What’s a good handicap—and when are you ready to compete?

10 Apr 2025
by Kyle Rector of AmateurGolf.com
see also: AmateurGolf.com Two Man Links and Father & Son at Torrey Pines, presented by Callaway Golf, Torrey Pines Golf Club - South Course
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At some point, every serious golfer asks it.

Not just “What’s a good handicap?” — but “Am I ready to put my game out there?”

Whether that means entering your first net tournament or finally signing up for a scratch event, it’s not always clear when the timing is right. That’s part of the game. You grind to lower your index, and once it starts dropping, the question becomes:

Now what?

There’s no universal answer. But we can offer some perspective.

Start with the numbers: the USGA reports that the average male golfer in the U.S. carries a 14.2 index. Women average 28.7. So if you’re playing off single digits, you’re already ahead of the pack. If you’re below a 5, you’re inside the top 10% of active players. That’s more than just solid. That’s competitive.

But scoring in the 70s at your home course isn’t the same as teeing it up with scorecards that count and no second chances. That’s where most players hesitate. It’s not about qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Am — it’s about finding a starting point.

We’ve seen it up close for years.

At events like the AmateurGolf.com Two Man Links and Father & Son at Torrey Pines, the field includes everything from +2s to 10s. They’re not there to chase a tour card — they’re there to measure their game in good company, at a world-class venue, under tournament conditions. And when they walk off the final green, they’ve gained something that doesn’t show up in the GHIN app: experience.

Tournament Type	Typical Handicap Index
USGA Championships	+2 to 2.4
State Amateur Qualifiers	0 to 5
AmateurGolf.com Two-Man	+2 to 16
Club Championships (Flights)	8 to 20
Net/Charity Events	10+

The Torrey Pines event, happening December 16–19, 2025, is one of our newest championships. You’ll play the North and South courses — both PGA Tour stops — plus Coronado, stay three nights at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, and compete in a 54-hole best-ball format with $15,000 in prizes. It’s open to all two-player teams, and it’s one of the best ways to step into tournament golf — no matter your background.

So what’s a “good” handicap? It depends who you’re asking.

For us, it’s less about the number and more about what you’re doing with it. If you’re shooting scores that beat your index, if you’ve got a friend or family member who wants to test themselves too — you’re probably more than ready.

And if you're looking for the right event? That’s what AmateurGolf.com Premium is built for. We maintain the largest curated database of amateur tournaments, and Premium members get access to exclusive tools that help you find the ones that match your index, format preference, and travel window.

Your index tells part of the story. The rest? That’s up to you.

ABOUT THE AmateurGolf.com Two Man Links at Torrey Pines

Every year, you watch PGA Tour players compete at Torrey Pines - sometimes twice! As the host course of the Farmers Invitational, two U.S. Opens, and the 2025 Genesis Invitational, you probably know most of the holes on the South and many on the North by heart. This year, why not grab a friend, parent, or child and compete in a 54‐hole best‐ball competition while enjoying everything San Diego has to offer and staying with us at the Lodge at Torrey Pines' Five Diamond accommodations overlooking the famed 18th hole?

Our 2ML tournaments are open to any two‐person team, so share this 54‐hole best‐ball championship alongside your most cherished golf companion. Whether it be your father, son, mother, wife or best friend – all pairings are encouraged.

AmateurGolf.com is no stranger to running high‐level competitions at top‐tier golf destinations. Adding Torrey Pines to our thriving annual line‐up, which includes Pebble Beach, Streamsong, Bandon Dunes and Sand Valley, was only a matter of time, given our home is right up the road! And the time is now. With 25 years of hosting tournaments, this will undoubtedly be one to remember. Space is extremely limited and reserved for the most enthusiastic among us.

FATHER & SON CHAMPIONSHIP
AmateurGolf.com is pleased to announce the tournament includes a Father & Son division with gross and net prizes within the division as well as eligibility for the overall gross and net championship titles.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
(3) nights of five star accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines (see options below)
(3) tournament rounds, (1) at Torrey Pines North, (1) at Torrey Pines South, (1) at Coronado Golf Course
$15,000 in tee gifts and prizes
Tournament awards for division winners and top finishers
Welcome gifts for all players

ITINERARY

Tuesday, December 16, 2025
- Arrival day, golf at player's expense today
- Lodging: The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
- Tournament Round 1 at Torrey Pines North
- Lodging: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
- Tee times start at 8:00 am

Thursday, December 18, 2025
- Tournament Round 2 at Torrey Pines South
- Lodging: The Lodge at Torrey Pines
- Tee times start at 8:00 am

Friday, December 19, 2025
- Tournament Final Round at Coronado Golf Course
- Check out of room prior to teeing off
- Tournament Awards immediately following play
- Tee times beginning at 9:30 AM

COMPETITIONS
Prizes will be awarded by division based on the number of players in that division as follows:

Father & Son Team (Low Gross and Low Net)
Open Team (Low Gross and Low Net)
SENIORS: A bonus will be awarded to the lowest gross score among teams where both players are age 50 and over

For net scoring, play will be at 80% of course handicap, with a maximum allowance of 18 for each player, and using the low handicap index for the past year from the USGA GHIN System. A maximum combined team handicap of 36.0 is requested.

Yardages will be approximately 6300–6500 yards, and those aged 65+ may elect to play from a shorter set of tees at 5900–6100 yards.

LODGING OPTIONS (All prices are per player.)

$2895-- ** DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PER PLAYER
(rooming with another tournament player only) includes 3 rounds of golf, 3 nights of lodging, plus $15,000 of tournament prizes and welcome gifts for all players

$3795-- ** SINGLE OCC.
includes 3 rounds of golf, 3 nights of lodging, plus $15,000 of tournament prizes and welcome gifts for all players

$1675-- ** COMMUTER RATE PER PLAYER
(lodging not included) includes 3 rounds of golf, plus $15,000 of tournament prizes and welcome gifts for all players

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU REGISTER:
Once both registrations for your team are complete, our tournament coordinator will send you a brief confirmation form. No early tee times on the final day are guaranteed, and you could start as late as 12:00 pm. Please make travel arrangements for departure accordingly.

TO REGISTER, SEE REGISTRATION TAB BACK AT THE TOP

View Complete Tournament Information

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