What is an average golf handicap?

According the Golf Digest, the average golf handicap for men in 2013 was 14.3, and the average for women was 26.5. These averages are based on almost 2 million golfers who have official handicaps.

A golf handicap is a number used to standardize golf scores so that players of different skill levels can compete against each other. A golfer's handicap indicates how many strokes above par that golfer typically shoots. Golfers with lower handicaps are better at the game than golfers with lower handicaps. From 1990 to 2013, the average handicap for men improved by two shots, and the average for women improved by three shots.