Ava Romero
Golf's over and under par scoring system measures a player's score relative to par. Par refers to the number of strokes a course sets for skilled players to finish each hole. Most 18-hole golf courses range from par 70 to 72. When a player's number of strokes taken matches par, it's considered even par, signified with an E on most scoreboards. If a golfer completes a hole in one shot less than par, it's called a birdie, and minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard. If a golfer completes a hole in one shot more than par, it's called a bogey, and plus 1 is added to their score. Over/under golf is also a popular form of betting on sports, where you wager on whether the combined score will be more or less than the projected total number set by oddsmakers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Over/Under | A set of odds where you bet on whether the combined score will be more or less than the projected total. |
| Par | The number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. |
| Over Par | When a golfer needs more strokes than the par to complete a hole. |
| Under Par | When a golfer completes a hole in fewer strokes than the par. |
| Scoring | Golf scoring is different from other sports. The player with the lowest score wins. |
| Scoring System | Golf's over and under par scoring system measures score relative to par. |
| Birdie | When a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. |
| Eagle | When a golfer scores two fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. |
| Albatross/Double Eagle | When a golfer scores three fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. |
| Condor | When a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual golf hole. |
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What You'll Learn
'Over/under' is a type of sports betting
Over/under is a type of sports betting. In golf, "over par" and "under par" are terms used to describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par. Par refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. Golf holes of different lengths will require more or fewer strokes by a golfer.
For example, if a golfer takes 70 strokes, the reported score is -2, or "two-under-par". Tournament scores are reported by totalling scores relative to par in each round (there are usually four rounds in professional tournaments). If each of the four rounds has a par of 72, the tournament par would be 288. A golfer could record a score of 70 in the first round, 72 in the second, 73 in the third, and 69 in the fourth. That would give a tournament score of 284, or "four-under-par".
In the context of sports betting, over/under odds are based on the total number of points scored in a game. For instance, in the NFL, sportsbooks will set an over/under line for the total number of points in a game, and bettors can wager on whether the total score will be over or under that line. These bets are also known as "totals" and involve wagering on a number that the sportsbook sets, which represents an estimated total score for the game.
Negative numbers in sports betting indicate the favoured or expected result and will give winnings, but not as much as betting on the positive number, which represents a less likely outcome. For example, a score of +100 means you are betting on the underdog, and if they win, you get your money back plus winnings equal to the amount you bet. On the other hand, a negative bet on the favourite to win will give winnings of less than 100% of the original bet.
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Par is the number of strokes set for a hole
In golf, "par" is the number of strokes that an expert or "scratch golfer" is expected to need to complete a hole. Par always includes two putts for each hole. On a par-4 hole, a scratch golfer is supposed to reach the green in two strokes, then complete the hole with two putts. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which includes a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball. For example, par-3 holes for men will typically be under 260 yards (240 m) from the tee to the green, while par-4 holes will be 240–490 yards (220–450 m).
While distance is the main factor in determining a hole's par rating, other factors are sometimes considered, such as altitude, terrain, and obstacles that may make a hole play longer or shorter than its measured distance. For example, a route may be significantly uphill or downhill, or a stroke may need to be played to finish short of a body of water before hitting over it.
Par is essential to understanding other golf scoring terms, as these terms are often defined in relation to it. For example, a "birdie" is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. An "eagle" is when a golfer scores two fewer strokes than par, and an "albatross" or "double eagle" is when a golfer scores three fewer strokes than par. On the other hand, a "bogey" is when a golfer scores one stroke over par, a "double bogey" is two strokes over par, and so on.
Tournament scores are reported by totalling scores relative to par in each round. For example, if each of the four rounds has a par of 72, the tournament par would be 288. A golfer who takes 75 strokes to complete this tournament would have a score of +3 or "three-over-par".
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Scoring in golf is different from other sports
Golf is a sport known for its precision and strategy, and its scoring system is unique. Unlike most other sports, where the highest score wins, in golf, the player with the lowest score is the winner. This scoring system can be both straightforward and intricate, with a variety of terms and calculations used to determine the winner.
The most common scoring format in golf is stroke play, where each player counts the total number of strokes taken to complete each hole and the entire round. Each hole on a golf course is assigned a "par" score, which represents the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the hole. Par values typically range from 3 to 5, with the total par for 18 holes usually being around 72 strokes for a standard course. Holes may also occasionally be assigned a par of 6 or, rarely, par-7.
Players' scores are compared to the par score, with the number of strokes taken relative to par determining their score for the hole. For example, if a player takes one fewer stroke than par, it is called a "birdie", and minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard. On the other hand, if a player takes one more stroke than par, it is called a "bogey", and plus 1 is added to their score. These terms, such as "birdie" and "eagle", are just nicknames for a certain number of strokes relative to par.
Tournament scores are reported by totalling scores relative to par in each round, usually with four rounds in professional tournaments. For example, if a golfer scores 70 in the first round, 72 in the second, 73 in the third, and 69 in the fourth, their tournament score would be 284, or "four-under-par". This scoring system, with its unique terminology, adds a layer of complexity and strategy to the game of golf, making it a challenging and intriguing sport for players and fans alike.
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Birdie is one less stroke than par
Golf is a sport that comes with a lot of jargon. One of the most common terms you'll hear is "par", which refers to the number of strokes it should take for a proficient golfer to complete a hole. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, but par-6 holes also exist, although they are rare. The par number of a hole always allows for two putts. So, for example, a 150-yard hole is expected to take three strokes to finish and is, therefore, a par-3.
When a golfer completes a hole in fewer strokes than the par, this is known as being "under par". A "birdie" is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. For example, if a golfer completes a par-3 hole in two strokes, they are said to have scored a birdie. The term "birdie" is thought to have originated in 1898/9 when a golfer at Atlantic City Country Club said, "That was a bird of a shot" after his second shot landed within inches of the hole. He claimed he should get double the money if he won with one under par, which was agreed. He then holed his putt to win with one under par, and the term "birdie" was born.
In 2019, the PGA Tour average number of birdies per round was just 3.68. Justin Thomas led the way, averaging 4.58 birdies per round. However, for average golfers, birdies (and even pars) are far more challenging to make than the pros would have you believe.
There are other terms to describe a golfer's score in relation to par. An "eagle" is when a golfer scores two fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. A "condor", the lowest individual hole score ever made relative to par, is when a golfer scores four strokes fewer than par.
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Bogey is one stroke over par
Golf has a variety of scoring terms to denote a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par. Par refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which includes a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts.
A "bogey" is a golf scoring term that refers to a golfer scoring one stroke over par. For example, if a golfer takes 5 strokes to complete a par-4 hole, they have scored a bogey. While a bogey is a poor outcome for a low-handicap or professional golfer, new and less skilled golfers are often satisfied with only needing one more stroke than par to finish a hole. Completing a bogey-free round is considered an achievement.
The term "bogey" was first used in golf around 1890 at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England. It is derived from the phrase "bogey man" and a popular music hall song titled "Here Comes the Bogey Man". Players competed against an imaginary player named Colonel Bogey, who scored a predetermined number of strokes on each hole. As golf became more standardised in the United States, par scores became stricter, and recreational golfers found themselves scoring over par, leading to the evolution of the term "bogey" to refer to one-over-par.
Other scoring terms related to bogey include double bogey, triple bogey, and quadruple bogey, which refer to two strokes over par, three strokes over par, and four strokes over par, respectively. These terms are used to describe a golfer's performance when they score more strokes than the par for a particular hole.
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Frequently asked questions
Over and under in golf refer to a scoring system that measures a player's performance relative to par. Par is the number of strokes a course sets for skilled players to finish each hole. If a player completes a hole in fewer strokes than par, they are "under par". If they need more strokes than par, they are "over par".
If you complete a hole in one shot less than par, this is called a "birdie", and minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard. If you need one stroke above par, it's called a "bogey", and plus 1 is added to your score.
Over/under betting is a popular way to wager on sports. In golf, bettors predict whether the combined score of both teams will be more or less than the projected total set by oddsmakers.
