Golf 101: Golf Scoring Terms Explained
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. This may seem backward, but there’s a good reason for it. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of golf scoring and explore the sport’s scoring formats to help you fully understand the game.
How Golf Scoring Works
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. Getting the lowest score means a golfer was able to complete the round in fewer shots than other players. There’s a bit of nuance depending on the scoring format, but generally speaking, the player who completes the entire round in the fewest strokes wins the round.
There are a few ways a golfer can gain strokes aside from taking shots. For example, penalty strokes can be added to a player’s score if they break any golf rules or hit a shot out of bounds or into a water hazard. It’s important to understand where penalty strokes apply so you can record honest, accurate scores.
Golf Pars
Par in golf is the expected number of strokes it should take a proficient golfer to complete a hole or a round. Almost every 18-hole course is a par 72, meaning it should take 72 strokes to complete. Individual holes each have their own par, generally ranging from par 3 to par 5, depending on the length of the hole. It should theoretically take three shots to complete a par 3 hole. It’s important to remember that par is based on the average scores of very proficient golfers. Most golfers, even many competitive players, struggle to shoot par consistently. Professional golfers typically complete a course in a few strokes under par, while average golfers often score several strokes over par.
What’s a good score in golf?
A “good” score in golf is relative. It depends on several factors, including the difficulty of the course, the player's skill level, and the scoring format. However, completing a round at par or better is almost always a great score. Even a few strokes over par is a good game of golf for many players. A perfect round of golf, meaning that a player makes a hole-in-one on every single hole, would result in a score of 18. However, this is so difficult that no player has ever come close. In fact, the lowest golf score ever recorded is 55, and the lowest recorded score in a professional competition is 58.
Golf Handicaps
A handicap score indicates how far over or under par an individual golfer scores in an average round. For example, a golfer who completes a course 10 strokes over par on average has a handicap of 10 strokes.
The handicap is a measurement of a golfer’s skill. It’s important to understand because this number is used to determine a golfer’s net score after a round, which is often used in non-professional competitive play to level the playing field. If a golfer with a handicap of 10 scores 85 on a par 72 course, their net score would be 75, meaning they shot three over par.
Golf Scoring Terms
Now that we understand how scoring works and what to expect, we can dive into the common golf terms that are a part of the scoring system:
Par: A standard number of strokes that a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or course.
Birdie: A score of one stroke under par for a hole.
Eagle: A score of two strokes under par for a hole.
Albatross: A score of three strokes under par for a hole. Also known as a double eagle.
Bogey: A score of one stroke over par for a hole.
Double Bogey: A score of two strokes over par for a hole.
Triple Bogey: A score of three strokes over par for a hole.
Quadruple Bogey: A score of four strokes over par for a hole.
Hole-in-One: When a player completes a golf hole in a single stroke. Also referred to as an “ace.” This takes a combination of skill and pure luck.
Handicap: A numerical score representing a golfer’s skill, based on their average score for a round.
Competitive Scoring Formats
There are several variations on how a round of golf is scored, also known as scoring formats. Here are a few of the most popular ones.
Stroke Play Scoring
Stroke play scoring is the most common scoring format in golf tournaments, in which golfers compete against each other by playing a set number of holes. The goal is to complete the entire course in as few strokes as possible. The golfer with the lowest total score at the end of the round is the winner.
Match Play Scoring
Match play scoring is a head-to-head format where two golfers compete against each other. The goal is to win the most holes in a round. Because the winner is the player who wins the most holes in a course rather than the one who completes it in the fewest strokes, a golfer can win a round in this format with more strokes than their opponent. This is the scoring format used in the famous Ryder Cup professional tournament, in which professional players from the U.S. and Europe compete against each other.
Stableford Scoring
Stableford scoring is a popular format at the casual level that allocates point values to certain stroke counts. For example, an ace could be worth 10 points, an eagle could be six points, a birdie could be four, and so on. At the end of the round, the player who earned the most points based on their stroke counts is the winner.
Get Ready to Tee Off
Golf scoring can be confusing until you understand the precision and focus the sport requires. Now that you know how it works, you’re ready to hit the links and test your skills against other players.