Seeing a scoreboard flash with a score like -6 can be confusing if you’re new to golf, but the concept is simpler than you might think. That negative number is the single most important metric in competitive golf, representing a player's score in relation to par. This article will break down exactly what -6 means, how it’s calculated, and why it represents an exceptional level of play that amateurs and pros alike strive for.
In golf, a negative number means you are "under par." So, a score of -6 (pronounced "six under") means the golfer has completed their round, or a series of rounds, in six strokes fewer than the expected score, known as 'par'.
Think of par as the performance standard for a course. If you meet that standard exactly, your score is 'Even Par' (often shown as 'E'). If you take more strokes than the standard, you are 'over par' (e.g., +6). If you take fewer a-strokes, you are 'under par' (-6), which is the ultimate goal in golf. The player with the lowest score, which is typically the most negative number, wins.
To fully grasp what -6 signifies, you have to understand 'par'. Par is the predetermined number of strokes a highly skilled golfer should need to complete a hole. It's based on the hole's length and the assumption of two putts on the green. Every hole on a golf course is assigned a par value.
A standard 18-hole golf course usually combines these hole types for a total course par of around 70 to 72. For example, a common Par-72 layout includes four Par-3s, ten Par-4s, and four Par-5s. A golfer who shoots a score of 72 on this course would be "Even Par." A golfer who shoots a 66 (-6) has played an outstanding round.
A -6 score isn't just one single event, it's the result of accumulating great scores on individual holes throughout a round or tournament. Golfers get "under par" by scoring Birdies, Eagles, or the very rare Albatross.
These positive moments are balanced against scores that are over par, like Bogeys (+1) or Double Bogeys (+2).
There's no single way to arrive at -6. It's all about the final math. A player could have a roller-coaster round or a very steady one. Let's look at a few examples on a Par-72 course, where a score of 66 is needed to be -6.
As you can see, the final score of -6 tells you how well the golfer played relative to the standard, but the individual hole scores tell the story of how they got there.
When you watch a professional golf tournament, the leaderboard is packed with numbers. Understanding what they signify makes following the action much more engaging.
So, is -6 a good score? The answer is an definitive yes, but its meaning can change slightly depending on the context.
Shooting -6 in a single 18-hole round is phenomenal. On a standard Par-72 course, that means posting a score of 66. Most amateur golfers will never achieve this. Even for professionals, a 66 is a fantastic day at the office. It almost always shoots them up the leaderboard and puts them in a strong position for the tournament.
This kind of score requires an elite combination of power, accuracy, solid iron play to hit greens, and, of course, excellent putting to convert birdie opportunities.
Professional tournaments are typically played over four rounds (72 holes). In this context, a score of -6 can mean very different things.
Therefore, while -6 is always a score to be proud of, its competitive standing is relative to the performance of the rest of the field and the specific challenge of the course.
As a coach, I remind players that you don't need to play like a professional to improve your score drastically. Chasing flashy Eagles often leads to big-number mistakes. The real path to lower scores is smarter, steadier golf.
In short, a -6 in golf means a player has performed exceptionally, finishing six strokes better than the standard ‘par’ score. This is achieved by accumulating under-par scores like birdies and eagles across a round or tournament and is the hallmark of a great performance.
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