When you tee it up, what does “playing well” really mean? How do you set a meaningful goal for your round, especially on a course you haven’t played before or from a different set of tees? Is "par" even in the cards for you? If you're like 98% of golfers, let's look at your target score — a practical benchmark every golfer with a Handicap Index® should understand.

What Is a Target Score?

A target score is the score you’re expected to shoot if you play to your handicap. It serves the same purpose as par does for a scratch golfer — a realistic performance standard tailored to your ability. Think of your target score as your personal par for the day.

To find your target score, use this simple formula:

Target Score = Course Handicap + Par of the tees you’re playing.

For example, if your Course Handicap for the tees you’re playing is 20 and the course par is 70, your target score would be 90. (Not sure what your Course Handicap is? Click here to figure it out!)

How Often Should You Hit Your Target?

Your Handicap Index reflects your demonstrated ability when you’re playing well, so shooting your target score consistently requires a solid performance. Most golfers hit their target score around 15–20% of the time, and in many rounds will score 2–5 strokes higher than their target.

Why Target Score Matters

Your target score changes depending on the set of tees you choose because your Course Handicap changes with the course and tee difficulty. That makes it a useful tool for deciding which tees to play — and for setting a realistic expectation before the first tee shot.

At a minimum, knowing your target score gives you a clear performance goal and helps you gauge how well you actually played, round by round.