Golf is an incredibly difficult sport to play, even for the professionals at times.
That said, if you’ve ever watched events like the Pebble Beach Pro-Am or the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship out in Lake Tahoe, chances are you were surprised at the level of celebrity talent. That begs the question: Just how good are they out on the course?
Thanks to the USGA’s Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN), we were able to compile a list of the handicaps of some of your favorite celebrities and athletes.
Here’s how they hit ’em. (Note: Handicaps are as of Nov. 2, 2020)
Justin Timberlake: 4.3
Justin Timberlake during the 2017 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports).
He can sing, dance, act AND play golf? Is there anything JT can’t do?!
Michael Jordan: 1.3
NBA legend Michael Jordan hits a tee shot during ARIA Resort & Casino’s 12th annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek on April 5, 2013 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)
The greatest basketball player of all time isn’t too shabby with a driver in his hand, either. He’s also built his own club, The Grove XXIII, in Florida.
Tony Romo: +1.6
Tony Romo walks off the ninth green during the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe South golf course on July 11, 2020 in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The CBS broadcaster and former Cowboys quarterback is no stranger to shooting under par … unless it’s at a PGA Tour event.
Tom Brady: 8.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady during The Match: Champions For Charity at Medalist Golf Club on May 24, 2020 in Hobe Sound, Florida. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images for The Match)
Because why wouldn’t one of the best quarterbacks of all time also be good at golf? Don’t let his performance during The Match fool you, TB12 has game.
Stephen Curry: +2.2
Stephen Curry reacts to a missed putt during the Ellie Mae Classic at TCP Stonebrae on August 3, 2017 in Hayward, California. (Photo: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
A member of the Golden State Warriors’ “Splash Brothers,” Curry’s shots on the golf course rarely end up in the water.
Jake Owen: 2.1
Jake Owen during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
The country music star had professional golf aspirations in high school, but it’s safe to say 2012’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year is doing just fine on stage. Phil Mickelson isn’t too big a fan, though.
Alice Cooper: 5.2
Alice Cooper speaks at Alice Cooper’s 22nd Annual Rock and Roll Golf Classic at the Las Sendas Golf Club in Mesa on April 27, 2019. (Photo: OlyDrop)
Don’t judge a book by its cover, right? That is, unless you’re talking about Cooper’s book, Golf Monster: My 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict, which details how the game helped him with sobriety.
Mark Wahlberg: 13.9
Mark Wahlberg hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
The actor hasn’t input scores in some time, but is a well-known advocate for staying active and manages to find time to work on his game, honing a lefty swing that would even make Phil Mickelson give a golf clap.
J.R. Smith: 3.8
NBA star J.R. Smith with Jason Dufner during the 2016 Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club, Wednesday, June 29, 2016, in Akron, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
When he’s not draining 3’s in the NBA, the two-time champion Smith is draining putts at the local links.
Kenny G: 1.6
Kenny G and Don Cheadle at the 2010 3M Celebrity Challenge. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty).
Kenny G can play the hell out of the saxophone, and he certainly won’t blow it on the golf course with a sub-2 handicap.
John Smoltz: +2.7
John Smoltz at the 2020 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday. (Photo: Reno Gazette-Journal)
The Hall of Fame MLB pitcher is good at golf, and he knows it, so much so that he isn’t afraid to bet on himself. He also uses a unique putter.
Larry David: 11.7
Larry David attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
The co-creator of Seinfeld and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm has been busy this year at Riviera, according to his GHIN page.
Wayne Gretzky: 9.4
Wayne Gretzky and Dustin Johnson during the 2015 Pebble Beach Pro-Am. (Photo: Jason Get, USA TODAY Sports)
The hockey legend isn’t as good as world No. 1 Dustin Johnson – who’s engaged to his daughter, Paulina – but The Great One isn’t too bad with a club in his hand instead of a stick.
George Lopez: 12
George Lopez (Associated Press)
George Lopez, an admitted hothead as a youngster, has said that the game taught him to stay cool. And now, he uses it for a wonderful cause—the George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic at Lakeside Country Club in Toluca Lake, California, helps raise funds for children battling kidney disease.
Larry Fitzgerald: 3.1
Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals looks during the 2020 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hills. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals’ all-time receptions leader is just as good handling a par 4 as he is a Cover 2 defense in the NFL. The longtime wide receiver with more tackles than dropped passes in his career doesn’t drop too many strokes, either.
Kevin Costner: 11.2
Actor Kevin Costner during the celebrity challenge event of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in Pebble Beach, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011.
Judging by his handicap (which hasn’t been updated recently), the Tin Cup star did some great acting in the movie.
Dennis Quaid: 7.4
Dennis Quaid during a pro-am ahead of the Omega European Masters on August 28, 2019 in Crans-Montana. (Photo: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Quaid was once nearly a scratch golfer. Currently the movie star sits at a respectable seven.
Matt Ryan: 1.3
NFL QB Matt Ryan plays his shot during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 10, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback is one of many great NFL players who can also stick it on the course.
Samuel L. Jackson: 8.6
Samuel L. Jackson before The Match: Tiger vs Phil at Shadow Creek Golf Course. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
The movie star’s contracts actually have a clause that allows him to play golf when shooting a film. Not a bad gig, right?
Clint Eastwood: 24.6
Actor Clint Eastwood and comedian Larry the Cable Guy during the 3M Celebrity Challenge at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on February 06, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Another celebrity on the list who owns his own course (Tehama Golf Club), Clint Eastwood has proven that golf is a wonderful sport to enjoy regardless of age.
Vince Gill: +0.1
Arnold Palmer (left) and country music star Vince Gill joke with each other Tuesday, Aug. 29, 1995, at the Heartland of America Pro-Am in Oklahoma City. (Photo: David Longstreath/AP)
(Record scratch noise) The country music singer and songwriter was inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
Kelly Rohrbach: 6.4
Kelly Rohrbach during the pro-am prior to the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 10, 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Before pursuing her modeling and acting careers, Rohrbach briefly played golf at Georgetown.
Carson Daly: 7
Carson Daly. (Photo: Nathan Congleton/NBC)
Carson Daly played golf growing up, caddied at Riviera and dropped out of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles to pursue a professional golf career.
Aaron Rodgers: 4.6
Aaron Rodgers during the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Monterey Peninsula Country Club – Shore Course. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)
Playing out of Green Bay Country Club in Wisconsin, the future Hall of Fame QB for the Packers is no slouch on the course.
Patrick Peterson: 4
The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro cornerback is admittedly a 7 during the season when he’s not leading the Arizona Cardinals defense.
Patrick Peterson reacts after sinking a putt during the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline on Friday.
