First Step to a Smarter Golf Season? Setting Your Target Handicap

The new season is here, and you’re dusting off your clubs, ready to take on the course once again. The air is crisp, the fairways are calling, and let’s be honest—you’re hoping this is the year your slice magically disappears. But before you start swinging away,, there’s one crucial step that can set the tone for your entire season: setting your target handicap.

A target handicap isn’t just a number—it’s your personal roadmap to improvement. It gives you direction, focus, and a clear way to measure progress. Whether you’re looking to break 90, lower your single-digit handicap, or just become more consistent, defining your goal at the start of the season is key. Otherwise, you’re just wandering the course aimlessly, hoping your game sorts itself out (spoiler: it won’t).

Setting a goal isn’t just about ambition—it’s about having a structured plan. When you define a target handicap, you’re giving yourself something tangible to work toward. Instead of just hacking away round after round with no clear purpose, you can tailor your practice, course strategy, and mindset to actually improving. And let’s be real—beating your buddies and having bragging rights doesn’t hurt either.

A well-defined goal keeps you engaged and driven throughout the season. It turns casual practice sessions into purposeful training and helps you stay committed even when progress feels like watching paint dry. When you have a clear number in mind, you start to recognize the areas of your game that need work. Maybe your short game is saving you, but your driver is acting like it has a mind of its own. Or maybe your putter is the real villain of your scorecard. Knowing where you want to be helps you figure out where you need to improve.

It also changes the way you approach the course. You stop taking unnecessary risks (like trying to clear that 250-yard water hazard when you know you only hit it 230... on a good day), you think more strategically about your shots, and suddenly, you’re playing smarter golf. A target handicap gives you a benchmark for improvement. As the season progresses, you’ll be able to see measurable gains, which keeps you motivated and gives you the receipts to prove you’re actually getting better.

Take a moment to assess where you’re starting. Look back at last season, at your stats, at your best and worst rounds. Set a number that challenges you but still feels attainable. If you’re currently an 18 handicap, maybe aiming for a 15 is the right move. If you’re a 10, shaving off a few strokes might be the goal. Make it something measurable, something you can track and actually achieve—no one needs to set themselves up for heartbreak here.

Using tools like Arccos can help you track real-time data, analyze your strengths and weaknesses, and make smarter decisions on the course. The more you track, the more you’ll understand about your game, and the closer you’ll get to your target.

Here’s how to set your target handicap in the Arccos app. Head to the player tab and select the down arrow under your name where it says "compared to..." Here, set your target handicap to see how you measure up. 

By setting this up, you’ll have a clear way to track progress and make sure you're staying on course toward your goal. Think of it as your golf accountability buddy—minus the unsolicited swing advice. So, what’s your number this season? Set it, track it, and make this the year you finally play the kind of golf you’ve been dreaming about.

Looking to improve your golf this year and not already a member of Arccos? Get our Starter Bundle and improve your golf game!