National handicap stats

[AndrewG]

Anyone know if there is data available for the distribution of handicap values for club golf in the UK? I'd be interested to see what percentage play off scratch, or 0-9, 10-19, or 20+, etc... I know 15 is always touted as the 'average' handicap in the UK, but I'd be interested to know the factual basis for this figure...

 

[Fyldewhite]

I understand that EGU/CONGU are setting up a centralised database of handicaps from next January. I think all the software providers have to be signed up to cover this function so once up and running they should be able to provide stats such as that. I'm not aware of anything available right now though on a national basis. For our club the average handicap is around 13/14.

 

[JustOne]

Have heard the figure of 0.1% will make it to scratch, and being category 1 means you can play better than 97% of all golfers. No facts to back this up though unless I can find it on the web.

 

[didsbury_duffer]

I think you'll find that the national average is nearer 19/20 rather than 15.