What Is a Scratch Golfer?

Over 37 million Americans over the age of 6 played golf in 2021. The love of the game hasn't slowed down at all since the pandemic, either.

One of the great things about golf is the handicap. It allows any golfer to put their game up against another, despite their skill level.

But what is a scratch golfer? This article will explain everything you need to know about this golf term. Before you know it, you'll be a scratch golfer, too.

Keep reading to learn more.

What Is a Scratch Golfer?

A scratch golfer is simply a person who shoots at a 0 handicap or better or usually shoots even par.

When you watch their game, they are often great golfers who are great at managing every area and skill of the game. They are skilled at navigating through any golf course and can hit accurate shots when needed. 

They will rarely hit two bad shots in a row because they have the mentality needed to bounce back from setbacks. 

The word "scratch" is used in many different types of competitions. It originally came from a line that was marked into the dirt to signify the starting point of a race.

The fastest runners started at the scratch line, while slower ones were allowed to start ahead of the scratch to make the competition more fun and fair. It was the original method for handicapping to keep competitions close.

That's where the term "start from scratch" comes from. When it comes to golf, scratch golfers have "nothing," while other players can deduct a handicap from their final score. Golfers that play with a handicap are also called "plus-handicappers."

What's the Difference Between a Scratch Golfer and a Pro Golfer?

Although scratch golfers tend to be skilled, it's important not to get them mixed up with a PGA professional golfer. 

PGA pros give up their status as an amateur to join the ranks of the best golfers in the world. But more importantly, a player who wants to go pro does not have to be a scratch player. In fact, they can have a handicap as high as 8.4.

Pro golfers all play to different standards and have different motivations behind how they play. There are more than 80 different job roles in the PGA Pro that players can specialize in. 

Let's look at an example.

At big tournaments like the US Open or the PGA Championship, a good score is usually around 7 to 10 strokes over par. Most players hit around 82 to 85.

How Good Is a Scratch Golfer?

Scratch golfers are not easy to find. They are some of the best golfers in the world and often have very few weaknesses in their game. 

Again, scratch golf means that they can play to par or even below it. It's important to remember that par refers to the number of strokes the average experienced golfer would need to complete a course. This means that they hit par or below without any help.

This doesn't happen very often. No PGA professional or even scratch golfer shoots the same score every time. According to Lou Stagner (a golf stats guru at Arccos), even the best players only play under their handicap once every five rounds.

This means that most of the time, even scratch golfers will hit into the high 70s and even the mid-80s occasionally.

How Can I Become a Scratch Golfer?

For most golfers, becoming a scratch golfer is their main focus. If they are dedicated and have the time and focus to do it, some will be able to reach a scratch handicap. But the reality is that only a very small fraction of golfers will be able to make it.

Most will never become scratch golfers. In fact, according to the USGA, less than 2% of all golfers have a handicap of 0 or below. 

Saying that becoming a scratch golfer is ambitious might be an understatement. Keep in mind that many often say that golfers that have higher handicaps actually enjoy the game more.

With that said, here are some tips that can help you on your journey.

Tips for Becoming a Scratch Golfer

The ultimate focus of a scratch golfer needs to be ball striking. It's not as important if they are long off the tee, but they should hit most of their shots into the greens. If a scratch golfer misses a green in regulation, they'll need to work a lot harder to hit their goal.

Scratch golfers are masters of correcting their errors compared to their competition. This means that seeing them make two mistakes in a row is incredibly rare. They need to have:

• Athletic prowess
• Mental toughness
• Top-tier decision-making abilities

Mental toughness means that they will never panic or crack under pressure when they miss a green, hit a misplaced shot, or three-putt. 

The journey to becoming a scratch golfer is like training to be a master of a discipline. It might be easier for some than others, but no matter what, it will take time, diligence, and patience. It can't be learned overnight.

Again, you don't even need to be a scratch golfer to become a professional in the PGA. For men, you can have a handicap of up to 6.4 while women can have a handicap of up to 8.4. 

Upgrade Your Game at a Premier Golf Course

Now that you know what it takes to become a scratch golfer, it's time to put the work in. If you play golf, you know that the course you play on is just as important as the work you put in.

If you're ready to become a member at one of the finest golf facilities in the world, don't hesitate. Become a member of Stonegate Golf Club today!