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 ... |
What is a scorecard in golf?
A golf scorecard packs a lot of information into a small, 6-by-8-inch card. Knowing the course difficulty, identifying the proper tees for your game, and pinpointing the easiest and most difficult holes at a glance can be a big help to your game, especially on a course that’s new to you.
How does scoring work in golf?
But when you first start, there’s one aspect of golfing that might bring up the following question. How does golf scoring work? Golf scoring works by counting the number of purposeful swings, accounting for penalties, and totaling with handicaps and par.
What are the different types of golf scoring terms?
Golf Scoring Terms Cheat Sheet Golf Scoring Term Explanation Eagle Two strokes under par on an individual h ... Albatross / Double Eagle Three strokes under par on an individual ... Condor Four strokes under par on an individual ... Ace / Hole-in-One Getting the ball in the hole (cup) in on ... 7 more rows ...
What are the Tees on a golf scorecard called?
Each set of tees is usually given a name such as “gold tees” or “red tees.” In the middle of the scorecard are rows for each player to mark down his score, each hole shown in a separate column. On the left side of each row is a wider box for the player’s name and boxes to total the score for each nine holes and for the total 18-hole score.
What are the golf scoring terms used?
Golf Scoring Terms Cheat SheetGolf Scoring TermExplanationBirdieOne stroke under par on an individual hole.EagleTwo strokes under par on an individual hole.Albatross / Double EagleThree strokes under par on an individual hole.CondorFour strokes under par on an individual hole.7 more rows•Jul 15, 2021
What are the symbols on a golf scorecard?
Here is some explanation of such symbols:No symbol - Par;Circle - Birdie;Solid circle - Eagle or better;Square - Bogey;Solid square - Double-bogey or worse.
How do you read a golf scorecard?
To read a golf scorecard, start by looking at the top row, which lists each hole number. In the row beneath the hole numbers, you'll see the distance from the tee to each hole. Below that, look for the handicap to see how difficult the hole is, with 1 being the hardest and 18 being the easiest.
What are the two types of scoring in golf?
Golf scoring methods can be split into two categories, individual and team play.
What are the dots on a golf scorecard?
Well, the dots on your scorecard are used to indicate the number of handicap strokes you get on that hole. They're on the card to let you know those holes so you can play accordingly and make doing the math of your net score -- your gross score minus your handicap -- easier.
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.
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 r1 mean in golf?
Round 1 Scoring AverageRANKRANK LAST WEEKAVG1168.002468.083268.354368.4471 more rows
How do handicaps work on scorecard?
Handicap. Each hole is rated by difficulty, one being the hardest on the course, and 18 the easiest. These numbers are listed in a row titled “handicap.” This allows a player to compute a net score for each hole based on his handicap, which measures a golfer's skill based on his previous scores.
What is the most commonly used scoring method in golf?
stroke playThe scoring method most commonly used is called stroke play, where a player counts the number of strokes made for each hole. At the United States Golf Association, Ross Galarneault works with handicapping and championship scoring.
What does the term albatross in golf mean?
three under parAlbatross: This term means three under par, but the "double eagle" synonym is simply a continuation of the aviary theme of good scores. The albatross is rare, as is a three under par.
What is 3 shots under par called?
Albatross. 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 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 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.
Is a bogey bad for golf?
While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, new and less skilled golfers are often fine with only needing one more stroke than par to complete a hole. If you got a bogey on every hole of a par-72 course, you'd shoot a 90. This is a major milestone for newer golfers.
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 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 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 "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.
What is a hole in one called?
But a hole-in-one — knocking the ball in the hole with your first shot — is also called an " ace .". ( On a par-5 hole, making an ace means a golfer is 4-under on that hole and, yes, golfers have a term for that, too: condor .)
What is it called when you need more strokes than the 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"). That's where those other terms — birdies, eagles, bogeys, and so on — come into play.
What is a scorecard in golf?
In its physical form, the scorecard is a rigid piece of paper that a golfer uses to keep track of the number of strokes taken on each hole, among other things. The number of strokes allowed in order to make par on each hole is indicated, as well as the difficulty ranking of each hole.
What is the number of holes on a golf scorecard?
And those titles take the form of numbers corresponding to the holes that make the golf course, usually numbering 18.
How does scoring work in golf?
Golf scoring works by counting the number of purposeful swings, accounting for penalties, and totaling with handicaps and par. Although it may seem like a complicated system, once you understand the basics, scoring for golf becomes effortless.
How to fill out a golf scorecard?
According to Golf Week, here are the six steps to filling out a golf scorecard correctly: Name of each player – You should have a list of all the players on each scorecard, as well as the name of who is keeping track of your points (also known as the “scorekeeper”).
What is a stroke in golf?
Mark all the strokes for each player – In a game of golf, a stroke is understood to be an intentional swing at the golf ball. Even if the ball doesn’t move, if a player swings at it, that counts as a stroke. You can add or subtract the par and handicap at the end of the game.
How many strokes to score if you hit the ball with a club?
When it comes to marking penalties in golf scoring, follow these twenty rules: If you ask another golfer what club they used to hit the ball with: Add two strokes to your score for that hole. If the ball moves after you put your club behind it: Add one stroke to your score for that hole, unless it falls off the tee.
What is handicap in golf?
According to American Golf, a handicap for golf simply means the variable number of the player’s level of experience that helps people of different levels play together. Another way to think of a handicap for golf is in the context of playing tag with small children. You, a full-grown adult, wouldn’t run as fast as you actually can to give the kids a chance to catch you. It’s the same idea for a golf handicap; it’s so people of any level can play the same field.
What is match play in golf?
Match Play. According to Golf Rules and Etiquette, match play scoring for golf puts more of an emphasis on each hole, rather than the course as a complete system. To score using the match play method, a point is given to the player who had the least amount of strokes per hole.
How to play golf in numerical order?
Usually, you play in numerical order, but if the course is busy, players can start at the halfway point and wrap back to the starting hole after playing the highest-numbered hole. (e.g., from holes 1-18, start at hole ten and play until hole 18, then go to holes 1-9).
What is the meaning of golf scores?
Definition of Golf Scores. By Timothy Bodamer. 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 ...
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.
What is the score of a par 72?
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 over par, or plus-eight. A golfer who scores a 72, par for the course, is even.
How many holes are there in golf?
Furthermore, each hole on a course, typically nine holes or 18 holes, has its own par score. A course's par score is the sum of the par scores for each of the holes.
What is the score of a par-72 golf course?
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.
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 a scorecard in golf?
The scorecard is a critical component for every golf course and golfer. After completing each hole, a golfer records his score on a scorecard. Each player is responsible for keeping his own score and being truthful when writing down his number of shots.
How big is a golf scorecard?
Scorecards vary in size and layout, but a standard size is 12 inches long and 4 1/2 inches high, or 6 inches by 4 1/2 inches when folded.
What is the handicap of a golf hole?
Handicap. Each hole is rated by difficulty, one being the hardest on the course, and 18 the easiest. These numbers are listed in a row titled “handicap.”. This allows a player to compute a net score for each hole based on his handicap, which measures a golfer’s skill based on his previous scores. Someone with a 12 handicap would deduct one stroke ...
What is the name of the tees on a golf scorecard?
On the scorecard the yardage for each set of tees is shown in rows. Each set of tees is usually given a name such as “gold tees” or “red tees.”. In the middle of the scorecard are rows for each player to mark down his score, each hole shown in a separate column. On the left side of each row is a wider box for the player’s name ...
What is the par score on a par 4?
Par is the target score for each hole, the number a good player expects to achieve. On a par-4, a player would try to reach the green in two strokes and either sink the putt and make a birdie 3 or take two putts and earn a score of par. Holes may be par-3, 4 or 5.
What is a 73.8 rating?
Each set of tees is given its own rating, which is a measure of the course’s difficulty from each set. The course rating is designed to indicate what a scratch golfer--one who is capable of shooting around par--would score on an average day. Course rating can be higher or lower than par depending on the yardage and the hazards. A course rating of 73.8 from the back or longest tees indicates the course is challenging.
Rules of Golf explained: How to fill out a golf scorecard
Rule 3.3b is very clear on what your scorecard responsibilities are as a player. The card must contain your handicap. You and your marker have to ensure the gross scores for each hole are there, that they are correct, and that the card is signed and counter-signed.
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
