What would a 15 handicapper shoot at Wentworth in BMW PGA Championship conditions?
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The BMW PGA Championship is one of the most exciting weeks of the year, with professional golfers and amateurs heading over to the West Course at Wentworth for the Festival of Golf. Is the course a true test for the best in the world?
If you’re watching the BMW PGA Championship this week, or are lucky enough to travel down to Wentworth to watch the action in person, you’ll likely see some of the best players on the planet struggle to break par on one of the best golf courses in the UK. With a hefty prize fund in play for the tournament and the Ryder Cup only weeks away, it’s an important week for many.
Playing over 7,600 yards, the West Course at Wentworth is long, narrow, well-watered, and undulating. A list of terror for even the most accomplished golfer.
Water protects several of the holes, including the signature 18th, with the flocks of spectators lining the fairways day by day to add to the intimidation. The West Course never plays easy, but what would a normal golfer shoot this week during tournament conditions?
How many shots would you get off your handicap on the West Course at Wentworth?
The Wentworth course handicap is a sight to behold on the first tee on the West Course. When glancing down the several tables, I had to double-take some of the numbers being shown for the back tees.
| Handicap Index | Wentworth Course Handicap (West) |
| 0 | 5 |
| 5 | 11 |
| 10 | 18 |
| 15 | 24 |
| 20 | 32 |
| 24 | 37 |
| 28 | 43 |
| 36 | 53 |
Here’s the Wentworth Course Handicap table for the West in full…
A 4 handicap would be given 10 shots to play with around the West Course at Wentworth off the back tees. Not as hard as Oakmont in America, but this by no means tells the whole story. The course handicap table does not take into account the conditions that the R&A prepare for the West Course, such as the pin positions, lightning-fast greens, and thick rough. The course will play even longer than the furthest back tees for the BMW PGA, with the 1st hole playing as a par 4 for the players, whereas it plays as a par 5 for members and guests.
We asked users online their thoughts on this challenging course, with many weighing in with their thoughts:
“Played it last year with the grandstands up, I’m off 6 and shot 86, which was a fairly decent round. It’s a beast.”
“Can confirm incredibly hard, off 5 and rarely break 80 off whites. Have to drive it unbelievably and miss it in great places.”
“Great example of how hard these golf courses are and how good the pros are! I’m off 3.8 and I’d take every one of the 10 shots I’d be given and likely then some.”
So, if you’re a 5 handicap, don’t expect to break 95. If you’re off 10, I don’t think you’re breaking 120. If you’re off 15, don’t expect to finish your round!
The BMW PGA Pro-Am
Every year in the BMW PGA Championship, celebrities and influencers are invited to take part in the Pro-Am, with 3 amateurs playing with a pro in a shotgun start for the morning and afternoon. Although we usually see accomplished golfers such as Gareth Bale and Andy Murray tee it up with the pros, there are always a select few invitees who play off 15 and above, such as the ForeBrothers. With Gareth Bale and Andy Murray playing off 1 and 2, respectively, expect to see some birdies in that group on Wednesday. With the Forebrothers, it’ll likely be a different story!
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What is the Wentworth course handicap?
