
How To Read A Golf Scorecard
- Hole. The most self explanatory part, the number here indicates which golf hole was played. ...
- Yardages (Red, White, Yellow, Blue) You will see different yardage options for each hole on the course separated by different colors. ...
- Golf Handicap/Stroke Index. ...
- Par. ...
- Net Score. ...
- Course Rating & Slope Rating. ...
What is on a golf scorecard?
Typically, the first thing on a golf scorecard is the list of holes. Golf courses vary between 9 hole courses and 18 hole courses. Some scorecards will have a map of the course with each hole on the map having its number next to it. Holes are typically played in order from 1 to 18.
What do the circles around a number mean in golf scores?
Each square around a number indicates a shot over par. A circle indicates a shot under par. This makes it much easier to count your overall score at the end of the round. You just add a point for each square and subtract a point for each circle.
What do the numbers on golf balls mean?
If you purchase golf balls by the sleeve, all the balls within a single sleeve will have the same single-digit number. These numbers are usually black, but sometimes red. "Back in the old days," as golf oldsters say, a red number was thought to indicate a low-compression ball.
What do the yardage numbers on a golf card mean?
These numbers indicate the yardage from tee to green. The yardage will usually be measured from the middle of the given tee box to the middle of the green. Therefore, the yardage might vary by a few yards from what is shown on the card. The difficulty of the hole might not be related to the length.

What are the 7 golf scoring terms?
Beta ProgramScoring TermWhat It MeansEagleTwo strokes under par on a holeBirdieOne stroke under par on a holeParScore a good player would expect to make on a hole or roundBogeyOne stroke over par on a hole3 more rows•Mar 15, 2022
How do you read golf scores?
0:062:15Golf Basics : How Does Golf Scoring Work? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt counts one shot and you count that shot from the first shot on each hole. Every time until youMoreIt counts one shot and you count that shot from the first shot on each hole. Every time until you get it into the hole.
How do you fill out a golf handicap with a scorecard?
If that handicap column appears, just write your course handicap (in our example, "11") in the appropriate box. Mark your actual strokes taken (gross score) on each hole throughout play, then tally up your strokes at the end of the round. For example, the total strokes were 85 and the course handicap was 11.
What does 66 mean in golf?
In tournament scoring, you'll often see players a certain number under or over par. If a player shoots 66 on a par 72 course, that player would be six-under-par. Alternatively, a player who shoots 78 on the same course would be six-over-par. The aim is to shoot as low a score as you can.
Is 72 a good golf score?
A good score for a professional golfer is typically under 72. Professional golfers are a clear outlier in this discussion. Typically, the pros perform somewhere below this 90 stroke average and often have games below the 72 stroke par of a course.
What do the handicap numbers mean on a scorecard?
On every course scorecard, you will see a line called 'HDCP.' HDCP stands for Handicap, and rates the difficulty of each hole (1 being the hardest, 18 the easiest). If two friends of course handicaps 10 and 22 play a match, then the less skillful player will receive 12 strokes - one on each of the twelve hardest holes.Golf Handicap: How to Use It - MyScorecardhttp://www.myscorecard.com › cgi-bin › knowledgecenterhttp://www.myscorecard.com › cgi-bin › knowledgecenterSearch for: What do the handicap numbers mean on a scorecard?
What does the number next to golfers name mean?
That means they a player's starting score relative to par to the left of their name. Then, they show how a player progresses through their round by showing their cumulative tournament score relative to par on each successive hole.Apr 9, 2021What do all of the numbers mean next to a player's name on the Masters ...https://thegolfnewsnet.com › golfnewsnetteam › 2021/04/09https://thegolfnewsnet.com › golfnewsnetteam › 2021/04/09Search for: What does the number next to golfers name mean?
What's a good handicap in golf?
What Is A Good Golf Handicap? A good golf handicap is ten or less. With a handicap index of ten or less, you will generally shoot somewhere around 82.Apr 22, 2022How to Tell if You Have Good Golf Handicap - AEC Infohttps://aecinfo.org › good-golf-handicaphttps://aecinfo.org › good-golf-handicapSearch for: What's a good handicap in golf?
What does a golf scorecard look like?
Many people who are new to golf may think the scorecard looks like a bunch of numbers with no rhyme or reason. There will be numbers in white, gold, black, blue, or red boxes. There will be numbers that range between 1 and 18, 3 and 5, and about 100 to maybe 600. Here are tips to help golf newbies read a scorecard. pinterest-pin-it.
What is the par line on a golf scorecard?
The par line on a golf scorecard will have a list of numbers that will range between 3 and 5, although I have personally played one hole that was a par 6.
What does slope rating mean in golf?
The slope rating is supposed to tell a bogey golfer (one who shoots a bogey for each hole on average) how difficult a course is.
What is the hardest hole in golf?
The hole that has a handicap of 1 is ranked as the hardest hole on the course. Correspondingly, a hole with a rating of 18 would be considered the easiest. Golfers can play in relation to a handicap. This is a complex formula that gives an estimate of how well a person will score at a course.
What is a course rating?
The course rating is the score that a scratch golfer (a golfer who averages a score of par for an entire round) could expect to have for a round at a course. For example, a scratch golfer could expect to shoot a score of 74 (two over par) on a course with a par of 72 and a course rating of 74.
How many holes are there in a golf course?
Some executive (short) courses might have 6 holes or so, but the general number of holes on a regulation golf course will be either 9 or 18 holes. The hole number will be listed under "Hole," and these holes should be played in consecutive order.
What is a shotgun start in golf?
This means that each team will start at a hole that could be anywhere between the first and the last. Players should put down the score that corresponds with the hole played in this instance and should play the holes in order.
What is a golf scorecard?
Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their score as well as providing vital information about the course. The total score is based upon strokes and handicaps and compared to the other players to determine a winner. If you are tracking your own progress as a golfer, scorecards can also be useful as a non-competitive reference.
Where to find par information on golf scorecard?
You can find the par information in the par row on the scorecard. The average golf course is a par 72, which means that the pars of all the holes added together equals 72. Par generally relates to length. Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes.
What does it mean when you take 72 shots on a par 72 course?
If they take 72 shots on a par 72 course, they take 3 from 72 to give them 69, meaning they've shot 3 under par with their handicap. Your handicap is essentially an allowance to help you. Better players have lower handicaps and less-skilled players have higher handicaps. ...
How many shots do you need to play a par 72?
Handicaps make things a little more tricky. If you have a -15 handicap and it takes you 85 shots to play a par 72, take 15 from 85. This leaves you with 70 shots on a par 72, or 2 under par. A player with a -3 handicap will take 3 from their total.
What is the longest hole in golf?
Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes. The most common par on a course is a par 4. If you look at the "Out" and "In" columns on the scorecard you will see the par for each set of 9 holes. A par 72 golf course will usually have 2 9 holes that are both par 36.
What is the back 9 of golf?
Holes 1 to 9 are known as the front 9 and holes 10 to 18 are known as the back 9. After the 9th and 18th hole sections of the scorecard you will see the words "Out" and "In" respectively. The 9th hole marks the end of the "Out" section which means playing away from the clubhouse.
What do blue markers mean on a golf course?
Blue markers reflect the tee boxes for local competitions. These tees are normally used by very good amateur players. If a course doesn't have black or gold tees, the blue tee boxes are the furthest from the hole. White tees are the middle tees, most often used by golfers with middle to high handicaps.
How many rows are there on a golf scorecard?
Most golf scorecards contain several rows of information. For example, a scorecard will always have the "Hole" row, the numbers 1 through 18 corresponding to the holes being played. Beneath that will likely be at least three more rows (let's say, for example, "Red," "White," and "Blue;" or "Forward," "Middle," and "Back") ...
How many strokes can you take on a golf course if your handicap is higher than 18?
What if your course handicap is higher than 18? Then you get to take two strokes on some (possibly all, depending on how high your course handicap is) holes, one on other holes. Let's say you get to take 22 strokes. Obviously, you'll get at least one stroke on each of the 18 holes on the course; but you'll also get a second stroke on ...
How many strokes does a 15 handicapper get?
For example, let's say there are three golfers in the group; one is a 10 handicapper, one is a 15, one is a 20. The 10-handicapper will play at scratch (no strokes), the 15-handicapper will get 5 strokes (15 minus 10) and the 20 handicapper will get 10 strokes (20 minus 10).
What is handicap in golf?
The "Handicap" line of the scorecard rates the holes for use by golfers who carry a handicap index. The handicap index is used to produce a course handicap, and the course handicap tells golfers how many strokes they get to take off their gross scores to produce a net score .
How many strokes do you need to take to get a handicap?
If you get to take 11 strokes, then you find the 11 highest-rated holes on the handicap line, and take one stroke on each of those holes. If you get to take 18 strokes, then you get one stroke on every hole.
How many strokes do you get on the 18 holes of golf?
Obviously, you'll get at least one stroke on each of the 18 holes on the course; but you'll also get a second stroke on the four highest-rated holes on the handicap line of the scorecard. So on the holes designated 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the handicap line, you'll take 2 strokes each; on the other holes, you'll take 1 stroke each.
What is the difference between 1 and 2 on the handicap?
The hole identified as "1" on the handicap line has been rated the hole where a golfer is most likely to need a stroke in competition against a better player. The hole identified as "2" on the handicap line is the second-most likely hole where a stroke will be needed, and so on.
What do the red and black numbers mean on the Masters leaderboard?
What do the red and black numbers mean next to a player's name on the Masters leaderboard? At Augusta National, the Masters (and Augusta National Women's Amateur) leaderboard utilizes what's called the over-under method of display ing scoring .
What is the Masters scoreboard?
The Masters scoreboard -- which is used at other events and major championships, like the US Open and PGA Championship -- set the standard for helping golf fans understand where a field stands. Tags Masters leaderboard over under scoring red and black numbers in golf.
What are the rules for scoring a golf scorecard?
16 Important Golf Scorecard Rules To Remember. 1. Recording the correct handicap on the card is solely your responsibility as the player. 2. If you fail to record your handicap, or play off a handicap higher than that to which you are entitled (and this affects the number of strokes received), you will be disqualified from the handicap element ...
Do you have to return a scorecard to the committee?
It is not necessary to physically return a scorecard to the Committee provided the Committee can accept the scores in another way. But as and when normality returns, here’s what you really need to know about the scorecard….
Do you have to have a marker to score a hole?
Players may enter their own hole scores on the scorecard (it is not necessary for a marker to do it). It is not necessary to have a marker physically certify the player’s hole scores, but some form of verbal certification should take place if at all possible.
What does a square around a number mean in golf?
A square around a number on a scorecard indicates a score over par. So, for a bogey, a player puts one square around the score. For an double bogey, a player puts two squares around the score. And it goes on like that. This way, instead of adding numbers to get a score, a golfer just has to keep track of a count that starts at zero.
Why do golfers put squares on their scorecards?
Golfers use circles and squares on a scorecard to indicate their scores against par, giving them an easy way to tally up their score ...
What does a circle on a scorecard mean?
A circle around a number on a scorecard indicates a score under par. So, for a birdie, a player puts one circle around the score. For an eagle, a player puts two circles ...
What is the idea of having more circles than squares on a golf scorecard?
Then, with that number at the end of nine holes, a player can add that number to the par for the side and get their nine-hole score. Circles and squares on the scorecard making scoring in golf easier.
How many circles do you put around a birdie?
So, for a birdie, a player puts one circle around the score. For an eagle, a player puts two circles around the score. And in the event of the very rare albatross (incorrectly called a double eagle), a player puts three circles around the score. A square around a number on a scorecard indicates a score over par.
What does a red number mean in golf?
These numbers are usually black, but sometimes red. "Back in the old days," as golf oldsters say, a red number was thought to indicate a low-compression ball. That is no longer the case, though. Red, black—today the color doesn't indicate anything special.
What is the number on a golf ball?
That one number that all golf balls share is an identification number that almost always appears right below the name of the golf ball's brand. This number is most likely to be a 1, 2, 3, or 4 (although it can also be anything from a zero to a 9—and, in recent times, golf ball customization has allowed some ...
How many digits are on a golf ball?
A golf ball might also have a three-digit number stamped on it, usually something in the 300s or 400s. If you notice such a number on a ball, this number is letting you know how many dimples are on the golf ball .
What does a double digit golf ball mean?
a double-digit number, if one appears, most likely represents compression.
