What Is a Bogey in Golf?

A bogey in golf is simply a score of one stroke over par on a single hole. While no one jumps for joy after making one, understanding what a bogey is, why it happens, and how to manage them is fundamental to shooting lower scores and enjoying the game more. This guide will clearly define the different types of bogeys, break down the common reasons they appear on your scorecard, and provide an actionable plan to help you start turning those bogeys into pars.

What is Par? The Benchmark for Scoring

Before we can fully understand a bogey, we have to talk about its counterpart: par. Par is the predetermined number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. It’s the target, the standard by which all other scores are measured.

Each hole on the course is assigned a par rating, most commonly par 3, par 4, or par 5. This number is based primarily on the hole's length.

• Par 3: These are the shortest holes. A skilled golfer is expected to hit the green with their tee shot (1 stroke) and then take two putts to get the ball in the hole (2 strokes), for a total of 3 strokes.
• Par 4: These are mid-length holes. The expectation is a tee shot, an approach shot onto the green (2 strokes), and then two putts (2 strokes), for a total of 4 strokes.
• Par 5: The longest holes on the course. Par assumes a tee shot, a second "layup" shot, and a third shot onto the green (3 strokes), followed by two putts (2 strokes), for a total of 5 strokes.

With par as our baseline, defining a bogey becomes straightforward.

So, What Exactly is a Bogey? The Simple Definition

A bogey is a score of one over par (+1) on an individual hole.

It's that simple. If you take one extra stroke than the listed par, you’ve made a bogey. Here’s how it breaks down:

• On a par 3, a score of 4 is a bogey.
• On a par 4, a score of 5 is a bogey.
• On a par 5, a score of 6 is a bogey.

Just as there are terms for scoring better than par (like a birdie, which is one under par), there’s a whole family of terms for scores that are worse than a bogey. As a an amateur golfer, these will unfortunately be familiar faces on your scorecard from time to time.

The Rest of the Bogey Family

The scoring doesn't stop just one stroke over par. Each additional stroke has its own name:

• Double Bogey: A score of two strokes over par (+2). For example, a 6 on a par 4.
• Triple Bogey: A score of three strokes over par (+3). For example, a 7 on a par 4.
• Quadruple Bogey: A score of four strokes over par (+4), often just called a "quad." At this point, you're usually just counting the strokes and trying to get to the next tee!

These bigger numbers are the real round-killers. A single bogey won’t wreck your score, but a double or triple bogey can erase two or three great pars you've made.

Anatomy of a Bogey: The 4 Most Common Causes

Bogeys don't happen by chance, they are the result of specific mistakes on the course. For the average golfer, bogeys typically originate from one of these four areas. Let's look at a common example of a bogey on a par 4.

1. The Tee Shot Trouble: You step up to a par 4, and your drive veers right into the thick rough or behind some trees. You’re not out of bounds, but you can’t reach the green.
   Stroke 1: Tee Shot into trouble.
2. The Recovery Shot: Because of your poor position, your only option is to punch the ball back out into the fairway. You've advanced the ball, but you have another full shot left just to get to the green.
   Stroke 2: A punch-out back to the fairway.
3. The Approach Shot Miss: From the fairway, you now hit your third shot. It’s decent, but it lands on the green about 30 feet from the hole.
   Stroke 3: Approach shot onto the green.
4. The Short Game Struggle: This is where pars are made and bogeys become official. From 30 feet, you give your first putt a good effort but leave it 4 feet short of the hole. You successfully make the next short putt.
   Stroke 4: First putt.
   Stroke 5: Tap-in.

You’ve made a 5 on a par 4 - a classic bogey born from one poor shot off the tee. That initial mistake created a chain reaction that made getting a par nearly impossible. Other common causes of bogeys include penalty strokes (hitting out of bounds or into a water hazard) and poor course management (like always aiming at the flag instead of aiming for the center of green).

A Healthy Mindset: Why "Bogey Golf" is Actually an Achievement

For a new or improving golfer, the bogey can feel like a failure. You see the pros on TV making birdies and pars, and you wonder why you can't. Here’s a little secret: for the vast majority of golfers, bogeys aren't a failure - they're just part of the game.

Consider the term "bogey golfer." This describes someone who, on average, makes a bogey on every hole. On a par 72 course, that results in a score of 90 (72 + 18). And a score of 90 is fantastic. Someone shooting 90 is better than the majority of people who tee it up. It signifies a solid, consistent game.

The goal isn’t to eliminate every bogey from your card overnight. The goal is to eliminate the double and triple bogeys. A string of pars and bogeys will produce a very respectable score. A single triple bogey can undo the hard work of three pars.

Try this mindset shift on your next round: Bogey is your friend. On a tough hole, think of bogey as your target score. If you walk off a very challenging par 4 with a 5, congratulate yourself. You avoided the dreaded "blow-up" hole and kept your round on track. This simple mental B. This simple mental-trick removes immense pressure and allows you to play more freely and make smarter decisions.

Your Action Plan: 3 Steps to Making Fewer Bogeys

Ready to start shaving strokes off your score? Instead of a complete swing overhaul, focus on these three high-impact strategies that directly combat the most common causes of bogeys.

1. Become a Master of Course Management

The fastest way to lower your scores isn’t by hitting the ball farther, it’s by playing smarter. Making better decisions is the best defense against bogeys.

• Aim for the Middle of the Green: Resist the temptation to fire directly at a flag tucked near a bunker or water. Aiming for the center of the green gives you the largest margin for error. A 30-foot putt from the middle is much better than a difficult chip from a hazard.
• Know Your "Layup" Number: On par 5s, don't feel like you have to be a hero and go for the green in two shots, especially from the rough. Laying up to a comfortable wedge distance (like 100 yards) often leads to more pars and birdies than a risky long shot.
• Play for the Fairway: If you struggle with a driver, don't be afraid to hit a 3-wood or a hybrid off the tee on tight holes. Getting the ball in play is always the top priority.

2. Sharpen Your Game from 100 Yards and In

This is where scores are made or broken. You can hit a monster drive, but if you waste three shots getting the ball in the hole from just off the green, you’re looking at a bogey or worse.

• The "Make It or Three-Putt" Drill: Most three-putts happen because the first putt wasn’t close enough. On the practice green, focus on your lag putting. Practice hitting 30 and 40-foot putts with the only goal being to get the ball inside a 3-foot "tap-in" circle around the hole. This takes the pressure off making long putts and cures the three-putt blues.
• Your Chipping Objective: Your primary goal when chipping is not to hole the shot, but to get it close enough for a single putt. When you practice chipping, imagine that 3-foot circle around the hole and try to land every ball inside it.

3. Develop a "Get-Out-of-Jail" Shot

Everyone hits bad shots that land them in trouble. The best golfers have a safe, repeatable shot to get themselves back into play without compounding the error.

Your go-to should be a low, running punch shot. To hit it:

1. Take a lower-lofted iron, like a 7 or 8-iron.
2. Play the ball back in your stance, toward your trail foot.
3. Put more weight onto your lead foot.
4. Make a short, compact backswing (about waist-high) and a short follow-through.

The goal is to punch it under any tree branches and get it running down the fairway. One safe shot back to safety almost always saves you from a double bogey.

Final Thoughts

A bogey is a score of one-over-par, and for the vast majority of players, it's a completely normal and acceptable outcome on any given hole. By understanding what causes these extra strokes - errant tee shots, missed greens, and poor short-game - you can begin to manage them with smarter course strategy and more focused practice.

Improving your game is all about understanding your personal patterns and making smarter decisions on the course. In my own coaching, I've seen how tools like Caddie AI can accelerate this process. It helps you analyze your rounds to see exactly where bogeys are coming from, turning a feeling like "I putted badly" into useful data like "I three-putted five times from over 30 feet." On the course, when facing a tricky shot or a tough tactical choice, its instant feedback can guide you toward the high-percentage play, helping you avoid those big numbers and keep your round on the rails.