Seeing a leaderboard full of plus and minus signs can seem like a cryptic code if you're new to the game, but it's the simplest way to track who's in the lead. This system is how everyone, from weekend players to Tour pros, measures their performance against the universal benchmark of golf: par. This article will break down exactly what those pluses, minuses, and a few other symbols mean, both on professional leaderboards and in the context of your own handicap.
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Understanding Plus (+) and Minus (-) in Tournament Scoring
At the heart of golf scoring is the concept of "par." Every hole on a course has a par number, which represents the number of strokes a highly-skilled (or "scratch") golfer is expected to take to complete the hole. A typical 18-hole golf course will have a total par of around 70, 71, or, most commonly, 72.
The plus and minus numbers you see are not a golfer's total score, instead, they show a golfer's score relative to par. It’s a running tally of how they are performing against expectations. In golf, the goal is always to have the lowest score possible, which makes the plus/minus system an intuitive way to see who is leading the pack without doing any mental math.
What Does a Minus Score (-) Mean?
A minus sign in front of a number is what every professional golfer wants to see. It means they are "under par" or "below par." The number next to the minus sign indicates how many strokes better than par they are.
A score of -1 is one-under-par.
A score of -4 is four-under-par.
A score of -10 is ten-under-par.
Because the lowest score wins in golf, the player with the most negative number is in the lead. For example, if the par for a tournament's round is 72, a player who finishes with a score of 68 has completed the round in four fewer strokes than par. Their score would be displayed as -4. If another player shoots 71, they are -1. The player at -4 is having a better day and is ahead of the player at -1.
You’ll often hear television commentators refer to these scores as being "in the red," because on many traditional and televised leaderboards, negative numbers are displayed in red to make them stand out.
What Does a Plus Score (+) Mean?
A plus sign, on the other hand, indicates a score that is "over par." The number beside the plus shows just how many strokes above par the golfer is. Again, since a lower score is better, a golfer with a plus score is trailing anyone who is at even par or has a minus score.
For example, on the same par 72 course:
A player who shoots a 75 is three strokes over par, shown as +3.
A player who shoots an 80 is eight strokes over par, shown as +8.
If Player A is at +2 and Player B is at +5, Player A is three shots ahead of Player B. A player with any plus score is always behind a player with a minus score.
What About 'E' on a Leaderboard?
Sometimes you’ll see the letter ‘E’ next to a player’s name. ‘E’ stands for “Even Par.” This signifies that a golfer's score is exactly equal to the total par for the number of holes they have played. It is the neutral ground between plus and minus.
If a player finishes a round on a par 72 course with a score of exactly 72, their final score relative to par is ‘E’. It’s a solid and respectable score, but they haven't gained or lost any strokes against the course.
Let's tie this all together with a quick example of a leaderboard after a full round (Par 72):
Tiger Woods: -6 (Score of 66)
Jordan Spieth: -3 (Score of 69)
Rory McIlroy: E (Score of 72)
Justin Thomas: +2 (Score of 74)
Phil Mickelson: +5 (Score of 77)
As you can see, the lower the number - with negative numbers being the lowest - the higher up the leaderboard the player is. Tiger's -6 is the winning score.
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The Other Plus and Minus: Plus Handicaps vs. Regular Handicaps
Now that tournament leaderboards make sense, there's another place you will encounter "plus" in golf, and it has a slightly different, more advanced meaning. This relates to an individual player's handicap, which is a system designed to allow golfers of different abilities to compete against each other fairly.
First, a Refresher on the Handicap System
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a player's golfing ability over 18 holes. In its simplest form, a handicap represents how many strokes over par a player is expected to shoot. The vast majority of golfers have a "positive" handicap number, like a 10, 18, or 25.
A golfer with a 15 handicap is expected to shoot roughly 15 strokes over par. On a par 72 course, their average score might be around 87 (72 + 15).
When playing, this "15 handicap" golfer gets to subtract 15 strokes from their final score to get a "net score." If they shoot an 86, they take 86 (gross score) - 15 (handicap) = 71 (net score). This net score is what's used to compare them against another player using the same system. Though the number is positive (a 15 handicap), the function is a subtraction.
The Elusive 'Plus Handicap' Explained
This is where the term “plus” enters the handicap world and signifies an exceptional level of skill. A “plus handicap” is an inverted handicap for golfers who are better than a "scratch" (or 0-handicap) player. These are players who, on average, shoot scores that are under par.
A golfer with a plus handicap is so good that instead of subtracting strokes from their score, they actually have to add strokes at the end of the round to calculate their net score. Their "+" handicap tells you how many strokes they give back to the course to bring them back up to par.
Let's make this simple:
Player A has a 12 handicap. She shoots a solid 83. Her net score is: 83 - 12 = 71.
Player B has a +3 handicap. She shoots an incredible 70. Her net score is: 70 + 3 = 73.
In this match, even though Player B had a much lower raw score, the handicap system shows that Player A performed better relative to her own ability. The +3 handicap is a testament to how good Player B is - she is typically three shots better than the course itself.
Attaining a plus handicap is incredibly rare and is a mark of a truly elite amateur or professional golfer. If you ever meet someone with a plus handicap, they are a phenomenal player.
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Beyond leaderboards and formal handicaps, thinking in terms of plus and minus can be a powerful mental tool during your own rounds. Trying to add up a running total score in your head can be cumbersome. Instead, try tracking your score relative to par.
Imagine you start your round on a par 4 and you make a bogey (which is one over par). Right away, you are "+1" for the day. If you then make a birdie (one under par) on the next hole (a par 5), you bring your score back down. Adding the +1 from your bogey and the -1 from your birdie, you are now back to 'E' (Even Par).
Breaking your round down like this is a much simpler way to keep track of your performance. It helps you stay focused on the present and manage your expectations from hole to hole instead of getting overwhelmed by a high cumulative score early on. At the end of the round, you can simply add (or subtract) your final plus/minus score from the course's par to find your total. If you are +12 at the end of your round on a par 72 course, you shot an 84.
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Understanding plus and minus is your first step to speaking the language of golf scoring. A minus score means you're under par and playing well, while a plus score means you're over par. These symbols allow you to instantly see where you, or any professional golfer, stand at any given moment.
Of course, knowing the terms is just one aspect of playing better, more confident golf. Playing with confidence really comes from making smarter decisions on the course, which is why a tool like Caddie AI is so helpful. We designed it to be a 24/7 golf expert in your pocket, ready to give you on-course strategy or answer any golf question you have - from wondering how wind affects club choice to needing guidance on a tricky shot. You can even send a photo of your ball's lie to get instant advice on how to play it, helping you turn tough situations into smart recoveries.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
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