
Golf scoring can be confusing for beginners. Unlike most sports, where the goal is to score the most points, golfers aim for the lowest score possible. In golf, par is the number of strokes a proficient golfer is expected to make on a hole. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, based on the distance from the tee to the putting green. A score of one stroke more than par is known as a bogey, while a score of one stroke under par is known as a birdie. There are several other terms used to describe scores relative to par, such as eagle, albatross, double bogey, and condor. These terms can be confusing, but they are all based on the number of strokes taken in relation to the par value of the hole.
What You'll Learn
Birdie: One stroke under par on an individual hole
Golf can be a confusing sport for newcomers, especially when it comes to scoring. The aim of the game is to complete a round in as few strokes as possible, with the player who completes the round in the fewest strokes declared the winner. This is where the term "par" comes in.
Par is the number of strokes that an expert or "scratch golfer" is expected to need to complete a hole. It always includes two putts for each hole. So, on a par-4 hole, a scratch golfer is expected to reach the green in two strokes and then take two putts, resulting in a total of four strokes to finish the hole.
Now, let's talk about what happens when a golfer's performance differs from the par. If a golfer completes a hole in fewer strokes than the par, they are said to be "under par". On the other hand, if they need more strokes than the par, they are "over par". This is where terms like "birdie" come into play.
A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on an individual hole. For example, if a golfer scores 2 on a par-3 hole or 4 on a par-5 hole, they have achieved a birdie. The term "birdie" was coined in 1899 at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey. According to a story, the term originated when a golfer named George Crump hit his second shot inches from the cup on a par-four hole after his first shot struck a bird in flight. The group he was playing with exclaimed that his shot was "a bird", and the term "birdie" was born.
Birdies are considered a great achievement in golf, especially for average golfers. In 2019, the PGA Tour average number of birdies per round was just 3.68, showing that even for professional golfers, birdies can be challenging to make. So, if you're out on the golf course and you sink that ball one stroke under par, give yourself a pat on the back—you've just scored a birdie!
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Eagle: Two strokes under par
An eagle is a golf scoring term for when a golfer finishes a hole in two strokes fewer than par. This is also known as being two under par. For example, this could be achieved by scoring 3 on a par-5 hole, or 2 on a par-4 hole.
Eagles are most commonly achieved on par-5 holes, where a golfer reaches the green in two strokes and then completes the hole with one putt. They can also occur on short par-4 holes, or as a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole.
The term "eagle" was chosen to represent a better score than a birdie due to it being a relatively large bird.
A double eagle (also known as an albatross) is when a golfer scores three strokes fewer than par, and a condor is when a golfer scores four strokes fewer than par.
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Albatross: Three strokes under par
In golf, the term "par" refers to the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. A "birdie" is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on a hole, an "eagle" is when they score two fewer strokes than par, and an "albatross" or "double eagle" is when they score three fewer strokes than par.
An albatross, or double eagle, is an extremely rare score and occurs most commonly on par-fives with a strong drive and a holed approach shot. Holes-in-one on par-four holes are also albatrosses. The first famous albatross was made by Gene Sarazen in 1935 on the 15th hole at Augusta National Golf Club during the final round of the Masters Tournament. It vaulted him into a tie for first place and he went on to win the tournament.
Between 1970 and 2003, only 84 albatrosses were recorded on the PGA Tour, averaging about 2.5 per year. Recent well-publicized albatrosses include those by Joey Sindelar at the 2006 PGA Championship, Miguel Ángel Jiménez at the 2009 BMW PGA Championship, and Paul Lawrie in the final round of the 2009 Open Championship.
Albatrosses are far rarer than even a hole-in-one (ace). A hole-in-one occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole, completing the hole in just one stroke. Aces are very rare, with the average golfer's chances of making a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole being 12,500 to 1. The odds improve for professional golfers, but even then, they are only 2,500 to 1.
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Bogey: One stroke over par
In golf, a "bogey" is a term used to describe a golfer's performance on a hole in relation to the hole's par. A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole. For example, if a hole is a par 4, a bogey would be 5 strokes.
The term "bogey" was first used in golf around 1890 at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England. It was based on the phrase "bogey man" and a popular music hall song called "Here Comes the Bogey Man." Players competed against an imaginary player called Colonel Bogey, who scored a predetermined number of strokes on each hole. The winner of the competition was the player who had the best match-play score against Colonel Bogey. The term appeared in print in 1891 in an issue of "The Field" magazine, relating to competitions held at the United Services Golf Club in Gosport. The term also gave its title to a 1914 British marching tune, "Colonel Bogey March."
As golf became more standardised in the United States, par scores became stricter, and recreational golfers found themselves scoring over par. This led to the evolution of the term "bogey" to refer to one-over-par.
In golf, the goal is to complete a round in as few strokes as possible. Each time a player makes a shot, it counts as one stroke. At the end of the round, the player with the fewest strokes wins. Getting a bogey, or one stroke over par, is considered a good result for new and less skilled golfers. Completing a round with all bogeys on a par-72 course would result in a score of 90, which is a major milestone for newer golfers.
While a bogey is a negative result for low-handicap or professional golfers, it is often acceptable for beginners and less skilled players, who are just learning the game and refining their skills.
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Double Bogey: Two strokes over par
A double bogey in golf refers to a golfer's score of two strokes over par on a particular hole. In other words, it means the golfer took two more strokes than expected to complete the hole. Each hole on a golf course is given a par rating, typically ranging from par-3 to par-5, which indicates the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete that hole.
A double bogey indicates that the golfer encountered some difficulty on the hole. While it is a common occurrence, even for experienced golfers, it can negatively impact a player's score. Therefore, minimizing the number of double bogeys is essential for maintaining a competitive score. To achieve this, golfers need to blend skill, focus, and mental fortitude, along with course management, practice, and strategic decision-making.
The actual number of strokes constituting a double bogey will depend on the par rating of the hole. For example, on a par-3 hole, a score of 5 would be considered a double bogey, while on a par-4 hole, a score of 6 would be a double bogey. It is important to note that the par rating of a hole is determined by its length, with longer holes typically having higher par values.
While a double bogey might seem like a setback, golfers can use it as a learning opportunity. Analyzing what went wrong, such as a wayward tee shot or a misjudgment on the green, can help golfers improve their performance and make better decisions during their next round.
In summary, a double bogey in golf occurs when a golfer takes two strokes over par to complete a hole. It is a challenging situation but not an uncommon one, and golfers can use it as a chance to refine their skills and approach the next hole with renewed determination.
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Frequently asked questions
Par is the number of strokes a proficient golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. The term is derived from stock market terminology, where it refers to the expected value of stocks.
A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. The term was coined in 1899 when a golfer's shot struck a bird in flight.
A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole. The term was first used at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in England around 1890, derived from the phrase "bogey man".