season I struggled to break 100 as well. Chipping and putting practice twice a week for a couple hours a time has helped a ton. Also I avoid the mat like the plague when I do go to ranges.

I have a drill I do that I actually read in Harvey Penick's "And If You Play Golf Your My Friend". I go to the field behind my work, the grass is pretty short and trampled, it works well as shallow rough. I take and drop 10-15 balls and stand my bag up about 15ft from me. I proceed to chip balls at my bag. When I hit the bag with every ball, I change the distance. It sounds simple, and it is, but it gives you a great sense of touch with your chipping. Easily cut 10 strokes off a round for me.

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Bogey Golfers....how many are there really?

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1. Do you think the average "weekend warrior" golfer is a bogey golfer?

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