Nina Caldwell
Golf scoring can be confusing for newcomers, with a variety of terms such as par, birdie, eagle, and bogey to get to grips with. Essentially, a golf score is simple: each time you hit the ball, it's called a stroke, and the total number of strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole is your score for that hole. However, there is more to golf scoring than simple addition. For example, par is a standard number of strokes set for each hole on a course, and also for the entire round. Each hole will have a number of strokes listed under par, which is the average number of strokes it should take to get the ball in the hole. If you score one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole, this is called a birdie. If you score one stroke over par, this is called a bogey. There are many apps available to help you keep track of your strokes, such as MyRoundPro, Arccos, and Pinpoint Golf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a stroke | Any forward club swing, including when putting, that a golfer is trying to hit the ball |
| Definition of par | The number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole |
| Definition of under par | When a player has taken fewer strokes than par |
| Definition of over par | When a player has taken more strokes than par |
| Definition of birdie | When a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole |
| Definition of condor | When a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual golf hole |
| Definition of hole-in-one or ace | When a golfer hits their first shot into the hole, completing the hole in one stroke |
| Definition of bogey | When a golfer scores one stroke over par |
| Definition of eagle | When a golfer scores two strokes under par |
| Ways to keep track of strokes | Use a scorecard, use a click counter, make mental notes, use a Garmin GPS watch, use a golf app |
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What You'll Learn
Know the definition of a stroke
Strokes are the unit of scoring in golf. Each stroke a golfer plays, including any penalty strokes incurred due to rules violations, make up the golfer's final score.
The USGA and R&A, golf's governing bodies, defined a "stroke" in the rule book that was in effect through the end of 2018 as:
> "A 'stroke' is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks their downswing voluntarily before the clubhead reaches the ball, they have not made a stroke."
However, a new rule book was issued on January 1, 2019, with rules rewritten for simplicity. In the new rule book, a "stroke" is defined as:
> "The forward movement of your club made to strike the ball."
In other words, a "stroke" can be used as a synonym for a shot or putt, but it also includes "whiffs" if you miss the ball when trying to hit it.
In stroke play scoring, players record the number of strokes taken at each hole and total them up at the end of a given round or rounds. The player with the lowest total is the winner. In handicap competitions, players subtract their handicaps from the total (gross) score to generate their net scores, and the player with the lowest net score wins.
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Understand the scoring system
Golf's scoring system can be confusing, especially since there is more than one way to score a game. The most common system is stroke play (also known as medal play), where the number of strokes each player takes is counted and added together, then reflected against the course par. The player with the lowest score wins.
Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. For example, on a par-4 hole, a scratch golfer is expected to reach the green in two strokes, then complete the hole with two putts. Distance, or effective distance (the distance a hole plays after accounting for uphill/downhill elevation, etc.), is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating.
If a player takes fewer strokes than par up to a given point on the golf course, their score is described as "under par". For example, if a player took 3 strokes to complete a par-4 hole, their score could be described as "one under par" or "-1". On the other hand, if a player takes more strokes than par, their score is described as "over par". So, if a player took 4 strokes to complete a par-3 hole, their score could be described as "one over par" or "+1".
A “birdie” is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. A “condor” is when a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual hole. A "hole-in-one" or "ace" occurs when a golfer completes a hole in just one stroke. A “bogey” is when a golfer scores one stroke over par.
An alternative scoring system is Stableford, which is especially popular in the UK and is used in a lot of club competitions and social golf events. This system involves scoring points based on the number of strokes taken at each hole, with the objective being to accumulate the most points over 18 holes. For example, under the standard Stableford system, a player would score 4 points for achieving two strokes under par, 3 points for one stroke under par, 2 points for level par, 1 point for one stroke over par, and 0 points for two strokes or more over par.
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Use a scorecard
Golf scorecards are a fundamental tool for tracking scores during a round. They help golfers to record their scores and provide vital information about the course.
Scorecards typically list each hole on the course, along with its assigned par value and the golfer's score for each hole. They may also include spaces for recording strokes taken on each hole, calculating total scores, and applying handicap adjustments.
Here's how you can use a scorecard to keep track of your golf strokes:
Firstly, familiarise yourself with the layout and terminology of the scorecard. The "hole" column will list the course holes in order from 1 to 18, with the first thing on a scorecard typically being the list of holes. Golf courses can vary, with some having 9 holes and others 18. The tee box colours indicate the distance from the tee to the hole.
Secondly, locate the handicap section, which ranks the holes by difficulty. Most scorecards will have a column that notes the handicap, or stroke index, of each hole. These numbers range from 1 to 18, with 1 being the hardest hole and 18 the easiest. Some cards also have a separate section for "women's handicap", as some holes may play differently for women and men.
Thirdly, spot the par information to determine how many shots you should take. Par is the expected number of strokes on a hole for an expert golfer. For example, if par is 4, you should take 4 shots. The average golf course is a par 72, meaning the pars of all the holes added together equal 72. Par generally relates to length, with par 3s being the shortest holes and par 5s the longest.
Finally, record your score on the scorecard after each hole. Count every purposeful attempt to strike the ball as a stroke. Even if you accidentally hit the ball during a practice swing, it counts as a stroke. Each hole will have a number of strokes listed under "Par". This is the average number of strokes it should take to get the ball in the hole. If the par is 3 and you make it in 4 strokes, your score can be viewed as 1-over.
Some scorecards may also have a section that lists the general rules of golf and any special rules based on where you're playing. This section may explain the pace of play and provide reminders about course etiquette.
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Utilise a GPS watch or app
Golf GPS watches and apps are an excellent way to record your strokes and other data without the need for a phone or any additional hardware. Many of these apps offer automatic shot detection and tracking, allowing you to focus on your game while collecting valuable data.
One such app is Golfshot, which offers a comprehensive set of features, including GPS distances to the green, hazards, and targets on over 47,000 golf courses worldwide. Golfshot also provides 3D course previews, auto-shot tracking, club recommendations, and easy scoring. Its Swing ID feature is a game-changer, allowing you to practice with accurate distance measurements and insights into your swing rhythm, transition, tempo, path, and hand speed.
Another popular option is Arccos' Smart Caddie, which uses sensors attached to your club to collect data. This data is displayed through a clean user interface, showing strokes gained per club, helping you identify the most effective club in your bag. Arccos also offers GPS functionality, acting as a virtual caddie by collecting data automatically and providing distance measurements while considering elevation, weather, and other factors.
Golf Pad is another top-ranked golf GPS app with over 5 million downloads. It provides instant distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, along with detailed scoring for up to four golfers, aerial maps, and tee-to-green shot and club tracking. Golf Pad Premium offers even more features, including Plays Like distances adjusted for elevation, altitude, and weather conditions, helping you make confident club choices.
Lastly, Pinpoint is a full-colour GPS app that provides accurate distance measurements to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as to hazards and bunkers. Pinpoint makes course management simpler and offers precise tracking, ensuring you have useful stats to analyse your performance trends.
These GPS watches and apps offer a convenient and feature-rich way to record your golf strokes, providing insights that can help you improve your game.
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Learn scoring terms
Golf has a unique scoring system that can be confusing for newcomers. Unlike most sports, where the goal is to score the most points, golfers aim for the lowest score possible. In golf, the goal is to complete a round in as few strokes as possible. Each time a player makes a shot, it counts as one stroke. At the end of the round, the player with the fewest strokes wins.
Par
Par is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to complete a hole in. Each hole on a golf course has a predetermined par, usually ranging from three to five strokes. For example, if a hole is a par three, a skilled golfer should be able to complete it in three strokes. Almost every 18-hole course is a par 72, meaning it should take 72 strokes to complete.
Birdie
A birdie is when a golfer completes a hole in one stroke less than par. For example, if a hole is a par four, and a golfer completes it in three strokes, they have achieved a birdie.
Eagle
An eagle is when a golfer completes a hole in two strokes fewer than par. For example, on a par-5 hole, an eagle would occur if the golfer manages to get the ball in the hole in just three strokes.
Albatross or Double Eagle
An albatross, also known as a double eagle, is when a golfer completes a hole in three strokes fewer than par. For example, on a par-5 hole, an albatross would occur if the golfer manages to get the ball in the hole in just two strokes. Albatrosses are quite rare in golf and are considered a significant accomplishment.
Bogey
A bogey is when a golfer completes a hole in one stroke over par. For example, if a hole is a par four, and a golfer completes it in five strokes, they have achieved a bogey.
Double Bogey
A double bogey is when a golfer completes a hole in two strokes over par. For example, if a hole is a par four, and a golfer completes it in six strokes, they have achieved a double bogey.
Condor
A condor is when a golfer completes a hole in four strokes fewer than par. For example, a hole-in-one on a par-5 hole is a condor. Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history.
Hole-in-One or Ace
A hole-in-one, also known as an ace, occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole, completing the hole in just one stroke. Aces are very rare. According to American Hole 'N One, the average golfer's chances of making a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole are 12,500 to 1.
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Frequently asked questions
A stroke is any forward club swing, including when putting, where a golfer attempts to hit the ball.
You can use a scorecard to record your strokes after each hole. You can also use a click counter or a GPS watch to add strokes as you complete each hole.
Over par means a player has taken more strokes than par to complete a hole. Under par means they have taken fewer strokes than par.
A birdie is when a golfer scores one stroke under par on an individual hole.
