How is Golf Scored? A Simple Guide to Scoring Golf

Ever teed off, only to find yourself completely baffled by the numbers on your scorecard? You’re not alone! Many beginners find golf scoring confusing, struggling to understand terms like “par,” “birdie,” and “bogey,” and how it all adds up. Calculating your total score, figuring out handicaps, and understanding different scoring formats can feel like navigating a maze.

To score golf, track the number of strokes taken per hole, adding them up for a total score. Lower scores are better, with the goal being to complete the course in as few strokes as possible, ideally around par (the expected number of strokes for an expert golfer).

With over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golf, I’ve seen firsthand how a solid understanding of scoring can dramatically improve a player’s enjoyment and performance. I can explain how understanding the different scoring systems and rules, from basic strokes to handicaps, can be a total game-changer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into how scoring works, exploring everything from basic stroke play to more advanced concepts like Stableford and match play. You’ll learn how to calculate your score accurately, understand par and handicaps, and even discover some less common, fun scoring formats to spice up your rounds.

• Key Facts:
• Lower Scores Win: In golf, the lowest score wins, unlike most other sports.
• Par is the Benchmark: A “par” score represents the expected number of strokes an expert golfer should need for a hole or round.
• Average Par is 72: Most 18-hole golf courses have a total par around 72.
• Handicaps Level the Playing Field: Handicap systems allow players of different skill levels to compete fairly.
• Stroke Play is Most Common: Stroke play, where every stroke counts towards the final score, is the most common scoring format.

What is the Basic Principle of Golf Scoring?

The fundamental principle of golf scoring is remarkably simple: count every stroke you take to get the ball from the tee box into the hole. The fewer strokes you take, the better your score. This core concept underlies all the various scoring formats and terminologies used in golf.

Think of each swing, each putt, each attempt to advance the ball as adding to your total. If it takes you four strokes to complete a hole, your score for that hole is four. At the end of the round (typically 18 holes), you add up all your strokes from each hole to get your total score. This total score is then compared to other players’ scores, and the player with the lowest total wins.

It’s crucial to be honest and accurate in counting your strokes. Every swing that intentionally moves the ball counts, even if it doesn’t go very far. There are penalties for certain rule infractions (like hitting the ball out of bounds), which add strokes to your score. We will cover the rules in the other heading below.

According to a study from the National Golf Foundation, consistent and accurate scorekeeping is a crucial element of improving one’s game and enjoying the competitive aspect of golf.

How Does Par Work in Golf Scoring?

Par represents the expected number of strokes an expert golfer should need to complete a specific hole or an entire round. Par provides a benchmark against which players can measure their performance. It’s like the target score for each hole.

Each hole on a golf course is assigned a par value, typically ranging from 3 to 5. This value is determined by the hole’s length and difficulty:

• Par-3: Short holes, typically under 250 yards for men and 210 yards for women.
• Par-4: Medium-length holes, usually between 251 and 470 yards for men and 211 and 400 yards for women.
• Par-5: Long holes, often over 471 yards for men and 401 yards for women.

A standard 18-hole golf course usually has a total par around 72, often consisting of four par-3s, ten par-4s, and four par-5s. This number can vary slightly depending on the course design.

Understanding par is essential for interpreting your score. If you score a 4 on a par-4 hole, you’ve made “par.” If you score a 3, you’re “one under par” (a birdie!), and if you score a 5, you’re “one over par” (a bogey). This “relative to par” scoring is a fundamental part of golf’s language.

What are the Different Golf Scoring Terms (Birdie, Bogey, Eagle, etc.)?

Golf has a unique vocabulary for describing scores relative to par. These terms add color and excitement to the game. Knowing these terms helps you quickly understand how well you or others are playing.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common scoring terms:

• Par: Completing the hole in the expected number of strokes (e.g., 4 strokes on a par-4).
• Birdie: One stroke under par (e.g., 3 strokes on a par-4).
• Eagle: Two strokes under par (e.g., 2 strokes on a par-4, or 3 strokes on a par-5).
• Albatross (Double Eagle): Three strokes under par (extremely rare – usually a hole-in-one on a par-4 or a 2 on a par-5).
• Condor (Triple Eagle): Four strokes under par. This is the rarest score and has never been achieved on Tour.
• Bogey: One stroke over par (e.g., 5 strokes on a par-4).
• Double Bogey: Two strokes over par (e.g., 6 strokes on a par-4).
• Triple Bogey: Three strokes over par (e.g., 7 strokes on a par-4).
• Ace: A hole-in-one.

Learn all about what an Ace is in golf, here.

These terms aren’t just for show. They provide a quick and easy way to communicate how someone is performing relative to the expected score. Instead of saying, “I took five strokes on that par-four,” you can simply say, “I made a bogey.”

How Do I Calculate My Total Golf Score?

Calculating your total golf score is a straightforward process of adding up the strokes you take on each hole. Accurate scorekeeping is essential for fair play and for tracking your progress.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Record Your Strokes: After completing each hole, write down the number of strokes you took on your scorecard. Be sure to include any penalty strokes.
2. Sum Each Hole: Once you’ve finished all 18 holes (or the designated number of holes for your round), add up the strokes for each hole.
3. Total Score: The sum of all your strokes is your gross score for the round.

Example:

Let’s say you play a nine-hole round and record the following scores: 4, 5, 3, 6, 4, 5, 4, 3, 5. To calculate your total score, you simply add these numbers together:

4 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 5 = 39

Your total (gross) score for the nine holes is 39. For an 18-hole round, you would continue this process for all 18 holes.

What is a Golf Handicap and How Does it Affect Scoring?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s potential ability, allowing players of different skill levels to compete on a more even playing field. A handicap essentially represents the number of strokes a player receives over par for a particular course.

Learn everything about golf handicaps for beginners, here.

Example:

If you have a handicap of 10 and you shoot a gross score of 82 on a par-72 course, your net score (the score that counts for competition) would be 72 (82 – 10 = 72).

The handicap system is designed to make the game more enjoyable and competitive. It allows a beginner to compete against a more experienced player, as the beginner will receive more strokes to subtract from their gross score. The specific calculations for determining and updating handicaps can be complex and are usually managed by golf clubs or associations using systems like the World Handicap System (WHS).

What are the Common Golf Scoring Formats (Stroke Play, Match Play, Stableford)?

While stroke play is the most common scoring format, there are several other ways to play and score golf, each with its own unique rules and strategies. Understanding these different formats can add variety and excitement to your game.

Here are some of the most popular scoring formats:

• Stroke Play: The most straightforward format. Every stroke counts, and the player with the lowest total gross score (or net score, when using handicaps) at the end of the round wins. This is the format used in most professional tournaments.
• Match Play: A head-to-head competition where players compete hole by hole. The player who wins the most holes, regardless of the total number of strokes, wins the match. For example, if you win 6 holes, and your opponent wins 4 holes, with the rest being tied, you win the match.
• Stableford: A scoring system that awards points based on the score relative to par on each hole. This format is designed to be more forgiving of high scores on individual holes. The player with the highest total points wins. A common point system is:
  • Double Eagle: 5 points
  • Eagle: 4 points
  • Birdie: 3 points
  • Par: 2 points
  • Bogey: 1 point
  • Double Bogey or worse: 0 points
• Skins: A format, usually for a group of golfers where each hole is a separate competition. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the “skin”. If there is a tie, the skin is carried over to the next hole.

How Do Golf Rules Impact Scoring?

The Rules of Golf, established by the USGA and R&A, have a significant impact on scoring. Knowing the basic rules is essential for playing fairly and accurately. Breaking certain rules results in penalty strokes, which are added to your score.

Here are some common rule infractions and their associated penalties:

• Out of Bounds (OB): Hitting the ball outside the designated boundaries of the course results in a one-stroke penalty, and you must replay the shot from the original spot (stroke-and-distance).
• Lost Ball: If you can’t find your ball within three minutes of searching, it’s considered lost. The penalty is the same as for out of bounds (stroke-and-distance).
• Water Hazard: Hitting the ball into a water hazard (marked by yellow or red stakes) results in a one-stroke penalty. You have several options for where to play your next shot, depending on the type of hazard.
• Unplayable Lie: If your ball lands in a position where you deem it unplayable (e.g., stuck in a bush), you have several options for relief, each involving a one-stroke penalty.
• Grounding Your Club in a Hazard: Touching the ground or water in a hazard (bunker or water hazard) with your club before making your stroke results in a two-stroke penalty.
• Moving a Loose Impediment in a Hazard: Removing loose impediments (leaves, twigs, etc.) in a hazard before making your stroke results in a two-stroke penalty.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the basic rules of golf. The USGA website is a great resource.

What is a Cut in Golf and How Does it Relate to Scoring?

Discover what a cut in golf is, here.

What is Scratch in Golf, and How Does it Relate to Scoring?

Learn more about Scratch golf, here.

What is a Good Golf Score, and How Does it Relate to Scoring?

Discover how to improve your golf score, here.

FAQs About How is Golf Scored

What is a good score for 9 holes of golf?

A good score for 9 holes depends on your skill level. For a beginner, shooting below 60 is a good start. For an average golfer, a score in the mid-40s to low 50s is considered respectable. For an experienced player, shooting close to par (usually around 36) or even under par is a good score.

What is a good score for 18 holes of golf?

Similar to 9 holes, a good 18-hole score varies with skill. For beginners, breaking 120 is a milestone. For average golfers, scores between 90 and 100 are common. Experienced players aim for scores in the 80s or lower, with professionals often shooting in the 60s or even lower.

What does “gross score” mean in golf?

Gross score is the total number of strokes you take during a round, before any handicap adjustments. It’s your raw score, simply adding up all the strokes from each hole.

What does “net score” mean in golf?

Net score is your gross score minus your handicap. It’s the score used for competitions when players have different handicaps.

What is the highest score you can get on a hole in golf?

There’s no official limit to the score you can get on a hole. You keep counting strokes until the ball is in the hole. However, for handicap purposes, there are maximum score limits per hole (usually net double bogey).

How do you score a hole-in-one?

A hole-in-one (an “ace”) is scored as a “1” on the scorecard. It means you holed the ball with your tee shot.

What is a “snowman” in golf?

A “snowman” is slang for scoring an “8” on a hole.

What is a “gimme” in golf?

A “gimme” is a putt that is so short that it’s considered virtually unmissable. In casual play, players might agree to “give” each other these short putts instead of actually putting them out. Gimmes are not allowed in official competitions.

What happens if you tie in golf?

How ties are broken depends on the format of play. In stroke play, a tie might result in a sudden-death playoff (playing additional holes until someone wins). In match play, a tie might be declared, or the match might continue until one player wins a hole.

Do professional golfers use handicaps?

Professional golfers competing in professional tournaments do not use handicaps. They play stroke play based on their gross scores.

Summary

Golf scoring, while initially seeming complex, is based on a simple principle: count your strokes. Understanding par, the various scoring terms, different formats, and the basic rules are crucial for enjoying the game and tracking your progress. From the satisfying feeling of making a birdie to the challenge of competing with a handicap, the scoring system adds depth and excitement to every round. Keep track of your shots on the course, and you are well on your way to knowing how golf is scored. Now, are you ready to take the next step in lowering your golf scores?