what are the golf score terms

Golf Scoring Terms Cheat Sheet

Golf Scoring Term	Explanation
Stroke	Any forward club swing that's intended t ...
Par	The number of strokes an expert player i ...
Birdie	One stroke under par on an individual ho ...
Eagle	Two strokes under par on an individual h ...

Apr 17 2022

Full Answer

What is the best score in golf?

May 24, 2019 · They describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par: A birdie is a score of 1-under par on a hole (for example, scoring 4 on a par-5). A bogey is 1-over par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole. A double eagle (very rare) is ...

What is considered a good golf score average?

12 rows · Jul 15, 2021 · Golf Scoring Term: Explanation: Stroke: Any forward club swing that's intended to hit the ...

What is the lowest score for a round of golf?

Golf Terms Par | Even | E. A par is obtained on a hole when a golfer uses a number of strokes that is in line with what is deemed... Course Par. In addition to a score for a single hole, par can also refer to the number of strokes associated with an... Birdie | -1. On any given hole, a birdie is ...

What is highest score in golf called?

Below are some of the most common terms used in golf scoring. Some of the most common terms employed include: Par: Par is considered the average number of strokes it should take to put the ball in the hole. There are three common "pars" in golf. They are par 3 holes, par 4 holes, and par 5 holes.

What are the golf scoring terms?

A bogey is 1-over par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an "albatross").May 24, 2019

How does the scoring work in golf?

The Simple Basic of Golf Scoring: Count Every Swing At the end of each hole - after you've rolled the ball into the cup - tally the strokes you used on that hole. And that's your score for the hole. Did it take you 6 swings on the first hole to put the ball in the hole? Then your score on that hole is 6.Jun 28, 2018

What does golf score 4 and 3 mean?

When you see a match play score that is rendered in this way—2 and 1, 3 and 2, 4 and 3, and so on—it means that the winner clinched the victory before reaching the 18th hole and the match ended early.Aug 31, 2018

What is 3 strokes under par called?

For hole completions three strokes under par is recognized in golf as Albatross. This is also known as “double eagle” in relation to the “birdie” and “eagle” theme. More on albatross in golf here. The reasoning for the name is that albatross is a very rare bird and so is scoring three under par.Aug 20, 2019

What are the 7 golf scoring terms?

Golf Scoring Terms (Par, Bogey, Birdie, Eagle, Albatross, and More)Jul 15, 2021

What is a good score in golf for a beginner?

If you're below 85 you're a pretty good golfer and if you're above 90 then you're likely a beginner. For a beginner, I'd expect you to shoot around 100 or more but a good score for a beginner would be 90-100. Scoring a 90 is considered bogey golf because the average score would be 5 and the average par is 4.Mar 9, 2022

What do Ryder Cup scores mean?

How does Ryder Cup scoring work? Matches are worth a point for the winning team, a half-point in the case of a draw and no points for the losing team. The first team to reach 14 1/2 points (the minimum score needed to ensure a non-tie finish) wins the Ryder Cup.Sep 26, 2021

What are Stableford points in golf?

Stableford is a very common scoring system in golf whereby points are awarded on each hole according to how the player does against their own handicap.Dec 12, 2021

What does par 4 5 Mean on a golf scorecard?

Par 4: 251 to 470 yards. Par 5: 471 yards or more. For women, the values vary only slightly. Par 3: Up to 210 yards.Jan 10, 2020

What is a ostrich in golf?

The term "ostrich" is used to describe the completion of a hole using five fewer strokes than the par. Each hole is assigned a number of strokes that are considered to be par, otherwise known as average for the course.

Why is golf named after birds?

It wasn't long before it began to be used all over the United States and later spread to other countries. This was the beginning of using bird names to name certain golf shots. Based on the use of the birdie for a low par, it was considered convenient to use a larger bird the better the shot.Aug 21, 2020

What does bogey mean in golf?

A player makes a “birdie” when he uses one fewer strokes than the par of the hole. If a player needs one stroke more than par to finish a hole, he makes a “bogey.” So, if you finish a par 4 with only 3 strokes, you make a “birdie”, but if you take 5 strokes to complete a par 4, you make a “bogey”.Apr 25, 2019

What is a stroke in golf?

Golf Scoring Terms Explained. Stroke - In golf, a "Stroke" is any forward club swing, including when putting, that a golfer is trying to hit the ball. You can essentially use "Stroke" as a synonym for a shot/putt, but keep in mind that it also includes "whiffs" if you miss the ball when trying to hit it. Par - " Par " is the number of strokes that ...

What is a condor in golf?

Condor - A "Condor" is when a golfer scores four strokes less than par on an individual golf hole. A hole in one on a par 5 is a condor. Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history. Generally, the only way to accomplish a condor is to massively "cut off" a "dogleg" par-5 golf hole for a hole-in-one.

What is an albatross?

Albatross / Double Eagle - An " Albatross " or " Double Eagle " is when a golfer scores three fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-5 hole. An Albatross is far rarer than even a hole-in-one (ace).

How many yards is a par 4?

Par-4 – 211 to 400 yards. Par-5 – 401 to 575 yards. The golf scoring term "Par" is also used to reference the combined par of a group of golf holes. Full-length 18-hole golf courses include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.

What is par in golf?

A par is obtained on a hole when a golfer uses a number of strokes that is in line with what is deemed standard. It is a score that golfers strive to match – if not beat – and is referred to as “even”, or “even-par”.

What does it mean to be up in golf?

In Match Play, a golfer is said to be up when he is leading his opponent in the match. For example, a golfer who is 2-up leads his opponent by 2 holes. That means that he has bested his opponent two times more often than his opponent has bested him. The ultimate goal in match play is to be up by more holes than there are holes left to play. When that happens, the golfer who is up at that point will win and the match will end.

When is a golf match square?

This can occur when neither golfer or team has managed to win a single hole. Otherwise, it can also occur when the number of holes won by each golfer or team is equal, or in other words when both golfers or teams have won the same amount of holes.

What is an albatross in golf?

An albatross – or double eagle – is achieved when a golfer uses three strokes less than is deemed standard for a hole. Or in other words when he requires three strokes fewer than the par number for that hole. As such, a golfer who scores an albatross is said to be 3 under par for that hole. In practice, this will happen for a score ...

What is double bogey?

A double bogey is obtained when a golfer uses two strokes more than is deemed standard for a given hole. Or in other words, when he requires 2 strokes more than the par for that hole. As a result, a golfer who scores a double bogey is said to be two over par for that hole. Consequently, such a score occurs when posting 5 on a par-3, 6 on a par-4, ...

What does it mean when a golfer is down?

In Match Play, a golfer is said to be down when he is trailing his opponent in the match. For example, a golfer who is 2-down trails his opponent by 2 holes. That means that his opponent has bested him on 2 occasions more than he has bested this opponent.

What does it mean to halve a hole?

In match play a golfer or a team is said to halve a hole when its score is identical to that of its opponent. In essence, it is a term used to indicate that the hole was tied. In addition to a single hole, the term halve is also used to describe a match that ends in a tie, with no winner which can be referred as a halved match. Note that this can only apply when the rules of the tournament or round allow for a match to end in a tie. Indeed, in many cases if a match were to stand at all square after 18 holes, extra holes of sudden death are played as long as needed in order to determine a winner.

What is the most common scoring format?

Strokeplay is the most common scoring format. Players count up each stroke, write down the number of strokes taken on each hole, add them together, and whoever has the lowest cumulative number is the winner.

What is a bogey in golf?

A bogey is when you take one stroke too many relative to par to complete a hole. In the case of a par 4, that number would be five. If a player takes two strokes too many relative to par the term is a double bogey, three too many a triple-bogey etc.

How does Stableford scoring work?

With Stableford scoring, players score points based on the number of strokes it takes them to finish a hole. The number of total points then decides the winner. Unlike in traditional scoring, the player with the highest score (points) is determined the winner.

What is double eagle golf?

A double eagle or albatross is when a player finishes a hole in three strokes less than that hole’s par number. An extremely rare feat that is often only ever seen when a player holes his second shot into a par 5.

What is a penalty stroke?

A penalty stroke is an additional stroke or strokes added to a player’s score for an infraction of the rules during their round. Typically, a penalty will be assessed for lost balls, and shots hit out of bounds.

What is matchplay in golf?

Matchplay is similar to strokeplay in that players count their total strokes for a hole but then compare that number with their competitor. The player with the least amount of strokes on the hole is awarded the hole, and the winner of the contest is the one who wins the most holes.

What is a birdie on a par 3?

A birdie is when a player finishes a hole in one stroke less than that hole’s designated par number. On a par 3 that score would need to be a two, on a par 4 a three, and a par 5 a four.

How long is a golf scorecard?

Typically the scorecard will be around 6 inches long by 4..5 inches when it is folded. This makes it easy to carry in a pocket or golf bag without taking up too much room. Each golf scorecard has some common elements that are important to understand when playing a round of golf.

What does 18 mean on a golf scorecard?

18 means that it is the expected easiest hole on the golf course and 1 means that it is the expected hardest hole on the golf course. The handicap strokes section of a scorecard is fundamental for golfers when calculating their score based on their golf handicaps.

How to score a birdie in golf?

They work as follows: 1 Solid circle symbol – Represents an Eagle or better score (e.g. an Albatross or hole in one) 2 Circle symbol – Represents a Birdie 3 No symbol – Represents a Par 4 Square symbol – Represents a Bogey 5 Solid square symbol – Represents a Double-bogey or worse

Why do golfers use scorecards?

The golf scorecard is used by golfers all over the world when they are playing a round of golf at any of the vast amount of golf courses. This can range from the PGA Tour to even crazy golf! It helps players to track their performance both individually and in competition against others.

What is handicap strokes?

The handicap strokes section of a scorecard is fundamental for golfers when calculating their score based on their golf handicaps. This is the case both individually and in competition. The best way to illustrate this is to use an example golfer of with a 9 golf handicap. What happens in this case is you will deduct one stroke for the each ...

What are the different formats of golf?

There are different formats that golf is played under. Ranging from stroke play to stableford. It is important to factor this in when completing your score card, especially in competition. Depending on the type of competition that you are playing will impact how you mark your scores.

Does each hole have a handicap?

As mentioned above, each hole is assigned a handicap index . By using the calculations above you will be able to correctly enter your net score for the round oppose to your gross score.

What is the scoring system in golf?

Definition of Golf Scores. Golf scores are based on each hole played, as well as the total of all holes played in the round. The scoring system in golf is different than that of most sports, where the higher score is the winner. In golf, success is determined by the lower score, or the fewest number of shots taken on the hole or in the round.

What is the par score in golf?

The par score for most 18-hole golf courses ranges from 70 to 72, and typically includes a majority of par-4 holes. The remaining holes are par-3 or par-5 holes.

How is success determined in golf?

In golf, success is determined by the lower score, or the fewest number of shots taken on the hole or in the round. Each course has a designated number, known as par, that represents the score a skillful golfer would shoot. Furthermore, each hole on a course, typically nine holes or 18 holes, has its own par score.

How many strokes does a golfer have?

Scoring in golf tournaments typically is based on stroke play, in which every shot counts as one stroke. A player's score often is expressed in terms of the number of strokes under, even with or over the par score. A golfer who shoots a score of 65 on a par-72 course is seven under par, or minus-seven. A golfer who shoots an 80 is eight ...

What is a birdie in golf?

A birdie is a score one stroke less than par. Birdies can be achieved on any hole, but often are made on par-4 and par-5 holes. A par-3 hole provides a tougher test because it requires the golfer to get the ball into the hole in two shots.

What is double eagle?

Double Eagle. A double eagle, or albatross, is when a golfer completes a par-5 hole in two shots. A golfer would have to drive the ball from the tee and on the second shot hit the ball into the hole. An albatross is a rare achievement in golf.

What is a hole in one?

A hole-in-one occurs when a golfer holes the ball on the tee shot. The hole-in-one happens most often on par-3 holes, as the distance from tee to green may be manageable for many golfers.

What is the back nine of a golf course?

Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.

What is the stroke of a golf club?

Stroke – Any swing with a golf club from a golfer that is addressing and trying to hit the golf ball. Stroke Play – This format, sometimes called medal play, is based on the total number of strokes over a round or a fixed number of rounds.

Why do golf balls have dimples?

Dimples – Golf balls have dimples to improve aerodynamics and regulate spin. The right number and design of dimples for your swing could improve performance. Divot – When striking the ball a chunk of turf from beneath the ball is often displaced. The remaining mark or hole is known as a divot.

What is an ace in golf?

Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.

Who is Nick Lomas?

Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience then it comes to choosing the right golf gear, and finding the right set up for your game.

What is a baseball grip?

Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.

What is a fat shot in golf?

The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.