Reduce your handicap – 25hcp Law of Averages

17 November 2023

For all players around the 25 handicapper region, here are some averages for you to compare yourself against, and some suggestions for areas to improve.

Here are some top-level statistics before we delve deeper:

Off the tee typically a player with a 25 handicap index, with driver, hits the ball 204 yards (P-Avg.). We know that length off the tee plays a big part when it comes to scoring and adding distance to their drives could help save these players’ strokes.

This would make a significant difference on longer par 4s and par 5s where a good tee shot can transform scoring opportunities. 

However, we also note that 25hcp players tend to miss their tee shots to the right, finding the righthand side rough 30% of the time off the tee. 

This could be where the stereotypical slice plays a factor, unfortunately, with more distance it is likely to slice more. So players could look to work on their tee shot tendency or adjust their aim to allow for their fade/slice.

However, if we do gain length, as we hit the ball further, our margins for error become finer so a lesson from a professional would be advised. 

Shot Scope Academy allows registered professionals to access your performance data and target the aspects of your game that are holding you back, a game changer in golfer improvement. 

Why would length off the tee be our first area to target?

The knock-on effect of greater length means that players are hitting less club into greens which would likely result in greater greens hit success. We explore the the significance of distance off the tee to a greater extent in this blog where we compare driver versus 3 wood.

Currently, a 25hcp golfer hits just under 10% of greens which is very low and places a huge strain on short game. 

When missing the green, 25 handicappers get up and down roughly once in every five attempts. With so few greens being hit, and a low level of success in up and down attempts, it is clear to see how these shots can add up throughout a round.

Looking more closely at short game and on the greens.

These players typically hit the ball inside 6ft from the fringe to 20 yards away approximately 23% of the time. Why is inside 6ft an important measurement? 

Well, a 25 handicapper’s make percentage from 0-6ft is 83%, but when we move further back and look at 6-12ft, the make percentage drops to 35%. 

Proximity to the hole impacts, as we would expect, impacts that likelihood of making a putt massively, find out more here.

Have you ever wondered how your putting compares to that of a top-level PGA Tour player? We take a closer look at Maverick McNealy’s putting stats compared to amateur golfers in this blog.

Par 5s – the greatest threat, and the greatest opportunity to a 25 handicapper.

Despite their length, Par 5s present scoring opportunities for players that shorter Par 3s do not. The majority of amateurs could save strokes on these holes, find out more here.

When we look at scoring average on Par 5s, 25 handicappers typically record 6.98 strokes which translates to a double bogey more often than not. 

The scoring difficulty likely stems from the two longer shots that are required to get to the green. These holes require a successful tee shot followed by another wood which can be the downfall of the 25 handicapper. 

In terms of green success, with 3 wood, 5 wood, 3 hybrid, or 4 hybrid a 25hcp player averages 5% green success. This means that their third shot will be an approach into the green which from 50-110 yards is typically 59ft. 

With an average of 59ft, from this distance, it is not guaranteed that they are hitting the green. 

So to try and give the 25 handicapper a better chance at scoring and reducing their handicap, length off the tee is a great starting point. 

Of course, throughout this blog, there have been several areas that could be improved, and yes as the saying goes drive for show putt for dough but you must get to the green first. 

Lower players do not hit more fairways, but they do hit it consistently further. So, if a 25hcp golfer can add some length then the knock-on effect will benefit the rest of their game. 

There is no one definitive solution to lower scores but hitting the ball longer makes a big difference. If you track your game, Shot Scope Academy could transform your game. 

Maximise your tuition time and target the areas of your game that will make a difference.