Do you feel confused when you see Birdie, Bogey, or an odd thing like Albatross on your scorecard? We know, you’re not alone! Understanding the game isn’t just hitting the ball, but also speaking the scorecard language. This crystal clear beginner-friendly article guide breaks down each of the main golf scoring terms you can use to track, compare, and discuss your performance. Let’s break down the essential golf terminology for scoring to help you pay attention to lowering your numbers!
How Golf Scoring Works
At its heart, golf scoring terms measure your performance against a predetermined benchmark called Par. Par is the expected number of strokes an expert golfer should take to get the ball from the tee into the hole. Your score on each hole and your total score for the round are measured either against Par or by the total strokes taken. The object, basically, is to complete the course in as few strokes as possible. For more information on keeping track of this, learn how to read and fill out a golf scoreboard.
Golf Scoring Terms Cheat Sheet
Here are the most common golf scoring terms and what they actually mean compared to Par will be helpful to you for a quick reference! You’ll want to memorize this list!
| Score Name | Definition (vs. Par) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Par | 0 | The standard expected score for the hole. |
| Birdie | -1 (One Under Par) | A great score! |
| Eagle | -2 (Two Under Par) | Excellent score; rare and impressive. |
| Albatross | -3 (Three Under Par) | Extremely rare. Also called a Double Eagle. |
| Bogey | +1 (One Over Par) | A common score for amateur players. |
| Double Bogey | +2 (Two Over Par) | A slightly rough hole. |
| Triple Bogey | +3 (Three Over Par) | A tough hole, but you survived! |
Golf Terminology For Scoring Explained
To really understand what is happening when you write a number down, you need to have some background regarding the terms of golf scoring that form its language.
Par: This is the base number which will represent the strokes taken by a pro on a hole. Each hole on the course will have a Par representation for the hole (Par-3, Par-4, or Par-5) which the classification is based on primarily hole length.
Distance Guidelines for Men (USGA/R&A):
- Par-3: Up to 260 yards
- Par-4: 240 to 490 yards
- Par-5: 450 to 710 yards
Distance Guidelines for Women (USGA/R&A):
- Par-3: Up to 220 yards
- Par-4: 200 to 420 yards
- Par-5: 370 to 600 yards
Birdie: There is one stroke less than Par (-1). The word actually originates from old American English slang from the early 1900s that also implied something like “excellent” or “very good.”
Bogey: One over par (+1) as it relates to score. This term actually comes from a British song from the 1800s called The Bogey Man.
Double / Triple / Quadruple Bogey: That means two over par, three over, and four over par, respectively. When a hole is difficult, many casual golfers score in this range.
Eagle: A score of two strokes below Par (-2). Most often made on Par-5s by getting on in two shots, followed by two putting or, it could occur on a Par-4, Hole-in-One.
Albatross (or Double Eagle): This is three under par (-3). Super, super rare. It almost always means you holed out your second shot on a Par-5.
Condor: A score of four strokes under Par (-4). This is the rarest golf scoring term, requiring a Hole-in-One on a Par-5.
Hole-in-One (Ace): Completing any hole in a single stroke. This is usually achieved on a Par-3 and is considered the ultimate fluke of perfection.
“Even,” “Over,” and “Under Par”: These terms refer to your overall score for the round or tournament relative to Par. As an example, a Par 72 course with a score of 70 is “2-Under Par”. A score of 74 is 2-Over Par”.
Handicap: A numerical designation to express your average score compared to par. This allows for unequal skill players to play against each other in an equitable manner. (Find out your handicap as a convenience with our Free Golf Handicap Estimator).
Mulligan: An unofficial term usually used for a do-over shot, in most cases occurring on the first tee, and given in casual play only. Because “Mulligan” is not recognized as an official golf term for scoring in the set rules of golf, guaranteed by the USGA.
Up, Down, and All Square: Golf terminology for scoring terms that can only be used in Match Play (Compare below):
- Up – Indicates how many holes a player is ahead by (as in, “1 Up”).
- Down – Indicates how many holes a player is behind by (as in “2 Down”).
- All Square – The match is tied (same number of holes won).
For a more complete list of terms, check out our complete golf terminology guide.
Competitive Golf Scoring Formats
Some golf scoring terms like “Birdie” and “Bogey” are consistent in order to refer to the score, how the score will aggregate will change depending on the style of play.
Stroke Play Scoring Terms
Stroke Play is the most popular format, used by professionals each year in tournaments such as The Masters. The competition takes form in how many strokes you take total during the entire round. It is that simple – lowest total wins! Since every single shot counts, consistency is absolutely key to winning, and avoiding big numbers is essential. If you’re playing a casual round and counting every hit, you are playing Stroke Play.
Match Play Scoring Terms
Match Play is a straight, head-to-head competition wherein the outcome is decided by each hole to the next, without regard to the total score of the round. The player with the lower score on a hole wins that hole, and the match score is tracked by how many holes a player is “up” or “down.” The match can end early if one player has an unbeatable lead over the remaining holes – for example, winning “3 & 2” means you’re three holes up with only two to play.
Stableford Scoring Terms
Stableford is a fun, popular, points-based game used frequently for club competitions since it minimizes the damage from one disastrous hole. Points are accrued on each hole based on their score to Par, a Birdie is worth three points while a Double Bogey is zero points. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. This format is conducive to play because once a player can no longer accrue points, they simply pick up their ball and move on, this increases the speed of play.
Let’s Get Ready to Tee off
Understanding these key golf scoring terms is your first step to playing smarter, more competitive golf. Whether you are trying to get that prized Birdie or suffering with a tough Double Bogey, you can track your play and recognize the announcer on the last Sunday with confidence. Use this scoring terminology to gain more clarity on your game, your scoring(hopefully progress to) better your game, and use our resources such as Golf Handicap Lookup: What It Is & How to Track Yours?
