Trevor Ng
In golf, a bogey is a term used to describe when a golfer scores one stroke over par on a particular hole. The term was first used in 1890 at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England, when Charles Wellman described his effort to match the course's ground score (the term used at the time for what we now call par) as the bogey man. The phrase caught on, and players soon described their performance as chasing the bogey man. By 1892, the term had evolved with the invention of the character Colonel Bogey, representing the score golfers aimed to beat during a round. While a bogey is not a desirable score for professional golfers, it is a common occurrence in casual rounds and does not drastically affect a player's score.
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What You'll Learn
'Bogey' meaning in golf
In golf, a bogey refers to scoring one stroke over par on a hole. For example, if a hole has a par of three and you take four strokes to sink the ball, you've scored a bogey. A "bogey golfer" is someone who consistently averages a bogey on every hole, amounting to a score of nine-over par for nine holes or eighteen-over par for a full eighteen-hole round.
The term "bogey" dates back to the late 19th century in England. In 1890, at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club, Charles Wellman used the term "bogey man" when describing his effort to match the course's "ground score"—the term used at the time for what we now call par. The phrase caught on, and players began to describe their performance as "chasing the bogey man". By 1892, the term had evolved further with the invention of the character "Colonel Bogey", representing the score golfers aimed to beat during a round. Originally, a bogey represented the number of strokes a good golfer was expected to take on a hole. However, as golf became more standardised, the term ""ground score," was replaced with "par", and "bogey" shifted to mean one-over par.
Bogeys are a common occurrence in golf, even for professionals. In fact, in 2019, PGA golfers averaged 2.62 bogeys in the TOUR Championship. Bogeys don't necessarily indicate a bad round; they're part of most players' scoring patterns and offer opportunities to learn from mistakes. Avoiding bogeys involves good course management and a strong short game.
There are also terms for scores worse than a bogey, such as a "double bogey", which is two strokes over par, a "triple bogey", which is three strokes over par, and a "quadruple bogey", which is four strokes over par. Scores more than three over par are often colloquially referred to as a "disaster hole."
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How to avoid a bogey
In golf, a bogey is when a golfer completes a hole in one stroke over par. While bogeys are common and don't drastically alter your score in casual rounds, they can start to pile up and become a mental hurdle in competitive play. Here are some strategies to help you avoid making bogeys:
Know Your Capabilities and Choose Your Clubs Accordingly
Be realistic about your golf game and choose your clubs based on an analysis of the hole you're playing. Take into account any obstacles, such as woods or water hazards, that may impact the movement of the ball. Practise with your clubs at a driving range to get a feel for each one. Golf is a strategic game, so consider the risks and rewards of each shot and decide if the risky shot is worth it or if it's better to take a safer route.
Improve Your Short Game
Many bogeys happen around the green due to poor chipping or missed putts. Dedicate time to practising your putting and chipping to improve your short game. A well-placed chip or solid putt can turn a potential bogey into a par. Accuracy off the tee is also important. Focus on improving your driving accuracy by refining your swing mechanics and avoiding unnecessary risks.
Make Good Decisions on the Course
Managing the course and making good strategic decisions are key to minimizing mistakes and achieving better scores. Use the club that gives you the best chance of keeping the ball in play and avoiding hazards. Keep your ball away from hazards like water or bunkers, and aim for safer areas when possible. A good tee shot can set up an easier approach to the green and help you avoid mistakes that lead to extra strokes.
Maintain a Positive Mental Attitude
Golf is a game that can be mentally challenging, and it's easy to let a bad hole affect your mindset. Try to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude even after mistakes. Think like a top golfer and develop mental toughness to get back on track after a bad hole. Remember that getting off the bogey train is often more about your thoughts and expectations than the technique or the bad shot itself.
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Bogey vs. Par
Bogey and Par are two of the most common scoring terms in golf. Par is the number of strokes a proficient or "scratch golfer" is expected to complete a hole in. It is the standard number of strokes that a golfer should take to finish playing a hole, a round, or a tournament. The term "par" in golf was first used in Britain.
Bogey, on the other hand, is a scoring term that refers to the number of strokes a golfer takes relative to the par. A bogey means a golfer has scored one stroke over par. For example, on a par-4 hole, a golfer would be considered to have scored a bogey if they took 5 strokes to complete the hole. While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, newer golfers are often satisfied with only needing one more stroke than par to complete a hole.
The term "bogey" was first used in England in the late 19th century. It was the first stroke system, conceived by Hugh Rotherham, the secretary of the Coventry Golf Club, who called it the "ground score." The term "bogey" was later used to refer to one over par in the United States, which caused some consternation among British golfers.
As golf scoring terms are defined in relation to par, it is important to understand the concept of par before exploring other scoring terms such as bogey, birdie, eagle, and albatross. Par is determined by the playing length of each hole, as well as other factors such as terrain and obstacles. On a standard 18-hole golf course, the total par is typically around 72.
In summary, par is the standard number of strokes a proficient golfer is expected to take to complete a hole, and bogey refers to a score of one stroke over par. Bogey competitions, or handicap competitions, allow golfers to measure their performance against the bogey score, introducing a level of standardisation to the game.
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History of the term 'bogey'
The term "bogey" in golf dates back to the late 19th century. In 1890, Mr Hugh Rotherham, then secretary of the Coventry Golf Club, introduced the idea of standardising the number of shots at each hole that a good golfer should take, which he called the "ground score". The concept was adopted by Dr Browne of the Great Yarmouth Golf Club, and during a competition, a player named Mr CA Wellman (possibly Major Charles Wellman) exclaimed that "This player of yours is a regular Bogey man".
The term "bogey man" was a widely used reference to a goblin or devil, dating back to the 16th century in Scotland. Golfers considered they were playing against a "Mister Bogey", and the phrase “chasing the bogey man” soon caught on. By 1892, the term evolved with the invention of the character "Colonel Bogey", representing the score golfers aimed to beat during a round.
In the early rules books, there were sections detailing the regulations for "Bogey Competitions". By the mid to late 1890s, the term "bogey score" referred to the ideal score a proficient golfer could be expected to make on a hole under perfect conditions. As the game evolved and scores became standardised, "par" replaced "ground score", and the term "bogey" shifted to mean one-over par.
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Bogey competitions
In bogey competitions, a player takes on the course itself in matchplay. The course scores bogey on each hole – bogey here is defined as the score that a good player should be expected to make on that hole. All 18 holes are played and the player’s score is the nett number of holes won (so the nett score may be a minus figure).
In bogey competitions, the aim is to better the score of bogey on as many holes as possible. On each hole, a player tries to beat the score of bogey to win the hole and go up +1 in the match. If a player makes a bogey, they halve the hole and the score does not change. But if a player makes a double bogey or worse, they lose the hole and go down -1 in the match.
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