A bogey competition pits you directly against the course in a head-to-head match, where your goal is to beat par on as many holes as possible. It’s a dynamic and strategic format that’s a fantastic change of pace from standard stroke play. This guide will walk you through the scoring, strategy, and unique mindset required to not just play in a bogey competition, but to excel at it.
Think of a bogey competition as 18 individual mini-matches against par. On each hole, you either win, lose, or tie against the course itself. The format is a fun twist on stroke play where, instead of adding up all your shots at the end, you accumulate points based on your performance on each hole relative to your personal par.
Interestingly, the name is a bit of a holdover from golf's history. The term came from playing against a theoretical, skilled golfer named "Colonel Bogey," whose score was essentially par. Today, the format is more accurately called a Par Competition or Against Par, because you are competing directly against the par listed on the scorecard, adjusted for your handicap.
You start the day at a score of "0," or "Level." Your job is to finish the round with the highest positive score you can manage. A player finishing at "+3" would beat a player who finished at "+1," and both would beat someone who finished at "-2."
The scoring itself is wonderfully simple. It revolves around your net score for each hole - the number of strokes you took after your handicap has been applied.
Here’s the breakdown:
For example, if you make a net par on the first hole, a net birdie on the second, and a net bogey on the third, your running total would be 0, then +1, and then back to 0. The goal is to accumulate as many "+" scores as you can while minimizing the "-" scores.
Understanding "net score" is the whole game. This is where your handicap comes into play to level the field and give every golfer a fair shot at competing.
Before you tee off, look at two numbers: your Course Handicap and the "Stroke Index" (SI) or "Handicap" (HCP) line on the scorecard. Your Course Handicap tells you how many strokes you get, and the Stroke Index tells you on which holes you get them.
The holes are ranked from 1 to 18, with 1 being the hardest and 18 being the easiest. A player with a 12 handicap gets one shot back on the 12 most difficult holes (those with a Stroke Index of 1 through 12).
Let's use an example:
You have a Course Handicap of 16. This means you will receive one stroke on the holes with a Stroke Index from 1 to 16.
If your handicap is over 18, say 22, you receive one stroke on every hole, plus a second stroke on the four toughest holes (Stroke Index 1 through 4).
Let's follow a player named Sarah, who has a Course Handicap of 20, through her first three holes. Sarah gets one shot on every hole and a second shot on the two hardest holes (SI 1 and 2).
Sarah would continue this for all 18 holes, adding and subtracting from her total. If she finishes the day at "+2," she’s had a fantastic round, beating the course by two holes.
Playing in a Par/Bogey competition requires a different mindset than weekly stroke play. A single bad shot doesn't have to define your score. وهنا تكمن المتعة.
The single most important strategic shift is to stop thinking about a total score and start thinking about winning individual holes. Once you are out of a hole - meaning you can no longer record a "0" (net par) - the damage is done. A double bogey and a quadruple bogey are both just a "-" on the card. They are worth the same: one lost hole.
This means you can - and should - pick up your ball once you can't make at least a net bogey. If your personal par on a hole is 5 and your ball is in your pocket after 6 shots, you've already lost the hole. There is no benefit to grinding out an 8. Concede the hole to the course, log your "-", and move on to the next tee with a fresh start.
Before you even hit your first shot, grab a pencil and circle every hole on your scorecard where your handicap grants you a stroke. These are your "opportunity holes."
The freedom of this format is its greatest strength. A blow-up hole that would add a 9 to your scorecard in stroke play and haunt you for the rest of the day is just a single lost hole here. You can immediately get that point back with a single net birdie on the next hole.
This mental freedom should encourage you to take calculated risks on your opportunity holes. Go for that tucked pin if you have a shot in hand. Try to drive the green on that short par-4. If it works, you get a "+". If it fails, there's a good chance your handicap still helps you grind out a net par for a "0". It changes your entire approach from avoiding disaster to actively seeking success.
If you've never played this format, it's one you should absolutely suggest for your next round with friends or join at your local club. Here's why:
A bogey or par competition is one of the most engaging ways to experience golf, taking match play and applying it against the greatest opponent of all: the course itself. With its simple +/- scoring system and a strategy that favors aggressive play on your stroke holes, it offers a refreshing break from the grind of traditional stroke play.
This kind of hole-by-hole strategic thinking is at the heart of smart golf. For those moments when you're standing on the tee unsure of the best way to tackle a hole - especially your critical stroke holes - we designed Caddie AI. Our app provides instant, simple strategies for any hole, analyzing the risks and opportunities to help you commit to the smart play. It’s like having an expert's opinion in your pocket, giving you the confidence to secure that winning "+" or solid "0" when it matters most.
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