UK Handicap Distribution - Stats

[MendieGK]

I'm intrigued as to whether there is any analysis that shows the handicap distribution across players in the UK? I'd love to know what percentage of players play off scratch or better for example? what percentage are cat 1? so on and so forth

 

[351DRIVER]

I did have a 120 page report on this, long since deleted and forgot where it was from, basically it proved that technology was not improving golf instead diminishing skill in tiny increments, perhaps something to google..

 

[351DRIVER]

Thinking about it, i am pretty sure it was a publication by or with the English Golf Union...try them

 

[duncan mackie]

The biggest problem with stats in this area is that you do not have a fixed defined group for analysis; although you could do one off research to get a picture.
Even the analysis outlined above was flawed because of this. The pool increased over the the time period which couldn't be estimated out, and the basis of handicapping also changed (which was estimated out).
If you take your pool as holders of a handicap then the basis of handicapping will dictate the answer ie you will get different answers from USGA, EGU and CONGU areas.
If you try and widen your research the answer will be derived from your definition of a golfer eg someone who plays once a year, twice, monthly? Does playing include range, 9 holes, only 18s? What about summer months rather than calendar year?
The divergence of simple stats such as % of playing members with a handicap is huge across clubs let alone the levels - we are at around 1/3 who don't have a handicap, I've heard others are higher and there are certainly some where it's nearer 95%.
Some courses have an average of those with a handicap at around 25, others considerably lower - generally introductory courses where people learn and move on are higher - tougher more competitive courses will be at the other end of the scale. This alone doesn't always hold true though.
If you want to get a feel for handicap levels then the best thing is to browse the club directory on how did I do and look at each clubs handicap profile.

 

[upsidedown]

In NZ we had access to this site which gives an indication of where you stand in relation to other golfers

 

[Alex1975]

I did have a 120 page report on this, long since deleted and forgot where it was from, basically it proved that technology was not improving golf instead diminishing skill in tiny increments, perhaps something to google..

Over what period was the data? Did it take into account that courses are getting longer for example?

 

[MendieGK]

I don't want anything complex just a snap shot of the handicap distribution in the Uk at any given time. The NZ graph looks like it

 

[El Diablo]

This might give a view of what you are looking for:

http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk/SiteStats.php

 

[backwoodsman]

This might give a view of what you are looking for:

http://www.masterscoreboard.co.uk/SiteStats.php

And given that MasterScoreboard records data for about 40% (I think) of clubs then the stats should be a fairly representative figure.

(But I take Duncan's point - as the figures only represent competitive scores they won't include casual, or non-club golfers. But I guess it's still broadly representative).

 

[duncan mackie]

And given that MasterScoreboard records data for about 40% (I think) of clubs then the stats should be a fairly representative figure.

(But I take Duncan's point - as the figures only represent competitive scores they won't include casual, or non-club golfers. But I guess it's still broadly representative).

Your working definition of 'players in the UK' is the single biggest factor in determining the answer you will get to the questions posed in the OP.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

The stats seem to support the general trend I have seen over the years.

One factor is the aging golf population which over the mid term will tend to push handicaps up. In many clubs the senior section is the most dominent.

Also worrying that despite all the equipment changes handicaps are not falling.