7 Golf Scoring Terms You Need to Know

AvatarByMatthew Woods Golf Blog

Golf is a game of precision and skill, and one of the most important aspects of the game is scoring. Knowing the different golf scoring terms can help you keep track of your score and improve your game. In this article, we will discuss the seven most important golf scoring terms. We will also provide a brief overview of each term, so you can understand how it is used in the game. So whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, read on to learn more about golf scoring!

Scoring Term Definition Example
Strokes-per-round (S/R) The total number of strokes taken to complete a round of golf. A player shoots a 72-stroke round of golf.
Gross score The total number of strokes taken to complete a round of golf, including penalties. A player shoots a 90-stroke gross score on a par-72 course.
Net score The total number of strokes taken to complete a round of golf, minus any strokes taken for penalties. A player shoots an 80-stroke net score on a par-72 course.
Par The number of strokes a player is expected to take to complete a hole. A par-3 hole is expected to be completed in three strokes.
Birdie A score of one stroke under par on a hole. A player scores a birdie on a par-4 hole by shooting a 3-under-par 3.
Bogey A score of one stroke over par on a hole. A player scores a bogey on a par-4 hole by shooting a 5-over-par 5.
Double bogey A score of two strokes over par on a hole. A player scores a double bogey on a par-4 hole by shooting a 7-over-par 7.

Golf is a game of precision and skill, and scoring is an essential part of the game. In order to keep track of your progress, you need to know how to score golf. This guide will explain the different scoring terms used in golf, as well as how to calculate your score at the end of a round.

Strokes-Awarded

The number of strokes taken to complete a hole is called the score for that hole. If you take fewer strokes than par for a hole, you will receive a positive score (a birdie or an eagle). If you take more strokes than par, you will receive a negative score (a bogey or a double bogey).

  • Stableford

The Stableford scoring system is used in tournaments where players are competing against each other. In this system, you earn points based on your score for each hole. A bogey is worth 0 points, a par is worth 1 point, a birdie is worth 2 points, and an eagle is worth 3 points. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins the tournament.

  • Bogey

A bogey is a score of one stroke over par for a hole. For example, if par for a hole is 4, and you take 5 strokes to complete the hole, you have scored a bogey.

  • Par

Par is the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. Par for a hole is determined by the length of the hole and the difficulty of the terrain.

  • Birdie

A birdie is a score of one stroke under par for a hole. For example, if par for a hole is 4, and you take 3 strokes to complete the hole, you have scored a birdie.

  • Eagle

An eagle is a score of two strokes under par for a hole. For example, if par for a hole is 4, and you take 2 strokes to complete the hole, you have scored an eagle.

  • Albatross

An albatross is a score of three strokes under par for a hole. For example, if par for a hole is 4, and you take 1 stroke to complete the hole, you have scored an albatross.

  • Double Eagle

A double eagle is a score of four strokes under par for a hole. For example, if par for a hole is 4, and you take 0 strokes to complete the hole, you have scored a double eagle.

Penalties

In addition to the strokes taken to complete a hole, there are also penalties that can be incurred for various infractions. These penalties are added to your score for the hole.

  • Out-of-Bounds

If your ball goes out-of-bounds, you will receive a two-stroke penalty.

  • Water Hazard

If your ball lands in a water hazard, you will receive a one-stroke penalty. If you take a drop from the hazard, you will also receive a two-stroke penalty.

  • Sand Trap

If your ball lands in a sand trap, you will receive a one-stroke penalty. If you take a drop from the sand trap, you will also receive a two-stroke penalty.

  • Rough

If your ball lands in the rough, you will not receive a penalty. However, you will have to take more strokes to hit the ball out of the rough than you would if it were on the fairway.

  • Lost Ball

If you lose your ball, you will receive a two-stroke penalty. You can either take a drop from the spot where you lost your ball, or you can take a stroke and distance penalty.

  • Unplayable Lie

If your ball is in an unplayable lie, you will receive a one-stroke penalty. You can either take a drop from the nearest point of relief, or you can take a stroke and distance penalty.

These are the basic scoring terms used in golf. By understanding these terms, you will be able to keep track of your score and compete in golf tournaments.

Additional Resources

  • [USGA Golf Rules](https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home.html)
  • [R&A Golf Rules](https://www.randa.org/)
  • [Golf Tips](https://www.golftips.com/)
  • [Golf Instruction](https://www.golfinstruction.com/)

3. Scoring Systems

There are a variety of scoring systems used in golf, each with its own set of rules and regulations. The most common scoring system is stroke play, but there are also match play, alternate shot, four-ball, best ball, and scramble.

Stroke Play

Stroke play is the most common scoring system in golf. In stroke play, each player tees off on each hole and then plays their ball until they hole out. The player’s score for the hole is the number of strokes they take to hole out. The player with the lowest score after all 18 holes wins the round.

Match Play

Match play is another common scoring system in golf. In match play, two players compete against each other in a head-to-head match. Each player tees off on each hole and then plays their ball until they hole out. The player who has the lowest score on the hole wins the hole. The player who wins the most holes after all 18 holes wins the match.

Alternate Shot

Alternate shot is a scoring system in which two players form a team and take turns hitting the ball from the tee box. The first player hits the tee shot, and then the second player hits the next shot. This continues until the ball is holed out. The team’s score for the hole is the number of strokes they take to hole out.

Four-Ball

Four-ball is a scoring system in which two teams of two players compete against each other. Each player on a team tees off on each hole, and then the best score of the two players is used to determine the team’s score for the hole. The team with the lowest score after all 18 holes wins the round.

Best Ball

Best ball is a scoring system in which two teams of two players compete against each other. Each player on a team tees off on each hole, and then the lowest score of the two players is used to determine the team’s score for the hole. The team with the lowest score after all 18 holes wins the round.

Scramble

Scramble is a scoring system in which four players form a team and play as a single unit. Each player tees off on each hole, and then the team decides which ball to play from. The team then plays their ball from that spot until it is holed out. The team’s score for the hole is the number of strokes they take to hole out.

4. Tournaments

There are a variety of golf tournaments held around the world each year. The most prestigious tournaments are the major championships, which are the four tournaments that make up the Grand Slam of Golf. The major championships are the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open, the British Open, and the PGA Championship.

Major Championships

The Masters Tournament is held each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The U.S. Open is held each year at a different course in the United States. The British Open is held each year at a different course in the United Kingdom. The PGA Championship is held each year at a different course in the United States.

PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the premier men’s professional golf tour in the world. The PGA Tour consists of a series of tournaments held throughout the year in the United States and Canada. The top players on the PGA Tour earn money and points that go towards their FedExCup ranking. The player with the highest FedExCup ranking at the end of the season wins the FedExCup.

European Tour

The European Tour is the second-largest men’s professional golf tour in the world. The European Tour consists of a series of tournaments held throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The top players on the European Tour earn money and points that go towards their Race to Dubai ranking. The player with the highest Race to Dubai ranking at the end of the season wins the Race to Dubai.

LPGA Tour

The LPGA Tour is the premier women’s professional golf tour in the world. The LPGA Tour consists of a series of tournaments held throughout the United States and Canada. The top players on the LPGA Tour earn money and points that go towards their Race to the CME Globe ranking. The player with the highest Race to the CME Globe ranking at the end of the season wins the Race to the CME Globe.

Challenge Tour

The Challenge Tour is a developmental tour for men’s professional golfers. The Challenge Tour consists of a series of tournaments held throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The top players on the Challenge Tour earn money and points that go towards their Challenge Tour Rankings. The player with the highest Challenge Tour Rankings at

What are the 7 golf scoring terms?

  • Strokes: The number of times a player hits the ball to get it into the hole.
  • Par: The number of strokes a player is expected to take to complete a hole.
  • Birdie: A score of one stroke under par on a hole.
  • Bogey: A score of one stroke over par on a hole.
  • Double bogey: A score of two strokes over par on a hole.
  • Triple bogey: A score of three strokes over par on a hole.
  • Albatross: A score of three strokes under par on a hole.

What is the difference between a birdie and a bogey?

A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole, while a bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole.

What is the best score you can get on a hole?

The best score you can get on a hole is an albatross, which is a score of three strokes under par.

What is the worst score you can get on a hole?

The worst score you can get on a hole is a quadruple bogey, which is a score of four strokes over par.

How do you calculate your score in golf?

To calculate your score in golf, you add up the number of strokes you take on each hole. Your total score for the round is the sum of your scores on all 18 holes.

What is the difference between stroke play and match play?

In stroke play, each player’s score is calculated individually, and the player with the lowest score wins. In match play, players compete against each other in head-to-head matches, and the player who wins the most matches wins the tournament.

What are some tips for improving your golf score?

Here are some tips for improving your golf score:

  • Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at the game.
  • Take lessons from a qualified instructor. A good instructor can help you identify your weaknesses and develop a plan to improve your game.
  • Play with people who are better than you. Playing with more experienced players can help you learn from their mistakes and improve your own game.
  • Stay positive and focused. It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re not playing well, but it’s important to stay positive and focused on the task at hand.

By following these tips, you can improve your golf score and have more fun playing the game.

the seven golf scoring terms discussed in this article are:

  • Birdie: A score of one under par on a hole.
  • Bogey: A score of one over par on a hole.
  • Double bogey: A score of two over par on a hole.
  • Triple bogey: A score of three over par on a hole.
  • Eagle: A score of two under par on a hole.
  • Albatross: A score of three under par on a hole.
  • Condor: A score of four under par on a hole.

These terms are used to keep track of a golfer’s score during a round of golf. By understanding these terms, golfers can better understand their own performance and compare their scores to those of other golfers.

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
Hello, fellow golf enthusiasts! I’m Matthew Woods, the founder of GolfPGAChampionship.com.

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