What Are the 7 Golf Scoring Terms?

Walking off a green after a great hole, you hear your friend say, Nice birdie! You just know you scored well, but what exactly does that term mean? Golf has its own language, especially when it comes to scoring, and this article will guide you through the seven most common scoring terms you’ll hear on the course. From the good to the bad, we’ll break down exactly what an eagle, birdie, par, bogey, and double bogey are, so you can sound and feel like a seasoned player during your next round.

Understanding "Par": The Standard for Every Hole

Before we can talk about birdies or bogeys, we have to start with the foundation of all golf scoring: Par. Think of "par" as the expected number of strokes a skilled, or "scratch," golfer should take to complete a hole. Every single hole on a golf course has a designated par number.

This number is primarily determined by the hole's length:

• Par 3: These are the shortest holes, typically under 250 yards. The "par" score assumes you'll hit your first shot (the tee shot) onto the green and then take two putts. (1 tee shot + 2 putts = 3 strokes).
• Par 4: These are the most common holes, generally between 251 and 470 yards. Par assumes a tee shot, an approach shot to get onto the green, and then two putts. (1 tee shot + 1 approach shot + 2 putts = 4 strokes).
• Par 5: These are the longest holes, usually over 471 yards. For these, par accounts for a tee shot, a second shot down the fairway (the "layup"), an approach shot to the green, and two putts. (1 tee shot + 1 layup + 1 approach shot + 2 putts = 5 strokes).

When you take the exact number of strokes as the par for that hole, you've made a "par." Golfers love pars because they represent steady, solid play. If you make a 4 on a Par 4 or a 3 on a Par 3, you can walk to the next tee feeling like you did a good job.

What Does "Even Par" Mean?

You’ll also hear the term "even par" used to describe a total score. This simply means that after playing a certain number of holes, your total strokes are equal to the total par for those holes. For example, if you make par on the first three holes (a Par 4, a Par 3, and a Par 4), your score is "even par" because you haven’t gone over or under the expected total of 11 strokes.

The Good Scores: Birdie, Eagle, and Albatross

Now for the fun part. The scores that make you feel like a superstar. These are all scores that are under the designated par for a hole. In keeping with a curious theme that started in the late 19th century, they happen to be named after birds.

1. Birdie: 1-Under Par

A birdie is one of the most exciting and attainable achievements in golf for players of all levels. It simply means you completed the hole in one stroke less than par.

• On a Par 3, a birdie is a score of 2.
• On a Par 4, a birdie is a score of 3.
• On a Par 5, a birdie is a score of 4.

Making a birdie usually feels fantastic. It could happen by hitting a great shot close to the pin and making the putt, or perhaps by sinking a long, unexpected putt. Either way, it’s a moment to celebrate. That first birdie is a memory that sticks with every golfer forever.

2. Eagle: 2-Under Par

An eagle is a truly excellent score that’s much rarer than a birdie. It means you completed the hole in two strokes less than par. These opportunities don't come around often, and you have to execute some great shots to get one.

• On a Par 4, an eagle is a score of 2. This typically happens when you either hit a long drive close to the green and chip it in, or you just hole out your approach shot from the fairway.
• On a Par 5, an eagle is a score of 3. This is the most "common" way to make an eagle. It involves hitting a long, accurate drive and then following it with a spectacular second shot that lands on the green, leaving you a makeable putt.
• On a Par 3, an eagle would be a 1. This is, of course, better known as a Hole-in-One!

Making an eagle gives a golfer ultimate bragging rights among their friends for the rest of the day.

3. Albatross (or Double Eagle): 3-Under Par

The albatross, sometimes called a double eagle, is one of the rarest feats in all of sports. The name makes sense - an albatross is an exceedingly rare bird, and this is an exceedingly rare score. It means you finished a hole in three strokes less than par.

• On a Par 4, this would require a a hole-in-one. Unbelievably rare on a long hole.
• On a Par 5, an albatross is a score of 2. This means you hit a great drive, and then for your second shot, you actually hit the ball directly into the cup from hundreds of yards away.

Statistically, you have a better chance of being struck by lightning than making an albatross. But they do happen, and they are the stuff of golf legend.

The Not-So-Good Scores: Bogey and Beyond

Golf is a challenging game, and scores over par are an ordinary part of the experience for every golfer, even professionals. Think of these scores not as failures, but as part of the normal give-and-take with the course.

4. Bogey: 1-Over Par

A bogey is quite possibly the most frequent score for the average golfer. It means you completed the hole in one stroke more than par.

• On a Par 3, a bogey is a score of 4.
• On a Par 4, a bogey is a score of 5.
• On a Par 5, a bogey is a score of 6.

A bogey often happens from a small mistake. Maybe you missed the green on your approach shot and failed to get "up and down" (chipping on and making one putt). Or perhaps you had to hit a recovery shot from the trees. Part of improving at golf is learning to comfortably accept bogeys and move on to the next hole with a clear head.

5. Double Bogey: 2-Over Par

A double bogey is another very regular score for most golfers, and it means you completed the hole in two strokes more than par.

• On a Par 3, a double bogey is a score of 5.
• On a Par 4, a double bogey is a score of 6.
• On a Par 5, a double bogey is a score of 7.

These scores usually happen when you make a significant mistake, like hitting your ball out of bounds (which comes with a penalty stroke), hitting it into a water hazard, or simply needing three putts on the green. The mark of a mentally strong golfer is how they recover from a double bogey. Shaking it off and focusing on making a par on the next hole is the best strategy.

6 & 7. Triple Bogey and "The Others"

As scores get higher, the official names become less important. A triple bogey is three strokes over par (a 6 on a Par 3, 7 on a Par 4, 8 on a Par 5).

After a "triple," golfers typically stop using the "bogey" term and just state the number of strokes they took. If a player takes an 8 on a Par 4, they might say "I made a quadruple-bogey," but it's much more common to hear them just say, "I got an 8" or "I made a quad." This helps simplify communication and is the common etiquette on the course. What truly matters is writing the honest number down on your scorecard.

Final Thoughts

Understanding these seven essential golf scoring terms will make you feel more connected to the game, whether you're playing or watching a tournament on TV. Knowing the difference between a birdie and a bogey helps you track your rounds more effectively and talk about your game with confidence.

For those times on the course when you're wanting to make more pars and birdies, we built Caddie AI. Our AI-powered coach can provide you with a smart strategy for any hole before you even hit your tee shot, or you can even snap a photo of a tricky lie in the rough to get an expert recommendation on how to play the shot. It’s like having a 24/7 coach in your pocket, taking the guesswork out of your game so you can make smarter decisions and shoot lower scores.