A bogey in golf is one of the most talked-about scores on any recreational scorecard, sitting one stroke over par on a hole. But what is a bogey in golf really, and when does it actually matter? Bogey meaning in golf goes beyond just taking an extra shot on a hole. It tells you where your game stands against the course standard, why some players wear a bogey as a badge of decent play while others treat it as a dropped shot worth fixing. This guide covers the bogey definition in golf, the different types from double to triple bogey, the surprisingly rich history behind the term, what bogey golf means for everyday players.
Bogey Meaning: What is a Bogey 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 hole, 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 scratch 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 in 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.
What the Numbers Actually Look Like for Real Golfers?
According to handicap data tracked across recreational golfers, players with a handicap between 16 and 20 average roughly 7 bogeys, 4 to 5 double bogeys, and 2 triple bogeys per round. Golfers in the 10 to 15 handicap range average closer to 6 bogeys and 2 to 3 double bogeys. Even scratch golfers pick up around 2 bogeys per round on average. This tells you something useful: bogeys are not a sign of failure at any level. They are a normal part of a golf round. The difference between a 90-shooter and an 80-shooter is not eliminating bogeys entirely. It is turning some of those double bogeys into bogeys, and some of those bogeys into pars.
Type Of Bogey: Double, Triple & More
A Bogey meaning is one stroke over par, but sometimes a golfer takes even more strokes than that:
| Type | Strokes Over Par | Example (Par 3) | Example (Par 4) | Example (Par 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bogey | +1 | 4 strokes | 5 strokes | 6 strokes |
| Double Bogey | +2 | 5 strokes | 6 strokes | 7 strokes |
| Triple Bogey | +3 | 6 strokes | 7 strokes | 8 strokes |
| Quadruple Bogey | +4 | 7 strokes | 8 strokes | 9 strokes |
What is a Double Bogey?
A double bogey in golf is two strokes over par on a single hole. On a par-4, that means walking off with a 6. On a par-5, it is a 7. For most recreational golfers, double bogeys show up more often than they would like, and they hurt more than two regular bogeys because they are harder to recover from over a full round. One double bogey on a scorecard can cancel out two birdies.
This is why experienced golfers often talk about “avoiding the big number” rather than chasing birdies. Keeping a hole at bogey when things go sideways, rather than letting it spiral into a double or triple, is one of the most practical scoring skills a club golfer can develop.
What is a Triple Bogey?
A triple bogey in golf is three strokes over par on a hole. These usually result from a chain of small mistakes rather than one catastrophic shot. A missed fairway, a poor recovery, a chip that does not reach the green, and suddenly you are looking at a 7 on a par-4. Most golfers who break 90 consistently have learned to cap their bad holes at double bogey. A triple bogey on even one or two holes per round makes it very difficult to post a solid score regardless of how well the rest of the round goes.
How to Mark a Bogey on a Scorecard?
On a physical scorecard, a bogey is marked by drawing a single square around the score number. So a 5 on a par-4 gets a square around it. A double bogey gets two squares, and a triple bogey gets three. On the other end, birdies get a circle and eagles get two circles. Most digital scoring apps handle this automatically, but if you are keeping a traditional paper card it is worth knowing the convention, especially in competitive rounds where scorecards are reviewed.
Origin and History of Bogey in Golf
The story of bogey in golf begins in 1890 with Hugh Rotherham, Secretary of Coventry Golf Club in England, who came up with the idea of standardising the number of shots a good golfer should take on each hole. He called this the “ground score.” Dr. Browne, Secretary of Great Yarmouth Golf Club, picked up the concept and introduced it at his club for match play competitions.
During one of those competitions, a player named C.A. Wellman turned to Dr. Browne and said that the imaginary standard player was “a regular Bogey man,” a nod to the popular music hall song of the time, “Hush! Hush! Hush! Here Comes the Bogey Man.” The name caught on, and the ground score became known as the bogey score.
Two years later in 1892, Colonel Seely-Vidal, Secretary of the United Services Club at Gosport, adopted the system for his course. Since the club was exclusively for military officers, the members felt it was inappropriate to measure themselves against a “Mister” Bogey. So the fictional standard player was given the honorary rank of Colonel, and Colonel Bogey was born. It was not until the mid-20th century that bogey shifted from meaning the expected score to meaning one stroke above par, largely driven by American golf as scoring standards improved.
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.
How a Bogey Golfer’s Score 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.
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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?
The term comes from a popular 19th-century British music hall song called “Hush! Hush! Hush! Here Comes the Bogey Man.” During a competition at Great Yarmouth Golf Club in 1890, a player named C.A. Wellman remarked that the imaginary standard score player was “a regular Bogey man.” The name stuck, and the ground score became known as the bogey score from that point forward.
What is the term albatross in golf?
An albatross is a score of three-under-par on a single hole. For us bogey golfers, it’s the ultimate “unicorn,” statistically 500 times rarer than a hole-in-one. It happens when you hole out your second shot on a par 5 or ace a par 4. While we’re grinding for a 6, an albatross hitter is walking off with a 2.
What is a bogey golfer?
A bogey golfer is someone who averages one stroke over par on every hole, finishing an 18-hole round at roughly 90 on a par-72 course. The USGA defines a male bogey golfer as someone with a handicap index of around 20.0 and a female bogey golfer as someone with an index of around 24.0. It is considered a respectable recreational standard.
What is the difference between a bogey and a double bogey?
A bogey in golf is one stroke over par on a hole, while a double bogey is two strokes over par. On a par-4 hole, a bogey is 5 strokes and a double bogey is 6 strokes. Double bogeys are significantly more damaging to a scorecard because they are twice the deviation from par, and on a par-72 course, five double bogeys instead of five bogeys adds five shots to your total.
