Precision and accuracy are a must in every sport; however, a sport that needs significantly more attention to detail is golf. This makes golf one of the most difficult sports to play, as you need commendable focus and commitment. The margin of error in golf is very small; this is why making a bogey in golf becomes crucial when facing difficult situations while scoring points. Avid golf fanatics are well aware of the fact that 80% of the time even pros make a bogey On A PGA tour. It becomes crucial for new players as well as veterans to master Bogey if they want to improve their game. If you are new to golf, you may be wondering, “What is a bogey in golf?” If yes, then you have come across the right blog; consider this your guide to Bogey In golf.
What Does Bogey Mean in Golf?
A bogey, in golf, refers to scoring one stroke over par on a hole. For example, if you are on Par 4 hole and it took you 5 strokes to get the ball in the cup, then it’s a bogey. Bogey is common among good players, while pros try to stay under par, but the recreational players often find themselves managing bogeys regularly.
Par is the standard number of strokes, where a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole in golfing scoring terms. Hence, a bogey occurs when you exceed the par by one stroke. In complete golf terminology, bogey isn’t meant to be a bad round, but it is counted as a misstep or a mistake.
Bogey vs. Par vs. Birdie (Golf Scoring Explained)
| Term | Stroke Relative to Par | Example on Par 4 Hole | Example on Par 5 Hole |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bogey | 1 stroke over Par (+1) | 5 strokes | 6 strokes |
| Par | Even Par (0) | 4 strokes | 5 strokes |
| Birdie | 1 stroke under Par (-1) | 3 strokes | 4 strokes |
Is Making a Bogey Good or Bad?
Making a bogey in golf is good or bad; it generally depends on the skills of the golfers. For an amateur golfer, it is a sign of solid play or a step towards better scores, and for a professional or skilled player, it is a disappointment as they are aiming for Par or better.
For example:
For beginner golfers: A bogey is very common and indicates that you are playing reasonably well and not having a disastrous hole; while aiming for a solid achievement around bogey golf, i.e., a 90 on a 72 Par course.
For professional golfers: They strive for under par (birdies) or at par (Par), so a bogey, to them, is a mistake that can cost them multiple places on a leaderboard. Even a pro, though, might be content to settle for a bogey on a very challenging hole to avoid receiving a lower score.
Type Of Bogey: Double, Triple & More
A bogey is one stroke over par, but sometimes a golfer takes even more strokes than that:
- Double Bogey: This occurs when a golfer scores two strokes over par on a hole. For instance, scoring six on a Par 4 hole is a double bogey.
- Triple Bogey: This happens when a golfer scores three strokes over par on a hole. Triple bogeys are something that most golfers strive to avoid.
- Quadruple Bogey: This bogey often takes place when a golfer scores four strokes over par on a hole.
Origin and History of Bogey
Many of you must be wondering, where did bogey in golf come from? The origin of bogey dates back to 1890 at Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England. During a game, Charles Wellman used the term “Bogey Man” when describing his efforts to match the course’s ground score, now referred to as Par. By 1892, the term evolved further with the invention of the character Colonel Bogey, which represents the score golfer aimed to beat during the round.
Originally, the term bogey represented the number of strokes a very good player was expected to take on a specific hole. The evolution of the word is quite remarkable in the context of golf since the game had been through several phases of development and score standardization, and the term Par had replaced ground score, while one over par became bogey.
Interestingly, in its early days, a bogey was considered a good score for an amateur golfer, whereas par was reserved for expert level performance.
What Does Bogey Golf Mean?
Bogey golf meaning is to average one stroke over par on every hole, resulting in a score of 90 over 72 par course. A bogey golfer is defined by the USGA handicapped system as a male golfer with a handicap index around 20.0, or a female golfer with an index around 24.0.
What Bogey Golf Actually Looks Like?
A “Bogey Golfer” rarely makes 18 bogeys in a row. Instead, their round is usually a mix of different scores that average out to +18. A typical round for a bogey golfer might look like this:
- 11 bogeys
- 2 double bogeys
- 1 triple bogey
- 4 pars
These golf scoring terms result in an 18 over-par round, which represents solid recreational golf.
Tips to Avoid Bogeys
Here are some tips to avoid bogeys in golf and improve your overall score:
- Concentrate on positioning the ball in the fairways, rather than trying for long shots all the time.
- Properly analyze the ground and aim away from sand, water, and thick roughs.
- Consider each hole carefully with regard to pin positions and par values, and make your plan before the actual teeing off.
- Apply a steady technique, such as a bump and run, to bring the ball near, even if it will lead to a longer putt.
- Establish a regular pre-shot routine since it will help you with concentration and dedication to every shot.
FAQs
Is a bogey better than a birdie?
No, a birdie is better than a bogey in golf, as a birdie is one stroke under par and a bogey is one stroke over par.
Why do they call them bogeys?
This term connects to the bogeyman, a 19th-century British song used in golf as one over par, which represents the score to the beat.
