Jerry Keirn has been playing golf at SaddleBrooke for the past six years, and in 2024, he earned the distinction of being the most improved player. While you might assume this award is simply based on how much a player lowers their handicap, there’s more to it. The honor is determined by what is known as the Improvement Factor, a calculation designed to account for the fact that it’s generally easier for a high handicapper to lower their score by several strokes compared to a low handicapper.
The formula for the Improvement Factor is as follows:
Starting index + 12 ÷ Ending index + 12 = Improvement Factor
What does a typical amateur golfer shoot? According to the United States Golf Association (USGA), the average index for men is 14.
How Does Age Affect the Average?
The USGA data shows that players in the following age ranges typically have these averages:
- Ages 20-30: 89.7
- Ages 30-40: 91.7
- Ages 40-50: 91.5
- Ages 50-60: 91.0
- Ages 60-70: 91.0
As we can see, scores tend to level off or slightly improve after the age of 40, according to data from Golf Now.
Jerry can personally attest to this phenomenon. Having played golf since he was 12 years old, his current index of 5.6 is the lowest he has ever achieved.
Congratulations, Jerry, on your well-deserved recognition as SaddleBrooke Men’s Golf Association 2024 Most Improved Golfer!
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