
Write in scores corresponding to the names you have entered for A, B, C and D in the spaces above. This repeats for all holes through the 18 th. After 9 and 18 After 9 holes have been finished, the score card provides space for halfway totals.
How to read a golf scorecard?
Reading a golf scorecard involves understanding some common elements. These common elements include understanding hole numbers, scorecard symbols, yardages for each tee box as well as course rating and slope rating. By understanding these different sections you are able to have a more effective round of golf.
What is scoring in golf?
Scoring is based on the type of golf game you are playing and varies with strokeplay (also called medalplay), matchplay, best ball, scramble, stableford and other formats. This article will address the most common format, strokeplay.
Can I enter my own hole scores on the scorecard?
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.
How do you write up your strokes taken on a golf score?
Write down your strokes taken on each hole as you normally would. The gross score (your actual strokes played) goes on top. Then, on holes where you are taking a stroke, write your net score (your actual strokes minus any handicap strokes) below the gross score.

When Should golf scores be posted?
A player should submit their score as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of their round, and before midnight (local time).
Why should I post my golf score?
Players must report every 9- or 18-hole score, provided it's achieved on a course with a USGA slope and course rating, which includes the great majority of courses in the U.S. Posting each score keeps a player's handicap index "accurate and up to date," says the USGA.
When and where do you record your scores in golf?
Keeping score in golf is fairly simple. After each hole, you record how many shots it took you to complete the hole. At the end of your round, add the scores from each individual hole and you'll get your gross score for the 18 holes.
How do you mark a scorecard in a golf competition?
0:341:16How to Mark Your Golf Scorecard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou mark a four in the circle in a square if you had a three then you mark a three each hole youMoreYou mark a four in the circle in a square if you had a three then you mark a three each hole you continue that across till you get to the out.
When should you not post a score?
- Do no post scores made when a majority of the holes are not played in accordance with the principles of The Rules of Golf. - Do not post scores when the length of the course is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes (or 1,500 yards for nine holes).
Do I have to post all my golf scores?
Scores in both match play and stroke play must be posted. This includes scores made in match play, in multi-ball, or in team competitions in which players have not completed one or more holes or in which players are requested to pick up when out of contention on a hole.
How do you write golf scores?
The gross score (your actual strokes played) goes on top. Then, on holes where you are taking a stroke, write your net score (your actual strokes minus any handicap strokes) below the gross score. When you tally up the total, again write your gross score on top and net score below the gross.
How do you fill out a golf score card?
0:062:10Golf Information : How to Fill Out a Scorecard in Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd one of the questions that's asked very frequently by new golfers is how do you fill out theMoreAnd one of the questions that's asked very frequently by new golfers is how do you fill out the scorecard. Well you have to count your strokes. Every one of them every time you swing that Club counts.
What is proper golf etiquette?
Parking your cart/golf bag on the side of the green towards the next hole. Being ready to play when it's your turn. Don't sit in the cart while your playing partner is hitting. Get out and go to your ball, figure out what club you want to hit, and be ready when it's your turn. Playing forward.
Do professional golfers mark their own scorecards?
Typically, PGA TOUR events feature scorecards that have detachable paper slips on the bottom of the card where players will keep their own score during a round. At the top of the card, each player will keep the score of their opponents while also tracking their own score on the bottom, detachable half.
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.
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 Are The Golf Scorecard Symbols?
The different golf scorecard symbols include a solid circle, a circle, no symbol, a square and a solid square symbol. These represent a golfers score on a particular hole.
How many shots can you deduct for a 9 handicap?
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 of the 9 most difficult holes on the course. For golfers with a golf handicap of over 18 this works in the same way but with two strokes. For example a golfer with a 27 handicap would deduct two shots on the 9 most difficult holes and only one on the 9 easiest holes.
What does 18 mean in golf?
This is why they have a number ranging from 1 to 18 for each of the hole numbers. 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.
Why do we use golf symbols?
By using these golf symbols for scores it makes it quicker and easier to identify scoring when reading a golf scorecard.
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
How to score a golf scorecard?
When playing stroke play, count the number of strokes you've taken on the hole just completed, and write that number down in the box corresponding to that hole on the scorecard. At the end of each nine holes, tally up the strokes for your front nine and back nine totals ( often marked "out" and "in" ), respectively, then add up those two numbers for your 18-hole score.
What is the purpose of a scorecard in golf?
If you're a beginner to golf, you might be unsure about some of the uses for the scorecard, including the most basic: keeping score. Even if you've been playing the game for some time, there are advanced methods of marking the scorecard for which you might need a refresher course (such as scorekeeping when using handicaps, or playing by a different scoring method).
How to write your net score?
Write down your strokes taken on each hole as you normally would. The gross score (your actual strokes played) goes on top. Then, on holes where you are taking a stroke, write your net score (your actual strokes minus any handicap strokes) below the gross score.
What does a circle on a golf scorecard mean?
But because it's a PGA Tour thing, some golfers like to do it this way. So one circle represents a birdie, and a score circled twice represents an eagle or better.
Why do you mark your scorecard as "AS"?
So mark your scorecard "AS" for "all square" so long as the match remains tied.
How to take a stroke on a golf course?
Always start by marking the holes on which you get to take a stroke. Make a little dot somewhere within the box for the holes on which your course handicap will be used. (The "handicap" row of the scorecard tells you where to take strokes. If your course handicap is 2, then take a stroke on the holes marked 1 and 2.
What does GIR mean in golf?
Greens in regulation, or GIR, means your ball is on the putting surface in one shot on a par-3, two shots on a par-4, or three shots on a par-5. Putts taken per hole is just a counting stat, so count up your putts on each hole. Per the PGA Tour norm, only balls on the putting surface count as putts.
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.
How to get score for 18 holes?
After you have completed the back nine on the golf course, enter that score in the appropriate box and then add the front nine and the back nine to get your score for the entire 18 holes and write that number it the box provided. Write the date on your scorecard and keep all your cards so that you can check your progress.
Can you circle a par 5 hole?
For example, if you scored a 4 on a par 5 hole, you would circle that number; conversely, a 6 on a par 5 would have a square drawn around it. This habit will allow you to quickly see where you did well and where you struggled. You can put two squares around a double bogey (7 on a par 5, for example) and so forth.
Is it a rule to fill out a scorecard correctly?
Filling out a scorecard correctly is part of the rules of the game. Filling out a scorecard incorrectly in professional golf results in a disqualification for the guilty player, but there are no such worries for the average everyday golfer. Beginners should focus on using their scorecard to gauge their progress.
What is a golf score card?
On first glance, a golf score card contains a bamboozling assortment of numbers across a multi-coloured grid plus a selection of obscure looking instructions.
How to calculate handicap on golf course?
To calculate your Course Handicap yourself, take the Slope Rating and divide by 113, then multiply that by your Handicap Index.
What should be a board by the first tee or pro shop?
There should be a board by the first tee or pro shop that tells you what your Course Handicap will be from each set of tees, based on handicap index.
What is the first column on a golf course?
The first column will generally be hole number , then there will be columns giving the total hole yardage from each tee.
How to sign a card as a player?
Verify scores with the “Player” then sign the card you have marked as “Marker.” He or she should then sign as “Player” – Repeat in reverse with the person who has marked your card.
What does the number on a golf ball mean?
That number shows whether or not you will be giving or receiving a shot on the hole.
Why do you tally up scores for the front side?
Tally up scores for the front side to see how each player is progressing and to simplify total calculations at the end of 18.
What is the scorecard number on a golf course?
This block on a golf scorecard is numbered from 1-18 on a standard 18 hole course. The golf course is divided into the ‘In’ and the ‘Out’ sections. The ‘Out’ section is the first nine holes where you play away from the clubhouse, and the ‘In’ section is the last nine holes where you play back to the clubhouse.
What is a golf scorecard?
The golf scorecard is a critical document in the golf game. Besides your ability to play the game and know the rules, knowing how to read a golf scorecard and completing your card is the third crucial element in the sport.
Why do golf courses recalibrate their scorecards?
Every so often, the golf course will ‘recalibrate’ or ‘remeasure’ the yardages on the card using the latest GPS systems to give their players more accurate distance measurements . This can also happen when courses are looking to redesign or update their scorecards.
How many holes are there on a golf scorecard?
When learning how to read a golf scorecard you will notice there are nine hole numbers across the card to the fold and another nine from the middle to the end. The 9th hole marks the end of the ‘out’ section of the play, and the 18th hole marks the end of the ‘in’ section of the play.
What is the hardest hole in golf?
This number indicates the difficulty of the hole rated from 1 -18. A hole rated golf handicap of 1 is the hardest hole, while a hole rated 18 is the easiest.
How to get a correct score on a golf course?
The first step is to fill in your name and the names of the players in your group. Then, as you progress from hole to hole, fill in the score on each hole after completion. This should be done honestly to get a correct score and indication of how well you played.
What does the difference in the colors mean in golf?
The differences in the colors indicate which tees should be used depending on the skill and/or age and/or gender of each player.
How to complete a golf card?
Complete the card by filling in the date and providing signatures in the spaces provided at the bottom of the card. In competitive golf, the marker must sign and another player must attest (sign to indicate agreement with the marker).
How to calculate 18 hole score?
The individual hole scores are subtotaled for each 9-hole half of the course, and the subtotals are added together to determine the 18-hole score .
How is strokeplay scored?
Score strokeplay relative to par. Each hole is scored based on the strokes, including penalties, over (+) or below (-) par for that hole.
What do the circles mean in stroke scores?
Use symbols if you would like to track stroke scores relative to par. Traditionally, circles are used to indicate below par, and squares are used to indicate above par.
Who governs golf scorekeeping?
In the United States, golf score-keeping rules are governed by the USGA.
What do you note when hitting the fairway?
You can also note when you hit the fairway with your tee shot, when you reach the green in regulation and the number of strokes to escape from hazards . These statistics will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your game so you know where to concentrate your practice efforts.
Back Tee, Middle Tee and Forward Tee in Golf Tournament
These are also sometimes called the Champion Tee, Men’s Tee, and the Ladies Tee respectively. There should be some number in the lines of the scorecard that refer to the average number of yards between the tee box and the center of the green that simply measured down the center of the fairway.
How to Read a Golf Scorecard – 6 Easy Step
It may seem like an encrypted code when you look at the scorecard. But relax! reading a scorecard is quite easy and effortless. Follow the guideline to read the scorecard correctly.
Final Verdicts
Golf is one of the most popular games in the world. If you love golfing, then whether you are a player or not, you should have a proper idea of how to read the scorecard in golf. If you are a newcomer, then know to read a golf scorecard is mandatory for you. It will help you upgrade your golf skills and show you where you need to improve.
