Florida is arguably the first state many people think of when asked about golf. Sunshine year-round, great temperatures and countless high-level courses.
That’s why its position on this list is a bit shocking.
The United States Golf Association has released its handicap index rankings list, including all states and territories (Puerto Rico, Washington D.C.).
On top of Florida, there are a few surprises on this list including Arizona at No. 44. On the flip side, it’s easy to see why cold-weather states like Alaska and Maine are in the bottom 10.
Here’s a full look at the USGA’s handicap index rankings for all states and territories.
The No. 4 hole at the Canyon course at La Paloma Country Club in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo: Troon)
52. Florida (20.0)
51. Delaware (19.6)
50. Wyoming (19.2)
49. Maine (18.7)
48. Idaho (18.7)
47. Alaska (18.6)
46. Montana (18.3)
45. New Hampshire (18.3)
44. Arizona (18.1)
43. Vermont (17.7)
42. Washington (17.7)
41. Colorado (17.7)
40. Connecticut (17.6)
39. Nevada (17.4)
38. Rhoda Island (17.4)
37. Oregon (17.2)
A golfer plays at Pine Valley Golf Club in Pine Valley, N.J. (Jim Walsh, Courier-Post)
36. South Dakota (17.1)
35. California (17.1)
34. New Jersey (17.1)
33. Puerto Rico (16.9)
32. New York (16.9)
31. Massachusetts (16.8)
30. Maryland (16.7)
Golfers walk on the 10th green during the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
29. New Mexico (16.7)
28. South Carolina (16.7)
27. Michigan (16.5)
26. Minnesota (16.5)
25. Hawaii (16.5)
24. Wisconsin (16.4)
23. Nebraska (16.2)
22. Pennsylvania (16.1)
21. Virginia (15.8)
20. North Carolina (15.8)
Sand Hollow’s Championship Course in Utah (Courtesy of Sand Hollow)
19. Illinois (15.7)
18. Ohio (15.5)
17. Utah (15.1)
16. Missouri (15.1)
15. Indiana (15.1)
14. Iowa (14.9)
13. West Virginia (14.7)
12. Kansas (14.5)
11. Kentucky (14.4)
10. Georgia (14.3)
The Rio Grande slices through Black Jack’s Crossing at Lajitas Golf Club. (Photo by Tim Schmitt/Golfweek)
9. Texas (13.8)
8. North Dakota (13.5)
7. Tennessee (13.5)
6. Washington D.C. (13.2)
5. Alabama (13.1)
4. Oklahoma (13.0)
3. Louisiana (12.9)
2. Arkansas (12.8)
1. Mississippi (11.16)
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