What Is a Mid Handicapper? Let’s Find Out!

If you hear the word handicap in a typical setting, you probably think of a definition with negative meanings.

However, if you utter the word handicap in the world of golf, it means you end up being neutral.

It’s okay if you don’t understand that term if you’re only beginning to step into the grassy world of golf.

We’ll go through EVERYTHING you need to know about handicaps and what precisely a mid handicapper is.

What Exactly Is a Handicap?

When talking about a handicap in the golfing world, it’s a number that represents the golfing abilities of a player based on their PREVIOUS GOLF SCORES.

For MALE players, the handicap is usually around zero to twenty-eight.

For FEMALE players, the handicap goes from zero to thirty-six.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) created the golf handicap system to make a level playing field for golfers to participate in.

The LOWER your handicap is, the BETTER you are at playing golf.

Here is the estimated set of scores for high handicappers, mid handicappers, and low handicappers:

• High handicapper: 19-above
• Mid handicapper: 11-20
• Low handicapper: 9-below

There is NO OFFICIAL DEFINITION for each of the three types of handicaps in golf, but those are the general view of the scores’ definition.

How Does a Mid Handicap Golfer Perform?

If you’re a mid handicapper, then you play golf quite well.

You tend to drop strokes around or in the green since you understand the fundamentals of golf.

However, there are instances when your swing may IMPACT the way our ball will fly across the field, resulting in duff chip shots, bunker shots, or the dreaded three-putt shot.

According to the USGA, mid handicappers make up 43% of players.

Mid Handicapper Categories

Mid-handicap players can still be categorized further into three distinct types of players, which may help you understand where you currently stand on the playing field.

Low Mid Handicap

If you play off to a 10 to 12 and shoot off to the low 80s and enter the higher 70s on a good day, then you’re part of the LOWER MID HANDICAPPER community.

At this point, you may join the low handicap golfers if you start taking the game even more seriously and put more time and effort into training and equipment.

Mid Mid-Handicap

If you usually play to a 13 to 16 with a regular score from the mid to high 80s, you’re a MID MID-HANDICAP PLAYER.

High Mid Handicap

You’re a HIGH MID HANDICAPPER if you’ve just broken out from the high handicap category.

At this stage, you play off to a 16 to 18 and shoot to the high 80s to mid 90s.

What Equipment Should a Mid-Handicapper Use?

If you’re aiming to improve your playing ability and break into the ranks of low handicap golfers, then you’ll need better equipment to help you boost your SKILLS and CONFIDENCE.

You’ll need super game improvement clubs with a large central hitting zone that will help you hit the ball straight.

The best golf clubs for mid-handicap golfers have a larger central hitting zone to decrease the chances of off-center shots.

Great irons for mid handicappers are sometimes hard to come by with all the available ones in the market.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list for you that will help you out when you shop for the best mid handicap irons.

TaylorMade M4 Combo Hybrid/Iron Set

Source: Amazon.com

If you’re a mid handicap player, then the TaylorMade M4 Combo Iron is a great game improvement iron you can get to help you gain more distance and decrease your side spin.

It’s got patented technology incorporated into its design which lets the club transfer more energy from the hitting area to the ball. With that, you can increase your ACCURACY and the DISTANCE you put on it.

Aside from that, it’s got an ULTRA-THIN LEADING EDGE that works with the speed pocket to increase speed on your low-face shots.

Our only issue with this club set is that it’s a lot MORE EXPENSIVE than other irons you can get to help you improve your game.

Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Iron Set

If you’re in dire need of new irons for mid handicappers, then the Cleveland Golf Men’s Launcher HB Iron Set could be perfect for you.

These game improvement irons for mid handicappers feature HOLLOW CONSTRUCTION to give you better control and speed of your swing. That way, you get to increase your ball speed.

With that, any OFF-CENTER SHOTS you make can still go straight and still share the same kick a regular shot would usually have.

The only con you might want to consider is that many players who use this set take some time to adjust to them.

With that in mind, be sure to hit a few rounds at a driving range before hitting an actual course.

Callaway Golf Men’s X-Series 2018 Irons Set

The Callaway Golf Men’s X Series 2018 Irons set is made of high-quality steel shafts that are lightweight to help you with your swing.

Since these mid handicap golf irons come with a decreased center of gravity, they offer mid handicappers a lot MORE FORGIVENESS, even if you accidentally hit the ball off-center by an inch or two.

Our biggest concern with these irons is that they’re not as sophisticated as other irons out there.

But with that said, as long as it helps you improve your game, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

How to Become a Low Handicapper

If you’re already a low mid handicap golfer, you may already be close to hitting the low handicap category.

With a few tricks and tips on your sleeve, your overall golf game will slowly begin to IMPROVE.

Here’s how you can make your mid handicap game turn into a low handicap game.

Practice More

It’s cliche, but PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

If you think you’ve invested a lot of time into the game already, you’ll need to double down and add more time to improve some more.

You’re going to need to train to get your overall golf game down there with the low handicappers.

You’ll need to get CONSISTENT RESULTS in your swing speed and familiarize yourself with what you’re capable of.

Players in the low category may play some foul shots at times, but they’re quick on the uptake on what they did wrong and fix it the next time they take a shot.

Aside from your swing speed, you’ll need to practice the following as well:

• Fairways in Regulation
• Greens in Regulation
• Distance Control
• Ups and Downs
• Putts Per Round

So overall, you’ll need to practice getting consistent and better results to join the lower ranks.

Proper Equipment

Mid handicap golfers like you may realize that your equipment may not be up to par when you begin inching your way towards the lower handicap category.

You’ll need to get new irons, wedges, putters, and other clubs that are capable of helping you improve workability in your shots.

You might also want to get a golf ball that offers a lot of forgiveness on shots that are OFF-CENTER. For that reason, we suggest getting a ball with ionomer covers.

Aside from getting the best clubs and golf balls to help you get the best results on the field, we also recommend getting a LAUNCH MONITOR.

It’s a nifty gadget that allows you to track your ball speed, carry distance, flight time, and other data you might want to analyze.

Golf Lessons

Think you’ve already gotten all the fundamentals of golf down?

While your skill level might already be good, it never hurts to sign up for GOLF LESSONS so you can tackle common mistakes you might be subconsciously making.

If you’re worried about the time and money you’ll drain into getting golf lessons every week, you can opt for lessons EVERY MONTH instead.

Monthly golf lessons will still allow you to learn from professionals but give you ample time to apply what you learned on a real course before you return and see how much you’ve improved.

Mental Game

Aside from being technically competent at golf, you need to know you’re COMPETENT AT GOLF.

You should be able to plan where your shots will go and strategize what the best shots are.

Your SKILL LEVEL will only take you so far if you don’t believe in it.

You’ll only graduate from the league of mid handicappers if you have the confidence to back it up.

But don’t fret if you can’t get your mental game up after just one game; it’s a tiring skill and takes time to develop naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we wrap up, why don’t we tackle some questions you might have to increase your knowledge for the game of golf.

After all, it wouldn’t hurt to learn new facts about this interesting and timeless sport.

What Is a Bogey Player?

A bogey golfer is a player who tends to score ONE OVER PAR on each hole.

It usually means that players could have done a better job with one of their shots during the course of each hole they played.

They usually hit around 88 to 92 shots. Of course, this will depend on what course they’re playing.

Due to that number, bogey golfers are considered to be mid handicappers.

What Is the Difference Between Your Golfing Handicap and Your Golf Score?

Your golfing handicap and your golf score are not similar.

A golfing handicap is just the predicted outcome of scores and numbers you’ll get during a game.

Final Thoughts

The handicap system may be confusing at first, especially if you’re a rookie at golf, but it’s a fairly easy-to-understand system that benefits a lot of golfers when they’re playing the game.

So if you’re part of the mid-handicap golfers league, you now understand that you can reach the lower ranks of the handicap.

With some more practice, access to the best irons for your gameplay style, and some mental toughness, you can reach your GOAL.