Are you sure you want to become a ‘scratch golfer?’

By Perry Noun

I believe the phrase “Scratch Golfer” is one of the most miss used and miss understood terms in golf, especially if you’re new to the sport.

Let’s get something straight right now… becoming a “Scratch Golfer” is one of the most di cult things to achieve as a nonprofessional amateur golfer. According to the United States Golf Association, a “Scratch Golfer” is de ned as, “A player who can play to a Course Handicap of ‘zero’ on any and all rated golf courses. A male ‘Scratch Golfer’ for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards and can reach a 470 yard hole in two shots at sea level. A female ‘Scratch Golfer’, for rating purposes, can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards and can reach a 400 yard hole in two shots at sea level”. Many ‘elite’ and even ‘good’ amateurs (male and female) can achieve these levels of distance on any given day. However, the USGA de nition implies the statistics must be achieved on a consistent basis… day a er day, a er day and we haven’t even discussed statistics for greens in regulation, putting, up-and-down from o the green and bunker play.

Let’s describe it another way. A “Scratch Golfer” is a ‘zero’ handicap golfer who is “expected” to shoot par on any golf course he/she plays. In addition, the “Scratch Golfer” can not only hit the required distances, they can also do the following… e study found, “ ere is still about a 5 stroke di erence in scoring between these two ‘elite’ types of players”. PGA Tour players usually have an advantage over the “Scratch Golfer” in driving distance and short game scrambling. Also, on the PGA Tour, the fairways are o en much narrower and the rough is much higher than the “Scratch Golfer” is used to playing. is requires exceptional consistently o the tee as well as the ability to hit shots from the much higher rough that makes it more di cult to hit greens in regulation. And nally, when “Scratch Golfers” get to the green, the degree of di culty of the greens on the PGA Tour, compared to the courses a “Scratch Golfer” plays, is signi cant.

* Hit over 50% of greens in regulation.

* Has the ability to make eagles on par 5’s.

* Average 36 or fewer puts per golf round.

* Has the ability to make multiple birdies in a round of golf.

* Rarely makes a double or triple bogie.

* Gets up and down to save par over 50% of the time when missing the green with their approach shot.

Can an ‘elite’ amateur “Scratch Golfer” become a PGA Tour Player? Absolutely, but it won’t be easy. It is very competitive to become a Professional Golfer and the vast majority of “Scratch Golfers” would still fall far short of being successful. A study was done to compare the abilities of PGA Tour players with “Scratch Golfers”.

Still want to become a “Scratch Golfer”?

Follow this plan from the Foy Golf Academy:

1. Establish a Golf Handicap (4 or better) 2. Hire a Swing Coach 3. Practice, Practice and Practice (at least 20 hours per week)

4. Compete in Tournaments (and win) 5. Stay Motivated, Passionate and Exhibit a Great Attitude

6. Give Yourself a 3 year timeline to become a “Scratch Golfer”

For sure, there is a skill di erence between the PGA Tour players and ‘elite’ amateur “Scratch Golfers”. However, achieving the status of becoming a “Scratch Golfer”, is still a remarkable achievement because it puts you into the “Top 1% of all golfers in the world.