Sam O'Brien
7 minutes
Have you ever noticed how you tend to play better at your home course than when you're out on a new, unfamiliar course? You’re not imagining things—the data backs it up. We dove deep into TheGrint's extensive database to uncover how golfers of all skill levels perform at their home course compared to when they’re playing a course for the first time.
For this analysis, we focused on thousands of rounds from golfers across a range of handicaps. To ensure accurate results, we only included golfers who had played their home course at least 10 times, factoring out the first few rounds so that players had time to "learn" their home course. When it came to away courses, we specifically looked at how players performed the very first time they teed it up on a new course tracked by TheGrint.
The data shows a consistent trend: golfers of all handicap levels perform better at their home course compared to when they’re playing a course for the first time. This was evident across thousands of rounds for each handicap level. Whether you're a scratch golfer or a 25-handicapper, you’re likely to shoot lower scores at your home course.
For example:
One of the most interesting findings is that the gap between home and away scores exists across every handicap level. The delta between home course and first-time course performance averages around 2 strokes for golfers of all skill levels. For high handicappers, this difference is even more pronounced.
For instance:
If you’re about to tee it up at a new course, it’s smart to lower your expectations. The data clearly shows that golfers perform worse when playing a course for the first time. The lack of local knowledge—familiarity with tricky greens, blind spots, and optimal lines—has a tangible effect on scoring. On average, golfers add around 2 strokes to their differential when playing a new course.
So, if you're planning a golf trip or taking on a course for the first time, know that you're likely to face a steeper challenge. It’s important to adjust your mindset and game plan accordingly.
There’s no question that having experience with a course gives you an advantage. Whether it’s knowing the quirks of a particular green, understanding how wind patterns affect certain holes, or simply being comfortable with the layout, local knowledge plays a key role in how well you score. This is the edge you get from playing your home course multiple times, and the data shows it clearly.
While this analysis didn’t account for the potential benefits of having a caddie to offset the lack of local knowledge, it’s safe to assume that playing with someone who knows the course could help mitigate some of the challenges of playing a new course.
Planning to play a match against a buddy who’s never played your home course? Double the stakes—you’ve got the advantage. The data suggests that golfers will consistently perform better at their home course, so if your friend is unfamiliar with the layout, the odds are likely in your favor. Having local knowledge and comfort with the course will often give you the upper hand.
The results are clear: golfers play better at their home course than they do when playing a new course for the first time. This holds true for all handicap levels, with an average of 2 strokes separating home and away differentials. So, the next time you’re facing an unfamiliar course, go easy on yourself and recognize that the challenge of learning a new layout is real. And if you’re hosting a buddy at your home course, feel confident knowing that your experience gives you a notable edge.
