Alister Links

Private Golf Club Handicap Data — GHIN Analysis

Research by Alister Links||Updated

The average handicap index across private golf clubs in America is 16.4. This figure is computed from GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) data covering 2,462 clubs and 111,879 registered golfers. The most competitive clubs — where average member handicaps fall below 7.0 — represent fewer than 0.2% of all clubs. The consensus top 50 private clubs in America average a 14.8 handicap index — 1.6 strokes lower than the national average.

16.4

National Avg. Handicap

2,462

Clubs with GHIN Data

111,879

Registered Golfers

14.8

Top 50 Clubs Avg.

Handicap Distribution Across Clubs

Distribution of average club handicap indices across all 2,462 clubs with GHIN data. Each row represents how many clubs fall within that average handicap range.

Avg. Club HandicapClubs% of Total
Under 8.0180.7%
8.0 – 11.925610.4%
12.0 – 15.991637.2%
16.0 – 19.986535.1%
20.0 – 23.932613.2%
24.0+813.3%

Most Competitive Private Golf Clubs

Ranked by lowest average member handicap index.

ClubLocationAvg. HandicapMembers
Black Sheep Golf ClubSugar Grove, IL5.223
Far Hills Country ClubBernards, NJ5.242
Liberty Corner Country ClubBernards, NJ5.7131
Trinity Forest Golf ClubDallas, TX6.123
Northwood Country ClubMeridian, MS6.733
Musgrove Mill Golf ClubClinton, SC6.825
Searcy Country ClubSearcy, AR7.224
Oak Tree NationalEdmond, OK7.372
Maridoe Golf ClubCarrollton, TX7.333
Whisper Rock Golf ClubScottsdale, AZ7.556
The Plantation Golf ClubIndio, CA7.624
Beau Pre Country ClubNatchez, MS7.616
Beau Pre' Country ClubNatchez, MS7.619
The Farms Golf ClubRancho Santa Fe, CA7.738
Blessings Golf ClubFayetteville, AR7.850
Paradise Valley Athletic ClubFayetteville, AR7.820
Lost Springs Golf & Athletic ClubRogers, AR7.947
TPC LouisianaAvondale, LA7.926
Pine Canyon ClubFlagstaff, AZ8.124
Dornick Hills Golf & CountryArdmore, OK8.229

Clubs with Highest Single-Digit Handicap Percentage

Clubs where the largest share of members carry a single-digit handicap index (0.0–9.9).

ClubLocationSingle-Digit %Avg. Handicap
Liberty Corner Country ClubBernards, NJ94.0%5.7
Black Sheep Golf ClubSugar Grove, IL91.0%5.2
Far Hills Country ClubBernards, NJ88.0%5.2
Lonesome Pine Country ClubBig Stone Gap, VA76.0%8.7
Territory Golf & Country ClubDuncan, OK75.0%8.3
Searcy Country ClubSearcy, AR74.0%7.2
Northwood Country ClubMeridian, MS73.0%6.7
Trinity Forest Golf ClubDallas, TX73.0%6.1
Musgrove Mill Golf ClubClinton, SC72.0%6.8
The Plantation Golf ClubIndio, CA71.0%7.6
Caves Valley Golf ClubOwings Mills, MD70.0%10.1
Old BarnwellAiken, SC70.0%8.5
The Standard ClubJohns Creek, GA69.0%9.0
Dornick Hills Golf & CountryArdmore, OK69.0%8.2
Blessings Golf ClubFayetteville, AR68.0%7.8

Highest Average Handicap Clubs

Clubs with the highest average member handicap index — typically indicating a more recreational membership.

ClubLocationAvg. HandicapMembers
Alamo Country ClubAlamo, TX33.636
Ranch Country Club LGAWestminster, CO32.531
Eaglewood Country ClubHobe Sound, FL32.516
Fairways Country ClubOrlando, FL31.321
White Cliffs Country ClubPlymouth, MA31.130
Annandale Golf ClubPasadena, CA31.019
El Niguel Country ClubLaguna Niguel, CA30.320
Del Tura Country ClubNorth Fort Myers, FL29.929
The Glades Golf & Country ClubNaples, FL29.757
Greenbriar Oceanaire Golf & Country ClubOcean Township, NJ29.534

Most Competitive States by Average Handicap

States with at least 5 clubs reporting GHIN data, ranked by lowest average handicap index.

StateAvg. HandicapClubs Reporting
Arkansas10.821
Mississippi12.026
Alabama12.130
Oklahoma13.029
Tennessee13.145
Louisiana13.314
Georgia13.471
Texas14.2134
Colorado14.548
Arizona14.845

Gender Distribution

Across 2,462 clubs reporting gender data: 79.9% of GHIN-registered members are male and 20.1% are female, covering 111,879 total members.

Key Facts

  • The national average handicap index across private golf clubs is 16.4.
  • GHIN data covers 2,462 clubs and 111,879 registered golfers.
  • The most competitive club is Black Sheep Golf Club with an average handicap of 5.2.
  • The consensus top 50 private clubs average a handicap index of 14.8 — 1.6 strokes lower than the national average.
  • Fewer than 0.2% of clubs have an average member handicap below 7.0.
  • GHIN membership is 79.9% male and 20.1% female across 2,462 reporting clubs.
  • Data is drawn from the Alister Links directory of 4,088 private golf clubs across 49 states.
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