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Last updated: Sep 27, 2023
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In golf, players score points by hitting the golf ball into a hole in the least amount of strokes possible. The golfer with the lowest score wins. Read on to learn more about how scoring works in golf.
Table of Contents
- Golf Pars and Scoring
- Stroke Play
- Match Play
- Penalty Strokes
- Handicaps
- FAQ
Golf Pars and Scoring
The best score in golf is the lowest score. In a golf match, each player will play 18 holes where they will try to hit the ball into the hole using the least amount of strokes. A stroke is counted every time the golfer contacts the ball.
Every hole on a golf course has a designated par, which is the score that a skillful golfer would typically shoot.This serves as the target number of strokes that golfers want to use to complete the hole. For example, a par-4 hole means that a skilled player would use around four shots to make it in the hole.
Pars generally range from 3 to 5, depending on how far away the tee box is from the hole. Par 3’s are much shorter holes compared to par 5’s. There are different terms used to describe how a golfer shoots compared to the par, as shown below:
- Condor (Double Albatross): 4 under par
- Albatross (Double Eagle): 3 under par
- Eagle: 2 under par
- Birdie: 1 under par
- Par: even
- Bogey: 1 over par
- Double Bogey: 2 over par
- Triple Bogey: 3 over par
The combined pars from all 18 holes represent the course par. The final score a golfer ends with is the total strokes either above, below, or even with par.For example, if a golfer shoots a 76 on a par 72 course, their score is 76, and they shotfour over par (+4). Another golfer may shoot a score of 69, meaning they scored three shots under par (-3).
Stroke Play
Stroke play is a scoring system in golf where each stroke a golfer takes is counted and added together, then compared to the course’s par. It is the most common type of system used in golf matches. All professional golf tournaments on the PGA Tour use stroke play, since it uses an individual's score to determine who wins.
Match Play
Match play is a different form of scoring that uses the number of holes won by each golfer to decide the winner. Rather than combining a player’s total score, players compete against each other for a better score on each hole. The player with the lower score on the hole will win that hole and receive a point.If the players tie a hole, the hole is halved, meaning neither player wins the hole. At the end of the match, the player or team with more holes won will win the match.
Penalty Strokes
There are many instances where additional penalty strokes may be applied to a golfer’s score. If a golfer hits a shot out of bounds or into a water hazard, the player must hit another shot, and an extra stroke is applied to their score as a penalty. When a golfer is unable to find their golf ball in play, they must go back to their previous position and re-hit, adding an additional stroke to their score as well.
In professional golf, there are dozens of unusual rules that may affect a player's score. Mistakes such as asking another player what club they used for their shot, accidentally hitting your opponent's ball, or even their club making accidental contact with a hazard or bunker before hitting can result in an extra stroke on your score.
Handicaps
A golf handicap is a numerical value assigned to a golfer’s potential on any given course. Handicaps allow golfers of varying skill levels to compete against one another by adjusting their scores based on each person’s designated handicap.
Using an established golf handicap index, every golfer is assigned a certain number of strokes for each hole on a course. This means that each person is really competing against their own target of strokes instead of a universal target. Since handicaps are relative to each person’s skill level, the game becomes more equitable.
FAQ
What are the basics of scorekeeping in golf?
Scorekeeping in golf is very simple: after every hole, write down the number of times it took you to hit the ball into the hole. Don’t forget to assess any penalty strokes that may have been applied. Golf players use scorecards to keep track of everyone who is playing and their scores. Every golf course has its own scorecard, which shows the distance to each hole from the tee box, the par for each hole, and the hole number.
What is a good score in golf?
Golf scores are all dependent on the player’s skill level.It takes many years of practice for players in the PGA to reach that skill level and maintain it as a career. For a professional player, a good score is anything under par for the course.Every golf course differs in difficulty level, but in general, any player that shoots below their typical score can classify that score as a good golf round.Some new golfers may consider a good score to be under 120, while more experienced golfers aim for a score under 100.
How does match play scoring work?
In match play, the team that has won the most holes and accumulated the most points after 18 holes wins the match. Match play is a different form of scoring that is usually played when golfers are competing as teams against one another. The player with the best score on each hole will win that hole, earning a point for either themselves or their team. Match play is not common in professional golf but is a fun scoring system for recreational golfers.
What are the different scores in golf called?
In golf, there are special names given to the number of strokes it takes a player to complete each hole in comparison to par.If a player scores two strokes under par (i.e. shooting a two on a par four), then it is called an eagle. If a player scores one under par (i.e. scoring a three on a par four), it is called a birdie. If a player scores even with the par it is called par. If a player scores one over the par (i.e. scoring a five on a par four), it is called a bogey. If a player scores two over par (i.e. scoring a six on a par four), it is called a double bogey. If a player scores three over par it is called a triple bogey, and so on.
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