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 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.
What's the difference between a par and a birdie?
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"). That's where those other terms — birdies, eagles, bogeys, and so on — come into play.
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 a “par” in golf?
Every golf hole has a “par” assigned to it. Most holes are either a par 3, par 4, or par 5. On a par 4, an expert golfer is expected to take 4 strokes to get his ball in the hole. If you make a 4 on a par 4, you have just tallied a “par”.
What does birdie mean in golf?
of one under parBirdie: 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 are the 7 golf scoring terms?
We've compiled a list of 100+ golf terms that are useful to know, but the golf scoring terms we'll cover in this guide are among the most essential when you're out on the course or watching televised golf.
What is 3 strokes in golf 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.
How many hits is a par?
Par is the number of shots considered an even score. For example, a par-5 hole requires the golfer to hit five shots from the tee box to the cup in order to attain a par score. The par score for most 18-hole golf courses ranges from 70 to 72, and typically includes a majority of par-4 holes.
What is the best shot in golf called?
An ace, commonly known as a hole-in-one, is the best score out there. When you get an ace, that means you get to write a “1” on the scorecard.
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. If a player completes the hole in one shot less par, or birdie, minus 1 is calculated on the scoreboard.
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 a green in golf?
Definition of putting green : a smooth grassy area at the end of a golf fairway containing the hole also : a similar area usually with many holes that is used for practice.
What is a golf hole called?
Hole A circular hole in the ground which is also called “the cup”, 4.25 inches in diameter.
How do you count in golf?
The Simple Basic of Golf Scoring: Count Every Swing Every time you make a stroke, count it. 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.
How many shots is a birdie?
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”.
How many strokes is a birdie?
twoTechnically, birdie is a golf term associated with scoring one stroke less than the declared par of any given hole. So, for instance, you are dealing with a par-3 hole. To score a birdie, you simply need to make sure you complete the hole consuming only two (2) strokes.
What is the scoring system in golf?
You simply play each golf hole, then mark the total number of strokes taken. At the end of a round, your gross score (i.e. all shots) is totalled, and your handicap is deducted to calculate the nett score. The player who completes the round with the least nett strokes is the winner.
What are the names of scores in golf?
The Actual Number of Strokes That Result in These Golf ScoresDouble 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.Bogey: You finished the hole in 6 strokes.More items...•
What are the golf scores called?
Beta ProgramScoring TermWhat It MeansBirdieOne stroke under par on a holeParScore a good player would expect to make on a hole or roundBogeyOne stroke over par on a holeDouble bogeyTwo strokes over par on a hole3 more rows•Mar 15, 2022
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 does "birdie" mean in golf?
Birdie. "Birdie", meaning a score of one stroke under Par, comes from the early 20th century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent. The September 1911 edition of Maclean Magazine described a golf shot as - '"bird" straight down the course, about two hundred and fifteen yards.'.
What is par in golf?
Par is derived from the stock exchange term that a stock may be above or below its normal or 'par' figure. In 1870, Mr AH Doleman, a golf writer, asked the golf professionals David Strath and James Anderson, what score would win 'The Belt', then the winning trophy for 'The Open', at Prestwick, where it was first held annually from 1861 to 1870. Strath and Anderson said that perfect play should produce a score of 49 for Prestwick's twelve holes. Mr Doleman called this 'par' for Prestwick and subsequently Young Tom Morris won with a score of two strokes 'over par' for the three rounds of 36 holes.
What are the three terms used in golf?
There is quite a history behind the golfing terms bogey, par, birdie, eagle and albatross. Bogey and par were central to the development of handicapping, pioneered by the LGU. The modern meaning of three of the terms - bogey, birdie and eagle - comes from their use in USA. Bogey Par Birdie Eagle Albatross.
What is the bogey score?
Here Comes the Bogey Man", which was popular at that time. So at Yarmouth and elsewhere the ground score became known as the bogey score. A 'bogle' was a Scottish goblin as far back as the 16th Century and a Bogey-man was a widely used term for a goblin or devil.
What is the meaning of the eagle in golf?
Eagle. "Eagle", a score of two under par for a given hole, was clearly the extension of the theme of birds for good scores from a " birdie " . It would be natural for American golfers to think of the eagle, which is their national symbol and the term seems to have developed only shortly after the 'birdie'.
What is the term for three under par?
Albatross is the term for three under par and is a continuation of the birdie and eagle theme, but is in fact a British term. Ab Smith said his group used the phrase 'double eagle' for three under ( see Birdie above ), which is still the term most Americans and the name for their Double Eagle Club (membership by invitation only).
When was the par standard first used?
Although the first noted use of the word "par" in golf was in Britain and predates the bogey, today's rating system does not and the par standard was not further developed until later. It was the Ladies Golf Association, who, from 1893, began to develop a national handicapping system for women.
A birdie is a score of one over par on a hole
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.
Birdies are good because they lower your score
I am a golfer and I know that birdies are good because they lower your score. Some people think it’s bad to have a low number of bogeys, but if you’re trying to win, then you need to focus on the positives.
To get a birdie, you need to hit the ball close enough to the hole that it will go in with one more shot
Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. But what does it take to get a birdie? Well, first you need to find a golf course that’s just right for your skill level and then you need to hit the ball close enough to the hole that it will go in.
Most people think getting a birdie is harder than getting an eagle
We all know that golf is hard, but what about the hardest shots? The eagle is a birdie’s more difficult cousin. If you’re lucky enough to get one it’s an amazing feeling and we want to talk about how to do it! You may be asking yourself why this blog post even matters if I’m not going to tell you how to actually get an eagle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Golf is a challenging game that requires patience and strategy. There are many factors to consider, but one of the most important is how often you make birdies. The more birdies you make, the better your overall score will be! In this post we’ll explore why golfers should aim for making as many birdies as possible during their round.
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.
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 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 many condors are there in the PGA?
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. Hole-in-One / Ace - A "Hole-in-One" or "Ace" occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole (cup), completing the hole in just one stroke.
How many pars per round on TheGrint?
TheGrint users at the same handicap range only make 3.6 pars per round. Birdies, Pars, Bogeys Per Handicap - Source MyGolfSpy. It's not until golfer's in that study reached a handicap in the range of 1-5 that they started averaging more than 1 birdie per round (and 9 pars per round).
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 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 does "circle on the scorecard" mean?
Some golfers like to mark their scorecards in away that makes under-par and over-par scores stand out. The tradition is to circle birdies on the scorecard. If you write down a "3" on a par-4 hole, you can circle the "3" to make it stand out as a birdie. Hence, "circle on the scorecard.".
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.
Where did the term "birdie" come from?
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.
How Many Strokes In A Par?
Par is not the same between holes, it varies of course. And length is what is taken into account in determining the number of strokes needed for completing a hole. This is why the par-3 hole, since it’s a short one, requires a single stroke (by a highly skilled golfer), followed by two putts.
Connection Between Par and Scoring – Under Par Golf Scoring Terms
BIRDIE – 1-under par, that is 1 stroke under par is referred to as a birdie. Good examples would be 4 strokes on par-5, 3 strokes on par-4, and 2 strokes on par-3.
Connection Between Par and Distance
The logic is pretty straightforward – longer holes equal to higher par.
What Is the Average Par On A Golf Course?
That would be 72 for your regular 18-hole round of golf. As for a 9-hole golf course, the average is par-3.
Time to Wrap Things Up!
You can use the term ‘par’ in multiple ways for the game of golf. But USGA defines it as the total number of strokes any expert golfer would take for completing an individual hole. And it goes without saying that this also depends on the difficulty and length of the hole.
Why is it called a birdie?
The golf term “birdie” comes from the American slang term “little bird,” which meant something awesome.
Are there any other types of birdies?
There are a few different types of birdies, but they all have different names.
How rare are birdies?
The PGA Tour average for birdies per round is 3.63 throughout the 2021 season. While this may not seem like a lot, it’s important to realize they play on the hardest courses in the world!
What is the most common way to score a birdie?
Birdies are most commonly scored by reaching the green-in-regulation and only needing one putt instead of two.
What is even par in golf?
If a golfer makes two pars to start a round, he is “even par” for the round. If a player opens with two birdies, he is “two under” for the round. If a player makes two bogeys to start a round, he is “two over.”. Similarly, if a player makes a birdie on the 1st hole and follows it with a bogey on No. 2, he is “even par.”.
What is a bogey in golf?
A bogey? Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring. “Par” represents the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to make on the hole or course. Every golf hole has a “par” assigned to it. Most holes are either a par 3, par 4, or par 5.
What is a handicap in golf?
Handicap: A handicap is a measurement of the average number of strokes over par a particular golfer makes during a round on an average golf course. So, a person with a handicap of 15 is expected to shoot a score of 87 on a par-72 golf course of average difficulty. A 5-handicapper is expected to shoot a 77 on the same course.
How many strokes does it take to get a par 4?
On a par 4, an expert golfer is expected to take 4 strokes to get his ball in the hole. 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.
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 is scratch golf?
Scratch: A “scratch” golfer is a golfer with a handicap of 0. These expert golfers are expected to shoot even par or better on most golf courses. Yips: A condition in which a muscle spasm or mental block prevents you from performing a simple golf task. Most often it’s associated with putting.
