Golf scoring involves a unique vocabulary that can confuse those new to the sport. Terms like par and bogey are fundamental concepts that serve as the standard by which all performance is measured. This article will clarify what a bogey is, detail its place among other scoring terms, and explain how these scores are applied in the golf handicap system.
Understanding Bogey in Golf
Par is the baseline score for any given hole. It is the predetermined number of strokes a highly proficient golfer is expected to take to complete the hole. This number is determined primarily by the hole’s length, assuming a player reaches the green in a specified number of shots and then takes two putts to finish. For instance, a Par-4 hole is expected to take four strokes to complete.
A bogey is defined as scoring one stroke over the established Par for any individual hole, represented numerically as +1. On a Par-4 hole, a golfer records a bogey by sinking the ball in five strokes, or six strokes on a Par-5 hole.
The term’s origin traces back to England around 1890. The original “bogey” was the score an imaginary player, known as Colonel Bogey, was expected to make, derived from the song, “Here Comes the Bogey Man.” It originally represented the ideal score a good player should aim for. As golf standards evolved and scoring became more formalized, the definition of Par became tighter, and the term bogey shifted to represent the score one stroke worse than Par.
The Complete Scoring Hierarchy
All common scoring terms are defined by their numerical relationship to Par, creating a clear hierarchy of performance.
Scores Over Par
- A score of one stroke over Par is a Bogey (+1).
- A score of two strokes over Par is a Double Bogey (+2).
- A score of three strokes over Par is a Triple Bogey (+3).
- Scores exceeding three strokes over Par are referred to numerically (e.g., four-over-par).
When a player performs better than Par, the terms take on a bird theme. A score of one stroke under Par (-1) is called a Birdie. Achieving a Birdie on a Par-4 hole means completing it in three strokes.
Scores Under Par
- A score of two strokes under Par (-2) is known as an Eagle.
- The rarest standard achievement is a score of three strokes under Par (-3), which is called an Albatross or a Double Eagle.
The Albatross is only possible on Par-4 holes (via a hole-in-one) or on Par-5 holes (by holing out the second shot. A Hole-in-One, or Ace, is a separate term for completing any hole in a single stroke. This results in an Eagle on a Par-3 and an Albatross on a Par-4.
Recording Scores and Handicaps
The final score for a round of golf is tracked using two primary methods: gross score and net score. The gross score represents the total number of physical strokes a player takes during the round, including any penalty strokes. This raw score is the figure professional golfers compete with, reflecting their unadjusted performance.
The net score introduces the golf handicap, which is a numerical measure of a player’s average ability. A net score is calculated by subtracting a player’s course handicap adjustment from their gross score. This system acts as an equalizer, allowing players of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other.
For example, a player with a high handicap might take five strokes on a Par-4 hole (a gross bogey). After applying the handicap adjustment, their net score might be adjusted back to Par, resulting in a “net par.” Scores are recorded on a physical scorecard, which lists the Par for each hole and is certified by a playing partner, known as the marker, at the end of the round.