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 ... |
| Scoring Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Eagle | Two strokes under par on a hole |
| Birdie | One stroke under par on a hole |
| Par | Score a good player would expect to make on a hole or round |
| Bogey | One stroke over par on a hole |
What is a birdie on a golf course?
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.
How many strokes do you need to play a birdie in golf?
That means that an expert golfer should need three strokes, four strokes and five strokes, respectively, to play those holes. So a birdie is a very good score on a hole, one that mid-handicappers don't see often and high handicappers rarely see.
Do golfers call 2-under par a birdie or a bogey?
The word " bogey " means 1- over par on a hole, and 2-over is a " double bogey ," 3-over is a " triple bogey ," and so on. Does the same pattern hold with birdie? If 1-under is a birdie, do golfers call 2-under a "double birdie"? No. Two-under on a hole is an " eagle ." And 3-under on a hole is an " albatross " ... or a " double eagle ."
What is the history of the PGA Championship birdie?
Smith said "That was a bird of shot" and claimed he should get double money if he won with one under par, which was agreed. He duly holed his putt to win with one under par and the three of them thereafter referred to such a score as a "birdie". The Atlantic City Club date the event to 1903.
What's before a birdie?
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.
What is 3 shots under par called?
An albatross is—you guessed it—a term for three under par. Like the bird itself, achieving an albatross in golf is rare indeed.
What is 4 over par called in golf?
Quadruple BogeyQuadruple Bogey - A "Quadruple Bogey" is when a golfer scores four strokes OVER par. Ex: 8 strokes on a par-4 hole.
What's after triple bogey?
A “Double Bogey” is a score of 2 strokes over par on any individual hole. A “Triple Bogey” is a score of 3 strokes over par on any individual hole. A “Quadruple Bogey” is a score of 4 strokes over par on any individual hole.
What is a mulligan in golf?
The basic definition of mulligan, a term most associated with golf, is a "do-over," a second try after your first has gone awry. Every weekend golfer has taken a few mulligans in their lifetime, and there's no shame in that.
What is 4 birdies in a row called?
1 = Strike. 2 = Double. 3 = Turkey or Gobbler. 4 = Hambone. 5 = Recently heard referred to as yatzee or five bagger.
What is 3 birdies in a row called?
So 3 birdies in a row is called a turkey.
What are 5 rules of golf?
5 Golf Etiquette RulesSilence is golden. As a courtesy, do not move or make any noise when a fellow player is up to putt. ... Take your time, but not too much. ... Losing the game can be frustrating, but losing your cool is significantly worse. ... Watch where you stand. ... Respect the green.
What does E mean in golf?
even parMost 18-hole golf courses range from par 70 to 72. When the number of strokes taken matches par, it's considered even par, signified with an "E" on most scoreboards. ADVERTISEMENT. If a player completes the hole in one shot less par, or birdie, minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard.
What is a turkey in golf?
Its origin is almost certainly American in nature. In ten-pin bowling, a trio of consecutive strikes is called a turkey, while six in a row is known as a wild, or golden, turkey. It wouldn't be the first time golf has borrowed from another sport to expand its lexicon.
Why is golf named after birds?
Used to score one under par. It began to be used in 1899 in New Jersey. It turns out that on one game day, three golfers were playing when one of them, on his second stroke, hit a bird in flight with the ball and it landed very, very close to the hole. The teammates said it was a stroke of luck for a 'birdie'.
What is a boogie in golf?
A Bogey means one over par. Birdie: In the 19th century, the term "bird" was the equivalent of "cool" or "excellent" - golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey, course claims that the term originated there in 1903. The meaning being a score of one under par.
What is a birdie in golf?
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.
What does "par" mean in golf?
"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.
What is the highest par in golf?
A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an " albatross "). A triple bogey is 3-over par. Given that a par-5 hole is the highest par most golfers will ever see, there is a limit to how far under par a golfer can go.
What is it called when you complete a hole in less strokes than the par?
A very good golfer — or a very lucky golfer — might complete a hole in fewer strokes than the par (called "under par "). And of course, most of us are not "experts" at golf, and so on most holes we'll need more strokes than the par (called "over par").
How many strokes are required to play a 150 yard hole?
So a 150-yard hole is one on which the expert is expected to hit the green with his tee shot, take two putts, and, therefore, require three strokes to finish that hole. Such a hole is therefore called a par-3.
What does "double eagle" mean in golf?
Double eagle: On a par-5, means you finished the hole in 2 strokes. Eagle: You finished the hole in 3 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 4 strokes. Par: You finished the hole in 5 strokes.
How many strokes does a double bogey take?
Double bogey: You finished the hole in 7 strokes. Triple bogey: You finished the hole in 8 strokes. Par-4 Hole. Double eagle: On a par-4, means you finished the hole in 1 stroke — a hole-in-one (very, very rare on par-4 holes) Eagle: You finished the hole in 2 strokes. Birdie: You finished the hole in 3 strokes.
How to get a birdie in golf?
here are many ways to get a birdie in golf, but the most common way is by hitting the ball close enough to the hole that it will roll into it. This can be achieved by playing your shots from an advantageous position on the green or teeing off with a good lie. The best advice for beginners is to practice their short game and learn how to putt before they attempt any other shot. Once you’ve mastered those skills, you’ll be ready for anything!
What does it mean to get a birdie in golf?
You could say “I made a 3!” or instead say “I got a birdie!” But what does it really mean? Well, it means you scored one under par for your hole. If you get lucky and make all 18 holes in succession, then congratulations! You just won a gold metal!
How many strokes are bogeys worth?
A birdie is worth one stroke on the scorecard, and a bogey is worth two strokes. The difference between them may seem small at first glance, but it can be pretty substantial when you’re trying to win a tournament. For example, if your final score is 72 with six birdies and four bogeys then your total number of strokes would be 18 (+6). If you had instead recorded five birdies and five bogeys then your total number of strokes would have been 17 (-5), which means that the three extra shots are what caused you to finish in second place rather than winning outright. Birdies are good for golfers because they give them an opportunity to lower their scores by one stroke.
Why are birdies important?
In other words, it’s two shots under par for one hole. Birdies are important because they can be scored at any time and catch up to opponents quickly. Birdies also count as points and help you win games!
How many holes are there in golf?
If you are a golfer, then you know that there are 18 holes of golf on each course. A birdie is the score of one over par on a hole. So if you make three strokes in less than two shots you get a birdie. If it takes four shots to complete the hole and your total score for all 18 holes is under 100, then congratulations! You have made an eagle.
What does "one under par" mean in golf?
One under par is also known as birdie in many circles. This means that if someone’s score is one under par, they’ve scored a hole-in-one by making one stroke less than their opponents or shot an eighteen with nine strokes instead of eighteen.
How far away from the hole should you putt your putter?
It would be beneficial if we were able to use our putter on these final holes as long as we are within 20 feet of the hole.
What is a birdie in golf?
A birdie in golf is a term for a score that is one under par. For instance, a birdie on a par four hole would be a score of 3. Par represents the standardized score for any hole relative to its length, so an under-par score means it took fewer shots than expected to hole the ball from start to finish.
How to Score a Birdie in a Golf ball?
Since recording a birdie requires the golfer to hit at least one good shot per hole, let’s take a look at several different shots hit during play of a par four hole to provide tips for practicing and improving your chances of scoring a birdie.
How many birdies does Justin Thomas have in 2019?
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.
What does "under par" mean in golf?
Under Par - The term "under par" describe a player's score when they've taken fewer strokes than par up to a given point of the golf course.
How many strokes to get an eagle?
Eagles are most commonly achieved by reaching a par-5 green in 2 strokes, then completing the hole with one putt. 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.
How many strokes to complete a par-3?
A golfer would be even through three holes if they took 4 strokes to complete a par-3, 3 strokes to complete a par-4, and 5 strokes to complete a par-5 hole. Birdie - A " Birdie " is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-3 hole.
What is a forward club swing?
Any forward club swing that's intended to hit the golf ball. The number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18). One stroke under par on an individual hole. Two strokes under par on an individual hole. Three strokes under par on an individual hole.
What is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating?
Distance, or more specifically "effective distance" (the distance a hole plays after accounting for whether it's uphill/downhill, its elevation, etc.), is the main determining factor in a hole's par rating.
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 ...
How Did Birdie Become a Golf Term?
"Birdie" isn't just a golf term that originated in the United States, it's one of the earliest innovations in the game that originated in America.
What does "Birdie" mean in golf?
Brent Kelley. Updated May 24, 2019. "Birdie" is one of the basic scoring terms used by golfers, and it means a score of 1-under par on any individual golf hole. Par, remember, is the expected number of strokes it should take an expert golfer to complete a hole.
What is a birdie putt?
A "birdie putt" is a putt that, if the golfer makes it, results in a score of birdie on the hole. A "natural birdie" is a term some golfers use for a gross birdie. On a par-4 hole, if you take only three strokes, you made a "natural birdie.".
How many strokes does a golfer need to play a hole?
Every holf on a golf course is given a par rating, those ratings usually being either par-3, par-4 or par-5. That means that an expert golfer should need three strokes, four strokes and five strokes, respectively, to play those holes.
What score do you get for a birdie?
The Scores That Result in a Birdie. As for your actual score: If you make a "birdie" on a hole then you have: Scored a 2 on a par-3 hole. Scored a 3 on a par-4 hole. Scored a 4 on a par-5 hole. Par-6 holes are rare in golf, but they do exist. So you can also claim a birdie by making a score of five on a par-6 hole.
When did the birdie happen?
The transformation of "bird"—as in, "hey, that was a bird of a shot"—into " birdie " is believed to have happened around the dawn of the 1900s, at a specific golf course, within a specific group of golfers in New Jersey.
Is a birdie a good score?
So a birdie is a very good score on a hole, one that mid-handicappers don't see often and high handicappers rarely see. For recreational golfers, making a birdie is a thing to celebrate.
What is a par? A birdie? A bogey?
Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.
What does ‘mulligan’ mean in golf?
A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly. Rather than start off on a bad note, golfers in casual games will sometimes “take a mulligan” and re-play their first shot with a new ball without counting the original bad shot.
Where does the term ‘golf’ come from?
Many believe it is derived from the Scots-language word “goulf”.
What does it mean when you make a 4 on a par 4?
If you make a 4 on a par 4, you have just tallied a “par”. “Birdie” and “bogey” are simple once you understand the concept of par. 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.”.
How to make an albatross?
There are only two ways to make an “albatross”. First , you can hit your second shot in the hole on a par-5. Second, you can make a hole-in-one on a par-4. Do either and you will go three under par on a single hole (and win bragging rights among your golf friends forever).
What is an ace in golf?
An “ace” is one of the most coveted accomplishments in the golf. It is simply an alternate golf term for “ hole-in-one “, which is when a player needs only one shot to get his ball in the hole. Virtually all “aces” or “holes-in-one” occur on par 3s. That’s because all players are expected to reach the green on par 3s with their tee shot ...
Why is Making Birdie So Difficult?
A few high handicappers or some mid handicappers score, birdie is a very good number for them. When you score a goal, it’s worth celebrating. If you find the score, the best-experienced golfers made 5 in per round with the average numbers of birdies. This should tell you how hard it is to get a birdie. The player has scored in birdie on the par is 5.
How to score a Birdie?
Before scoring a birdie, you need to get a clear conception of what is a birdie in golf. When playing the game of golf, scoring is an acquisition achieved through experience. Generally, making a birdie is periodically possible through luck. A birdie is such a process to make a score of one-shot under a par. For example, on a par 3 hole, your score is 2 in a birdie, when it is time to score of 4 on a par 5 hole is also a birdie.
How many hits make a birdie?
In golf, the par can vary from one hole to the next. For golf, players use three types of par holes such as- Per-3: 2 strokes for birdie, Per-4: 3strokes for birdie, and Per-5: 4 strokes for birdie.
Why are Birdies Important?
For professionals, birdies (or better) must be made throughout a round and tournament to be successful. Because not all golf holes are created equal, some birdies are more effective than others in golf.
