Ava Romero
In golf, a bogey is a term used to describe when a golfer scores one stroke over par on a particular hole. For example, if a hole’s par is three and the golfer takes four strokes to sink the ball, they have scored a bogey. A bogey golfer is someone who consistently averages a bogey on every hole. While professional golfers are often disappointed when they score bogeys, for new golfers, it is a level to aspire to. The term bogey was first used in 1890 at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England, where Charles Wellman used the term bogey man to describe his effort to match the course's ground score, which was the term used at the time for what we now call par.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A score of one stroke over par on a hole |
| Etymology | The term "bogey" was first used in England at the end of the 19th century. It originally referred to the ideal score that a good golfer would aim for on each hole. |
| Symbol | An unfilled box on the scorecard |
| Impact on scoring | Bogeys are common in casual rounds and do not drastically alter a player's score. However, in competitive play, bogeys can become a mental hurdle for players and cause them to slip down the leaderboard. |
| Strategies for avoidance | Good course management, improving one's short game, accuracy off the tee, and laying up to avoid water hazards. |
| Related terms | Double bogey, triple bogey, quadruple bogey, quintuple bogey, etc. refer to scores that are two, three, four, five, or more strokes over par, respectively. |
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What You'll Learn
Bogey meaning: one stroke over par
In golf, a bogey is a term used to describe when a golfer scores one stroke over par on a particular hole. For example, if a hole has a par of three and the golfer takes four strokes to sink the ball, they have scored a bogey.
The term "bogey golfer" is used to refer to someone who consistently averages a bogey on every hole. This would amount to a score of nine-over par for nine holes or eighteen-over par for a full eighteen-hole round. Bogey golfers are usually recreational golfers who often find themselves managing bogeys regularly.
A double bogey is scored when a golfer takes two strokes over par on a hole. For instance, scoring a five on a par-three hole would be a double bogey. Triple bogeys, often referred to as "triples", are scores of three strokes over par, and quadruple bogeys are scores of four strokes over par. Scores worse than a quadruple bogey are often referred to as "disaster holes".
While professional golfers are often disappointed with getting a bogey, it is an expected part of the learning curve for amateur golfers. Bogeys can be frustrating for golfers, but they are common in casual rounds and do not drastically alter the player's score.
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Bogey history: from ideal score to one over par
The term "bogey" has quite a history in the world of golf. The word, which refers to a score of one stroke over par, was first used in England at the end of the 19th century. It is believed to have originated from the idea of a bogey man, a mythical creature used to scare children. In the context of golf, it was used to describe the ideal score that a good golfer would aim for on each hole.
The concept of "bogey" as a standardised score was conceived by Mr Hugh Rotherham, Secretary of the Coventry Golf Club in 1890. He proposed the idea of standardising the number of shots at each hole that a skilled golfer should take, calling it the "ground score". The idea was adopted by Dr Browne of the Great Yarmouth Club, and this style of competition was introduced for match play.
During one such competition, a player exclaimed to Dr Browne that "This player of yours is a regular Bogey man", thus coining the term "bogey" in golf. The term became popular, and bogey competitions, now known as handicap competitions, were introduced. On January 2, 1892, "The Field" newspaper reported on a "bogey tournament", where "fourteen couples started but the bogey defeated them all."
As golf evolved and became more standardised, the meaning of "bogey" also shifted. It was no longer the ideal score, but instead, it came to represent a score that was one stroke over par. This evolution of the term caused some chagrin among British golfers, who had to adapt to the changing lingo. Today, a "bogey" is a common occurrence in casual rounds and is considered a mark of a mistake or a misstep. However, in competitive play, bogeys can become a mental hurdle for players trying to stay on par or better.
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Bogey golfer: averaging one over per hole
A bogey golfer is a golfer who scores one over par per hole on average. This means that on a par-72 golf course, a bogey golfer's average score is around 90.
The term "bogey" has an interesting history in the context of golf. It originated from a popular song in the early 1890s in the British Isles called "The Bogey Man", which was later known as "The Colonel Bogey March". The song portrayed an elusive character, similar to a game of chase, with the lyrics "I'm the Bogey Man, catch me if you can". This concept of chasing the elusive "Bogey Man" resonated with golfers in England and Scotland, who saw it as symbolic of pursuing the ultimate golf score. By the late 1890s, a "bogey score" referred to the ideal score achievable by a skilled golfer under optimal conditions.
Being a bogey golfer is a significant milestone for recreational golfers, indicating not just improvement but also consistency and skill on the course. According to studies, most recreational golfers never break 100, and only a small percentage score lower than 90. So, if you're a bogey golfer, you're already performing better than most other recreational golfers.
In the USGA's golf course rating systems, a bogey golfer is defined as a male player with a USGA Handicap Index of 17.5 to 22.4 strokes and a female player with an index of 21.5 to 26.4 strokes. This means that a male bogey golfer can typically hit a 200-yard tee shot and reach a 370-yard hole in two shots. A female bogey golfer, on the other hand, has a Course Handicap of about 24.0 and can hit 150 yards off the tee, reaching 280 yards in two shots.
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Avoiding bogeys: course management and short game
In golf, a bogey is when a golfer completes a hole in one stroke more than the listed par for the hole. For example, on a par three, a golfer would score a bogey if they complete the hole in four strokes. A golfer who averages one over par per hole throughout their round is known as a bogey golfer.
Course management is a crucial aspect of lowering your golf scores. It involves making smart decisions on the golf course, such as knowing when to be aggressive and when to lay back, and understanding your game to play the percentages, not just the yardage.
One important strategy is to recognize that not every hole is a birdie hole. Sometimes, a bogey is the best outcome, and accepting this early on can help you swing stress-free, avoid hazards, and keep your round on track. Play for position, and don't be afraid to lay up if necessary.
When it comes to the type of shot you need to hit, consider the lie of the ball. If the ball is above your feet or in the rough, you may need to adjust your target. Instead of aiming at flags, aim for the center of the green or find a bailout area.
To keep the ball in play and maintain distance, try the fairway-finding technique. Tee the ball down an inch and grip down the same amount. This promotes a steeper downswing and reduces sidespin, turning a slice into a baby fade. Swing aggressively through the ball and focus on advancing the ball to a spot that gives you the best angle and yardage for your next shot.
Additionally, mastering a reliable greenside sand shot can help you avoid big numbers. Pick a landing spot that allows for some rollout, open the clubface, take your grip, and set your stance extra wide. Swing with the intention of attacking the sand an inch behind the ball and restrict the follow-through. The open clubface will propel the ball onto the green.
Breaking the Bogey Mindset
Golf is a mental game, and sometimes, the difference between a good and bad round is your mindset. One bogey does not have to lead to another—it's essential to control your emotions and thoughts to prevent a downward spiral. Challenge your expectations and assumptions about your game and scoring. Recognize that mistakes are a normal part of the game, and focus on recovering and moving forward.
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Bogey competitions: modern handicap competitions
Bogey competitions, also known as handicap competitions or stablefords, are a format of play where golfers compete against the course. The concept of a bogey competition is similar to that of the competition devised by Dr Frank Stableford, in that players are rewarded based on their performance on each hole relative to the course. Bogey competitions are played as strokeplay, incorporating the central feature of matchplay—the winning or losing of individual holes.
In bogey golf, the target score is set as a bogey, making it a more achievable goal for amateur or higher-handicap players. Each hole is played either as a bogey, par, or birdie relative to the player's own handicap. Bogey golf provides a more accessible and less intimidating target for beginners or those learning the game. It allows players to set and achieve goals that feel more attainable compared to the challenging pars set by the course.
The first bogey competitions were played at Coventry Golf Club in 1891. In bogey competitions, players aim to better the score of bogey on as many holes as possible. Unlike in match play, competitions are played until the final hole, keeping games exciting for all players. At the end of the round, the number of holes won is subtracted by the number of holes lost to determine the winner.
Points are adjusted based on a player's handicap and the stroke index of each hole. For example, if a player with a handicap is given a shot on a par-4 hole, a score of 5 or lower would win the hole for them. Bogey golf maintains the fairness of Stableford scoring, where occasional poor holes do not significantly impact the overall score. However, the high rewards for making an eagle or better are not present in bogey golf, as all scores better than a bogey count the same.
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