How to Keep Score in Golf
Even though golf is a game of skill and strategy, if you can’t get the ball into the hole quickly, you are going to struggle on the scorecard.
Golf scoring determines our final success on the course, but for beginners, just knowing how to count their score accurately is vital to understanding the game.
Knowing how to keep score in golf provides a way to track your progress.
The average golfer should familiarize themselves with key terms, including par, bogey, and handicap, as these concepts appear in every round and conversation about the game.
In this article, we’ll break down the different ways to score each hole and how you can use your scorecard to establish a handicap and improve your overall game by analyzing your approach to each hole.
How to Score Golf
Golf scoring involves counting the total number of strokes taken to complete a hole, and then after the round, counting those strokes to form a final score.
That score is the basis for how golfers measure their performance on the golf course.
Simply put, each swing of the club counts as one stroke, whether it results in a successful shot or a bad shank.
The scoring method used can vary depending on the format of play, but the core concept remains consistent across all golf games.
In traditional stroke play, every stroke counts toward your total score, including penalty strokes that may be incurred for hitting the ball out of bounds or into water hazards.
In this format, the golfer with the lowest total score, or number of strokes, at the end of the round wins, making accuracy in keeping score crucial for fair competition.
Different Golf Scoring Formats
There are several golf scoring formats, including stroke play and match play, as well as quirky and unique scoring methods, such as the Stableford system, which offer distinct ways to compete and enjoy this great game.
Stroke play remains the most common format for recreational golfers and professional tournaments like those on the PGA Tour, where every stroke throughout the entire round contributes to the final score.
This format emphasizes consistency and rewards players who can maintain steady performance across all eighteen holes.
The number of strokes taken to complete a hole is a critical factor in determining the golf score, with players needing to understand how penalty strokes and special situations affect their total.
Golfers should be familiar with the various scoring formats to select the one that best suits their skill level and preferences.
What is a Handicap System?
Golf handicaps are a measure of a golfer’s ability and are used to adjust their score during competitions and casual rounds.
The handicap represents the number of strokes over par a golfer typically shoots, calculated from their best recent rounds.
A golfer’s handicap is calculated based on their past scores and is used to adjust their net score, creating a more equitable competition environment.
The system considers a player’s gross score and applies the handicap to determine their net score for comparison purposes.
This system enables a high-handicap golfer to compete against a scratch golfer by receiving strokes on the most difficult holes.
Carrying a lower handicap indicates a better golfer, while a higher handicap indicates a less experienced golfer who receives more strokes to level the playing field.
Why Golf Rules are Important
Golf rules are in place to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game across all levels of competition.
Beginners should familiarize themselves with the rules to avoid penalties and disqualification, particularly those related to scoring and penalty strokes.
The rules cover various aspects of the game, including scoring, equipment, and etiquette that affect how scores are calculated and recorded.
Key scoring rules include understanding when penalty strokes apply, how to handle unplayable lies, and proper procedures for lost balls or out-of-bounds shots.
Golfers should always follow the rules and respect their fellow players to ensure a positive experience for everyone on the course.
Golf Scoring Terms to Know
Knowing how to keep score in golf is essential for getting better, and players achieve this by understanding how to record their score throughout their round accurately.
Golfers should also be familiar with the different scoring terms, including birdie (one stroke under par), bogey (one stroke over par), double bogey (two strokes over par), and eagle (two strokes under par).
Advanced scoring terms include double eagle (three strokes under par), which is extremely rare.
The scorecard is used to record the number of strokes taken on each hole, including any penalty strokes incurred during play. Players typically track their score hole by hole, moving systematically from the first hole through the entire round.
What is Match Play?
Match play is a scoring format in which golfers compete against each other on a hole-by-hole basis, with the winner determined by the number of holes won rather than the total strokes.
In match play, you compare your score to your opponent’s score on each individual hole, with the lower score winning that hole.
The golfer who wins the most holes wins the match, creating a different strategic dynamic compared to stroke play.
This style of play requires a different strategy and mindset compared to stroke play, as a bad hole doesn’t ruin your chances of winning the entire match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to keep score in golf?
Use the scorecard to record strokes for each hole, including penalty strokes. Mark your score immediately after completing each hole to avoid forgetting.
Track both gross score (actual strokes) and net score (after handicap adjustment) if playing with handicaps.
Double-check your math at the end of each nine holes and verify your total score before signing the scorecard in tournament play.
How do you score in golf for beginners?
Start by understanding par for each hole, then count every stroke, including penalty shots. A good score for beginners is typically 90 to 110 for 18 holes.
Focus on tracking scores accurately rather than achieving lower scores initially. Learn basic terms like birdie, par, bogey, and double bogey. Practice keeping your score during casual rounds to build confidence and understanding.
How does golf scoring work?
Golf scoring works by counting the total number of strokes taken to complete each hole, and then the entire round. Each swing counts as one stroke, with penalty strokes added for rule violations.
The player with the lowest total score wins in stroke play. Scores are measured against par, with under-par scores being better. Different formats like match play use hole-by-hole comparisons instead of total strokes.
Is a 102 in golf good?
A score of 102 is respectable for a beginner or high-handicap golfer but indicates room for improvement. This score represents shooting 30 strokes over par on a typical par 72 course.
To break 100, a big milestone for recreational golfers, you should focus on course management, short game practice, and consistent play to help you achieve better golf and lower scores over time.