The golf handicap index system is a great system to level playing fields for golfers of different skill levels. The handicap system can make golf feel more competitive in all situations.
However, it is rare to see PGA Tour golfers make their handicap indexes publicly available. Therefore, you may wonder: do PGA Tour golfers use handicaps?
In this article, we will tell you exactly whether PGA Tour players use golf handicap indexes.
Do PGA Tour Golfers Use Handicaps?
No, PGA Tour golfers do not use handicaps, as the handicap index system is designed to level the playing field between amateurs of varying skill. The handicap system would be unfair in PGA tournaments, as the livelihoods and legacies of PGA Tour players depend on low scores.
People all around the world love to calculate their handicap index, but you rarely ever hear about PGA Tour player handicaps. What gives? Do PGA Tour golfers not have use handicap indexes?
The short answer is no, PGA Tour golfers do not use the handicap index, as it would be unfair to the more skilled players.
In reality, the golf handicap system is a mathematical artefact created to level the playing field between amateur golfers of varying skill levels. The handicap index system allows for these amateurs to enjoy a competitive round of golf with each other despite the skill gap.
The golf handicap index system is generally not used at the professional level, as the stakes are high. Would it make sense that the worst PGA Tour player could get a deduction of multiple strokes from his score, allowing him to win a tournament over other pros with smaller deductions?
In the PGA Tour, the winner of the tournament can make millions of dollars from a single win. At the professional level, players want a fair system based on merit and absolute scores, free of the handicap system meant to dissipate the effects of varying skill levels.
The livelihoods and legacies of PGA Tour players depend on their performances during tournaments, so it would not be fair that a lesser skilled player ends with a better outcome just because the handicap index system is in place.
Even though professional golfers do not use the handicap system in general, you can still estimate their handicap based on their scores. PGA Tour golfers would have a handicap index of around 5 if they actually kept track.
On the other hand, average people tend to have a handicap index between 15 and 25. The handicap tends to depend on experience, gender (due to the male body’s tendency to generate more power), knowledge of golf, and skill level.
If you would like to learn how to calculate your golf handicap index, you can use our free golf handicap index calculator Excel Sheet.
Conclusion
There you go! After reading this article, you have discovered that PGA Tour golfers generally do not use golf handicap index systems, as those are reserved for amateurs.
What is your golf handicap index? Let us know in the comments down below!
