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.
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 completos 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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 a 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):
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.
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.
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.
When playing, this "15 handicap" golfer gets to subtract 15 strokes from their a 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.
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:
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.
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 a 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.
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.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
