What Is A Mid-Handicap?

When you know you are not a beginner and you also know you are far from a scratch player, what does that make you? The concept of the “mid-handicapper” seems to be generally accepted by golfers but what is the actual handicap index range it defines?

What Is A Mid-Handicap?

A mid-handicap golfer has a handicap index of between 10 and 20. To confuse the issue, there are also categories for a “lower mid-handicap” and a “higher mid-handicap” golfer.

In general, a mid-handicapper typically shoots between 80 and 94 for 18 holes.

Categories of Mid-Handicappers

Let’s face it: there is a difference between shooting 80 and shooting 94. We need a few categories for mid-handicappers.

Lower Mid-Handicap: 10-13 index Mid Mid-Handicap: 14-17 Higher Mid-Handicap: 18-20

Key Characteristics of a Mid-Handicap Golfer

A mid handicap golfer makes more bogeys than they do birdies and pars. If you consider the average round for a mid-handicapper to be an 87, that’s about 15 over par.

Here are some traits that lead to mid-handicappers staying in this range.

A Few Three Putts

Most mid-handicap golfers make a few three-putts during a round of golf. Where these turn into a bigger problem is when the green was not hit in regulation. Miss a green in regulation and then compound the mistake with a three-putt and that’s a recipe for a double bogey.

Three-putts from 40 or 50 feet happen even to the best players but from 25 feet and closer, mid-handicappers need to be more accurate. Look for putters with more forgiveness (higher MOI), an alignment line you can trust and great feel.

Some Missed Fairways

Generally, mid-handicappers don’t struggle as much as higher-handicap players to hit a straight drive off the tee. Chances are you can get the ball in the fairway most of the time but the issue is consistency.  You may not lose a ball in the water or hit it out of bounds off the tee. However, being in the rough can make birdie or par unattainable.

If you are a mid-handicapper, go with an adjustable driver with a mix of forgiveness and distance performance.

Relatively Low GIR Percentage

The average PGA TOUR professional hits anywhere from 10 to 12 greens in regulation in a round of golf (depending on the distance to the green). In contrast, most mid-handicappers hit about half that many.

Utilizing the forgiveness of cavity-back irons, improving fundamentals in setup and alignment and taking advantage of golf distance measuring devices can improve the greens in regulation percentages of mid-handicappers.

The Occasional Mishit

Mid-handicappers are not immune to the occasional mishit.  You may make a par or two in a row and then blade a wedge shot across the green or hit a slice out of bounds from the tee box.

Mid-handicappers quickly move into the high 80s and low 90s when penalty strokes start to accumulate.  When you strike the ball more consistently, the low 80s are attainable.

Lower Scrambling Percentages

We know mid-handicappers don’t hit too many greens in regulation but the second problem is getting up and down to save par. If you miss the green but your short game is good enough to get you up and down regularly, you may see some high 70s before long. However, most mid-handicappers lack the inability to chip or pitch the ball close enough to the hole to make a one-putt.

Improving your scrambling percentage is one of the quicker ways to become a low-handicap golfer.

How To Move From A High-Handicap To A Mid-Handicap

Now that we have some of the characteristics of a mid-handicap golfer, let’s look at how you can move from a high- to a mid-handicap golfer.

Schedule Some Practice Time

One of the first steps is to spend more time on the driving range and practice green. Work on improving consistency, hitting your first putts a little closer to the hole and making sure your fundamentals are perfect.

Find the Right Equipment

Golf irons designed for higher-handicap golfers are considered game-improvement or super game-improvement and have a larger sweet spot and lots of forgiveness.

If you are playing with this type of equipment, you may want to look for clubs that are more of a fit to the player you want to become not the player you are.

Find soft-feeling wedges that can control ball flight a bit more. Also, consider adjustability in the driver and fairway woods to fine-tune to your needs as you improve.

Play With Better Players

Playing with better players may seem like a simple recommendation but it works. Better players can teach you about course management, club selection and even tempo and timing. Watch and listen!

How To Move From A Mid-Handicap To A Low-Handicap

If you are already in that 10 to 20 mid-handicap range and want to move to the lower handicaps, there are a few steps you can take. Being a low-handicap golfer (less than 10 handicap index) takes a pretty thorough understanding of golf.

Start Collecting Data

If you don’t track strokes gained or traditional golf stats when you play, start doing it today.  Knowing where your game struggles is the first step towards moving to a lower handicap. There are plenty of great golf apps to help with data collection and tracking.

Put the Time In On The Greens

Chipping the ball close to the hole is one of the easiest ways to get better at putting. Spend some time working on hitting shots closer and rolling in your first putt. The quickest way to lower your golf handicap is to get better at the scoring-related shots (the short ones that get the ball in the hole).

Know How To Work The Ball

Learn to control the launch of your shots and hit a draw or a fade on demand. Not every shot is a straight one.

This is where you may need to move away from game-improvement irons and look at more player’s style irons. The short irons that allow for more workability can really drive your handicap index down.

Most importantly, when you know how to hit a draw or a fade, you also know how to fix an unwanted one. Do your own damage control on the course and your days of high 80s could be long behind you.

Invest In Technology

Golf technology to help you analyze things like spin, launch and distance can help you identify weaknesses in your game. In addition, this type of golf technology can also increase your motivation to become a better player and give you a reason to head to the range.

Isn’t it fun to be able to track how much distance you are gaining or how many three putts you are eliminating as you are on your way to the low handicap range?

Final Thoughts

Being a mid-handicapper means your handicap is between 10 and 20. It’s a wide range so it’s often broken up into the low-, mid- and high-handicap categories. Always ensure you are playing with the proper equipment and mindset to be the golfer you intend to be.

FAQ

What is considered a low handicap?

A low handicap is typically considered to be less than 10. Scratch golfers have a zero handicap. Golfers with a “plus” handicap shoot better than par for their average round.

What is my handicap if I shoot a 95?

If you shoot 95, your handicap is likely around 22 to 24. You’re considered a high-handicap player.

What is a 12 handicap in golf?

A 12-handicap in golf is a lower mid-handicap golfer. Golfers with a 12 handicap tend to shoot in the 82 to 85 range.

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