USGA Released 2024 Golf Scorecard The United States Golf Association (USGA) 2024 Golf Scorecard recognizes trends in recreational golf from data collected from the GHIN Scoring system. Over 77 million scores were recorded from 3.35 million golfers, in 2024. Key statistics: • A significant increase in 9-hole scores: There were a record number of 9-hole rounds played in 2024 with over 13 million scores posted – an 8% increase over 2023 and up nearly 40% since 2020. • More golfers with a Handicap Index®: Over 3.35 million golfers in the U.S. maintained a Handicap Index in 2024 – up over 6% year over year and up nearly 30% since 2020. • New golfers posting more 9-hole rounds: Those who established a Handicap Index in 2024 were more likely to play and post 9-hole rounds; women who started this year played 9-hole rounds over 50% of the time, whereas men new to the game played 9-hole rounds over 28 percent of the time. • Short courses have become more popular: Par-3 and short courses are now eligible to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®. Over 180,000 scores were posted at more than 350 short courses nationwide. • Most rounds posted are recreational: A widely held notion that a Handicap Index is only for golfers who are playing in elite competitions continues to be dispelled by the data, as 94.5% of the 77 million rounds posted were recreational. Also, 25.4% of men and 23.7% of women posted at least one competitive score in 2024, meaning that over 75% of all golfers were playing and posting for fun. Golf News American Golf Journal
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