Scoring a double par on a golf hole is one of those unofficial terms you hear often, but its real meaning can be a bit confusing. It’s a simple concept on the surface, but how and when it's used separates a friendly round from a round that counts toward your official handicap. This article will explain exactly what double par is, how it differs from the official maximum score rules, and provide some coaching advice to help you keep those big numbers off your card for good.
In its simplest form, a an informal rule of having a “maximum score” set at double par. It means taking twice the number of shots as the par designation for that hole. It’s a straightforward calculation and serves as a form of a "mercy rule" to keep the game moving and enjoyable, especially for new golfers or during casual rounds.
Here’s how it breaks down:
If your group agrees to play with a "double par" limit, once a player hits that number of strokes, they simply pick up their ball, record that score, and move on to the next hole. This is fantastic for pace of play. No one wants to wait for a friend to take 13 shots to get out of the woods. Adopting this friendly rule prevents a single disastrous hole from derailing the entire group's rhythm and morale.
But here’s the important distinction: while "double par" is a common term used in social golf, it is not the official rule for posting scores for your handicap. That’s where things get a bit more specific.
When you're playing a round you intend to post for your official World Handicap System (WHS) handicap, the maximum score you can take on any hole is a Net Double Bogey. This is a subtle but very important difference from the simple "double par" rule.
Let's break down what Net Double Bogey actually means.
Your Net Double Bogey score is calculated on a hole-by-hole basis using your handicap strokes. The formula is:
Par of the Hole + 2 (for a double bogey) + Any Handicap Strokes You Receive on That Hole
This system ensures that a player's maximum score is adjusted based on their skill level, which creates a more equitable system for handicap calculations. A higher handicap player gets more of a buffer on difficult holes than a scratch golfer.
Let's walk through a few very practical examples on a Par 4 hole:
A scratch golfer receives zero handicap strokes on every hole.
For a scratch player, their max score on a par 4 is a double bogey, or 6. This is well below the double par of 8.
Let's say a player has a Course Handicap of 14. They will receive one handicap stroke on the 14 most difficult holes (Handicap Index 1 through 14). Let's assume this par 4 is the #10 ranked hole.
This player's maximum score on this specific hole is 7. If they were to score an 8, 9, or 10, they would still have to record a 7 on their scorecard for handicap purposes.
Now, let's take a player with a Course Handicap of 30. This player receives at least one stroke on every hole. On holes ranked 1 through 12 (30 - 18 = 12), they receive two strokes. Let's say this par 4 is the #8 ranked hole.
In this specific case, this player’s Net Double Bogey happens to be the same as a “double par.” This is the only time the two concepts align. For most golfers tracking a handicap, the maximum score they can post will actually be a triple bogey or less, depending on their strokes for that hole.
Knowing this difference is incredibly valuable. It prevents you from artificially inflating your score (and handicap) by just putting down an "8" every time you have a bad hole on a par 4.
You can't discuss double par without mentioning its most famous incarnation: the "snowman." This is golfers' slang for making an 8 on a hole. Why a snowman? Because the number 8 looks like two snowballs stacked on top of each other.
If you're playing with friends and you card an 8, you're almost guaranteed to hear someone say, "Oof, tough snowman there." While it’s always called a snowman, please remember that an 8 is only a double par on a Par 4. It's a truly disastrous quintuple bogey (+5) on a Par 3, but "only" a triple bogey on a Par 5.
Hearing the term is part of the game’s culture, but our goal as your coach is to help you build a game where snowmen become a distant memory.
Making a double par (or a Net Double Bogey) isn't usually the result of one bad swing. It’s almost always a chain reaction of a bad shot followed by a bad decision. Preventing them is less about hitting perfect shots and more about making smart choices to stop the bleeding before it gets out of control.
You slice your drive deep into the trees on a par 4. This is the moment of truth. The "hero" golfer sees a tiny window through the branches and tries to rip a 5-iron toward the green. Nine times out of ten, that shot hits a tree, goes backwards, or ends up in even deeper trouble. That's how a 5 becomes an 8.
The smart golfer assesses the situation and takes their medicine. They find the easiest, most guaranteed path back to the fairway, even if it a simple punch shot that only goes 50 yards sideways. Sure, it feels like conceding a stroke, but what you’re really doing is taking a double par out of the equation. From the fairway, you now have a clear shot and can focus on getting on the green and hopefully two-putting for a bogey. A bogey is a win after a bad drive, a double par is a defeat.
Every golfer needs a go-to trouble shot they can execute under pressure. The most valuable is a low punch shot. Practice this on the range. Take a 7-iron, choke down an inch, put the ball back in your stance, and make a short, controlled, three-quarter swing while focusing on keeping your hands ahead of the ball. The goal is to hit a low, running shot that stays under tree branches and gets back into play. Having confidence in this single shot will save you dozens of strokes over a lifetime by turning potential disasters into manageable bogeys.
Many blow-up holes happen around the green. You’re 150 yards out and you see the pin tucked right behind a bunker. The aggressive play is to go right at it. But if you miss by just a few yards, you’re in a deep bunker with a tough shot, bringing a big number into play. The smart play is to aim for the center of the green. Worst case, you have a 30-foot putt. Best case, you pull it slightly and end up right next to the pin. Aiming for the middle takes double bogey out of play and gives you a legitimate chance at par.
Double pars are going to happen sometimes. Golf is hard. The absolute worst thing you can do is let that frustration bleed into the next hole. Trying to "get that stroke back" immediately with an overly aggressive drive on the next tee is a recipe for another blow-up hole.
When you walk off a green after making a snowman, take a deep breath. Acknowledge the frustration, then let it go. The scorecard is final for that hole. Your round is a collection of 18 independent events. The next tee box is a clean slate - a new opportunity. Your goal now should be simple: hit the fairway. Then, hit the green. Focus on executing two or three solid, simple shots in a row. Rebuilding your confidence with a simple, boring par is the fastest way to get your round back on track.
In short, "double par" is a simple term for taking twice the par on a hole, most often used informally to keep up the pace of play. For official handicapping, however, the real maximum is Net Double Bogey, a score adjusted by your handicap strokes. Knowing this distinction is essential for any golfer serious about tracking their progress fairly and accurately.
Ultimately, avoiding those big numbers comes down to smart course management, which is where knowing the right play in a tough spot is invaluable. We love seeing golfers play with more confidence, which is why we designed a tool to act as your own course strategist. With Caddie AI, you can get instant advice on how to play a tricky hole or snap a photo of a terrible lie to get a recommendation on the best way to get out of trouble. It’s like having a tour-level caddie in your pocket, helping you turn those potential double pars into simple bogeys and keeping your round moving in the right direction.
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