Scoring terms you should know

Let’s talk about golf scoring terms. Ensuring you have a solid foundation of golf knowledge is important so you can feel confident & comfortable on the golf course. I’m covering the basics here and making sure you know this core golf lingo.

Par

Scoring terms in golf are always relative to par. Par is the standard number of strokes expected to finish the hole, and keep in mind this standard is set based on a skilled golfer. A stroke is counted each time you hit the ball. A golf course has a combination of par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s.

Golf scoring terms

• Par - scoring even with the number of strokes expected to complete the hole

• Terms for scoring under par

  • Birdie - one stroke under par

  • Eagle - two strokes under par

  • Albatross - three strokes under par

  • Hole-in-one - hitting the ball into the hole in one stroke. This is pretty rare and when it happens, it is usually on a Par 3 hole.

• Terms for scoring over par

  • Bogey - one stroke over par

  • Double, triple, quadruple bogey - 2, 3 and 4 strokes over par

Example with a Par 4

If you watch golf on TV, you’ll notice the scores have circles or squares around them. Circles indicate scoring under par, and squares indicate scoring above par, like this:

• A score of 2 with 2 circles around it indicates an eagle

• A score of 3 with a circle around it indicates a birdie

• A score of 4 would be a par, and have no circle or square

• A score of 5 with a square around it is a bogey

• A score of 6 with 2 squares around it is a double bogey

This graphic illustrates the scoring terms for a par 4 hole.

Example using a Par 4 hole

When should you pick up your ball?

From time to time you may find yourself having difficulty with a certain hole on the golf course. When playing as an amateur for fun (I.e. not in a tournament or in competition), a common question is “when should I pick up the ball?” Pick up your ball at double par to save you frustration and to keep pace of play. If you are on a par 3, pickup after your 6th stroke. If you are on a par 4, pickup after your 8th stroke. If you are on a par 5, pickup the ball after the 10th stroke.

The Albatross - also a TS song title

I went down a deep internet hole on this one, and although the analysis of The Albatross lyrics on Taylor Swift’s the Tortured Poets Department Album was very interesting, it is not related to golf.

For those poetry lovers out there, The Albatross lyrics are thought to be inspired by The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Fun fact: an Albatross is a beautiful, large seabird. The Albatross can cover great distances with little effort. Their wingspan ranges from 6 to 10 feet long (2-3.5 meters)!

I’m still holding out hope that Swift takes up golf sometime soon. (Hey, she’s into football now… so it could happen.)

Want more foundational golf knowledge? Get my Beginner Golf Guide & Checklist here.