Im not sure if this has been explored before. When reading some content of posts on here regarding scores shot, distances achieved, design features and the impact on playing holes, I often wonder what the average handicap of people contributing here is. Based on some of the comments posted, I get the feeling that overall most people on board are fairly accomplished golfers with many being of extremely high calibre.

If so, does this lend itself to a hypothesis that a player is better able to appreciate the design and architecture of a course if they are confident of there own abilities and not more concerned with making reasonable contact with the ball. i.e battling the course and not your own game.

If this hasnt been done before, I think it would be an interesting exercise to establish the average handicap of people on this site. The more replies, the more accurate the representation. Also interested in peoples predictions.

If you are interested, please reply with your handicap details. Also, please indicate which group you fall into:
- Architect
- Golf course staff (Super, 2IC, Greenkeeper etc)
- Professional or coach
- avid golfer
- other

I predict the average to be around 8 or 9.

Me: Golf course staff, handicap 1

avid golfer - +1.9

I'd be surprised if the average of responses comes out more than 5-6.  Those who are higher aren't as likely to respond.  But besides that, I think you have it right - there are a lot of low handicappers among the regular participants here.

other (can't say avid golfer as that would be lying - I'm an avid soccer coach and watcher of kids' sports - I'm a whenever the hell let they me play golfer)

3.1 index

Tom H.

avid, 9.8 (and going higher)

3.4 index.

8.5

golf industry
9.8 index

Avid golfer 6.9

Grant - if you really are going to calculate an average, please delete wise-ass shivas, who is a 26 like I'm Tiger Woods.

"I am double digits and as Huck says a little ashamed to post it in here.  Needless to say I've gotten 4 strokes worse this year alone...  "

Kalen, and others

Please post as this only works if we get the full range of people adding to this. There is nothing to be ashamed of as handicap is irrelevant to appreciation of golf course architecture. If only low figure players reply it will not be an accurate average.

2. avid.  Not to be a golf snob (I am), but I can't believe there's even 1 person on this site without an established handicap.  Without one, I'm not sure you can even categorize yourself as a golfer - kind of like an extra in a movie calliong themselves an actor.  How hard is it?  Pay your dues and get one.

"I am double digits and as Huck says a little ashamed to post it in here.  Needless to say I've gotten 4 strokes worse this year alone...  "

Kalen, and others

Please post as this only works if we get the full range of people adding to this. There is nothing to be ashamed of as handicap is irrelevant to appreciation of golf course architecture. If only low figure players reply it will not be an accurate average.

Fair enough,

In the name of a scientific poll on GCA... I'm a 17.2, but was a 13.2 earlier in the year.  I consider myself an avid golfer, just in dire need of a swing coach so it would seem.

TonyP:  that's harsh.  OH, I'd guess lots of us fall prey to the "not playing up to our indices at GCA outings" syndrome - I know I have - and that can happen for a lot of reasons:  bad day, no practice, handicap is low and never changes because you post so few rounds, many other things.

But "ego handicap" connotes artificially lowering such... I sure hope no one here does that.  I've yet to meet anyone I'd even suspect of that.

TH