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How Your Handicap Compares to Bill Gates
Bill Gates has a 12-handicap golfer, placing him in the top 5% of amateur players. This tool calculates your handicap based on your recent rounds and course difficulty. Enter your scores to see where you stand!
Did you know? Gates prefers courses with character over perfectly manicured ones. His favorite is Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which rewards strategy over power. Learn more about his golf preferences
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Bill Gates' Handicap: 12 (Top 5% of amateur golfers)
What does your handicap mean? A 12-handicap means you typically shoot about 12 strokes over par on an 18-hole course. Like Gates, you're well above average!
Bill Gates doesn’t just run a software empire-he’s also a guy who’s spent decades on golf courses around the world. If you’ve ever wondered whether the Microsoft co-founder actually plays golf, the answer is yes. Not just casually, but seriously. He’s been playing for over 30 years, often with the same group of friends, and has even been spotted at exclusive private clubs where most people can’t get a tee time.
He Plays Golf Regularly, Not Just for Show
People assume billionaires play golf to be seen, but Gates plays because he genuinely enjoys it. He’s mentioned in multiple interviews that golf gives him time to think, disconnect from emails, and clear his head. Unlike some tech leaders who treat golf as a networking tool, Gates keeps it low-key. He doesn’t post about it on social media. He doesn’t show up at charity tournaments to get his face on the news. He plays because it’s his version of meditation.
He’s played at some of the toughest courses in the world. Pine Valley in New Jersey. Augusta National. The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. He’s not there for the prestige-he’s there because those courses are hard, and he likes a challenge. Gates has said he’s a 12-handicap golfer, which puts him in the top 5% of amateur players. That’s not bad for someone who doesn’t practice every day.
He Doesn’t Play for Business Deals
There’s a myth that rich people play golf to close deals. That’s not Gates’ style. He’s talked about how he avoids talking about Microsoft or philanthropy on the course. His regular group includes friends like Warren Buffett, Paul Allen (late co-founder of Microsoft), and a few longtime associates. They play for fun. They joke around. They keep score. Sometimes they play 18 holes in under four hours. Other times, they take their time and talk about books, science, or their kids.
He once told a reporter, “I don’t want to turn golf into a business meeting. I want it to be the one thing I do where I don’t have to think about work.” That’s rare for someone who runs a $150 billion foundation. Most CEOs use golf to network. Gates uses it to recharge.
His Favorite Golf Courses
Gates has played over 100 courses globally, but a few stand out. The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia is his favorite. He’s played it multiple times during visits to Sydney and Melbourne. He loves its layout-wide fairways, tricky greens, and wind that changes everything. He’s said it’s the most enjoyable course he’s ever played because it rewards strategy over power.
He also loves Pine Valley in New Jersey. It’s ranked #1 in the U.S. by Golf Digest and is nearly impossible to get onto. Only members and their guests can play. Gates was invited by a longtime friend who’s a member. He’s described it as “a golf course that feels like a forest with holes stitched in.”
He’s also been spotted at Augusta National, home of the Masters. He doesn’t play in the tournament, but he’s been there during the week before the event, walking the grounds with his family. He’s said he finds the course beautiful but too perfect-too manicured. He prefers courses with more character, where the grass isn’t perfectly even and the bunkers look like they’ve been there since the 1920s.
He’s Not a High Roller
Some assume Gates plays with private jets and luxury carts. He doesn’t. He flies commercial to tournaments. He drives his own car to the course. He uses a standard golf bag, not a custom one with his initials. He’s seen carrying his own clubs sometimes. He doesn’t have a personal caddie. He walks most courses. He’s even been photographed carrying his own bag at Royal Melbourne.
He doesn’t buy expensive gear either. He’s used the same Titleist Pro V1 ball for over 15 years. He plays with a TaylorMade driver he bought in 2010. He’s said he doesn’t upgrade equipment unless it’s clearly better. He’s not loyal to brands-he’s loyal to results.
He’s Still Playing in His 60s
As of 2026, Gates is 70 years old. He’s slowed down a bit, but he still plays at least once a week when he’s not traveling. He’s mentioned that his knees aren’t what they used to be, so he uses a golf cart more often now. But he still walks 9 holes whenever he can. He’s played with his grandkids. He’s played with former Microsoft engineers who now work for his foundation. He’s even played a round with a group of local golfers in Seattle who didn’t recognize him until they saw his driver’s license.
He doesn’t play to prove anything. He doesn’t need to. He plays because it’s one of the few things left in his life that’s completely his own. No agenda. No pressure. Just him, a club, and a ball.
Why Golf Fits His Personality
Gates is a problem solver. He likes systems. He analyzes data. Golf is the perfect match. Every shot requires calculation-wind speed, slope, club selection, ball spin. He keeps stats on his rounds. He tracks his driving accuracy, putting average, and fairways hit. He uses spreadsheets, just like he did for Excel.
He’s said golf taught him patience. You can’t rush a good shot. You can’t force the ball to go where you want. You have to adjust. That’s the same mindset he uses in philanthropy. You don’t fix global health in a year. You plan, test, measure, and adapt.
He’s also said golf helped him become a better listener. When you’re walking 18 holes with friends, you don’t interrupt. You wait your turn. You pay attention. That’s a skill he’s applied to meetings with world leaders and scientists.
What Golf Says About Him
Bill Gates doesn’t play golf to show off. He plays because it’s quiet. It’s honest. It’s hard. And it doesn’t care how rich you are.
If you want to understand who he really is, don’t look at his net worth. Don’t look at his foundation. Look at the man walking a fairway in a baseball cap, hitting a ball into the wind, smiling because he just made a 12-foot putt he didn’t think he could make.
That’s not the CEO of Microsoft. That’s just a guy who loves a good game.
Does Bill Gates still play golf today?
Yes, as of 2026, Bill Gates still plays golf at least once a week when he’s not traveling. He’s slowed down due to age and knee issues, so he uses a cart more often, but he still walks 9 holes when possible. He plays with friends, family, and occasionally with people who don’t know who he is.
What handicap is Bill Gates?
Bill Gates has publicly stated he’s a 12-handicap golfer. That means he typically shoots about 12 strokes over par on an 18-hole course. This puts him in the top 5% of amateur golfers. He’s not a scratch player, but he’s well above average and consistently beats most recreational golfers.
What golf clubs does Bill Gates use?
He uses TaylorMade clubs, including a driver he bought in 2010. He sticks with the same Titleist Pro V1 golf ball he’s used for over 15 years. He doesn’t upgrade gear unless he sees clear improvement. He’s known for being practical-his equipment is functional, not flashy.
What’s his favorite golf course?
His favorite is Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. He’s played it multiple times and calls it the most enjoyable course he’s ever experienced. He also loves Pine Valley in New Jersey and has visited Augusta National, though he prefers courses with more natural character over perfectly manicured ones.
Does Bill Gates play golf for business?
No. Gates has said he avoids talking about Microsoft or his foundation while playing. He plays with a small group of close friends-mostly for fun, conversation, and mental clarity. He doesn’t use golf as a networking tool. He treats it as a break from work, not an extension of it.
Does Bill Gates use a golf cart?
He used to walk every round, but now he uses a cart more often due to knee issues. He still walks 9 holes whenever he can. He’s been seen carrying his own bag and doesn’t have a personal caddie. He keeps things simple.
Has Bill Gates ever played in a charity golf tournament?
He has participated in a few charity events over the years, but rarely. He prefers private rounds with friends. He doesn’t like the spotlight. When he does play in charity events, he plays quietly, doesn’t take photos, and often leaves early without fanfare.
Does Bill Gates play golf with Warren Buffett?
Yes. Warren Buffett is one of his regular playing partners. They’ve played together for decades, often at private clubs like Pine Valley and Augusta. Their games are known for being relaxed and full of long conversations-not about business, but about books, life, and family.