My handicap index is currently 18.1 which, in my eyes, is the ideal number to play golf off.
In theory, I have an extra shot on every hole and I can enjoyably shoot around 90 at a decent course.
(Image credit: Howard Boylan)
For context, I’ve played golf on and off all of my life, but I began to take it a bit more seriously in around 2022. I’ve had an official handicap index ever since.
I had lessons when I was very young, but have come back to the sport watching clips here and there, picking up tips occasionally and sort of teaching myself all over again.
At first, my target was to reduce the number next to my name from the high-20s and into the high teens.
As it turned out, all I needed to make that happen was to play a bit more regularly and acquire some new clubs. I think it took me about a year to drop my handicap by 10.
Since then, I briefly dipped down into the heady heights of the 15s thanks to an extremely unhelpful and flukey 10-over-par 81 that temporarily ruined my game.
But, thankfully, my usual scores in the high-80s and low-90s have largely returned and I’ve settled back into what I feel is a very comfortable number for me.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Having played my final round of 2025 in late December, I entered the new year with my current handicap index of 18.1 and wondering what I might look to do over the next 12 months.
While one-off achievements like bagging a first hole-in-one or a maiden eagle would be cool, they’re not that much of a priority and could happen anyway with a good slice of luck.
My thoughts then turned to my handicap. Could I reduce it down into the low-teens, perhaps? I would argue that without something significant changing (most likely regular lessons), there is more chance of my Bengals firing…
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