What Does a +7 Handicap Mean in Golf? An In-Depth Look for Aspiring Scratch Golfers

Hi friend! As a fellow golf enthusiast, you may have heard other players at your club talking about having a “plus” handicap and wondered what that signifies about their ability. Specifically, what does it mean to have a +7 handicap? Read on for a comprehensive overview from a fellow golfer!

Handicapping Allows Golfers to Compete on a Level Playing Field

First, a quick refresher. The handicap system in golf exists to allow players of all skill levels to compete fairly against one another. Your handicap represents your potential scoring ability versus the difficulty of the course, calculated based on your average score compared to the course rating.

Handicaps make the game more enjoyable by leveling the playing field. Without them, I know I’d stand no chance playing against the scratch golfers at my club!

According to the USGA, approximately 90% of golfers have a handicap between 8 and 36. Better players have lower handicaps, while newer golfers tend to start with higher ones. The average handicap for men is around 14 or 15. For talented female golfers, handicaps may range from +5 to +7.

What Do Scratch and Bogey Golfers Represent?

To understand plus handicaps, it’s helpful first to look at scratch and bogey golfers. A scratch golfer (0 handicap) plays to the course par on average. For example, shooting even par 72 on a par 72 course.

Meanwhile, a bogey golfer with a handicap around 18 typically shoots about 18 strokes over par per round. So for them, shooting 90 on a par 72 layout is pretty standard.

When golfers with different abilities compete in match play, the higher handicapped player gets to deduct their handicap from total strokes to even things out. This ensures an equitable match between any two players.

Breaking Down What It Means to Have a +7 Handicap

So what does it mean for a golfer to have a +7 handicap? There are two key points:

1. The plus sign (+) indicates this player shoots below the score of a scratch golfer.

2. The number 7 means they normally score 7 strokes under par on average.

Therefore, a +7 handicapper is an elite player who consistently shoots in the 60s on most courses from the appropriate tees. They strike the ball with consistency while possessing excellent short game skills and course management abilities.

Having a +7 handicap puts you in special company with only a small fraction of avid golfers. I’d estimate only the top 1-2% of club players reach this level. It requires both innate talent and dedication to continuous skill refinement.

If you see someone with a plus handicap at your club, watch and learn from them! Their shot patterns probably look smooth and confident. They make the game appear easier than it is for most of us.

Why "Plus" Handicaps Add Strokes Back for Scoring

You may be wondering why plus handicap golfers have to add strokes back to their scores for handicap tracking purposes. Wouldn‘t it make sense for them to subtract strokes instead since they play below par?

The reason is to prevent sandbagging in handicap tournaments and events. Without this safeguard, a highly skilled player could artificially keep their posted scores higher to maintain a bogus higher handicap. This would give them an unfair advantage when handicaps are used to determine net scores.

By adding back strokes, golfers are incentivized to post their best possible scores to stay consistent with their true ability.

How Do Major Champions and Pro Golfers Stack Up?

The best golfers in the world who compete on the PGA Tour are elite even among scratch players. Most top professionals during their prime years have handicaps between +4 and +6.

This reflects their ability to consistently tame pro course setups well below par. Keep in mind pro tournament conditions are far tougher than everyday play at your home course!

As a benchmark, Tiger Woods was estimated to have a handicap index of +9.4 during the peak of his powers in the early 2000s. This shows Tiger‘s complete domination at the time playing nearly 10 shots under par on average.

In fact, Tiger‘s scoring average of 67.79 in the 2000 season (adjusted for course difficulty) is the lowest in PGA Tour history. I don‘t think we‘ll see another extended run of play at that level again for a long time, if ever.

Moving from a 10 Handicap to a 7 Requires Dedicated Practice

Have you been stuck playing as a 10 handicap and want to improve down to a 7? Here are some tips that can help:

• Work intensely on your short game and putting. This is where the majority of strokes are saved at this level.

• Analyze your game statistics to develop specific improvement goals for driving accuracy, greens in regulation, scrambling percentage, etc.

• Refine your pre-shot routine and on-course decision making. Eliminate big numbers.

• Commit to lessons with a PGA pro and regular range & practice time to ingrain changes.

• Pay close attention to your mental game – learn to let bad shots and holes go quickly. Stay present after errors.

• Improve your fitness level – strength, flexibility and cardio endurance translate to more consistent ball-striking.

The key is establishing a purposeful and focused improvement plan tailored to your own game. Then work diligently on the right things to ingrain positive changes.

How Does Scoring Ability Compare Between Handicap Levels?

To summarize the differences in playing ability, here is an overview of approximate scoring ranges for common handicap levels:

As you can see, the plus handicapper clearly stands out playing several strokes better than even a scratch golfer. It‘s quite an impressive level of play.

In Closing

I hope this overview gives you a better understanding of what it signifies to have a +7 handicap. To get there requires tremendous skill, consistency, practice, and course management abilities. Golfers at this level stand clearly apart from most in scoring capability.

Don‘t let the plus handicaps at your club intimidate you. Setting attainable goals tailored to your own rate of improvement is key. With dedicated work on the right things, you can chip away at shaving strokes off your scores for years to come. We all have our own path in this game we love.

Let me know if you have any other golf handicap questions! I‘m always happy to chat more about this fascinating game with a fellow enthusiast.

Your friend,

Terry