Are HDCPs trending upwards or downwards? With the improvements in quipment, is the avg hdcp going up or down?

Question

Anyone have any data from the last 15 years or so?

Answer 1

For me and several others I know I am always getting busier and therefore I have less time to play and practise, so in my case my hcap is rising.  This is of course entirely dependant on my age and stage in life.  

I would say the avg younger golfer is getting better at amazing rates, there are now a couple of excellent juniors at my club which there would not have been even five years ago.  

The more senior members are definitely benefiting from the improvements in equipment.

So the answer is it depends on age.

Answer 2

this is a good question, and the timing is good too.  I JUST read a study yesterday about golf handicaps, and how they are staying pretty much the same as they have been for the past 50 years, despite the imporved technology.  Handicaps were at 16 for men, and 29 for women, and have been, for the better part of a half-century.  the study didnt have a REASON for the consistency, but some theories they had were the increase in popularity of golf,  bringing in more people to the game, but by extension, more new, less experienced players to the game.  this study was also refelctive of only those players who actually record handicaps.  so, despite the technology, very little has changed.   good question

Answer 3

awesome question.  i read a similar article - one of their points was although the equipment is making the scores improve, the new golf courses being built and golf course renovations are making the game tougher.  Courses are longer now, with more traps and hazards to offset factors like new technology and the fact that more people are playing and starting at a younger age.  I predict scores to remain consistent to what we have seen in the past.  If we do see a decrease in overall handicaps, i can see organizations like the USGA push for course improvements to continue to keep golf as challenging as possible.

Answer 4

I would say trending down. Most courses are not able or have chosen not to make significant changes in the last decade, especially in the area of length. There is no doubt that equipment and the ability to hit the ball further has changed. I'm 52 and still hit the driver as far as I did when I was 21, but not quite as far as when I was 50.  It's not because I'm a better golfer or stronger, that's for sure. I don't think most courses have been made signifacantly harder by reducing fairway width, making the greens tougher, etc. So most of us shoot a little better score.