Scottie Scheffler reveals his golf handicap on his home course: “I give up 20 strokes”

Scottie Scheffler recently revealed his golf handicap and it has shocked more than one fan. According to Scheffler’s home club authorities, he is a +7, and that’s the handicap he uses when playing there. 

The number one player in the world talked about the matter during his press conference ahead of the TOUR Championship:

“At home I’m typically playing to a +7. I used to be a +5, they moved me to a +7. So now we’ve got guys in the group that are getting like two strokes a hole. I typically still will win more often than not, I feel like, but it’s just fun. It’s just entertaining”

“If you’re going out there with a 12, 13 handicap you don’t know what the heck is going to happen. If we’re playing Golf there is a lot of volatility there and it’s fun.”

The possibility that a friend with a two-digit handicap can beat a player of Scottie Scheffler’s caliber thanks to the handicap system is what makes golf unique and exciting. He even mentioned that:

“If I’m at home, pretty much either Friday or Saturday, I’m playing with somebody that I’m giving 20 strokes. I think we’re up to 20 strokes now. And he takes them all. I think if we kept my handicap throughout the year — it’s tough. It’s a tough thing to figure out”

Scottie Scheffler on the handicap system

If you think Scottie Scheffler might be upset for the 20 strokes he has to give to most of the players he plays with at his home course, you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, Scheffler considers the handycap system “one of the great parts about our game”:

“I think that’s one of the great parts about our game, is I can go out there with whoever it is and we can come up with some sort of a fair match just based on the handicap system”.

Scottie Scheffler says he plays off a plus-seven handicap during his home games. 🤯

It still feels like it should be more. 😂 pic.twitter.com/xpzzkAsRJe

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) August 27, 2024

The impact of golf handicap adjustments

Scottie Scheffler’s handicap adjustments illustrate an essential aspect of golf: The ability of the game to standardize individuals with different skill levels. Regardless of what your handicap is, it is possible to enjoy golf in the company of friends without compromising the competitive aspect of the game.

The handicap system also enables less experienced players to participate in the game without feeling overwhelmed by the superior skill of their peers, especially if Scottie Scheffler is on your group. Consequently, more proficient players can encounter the augmented challenge of competing on more equal terms, which introduces an additional level of excitement and camaraderie to the rounds.