Golf Scoring Basics Your Easy Guide to Understanding Golf Scores

Understanding Par

Par is the expected number of strokes to complete a hole. It's the standard used to measure all golf scores.

Hole Type	Shots to Green	Putts	Total
Par 3	1	2	3
Par 4	2	2	4
Par 5	3	2	5

Full course totals Par 70–72 Shooting "par" = matching the expected score

Common Golf Scores

Birdie

-1 (Under Par)

1 stroke under par
Example: 3 strokes on a par 4
A great achievement for most golfers

Eagle

-2 (Under Par)

2 strokes under par
Example: 3 strokes on a par 5
Rare and highly impressive

Albatross / Double Eagle

-3 (Under Par)

3 strokes under par
Extremely rare
Usually a par 5 completed in 2 shots

Bogey

+1 (Over Par)

1 stroke over par
Common and acceptable for beginners

Double Bogey

+2 (Over Par)

2 strokes over par
Can increase your score quickly

Triple Bogey

+3 or more (Over Par)

3+ strokes over par
Impacts your total score significantly

Hole-in-One (Ace)

The Ultimate Achievement

Ball goes into the hole in a single shot
Most common on par 3 holes
Rare and memorable achievement

Scoring Formats

Stroke Play

Count every stroke
Lowest total score wins
Most common format

Match Play

Compete hole-by-hole
Win, lose, or tie each hole
Most holes won wins the match

Stableford

Points-based scoring system
Points awarded relative to par
Encourages aggressive play
Bad holes don't ruin your round

Handicap System

What is a Handicap?

Allows players of different skill levels to compete fairly
Based on your recent scores
Lower handicap = better player

Gross vs Net Score

Gross Score: Total strokes played
Net Score: Gross score minus handicap
Used in competitions to level the playing field

Pro Tips for Beginners

Focus on avoiding big numbers (double bogeys or worse)
Consistency matters more than perfect shots
Track your score honestly and enjoy the game

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