What is a Bogey Golf Term Definition and Origins

Struggling to understand what a bogey in golf means? You’re not alone; many players find golf’s unique scoring language confusing at first. This confusion can make it hard to track your performance and know how you’re really playing.

A bogey in golf signifies a score of one (+1) stroke over the par standard for an individual hole. For instance, if you take five strokes to complete a par-4 hole, you have made a bogey. It is one of the most common scoring results for recreational golfers and a fundamental part of the sport’s terminology.

Based on detailed analysis of golf’s official rules and historical records, this guide will explain everything. You’ll discover not just what a bogey is, but its surprising origins and what it means for your game. This article systematically covers the definition, types, and historical context of a bogey.

Key Facts

• Core Definition: A bogey is a score of one stroke over the designated par for a hole (+1). For example, scoring a 4 on a par-3 hole is a bogey.
• Historical Origin: The term originated at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England around 1890, inspired by a character in a popular song called the “Bogey Man”.
• Original Meaning: Initially, “bogey” represented the target score a good golfer should achieve, which is what we now call “par”. The meaning shifted to “one over par” in the early 20th century.
• Player Classification: A “Bogey Golfer” is formally defined by the USGA as a player with a Handicap Index of about 20.0 for men or 24.0 for women.
• Course Measurement: The USGA system includes a “Bogey Rating,” which evaluates the difficulty of a golf course specifically for a bogey golfer, helping to create an accurate handicap.

What Is a Bogey in Golf?

A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a single golf hole. Par is the predetermined number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. So, if you exceed that number by one, you’ve made a bogey. It’s a foundational term you’ll hear constantly on the course.

Understanding this is simple once you see it in action. Golf holes are most commonly designated as par-3, par-4, or par-5. A bogey is simply your score being one higher than that number.

• On a Par-3 hole, taking 4 strokes is a bogey.
• On a Par-4 hole, taking 5 strokes is a bogey.
• On a Par-5 hole, taking 6 strokes is a bogey.

While professional golfers try to avoid them, bogeys are a very normal part of the game for the vast majority of players. But is a bogey a good or bad score for you?

Is Making a Bogey Considered a Good or Bad Score?

Whether a bogey is a good or bad score depends entirely on a golfer’s skill level. For a beginner, a bogey can be a great result, while for a professional, it is a costly mistake. Context is everything.

This contrast in perspective is one of the most important things for new players to understand. Judging your score against a professional standard can be discouraging, but realizing a bogey is a solid score for an amateur is empowering.

• For a Beginner or Recreational Golfer: A bogey is often a sign of a well-played hole. For many weekend golfers, a round filled with bogeys and a few pars is a very successful day on the course. It shows you are consistently advancing the ball and avoiding major disasters.
• For a Professional Golfer: A bogey is a disappointment. Pros aim to score at or under par on every hole, so a bogey represents a lost stroke to the field. However, even a pro might be content with a bogey on an extremely difficult hole to avoid an even worse score.

What Are the Different Types of Bogeys?

Beyond a single bogey, there are terms for scores that are two, three, or even four strokes over par. These terms follow a simple pattern, making them easy to learn once you understand the basic bogey. Think of a bogey as the first step on a ladder of over-par scores.

Here is the straightforward breakdown of these common scoring terms:

• Bogey: A score of one stroke over par (+1). For example, a 5 on a par-4.
• Double Bogey: A score of two strokes over par (+2). For example, a 6 on a par-4.
• Triple Bogey: A score of three strokes over par (+3). For example, a 7 on a par-4.
• Quadruple Bogey: A score of four strokes over par (+4). For example, an 8 on a par-4.

While golfers try to avoid these, they are a part of the game for players at all levels. Understanding the terminology helps you accurately track your score and identify which holes gave you the most trouble.

How Does a Bogey Compare to Other Common Golf Scores?

A bogey is one stroke worse than a par and two strokes worse than a birdie. To fully understand where a bogey fits, it’s helpful to see the primary scoring terms in a single table. This hierarchy from best to worst scores is the foundation of scoring in golf. The goal is always to have the lowest score possible.

This table provides a clear visual comparison of the most essential scoring terms, showing their relationship to par and a concrete example for each.

What Is the Historical Origin of the Term “Bogey”?

The term “bogey” originated in 1890 when golfers began competing against a standardized “ground score.” At Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England, a player exclaimed this standard was a “regular Bogey man,” referencing a popular song. The name stuck, and the imaginary opponent was later dubbed “Colonel Bogey.”

The history of the term reveals a fascinating twist: “bogey” originally meant what we now call “par.” In the late 19th century, golf clubs developed a “ground score,” which was the target score for a good player on their course. Players would compete in “bogey competitions,” trying to beat this standardized score.

Historical Note: The ‘Bogey Man’ was a widely used term for a goblin or phantom. Golfers in the 1890s imagined they were playing against this phantom, ‘Mister Bogey,’ when they tried to match the course’s ideal score.

This imaginary opponent was so popular that at the United Services Club, a military golf club, members gave the character an honorary rank: “Colonel Bogey.” For decades, players tried to beat Colonel Bogey. However, as elite players started consistently scoring better than this standard, the United States Golf Association (USGA) introduced “par” as the official target for experts. Around the 1910s, Americans began using the old term “bogey” to mean one-over-par, a score more common for the average player. This new meaning eventually became the global standard.

What Does It Mean to Be a “Bogey Golfer”?

A “bogey golfer” is a formal classification in the USGA Handicap System for a player with a Handicap Index of approximately 20.0 for a man or 24.0 for a woman. This doesn’t mean the player makes a bogey on every hole, but rather that their average score is about one-over-par per hole, or around 90 on a par-72 course. This classification represents a typical amateur or recreational player.

From years of working with amateur golfers, it’s clear that the term can be misleading. A “bogey golfer” rarely shoots 18 consecutive bogeys. Real-world experience shows their scorecard is a mix of highs and lows that averages out.

Example Scorecard for a Bogey Golfer (on a Par 72 Course):
* 4 Pars
* 7 Bogeys
* 5 Double Bogeys
* 2 Triple Bogeys or worse
* Total Score: Approximately 90-95

This breakdown provides a much more realistic picture of what it means to be a bogey golfer. It’s a respectable and very common level of play that defines a huge portion of the golfing community.

FAQs About what is a bogey in golf

What is a bogey rating?

A “Bogey Rating” is a USGA course rating that represents the playing difficulty of a course for a “bogey golfer.” While the more common “Slope Rating” measures the relative difficulty for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer, the Bogey Rating predicts the bogey golfer’s actual score. It’s a key component used behind the scenes to calculate a player’s handicap.

How did “bogey” change from meaning “par” to “one over par”?

The change happened as player skill improved and course rating systems were standardized in the early 20th century. Originally, beating “Colonel Bogey” (the par score) was a difficult achievement. As elite players began to regularly score better than the old bogey standard, the USGA began using “par” as the official baseline. “Bogey” was then repurposed in America to mean one-over-par, a score more common for the average player.

What is “bogey golf”?

“Bogey golf” is a style of play where a golfer averages a score of one-over-par on every hole. This results in a final score of approximately 90 on a par-72 course (+18). A person who plays this way consistently is called a “bogey golfer.” It represents a very common and respectable level of achievement for amateur and recreational players.

Is a double bogey better than a triple bogey?

Yes, a double bogey is a better score than a triple bogey. A double bogey is a score of two strokes over par (+2) on a hole, for example, making a 6 on a par 4. A triple bogey is three strokes over par (+3), such as making a 7 on that same par 4. In golf, the goal is always the lowest score possible.

What is a net bogey?

A “net bogey” is a term used in handicap scoring systems where a player’s score on a hole is adjusted by their handicap strokes. For example, if you make a 6 on a par-4 (a gross double bogey), but you receive one handicap stroke on that hole, your “net score” is a 5, or a “net bogey.” It is your score after your handicap has been applied.

Key Takeaways: What Is a Bogey in Golf Summary

• Core Definition: A bogey is a score of one stroke over par (+1) on a single golf hole. It’s a fundamental term in golf scoring.
• Scoring Hierarchy: A bogey is one stroke worse than a par and two strokes worse than a birdie. Scores progressively worse than a bogey are the double bogey (+2) and triple bogey (+3).
• Historical Origin: The term originated not as a poor score, but as the target score to beat, personified by an imaginary opponent named “Colonel Bogey” in the 1890s.
• Player Context Matters: Whether a bogey is “good” or “bad” is relative. For beginners and most amateurs, it’s a common and often acceptable score, while for professionals, it’s a setback.
• The “Bogey Golfer”: This is an official USGA classification for a player with a handicap index around 20 for men or 24 for women, representing the typical amateur player.
• Handicap Connection: The term is formalized in the USGA system through the “Bogey Rating,” which helps determine the difficulty of a course for average players.

Final Thoughts on Understanding the Bogey

Understanding the bogey is about more than just knowing its definition; it’s about understanding the language and culture of golf. From its origins as an imaginary opponent to its role in the modern handicap system, the bogey is a central concept that helps measure your performance and track your progress. For most players, learning to manage bogeys and celebrate the occasional par is the true path to enjoying the game. Embracing the bogey as a normal part of your golfing journey is the first step toward shooting lower scores.