So, how do you keep score in golf? You count every time you hit the ball, starting from the tee until the ball goes into the hole. Add any penalty strokes too. That total number of hits for one hole is your score for that hole. You do this for every hole, then add up all your hole scores to get your total score for the round. This guide makes learning golf scoring simple and clear.
Golf is a fun game. Keeping score helps you track how well you play. It also lets you play against others. Don’t worry if it seems tricky at first. We will break it down into easy steps.
Image Source: thegratefulgolfer.com
Counting Your Hits
Golf is about hitting a ball into a hole. You do this using clubs. Each time you swing and hit the ball, it counts as one hit, or one stroke. If you swing and miss, that can also count as a stroke sometimes, based on the rule book. But usually, it’s just when you make contact and the ball moves.
You start each hole from a special area called the tee box. You hit the ball down the fairway towards the green. The green is the smooth grass around the hole. Your goal is to get the ball into the hole on the green using as few strokes as possible.
Let’s say on the first hole:
* You hit the ball from the tee. That’s 1 stroke.
* You hit it again from the fairway. That’s stroke number 2.
* You hit it onto the green. That’s stroke number 3.
* You putt the ball into the hole. That’s stroke number 4.
Your score for that hole is 4. Easy, right? You just count every single hit.
What is Par in Golf?
Every hole on a golf course has a number called Par. Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to get the ball into the hole. Par is based on how long the hole is.
* Short holes are usually Par 3.
* Medium holes are usually Par 4.
* Long holes are usually Par 5.
* Very long holes might be Par 6 (but these are less common).
A whole golf course usually has 18 holes. The total par for the course is the sum of the par for each hole. Most 18-hole courses have a total par between 70 and 72.
Comprehending Golf Par, Birdie, Bogey
Knowing the par for a hole helps you understand how well you did on that hole. Your score on a hole is often talked about compared to Par. This is part of Golf terminology scoring.
Here are the Common golf scoring terms used for your score on a single hole:
- Albatross (or Double Eagle): 3 strokes less than Par. (Very rare!)
- On a Par 5, an Albatross is 2 strokes.
- On a Par 4, an Albatross is 1 stroke (a Hole-in-One).
- Eagle: 2 strokes less than Par.
- On a Par 5, an Eagle is 3 strokes.
- On a Par 4, an Eagle is 2 strokes.
- On a Par 3, an Eagle is 1 stroke (a Hole-in-One).
- Birdie: 1 stroke less than Par.
- On a Par 4, a Birdie is 3 strokes.
- On a Par 5, a Birdie is 4 strokes.
- Par: Your score is equal to Par.
- On a Par 4, a Par is 4 strokes.
- Bogey: 1 stroke more than Par.
- On a Par 4, a Bogey is 5 strokes.
- Double Bogey: 2 strokes more than Par.
- On a Par 4, a Double Bogey is 6 strokes.
- Triple Bogey: 3 strokes more than Par.
- On a Par 4, a Triple Bogey is 7 strokes.
- And so on…
So, if a hole is Par 4 and you take 4 strokes, you scored a Par. If you take 3 strokes, you scored a Birdie. If you take 5 strokes, you scored a Bogey.
The Golf Scorecard Explained
You need a place to write down your scores. This is called a Golf scorecard. The scorecard is very important for keeping track of your game.
A typical Golf scorecard explained will have:
* Hole numbers (usually 1 through 18).
* The Par for each hole.
* The length (yards or meters) of each hole.
* Boxes for players to write their scores for each hole.
* Columns to add up scores for the first 9 holes (the “Front Nine”) and the last 9 holes (the “Back Nine”).
* A box for the total score for all 18 holes.
* Sometimes, spaces for player handicaps and to calculate net scores.
How to Mark Golf Scorecard
It is simple to mark your scorecard.
1. Find your name (or column) on the scorecard.
2. After you finish a hole and the ball is in the cup, count the number of strokes you took.
3. Write that number in the box for that hole, under your name.
4. Move to the next hole and do it again.
After finishing 9 holes, add up your scores for holes 1 through 9. Write this total in the “Front Nine” or “Out” box. After 18 holes, add up your scores for holes 10 through 18. Write this total in the “Back Nine” or “In” box. Finally, add your Front Nine total and Back Nine total together. This is your Gross score for the round.
Here is a simple example of How to mark golf scorecard:
| Hole | Par | Player 1 Score | Player 2 Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 5 (Bogey) | 4 (Par) |
| 2 | 3 | 3 (Par) | 4 (Bogey) |
| 3 | 5 | 6 (Bogey) | 5 (Par) |
| 4 | 4 | 4 (Par) | 3 (Birdie) |
| 5 | 4 | 5 (Bogey) | 5 (Bogey) |
| 6 | 3 | 4 (Bogey) | 3 (Par) |
| 7 | 4 | 5 (Bogey) | 4 (Par) |
| 8 | 5 | 5 (Par) | 6 (Bogey) |
| 9 | 4 | 4 (Par) | 4 (Par) |
| Out | 36 | 41 | 38 |
| 10 | 4 | … | … |
| … | … | … | … |
| In | 36 | … | … |
| Total | 72 | … | … |
In this example, Player 1 scored 41 on the first 9 holes. Player 2 scored 38.
Who Keeps Score?
Usually, players in a group agree on who will keep score for everyone. One person can be the official scorekeeper. You write your own score and the scores of the others you are playing with. At the end of the round, you and your playing partners should check the scores together to make sure they are correct before signing the card. This is part of the Golf rules related to score.
Different Ways to Play: Stroke Play vs. Match Play
There are two main ways to play golf and keep score: Stroke play and Match play.
Stroke Play Rules
Stroke play rules are the most common for regular games and most professional tournaments.
* In Stroke Play, your total score for the entire round (usually 18 holes) is what matters most.
* You add up all your strokes for all the holes. The player with the lowest total number of strokes wins the game or the tournament.
* Every single stroke on every single hole counts. If you have a bad hole, you must finish it out and record your score. That high score affects your final total.
* The scorecard example above shows how to track scores in Stroke Play. You write the number of strokes taken on each hole.
This format makes every stroke important.
Match Play Rules
Match play rules are different. In Match Play, you are playing directly against one person or one team, hole by hole.
* You don’t add up your total strokes for the round.
* Instead, you keep track of who wins each individual hole.
* The player who takes fewer strokes on a hole wins that hole.
* If both players take the same number of strokes on a hole, the hole is “halved” or tied. Neither player wins the hole.
* The score in Match Play is shown by how many holes one player is “up” on the other player.
Example of Match Play Scoring:
* Hole 1: Player A takes 4 strokes, Player B takes 5 strokes. Player A wins the hole. The score is Player A is “1 up”.
* Hole 2: Player A takes 3 strokes, Player B takes 3 strokes. The hole is halved. The score stays Player A is “1 up”.
* Hole 3: Player A takes 5 strokes, Player B takes 4 strokes. Player B wins the hole. The score is now “All Square” (tied).
* Hole 4: Player A takes 4 strokes, Player B takes 5 strokes. Player A wins the hole. The score is Player A is “1 up”.
The match ends when one player is more holes “up” than the number of holes left to play. For example, if Player A is 3 up with only 2 holes left, Player A wins the match “3 and 2”. You don’t need to play the last two holes.
Match Play can be more forgiving than Stroke Play. If you have one very bad hole, you might lose just that hole, but it doesn’t ruin your total score like it would in Stroke Play.
Penalty Strokes
Sometimes, things happen on the course that are against the Golf rules related to score. When this happens, you might get a penalty. A penalty means you add extra strokes to your score for that hole or that round.
Common reasons for penalty strokes:
* Hitting your ball out of bounds (OB). Usually 1 penalty stroke, and you must hit again from near the spot of your last shot.
* Hitting your ball into a water hazard. Usually 1 penalty stroke. You have options for where to hit your next shot.
* Losing your ball (and you can’t find it within 3 minutes). Usually 1 penalty stroke, and you must hit again from near the spot of your last shot.
* Hitting the wrong ball. Usually 2 penalty strokes.
* Touching the ground in a bunker before hitting the ball. Usually 1 or 2 penalty strokes depending on the specific rule.
* Getting help that the rules don’t allow.
When you get a penalty stroke, you just add it to your stroke count for that hole. If you took 4 hits and got a 1-stroke penalty, your score for the hole is 4 + 1 = 5. You record the final number (5) on the scorecard.
Gross Score vs Net Score
You might hear people talk about Gross score vs net score.
-
Gross Score: This is the total number of strokes you actually took to complete the round. It’s the number you get by adding up all your strokes on every hole. This is your raw score.
-
Net Score: This is your Gross Score minus your golf handicap. Your handicap is a number that shows how good you are compared to a scratch (expert) golfer. A higher handicap means you are a newer player or shoot higher scores. A lower handicap means you are a more experienced player or shoot lower scores.
The Net Score is often used in casual games or some competitions to make the game fair for players of different skill levels. A higher handicap player gets to subtract more strokes from their Gross Score, giving them a better chance to compete against a lower handicap player.
Example:
* Player A has a handicap of 10. They shoot a Gross Score of 90.
* Player B has a handicap of 20. They shoot a Gross Score of 95.
- Player A’s Net Score = 90 (Gross) – 10 (Handicap) = 80.
- Player B’s Net Score = 95 (Gross) – 20 (Handicap) = 75.
In this example, Player B wins with a lower Net Score (75) even though Player A had a lower Gross Score (90).
Calculating Golf Handicap
Calculating golf handicap seems complicated, but you don’t usually have to do the math yourself these days. Golf associations and apps do it for you.
Here is a simple idea of how handicaps work:
1. You need to play several rounds of golf and record your scores. Official handicaps usually require at least 54 holes (three 18-hole rounds or six 9-hole rounds). More rounds give a more accurate handicap.
2. For each round, your score is turned into a “Handicap Differential”. This takes into account the difficulty of the course you played, using numbers like the “Slope Rating” and “Course Rating”. A tougher course means your score counts a bit better towards your handicap.
3. The system takes your best Handicap Differentials from your most recent rounds (for example, the best 8 scores out of your last 20).
4. It averages these best differentials.
5. This average is then multiplied by a small number (like 0.96) and adjusted to become your official Handicap Index.
Your Handicap Index is a number with one decimal point (like 14.5). When you play a specific course, this Index is used with that course’s Slope Rating to figure out your “Course Handicap”. This is the number of strokes you get to subtract from your score on that particular course.
It is important to record all your scores to get a correct handicap. This lets you play fair games with others using Net Scores.
More Golf Terminology Scoring
Beyond par, birdie, bogey, and handicap, there are other terms used in golf scoring and discussing your game:
- Score to Par: This is your total score for the round shown by how many strokes over or under the total par of the course you are.
- If the course is Par 72 and you shoot 80, your score to par is “+8”.
- If the course is Par 72 and you shoot 70, your score to par is “-2”.
- Fairway Hit: Did your tee shot land in the fairway? Not directly part of the score number, but tracked to show how straight you are hitting.
- Greens in Regulation (GIR): Did your ball land on the green in the expected number of strokes based on par?
- On a Par 3, getting on the green on your 1st stroke is a GIR.
- On a Par 4, getting on the green on your 1st or 2nd stroke is a GIR.
- On a Par 5, getting on the green on your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd stroke is a GIR.
- Getting a GIR means you have 2 putts to make par. Like fairway hits, tracked as a stat, not part of your stroke score total, but shows good play.
- Putts per Round: The total number of putts you took in a round. Tracking this helps you see how well you are putting.
- Up and Down: Getting your ball into the hole in just two strokes from off the green (one shot onto the green, one putt). This is a good way to save par or bogey when you miss the green.
These terms help golfers talk about their round and see where they played well or where they need to get better. They are all part of the larger picture of Golf terminology scoring.
Golf Rules Related to Score
Knowing some basic Golf rules related to score is important. These rules make sure everyone is playing fair and their scores are correct.
- Counting Strokes: You must count every stroke you take, including practice swings that accidentally move the ball and penalty strokes.
- Finishing the Hole: In Stroke Play, you must get your ball into the hole on every hole. If you fail to hole out (finish the hole), you are disqualified from the competition in most cases.
- Putting: You must putt your ball into the hole. Just picking it up when it is near the hole is not allowed in Stroke Play.
- Recording Scores: Scores should be recorded clearly on the scorecard. In competitions, scores must be checked and signed by you and the person who kept your score (your marker). If you sign a scorecard with a lower score than you actually took on any hole, you can be disqualified. If you sign a scorecard with a higher score than you took, the higher score stands. Always double-check your scores!
- Penalty Areas: Rules for hazards (like water) and out of bounds are important for knowing when and how to take penalty strokes. Always know where the boundaries and penalty areas are on the course.
- Lost Balls: If you hit a ball and cannot find it, you have limited time to search (3 minutes under current rules). If you can’t find it, it’s lost, and you take a penalty stroke and must hit again from the spot of your last shot (or drop under specific rules).
These rules help make golf fair and keep the game right. Don’t worry about knowing every single rule at first. Learn the basic scoring rules and how penalties work for common situations.
Making Scorekeeping Easy
Keeping score should not be a chore. Here are some tips to make it easy:
- Appoint a Scorekeeper: In a casual group, one person can write down everyone’s score.
- Write it Down Fast: As soon as the last person finishes the hole, write down the scores before you forget.
- Double-Check: At the turn (after 9 holes) and at the end of the round, read the scores aloud to your playing partners to confirm they are right.
- Use a Simple Scorecard: The paper card works fine. Some golfers use apps on their phones or smartwatches which can even help with distances.
- Don’t Stress Over Every Mistake: If you miss writing a score for one hole but remember it right away, just fill it in. The key is accuracy at the end.
Expanding Your Understanding: Beyond Basic Scoring
Once you are comfortable with counting strokes, knowing par, and using the scorecard, you can look at more advanced things:
Fathoming Course Handicap
We talked about the Handicap Index. Your Calculating golf handicap index is adjusted based on the difficulty of the specific course you are playing that day. This gives you your Course Handicap.
Course Handicap = (Handicap Index * (Slope Rating / 113)) + (Course Rating – Par)
- Slope Rating: Shows how much harder a course is for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer (expert). It is usually between 55 and 155. Higher number means harder course for non-experts.
- Course Rating: Shows how hard a course is for a scratch golfer. It is usually close to the par of the course.
This calculation gives you the exact number of strokes you get to subtract from your Gross Score to get your Net Score for that specific round on that course. Again, apps and websites usually do this math for you when you enter your Handicap Index and the course details.
Deciphering Strokes Gained
For players who want to get serious about getting better, there is a way to track stats called “Strokes Gained”. This is a more advanced way to look at performance than just counting putts or fairways hit.
Strokes Gained looks at how many strokes you took on a shot compared to how many strokes an average professional player would take from that same spot to finish the hole.
Example:
* An expert takes 3 strokes on average to finish a hole from 100 yards away in the fairway.
* If you hit your ball from 100 yards and it takes you 4 strokes to get the ball in the hole (your shot from 100 yards + 2 putts), you lost 1 stroke compared to the expert (3 – 4 = -1).
* If it takes you only 2 strokes (your shot from 100 yards + 1 putt), you gained 1 stroke compared to the expert (3 – 2 = +1).
This helps you see which parts of your game (driving, approach shots, chipping, putting) are helping you the most or hurting you the most. It gives a deeper look into your performance beyond just your total score. This is part of the evolution of Golf terminology scoring.
Keeping Score for Different Game Formats
While Stroke Play and Match Play are the main types, there are other fun ways to play where scorekeeping changes slightly:
- Scramble: A team of players hits drives. They pick the best drive. All players then hit from that spot. They pick the best second shot, and so on, until the ball is in the hole. They record one score for the team for each hole.
- Foursomes (Alternate Shot): Two players play as a team using one ball. They alternate hitting shots. Player 1 hits the drive on hole 1, Player 2 hits the second shot, Player 1 putts, etc. On hole 2, Player 2 hits the drive. They record one score for the team for each hole.
- Fourball (Better Ball): Two players play as a team, but each player plays their own ball. After each hole, they compare their two scores. The lower score of the two players is the team’s score for that hole.
In all these formats, you still count strokes per hole, but how those strokes combine into a final score or match result changes based on the game type. Knowing the basic stroke count and par helps you understand the scoring in these games too.
Why Accurate Scorekeeping Matters
Keeping an accurate score is key to golf.
* It is part of the honesty and tradition of the game. Golf relies on players being honest about their scores.
* It lets you see your progress over time. You can see if your scores are getting lower.
* It is needed for Calculating golf handicap. Without correct scores, your handicap will not be right.
* It is needed for competitions. If your score is wrong, you might not win or might be disqualified.
So, take the time to count carefully on each hole. Write the score down clearly. Double-check it before you finish. It is a simple but important part of playing golf.
Review: Easy Steps to Keep Score
Let’s quickly go over the easy steps again:
- Count Your Strokes: Every time you hit the ball (or get a penalty), add one to your count for the hole.
- Finish the Hole: Get the ball in the cup.
- Write Score on Scorecard: Write the total number of strokes for that hole in the right box under your name. Remember How to mark golf scorecard.
- Move to the Next Hole: Repeat steps 1-3 for all 18 holes.
- Add Up Scores: Add your scores for the first 9 holes (Front Nine) and the last 9 holes (Back Nine).
- Get Total Score: Add the Front Nine and Back Nine totals for your Gross score.
- Check and Sign: Verify your scores with your playing partners.
That is the core of keeping score in golf. Knowing about Par (Comprehending golf par birdie bogey) helps you talk about your score (Birdie, Bogey, etc.) and understand how well you did on each hole relative to what is expected. Knowing Stroke play rules and Match play rules tells you how the scores are used in different games. Understanding Gross score vs net score uses your Calculating golf handicap to level the playing field. All this uses Golf terminology scoring and follows basic Golf rules related to score.
Keeping score gets easier the more you play. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on the course if you are unsure. Golfers are usually happy to help new players learn the rules and how to score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
h4: What if I miss a putt very close to the hole? Do I have to putt it?
Yes, in Stroke Play, you must hit the ball into the hole on every hole. If you pick it up without holing out, you are typically disqualified from the competition. In Match Play, your opponent might “give” you the putt if it is very short, meaning they agree you would have made it, and the hole ends there for you. But if not given, you must putt it. Always finish the hole in Stroke Play.
h4: What if I hit the wrong ball?
If you hit a stroke on a ball that is not yours, it is usually a 2-penalty stroke penalty in Stroke Play. You must then find and play your correct ball. In Match Play, hitting the wrong ball usually means you lose the hole.
h4: Can I change my score on the scorecard after I write it down?
You can change a score on the scorecard before you sign and turn it in, as long as you do it to correct a mistake and make the score accurate. For example, if you wrote 4 but then remembered you took a penalty stroke and the score was actually 5, you must change it to 5. If you sign a card with a score lower than you actually made on a hole, it is a serious rule break (disqualification). Once the card is signed and officially submitted in a competition, you generally cannot change it.
h4: What does “Pick it up” mean?
In friendly or Match Play, if a player has taken many strokes and cannot beat their opponent on a hole, or if their score on a hole is already very high in Stroke Play, they might decide to “pick it up” or “concede” the hole. This means they stop playing that hole. In Stroke Play competitions, you must finish every hole unless you are withdrawing from the event. Picking up is common in casual play to save time or in Match Play if you’ve already lost the hole. If you pick up in Stroke Play without finishing, your score for that hole is not valid, and you cannot use it for a competition or for handicap purposes unless you record the score you would have most likely made based on the rules (often called a “most likely score” or “net double bogey” for handicap posting). The easiest rule for beginners is just to finish every hole.
h4: How is score kept in team games like Scramble?
In a Scramble, the team records one score per hole. On each shot, all players hit from the same spot (the best ball from the previous shot). They count how many times they collectively hit the ball from the tee until one of their balls goes in the hole. So, if Player A drives, Player B hits the second shot from where Player A’s ball landed, Player C putts from there, and the ball goes in, the team score for that hole is 3 strokes.
Keeping score in golf is a basic skill. Once you get the hang of counting strokes and using the scorecard, the rest is easy. It adds another fun layer to the game as you track your progress and play against others. Just remember to count every hit and have fun out on the course!