I've seen countless posts about "scratch" golfers and what people think that means, but this article clearly illustrates just how hard it is to break par and shoot some of the numbers these guys on PGA, KFT and other tours routinely do. Hopefully this help with some understanding of what it means to be "scratch"

https://newsletter.loustagnergolf.com/p/how-often-do-scratch-players-shoot-under-par?

Scratch is crazy. I play a super easy course, and my handicap doesn't travel at all. I am technically a +0.6, but it's almost all based on the fact my course isn't rated properly/is too forgiving.

With that said, I found a skins game with some legitimate sticks a few years ago, and it's crazy the difference between them and me on the same course. One kid is a +6.5 and just got sponsors for two years to start trying to make it professionally. 206 ball speed off the tee, and just incredible touch around the greens. I break par every now and then, but I don't them I have ever seen him shoot worse than even.

Got down to a .8 at my peak. It traveled well as I think Hackberry is one of the harder courses in DFW. I never broke par from the tips but shot net -2 with a 74. That said, the difference between me and a plus 2 is a heck of a lot bigger than 3 strokes. The difference between me and Steven Bowditch is not even fair game. Got to play with him a few times at my course and the guy would show up, buy a six pack and shoot 65.

Not mention those that play ahead of the "Pro tees" and think "PAR" is scratch.
e.g. TAMU Campus Course
Black "true Par" 73.8
Blue "Par" 67.5 strokes
https://www.thegolfclubtamu.com/golf/scorecard/

Aggie369 said:

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My buddy who is trying to make it professionally played my friend who is a +1 handicap at Houston Oaks. The +1 routinely plays from the back tees and can carry the ball 300 in the air. Hes a good player.

The buddy who is a pro gave my other friend 12 strokes last year on 18 holes and beat him. They played 9 more and he gave him 9 strokes on 9 holes and beat him.

Its a different level. My pro buddy is like a +6 or +7

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That's crazy.

One of my favorite stories (although I don't recall where I heard it and I guess I don't know whether it's even true) involved a guy looking to go pro and the advice a coach gave him. Told him if he can't consistently shoot par while playing 2 balls and taking the worse shot of the 2, to go get an f'ing job.

JCA1 said:

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Aggie369 said:

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My buddy who is trying to make it professionally played my friend who is a +1 handicap at Houston Oaks. The +1 routinely plays from the back tees and can carry the ball 300 in the air. Hes a good player.

The buddy who is a pro gave my other friend 12 strokes last year on 18 holes and beat him. They played 9 more and he gave him 9 strokes on 9 holes and beat him.

Its a different level. My pro buddy is like a +6 or +7

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That's crazy.

One of my favorite stories (although I don't recall where I heard it and I guess I don't know whether it's even true) involved a guy looking to go pro and the advice a coach gave him. Told him if he can't consistently shoot par while playing 2 balls and taking the worse shot of the 2, to go get an f'ing job.

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I heard a variant of that story that the best Greg Norman ever shot while playing that format is even par. I think it was on one of those episodes of School of Golf with Martin Hall or something like that.

A "scratch player's game" travels. That's the difference.