What Are the Scores in Golf?

Figuring out the scoring in golf can feel like learning a new language, but the basic idea is incredibly simple: take the fewest shots possible to get your ball in the hole. Once you understand a few core terms, you'll be able to talk about your performance, track your progress, and get way more enjoyment out of every round. This guide will walk you through everything from the concept of 'par' to how to tally up your final score like a seasoned player.

What is Par in Golf?

Before we can talk about good or bad scores, we have to establish the baseline. In golf, that baseline is called par. Par is the pre-determined number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole.

Every hole on a golf course has a par rating, almost always a Par 3, Par 4, or Par 5. This number is not arbitrary, it's calculated based on how many shots it should take to reach the green, plus two putts.

• Par 3: These are the shortest holes. The expectation is that you will hit your tee shot onto the green (1 shot) and then take two putts to get the ball in the hole (2 shots). 1 + 2 = 3.
• Par 4: These are mid-length holes. You’re expected to hit a tee shot, then an approach shot onto the green (2 shots), and then take two putts (2 shots). 2 + 2 = 4.
• Par 5: These are the longest holes. You get a tee shot, a second shot down the fairway, and a third shot onto the green (3 shots), plus two putts (2 shots). 3 + 2 = 5.

Totaling up the par for all 18 holes gives you the 'par for the course.' Most standard golf courses are a Par 72, which is typically made up of four Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and four Par 5s.

Scoring on a Single Hole: Speaking the Lingo

This is where golf's unique vocabulary comes in. Your score on any given hole is described by its relationship to par. Let’s break down the names, from the incredibly rare to the all-too-common.

The Truly Rare Birds: Albatross &, Condor

You may play a lifetime of golf and never see one of these, but it's good to know they exist. An albatross (also called a "double eagle" in the United States) is a score of 3-under-par on a single hole. This means getting a 2 on a Par 5 or a hole-in-one on a Par 4. Even rarer is the mythical condor, a 4-under-par score, which requires a hole-in-one on a Par 5.

Eagle (-2)

Making an eagle is a genuinely thrilling moment that every golfer dreams about. An eagle is a score of 2-under-par on a hole. This is an exceptional shot that gets you far ahead of the curve. You can make an eagle by:

• Making a hole-in-one on a Par 3.
• Making your second shot on a Par 4 (holing out from the fairway).
• Reaching a Par 5 in two shots and making one putt for a score of 3.

Moments like these are what keep us coming back to the game.

Birdie (-1)

This is the score that makes you feel great. A birdie is a score of 1-under-par on a hole. For many amateur golfers, a birdie is the goal and a serious accomplishment. String a few of these together, and you’re on your way to a fantastic round. A birdie looks like this:

• A score of 2 on a Par 3.
• A score of 3 on a Par 4.
• A score of 4 on a Par 5.

Making a birdie usually means you hit an excellent shot that set you up for a single, successful putt.

Par (E)

A par, also known as "even par," is a solid, steady, and respectable score on any hole. It means you matched the hole's Par rating exactly - a 4 on a Par 4, a 3 on a Par 3, etc. While it might sound average, consistent pars are the foundation of a good score. Pros build their careers on making pars and avoiding mistakes. For amateur players, a par always feels like a win.

Bogey (+1)

A bogey is a score of 1-over-par on a hole (for example, a 5 on a Par 4). If you’re playing golf, you’re going to make bogeys. It’s an unavoidable part of the game for everybody except the absolute best players in the world. The best way to think about a bogey is that it’s just one slip-up - maybe an extra putt or a tee shot that found some light rough. Shaking off a bogey and focusing on the next hole is a big parts of playing well.

Double Bogey (+2) and Worse

A double bogey is a score of 2-over-par (a 6 on a Par 4). A triple bogey is 3-over, and so on. These often happen when one mistake compounds into another, like hitting a shot into the water, taking a penalty, and then missing a putt. They can be frustrating, for sure. You might hear golfers joking about making a "snowman" on their card, a term for a score of 8 on a single hole. The important thing is not to let one bad hole derail your whole day.

How to Keep Score for a Full Round

Now that you know the lingo for a single hole, let’s look at how to add it all up for a 9- or 18-hole round of golf.

The Scorecard: Your Best Friend

Your golf course will provide a scorecard. Typically, you keep score for yourself and at least one other person in your group (this helps ensure accuracy). The card will list each hole, its par, its yardage, and other information like its Handicap rating (which we won't get into here).

Here’s the simple step-by-step process:

1. Find the row for the hole you just finished (e.g., Hole #1).
2. Find the column with your name at the top.
3. In the box where your name and the hole number intersect, write down the total number of strokes you took to get the ball into the hole. Be honest! Count every swing you made at the ball.
4. Repeat this for all 18 holes.

At the end of the front 9 and back 9, there will be a box to total your strokes for that side. At the very end, there's a box for the grand total for all 18 holes.

Calculating and Talking About Your Final Score

There are two ways golfers describe their final score. Both are correct, it just depends on the context.

1. Total Strokes

This is the simplest way. You just add up all the numbers on your scorecard. If you added up your scores for all 18 holes and the total is 95, then you shot a 95. If someone asks, "What did you shoot today?" answering "95" is perfectly clear.

2. Score Relative To Par

This is how professionals and more experienced players usually talk about scores. It's an expression of your total score’s relationship to the course's par. For example, on a Par 72 course:

• If you shot a 70, you were 2 strokes under par. You’d say you shot "two-under."
• If you shot a 72, you matched par. You’d say you shot "even par."
• If you shot a 90, you were 18 strokes over par. You’d say you shot "eighteen-over."

This method gives a better sense of performance. Shooting 90 on a difficult Par 70 course is more impressive than shooting 90 on an easier Par 73 course. Referring to the score versus par is the great equalizer.

Going Beyond Stroke Play: Different Ways to Score

While counting every stroke is the most common way to play, it's not the only way. Some formats are much more fun and less stressful, especially for casual rounds with friends.

Stroke Play (or Medal Play)

This is what we've been describing - every single stroke counts toward your final total. It’s the format used in almost all professional tournaments. It's a pure test of your game, but it can also be a little tough when you're learning because one or two really bad holes can inflate your score.

Stableford Scoring

Stableford is a fantastic format for golfers of all skill levels. Instead of counting strokes, you earn points based on your score on each hole. A common points system is:

• Double Bogey or worse: 0 points
• Bogey: 1 point
• Par: 2 points
• Birdie: 3 points
• Eagle: 4 points

The goal is to get the highest total points possible. The huge advantage of Stableford is that one blow-up hole doesn’t ruin your card. If you get a 9 on a Par 4, you just write down "0" points and move on with a fresh start, which is a lot gentler on the psyche!

Match Play

Match play is a head-to-head format played between two golfers or two teams. The total score doesn't matter. Instead, you're trying to win more individual holes than your opponent. The player with the lower score on a hole wins that hole. If you tie, the hole is "halved." The winner is the player who is "up" by more holes than there are left to play.

Final Thoughts

Scoring in golf comes down to counting your strokes against the 'par' for each hole and the course total. Once you know the lingo for "birdie" and "bogey," and perhaps even try a friendlier format like Stableford, a lot of the initial intimidation of the game melts away, allowing you to focus on the shot in front of you.

Once you are comfortable with the scoring basics, your focus can shift to strategy and making smarter decisions on the course to improve those scores. That's where we find an on-demand coach to be such a big benefit. For example, with Caddie AI, you can get instant advice on how to play a specific hole or take a photo of a tricky lie to get a recommendation for your next shot. This kind of guidance can help you avoid the big numbers, turning potential double bogeys into pars or bogeys and making a real difference on your scorecard.