How to Keep Score in Golf (A Beginner’s Guide)

How to Keep Score in Golf (Because Nobody Wants to Be That Golfer Who Messes It Up)

If you’re here to learn how to keep score in golf, you’ve come to the right place! So, let’s talk about keeping score. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to be that golfer who messes up the player’s score-card, causing confusion, arguments, and maybe even a few thrown clubs (or at least a few muttered curses under their breath).

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Linda, isn’t keeping score in golf as simple as your target score and counting how many times you hit the ball?” And you’re partially right, my friend. But like deciphering the green’s subtle breaks or choosing the right club for a tricky shot, there’s a bit more to it than meets the eye (or the scorecard).

So, grab your pencil (or maybe just use that lipstick you found in your golf bag), your calculator (or maybe just count how many shots are on your fingers… if you have enough), and maybe a glass of Chardonnay (because scorekeeping can be stressful… or maybe just an excuse to have a drink), and let’s dive into the fascinating world of golf scoring.

Golf Scoring: More Than Just Counting Strokes

While the basic concept of golf scoring is simple—count how many times you hit the ball until it goes in the hole—there are different golf scoring formats, rules, and etiquette to consider. (It’s like learning a new language, but with more numbers and fewer vowels.)

Whether you’re playing a casual round with friends or competing in a serious tournament, knowing how to keep score properly is essential for a smooth and enjoyable golfing experience (and maybe even preventing a few friendships from ending on the 18th green).

Stroke Play

Stroke play is the most common scoring method in golf. It’s the format used in most professional tournaments (like those fancy events on the PGA Tour where everyone wears colorful pants and hits the ball a mile) and casual rounds among friends (where the attire is a bit more relaxed… and the ball doesn’t always travel as far).

How to Keep Score in Stroke Play

In stroke play, you simply count the total number of strokes it takes you to complete each hole. This includes all shots, from your first shot off the tee to your final putt on the green (and all those mishaps in between, like those trips to the woods, the sand traps, and maybe even the neighboring fairway).

At the end of the round, you add up your scores for all 18 holes to get your total score. The player with the lowest total score wins (and gets to brag about it… or at least buy the first round of drinks at the clubhouse).

Keeping Track of Your Strokes

• Use a Scorecard: Most golf courses provide scorecards to help you keep track of your strokes. (It’s like a mini-notebook for your golf game, but with more birdies and fewer doodles.)
• Mark Each Stroke: After each shot, mark the number of strokes you’ve taken on the scorecard. (It’s like a golfing diary, but with less emotional angst and more numbers.)
• Be Honest: Count every stroke, even those embarrassing whiffs and those shots that go further sideways than forward. (Nobody’s perfect… except maybe Tiger Woods... and even he misses a shot occasionally.)

Penalty Strokes

Don’t forget to add any penalty strokes to your score. These are extra strokes added to your score for violating the rules (like hitting the ball out of bounds, grounding your club in a hazard, or accidentally playing your partner’s ball… which can be awkward).

• Common Penalties: Common penalties include one-stroke penalties (for minor infractions) and two-stroke penalties (for more serious violations).
• Know the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the golf rules to avoid incurring penalties (or at least to know how many strokes to add when you inevitably break them).

Double Bogey

Sometimes, even with our best efforts (and maybe a few lucky bounces), we end up with a double bogey. This means you’ve taken two strokes more than the par for the hole. (It’s like getting a “C” on a golf hole… not great, but not a complete disaster either.)

Double bogeys can happen for various reasons, like losing a ball in the woods (or the water… or your playing partner’s bag), incurring penalty strokes for those “oops” moments when you accidentally break a rule (like grounding your club in a hazard or taking a mulligan when you shouldn’t), or just having a series of unfortunate events on the hole (like visiting the sand trap, the rough, and the water hazard all in one go).

To record a double bogey on your scorecard, simply add two strokes to the par for the hole. So, if you’re playing a par-4 and take six strokes, mark a “6” on your scorecard (and maybe try to forget about it… or blame it on the wind).

While a double bogey isn’t ideal, it’s not the end of the world (or your round). Just remember to keep your head up, focus on the next hole, and try to avoid a repeat performance (or at least a triple bogey).

Triple Bogey

Now, let’s talk about the dreaded triple bogey. This is when you take three strokes more than the par for the hole. (It’s like getting an “F” on a golf hole… and maybe even having to repeat the grade.)

Triple bogeys are the stuff of nightmares (or at least those embarrassing moments you try to block from your memory). They can happen when you have a complete meltdown on the hole (like hitting your ball into every hazard imaginable), incur a series of penalty strokes (like playing your partner’s ball, grounding your club in a hazard, and then throwing your putter into the lake in frustration), or just have a really, really bad day on the green (like taking five putts to get the ball in the hole… and then realizing you were putting on the wrong green).

To record a triple bogey on your scorecard, add three strokes to the par for the hole. So, if you’re playing a par-4 and take seven strokes (after a series of mishaps that would make even the most seasoned golfer cringe), mark a “7” on your scorecard (and maybe consider taking up a less frustrating hobby… like knitting or bird watching).

While a triple bogey can be a blow to your ego (and your score), it’s important to remember that it happens to the best of us (even Tiger Woods has probably carded a triple bogey or two in his lifetime… though he probably doesn’t like to talk about it). Just shake it off, focus on the next hole, and try to avoid a repeat performance (or at least a quadruple bogey... which is like getting an “F-” on a golf hole… and maybe even having to repeat the entire round).

Gross Score vs. Net Score

In stroke play, there are two types of scores:

• Gross score: This is your total score without any adjustments. (It’s like your raw golf score, unfiltered and unedited.)
• Net score: This is your score after your handicap has been deducted. (It’s like your golf score with a filter, making you look slightly better than you actually are.)

The handicap system is designed to level the playing field, allowing golfers of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other. (It’s like giving the less experienced golfers a head start… or a handicap… so they don’t get completely demoralized by their par score at the end of the round.)

Match Play

Match play is another popular scoring format, especially in club competitions and some professional golf events. It’s a head-to-head competition where players (or teams) compete to win each hole individually.

How to Keep Score in Match Play

In match play golf, you don’t keep track of your total score. Instead, you focus on winning each hole. The player (or team) who wins the most holes at the end of the round wins the match. (It’s like a boxing match, but with golf clubs and less face-punching.)

Keeping Track of Holes Won

• Use a Scorecard: You can still use a scorecard in match play, but instead of recording your strokes, you mark whether you won, lost, or tied each hole.
• “Up” and “Down”: If you win a hole, you are “1 up.” If you lose a hole, you are “1 down.” If you tie a hole, you are “all square.” (It’s like a golf version of keeping score in tennis, but with less grunting and more polite applause.)
• Conceding Holes: In match play, you can concede a hole to your opponent if you think you can’t win it. This can speed up the pace of play and prevent unnecessary frustration (or the temptation to throw your putter into the water hazard… again).

While match play focuses on winning individual holes rather than your overall score, racking up high numbers like double or triple bogeys can still make a big difference in whether you win or lose a hole (and maybe even the whole match!). So, even though you’re not tallying up your total strokes, it’s still a good idea to avoid those big numbers and keep your score as low as possible on each hole.

Golf Scoring: Other Formats and Systems

Beyond stroke play and match play, there are other golf scoring formats and systems, including:

• Stableford: In this system, you earn points based on your score on each hole. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins. (It’s like a golf reward system, where good scores earn you points… and bad scores earn you a stern look from your playing partners.)
• Par/Bogey: This game involves betting on whether you will score par or better (or bogey or worse) on each hole. (It’s like a golf version of roulette but with more grass and fewer spinning wheels.)
• Skins: This popular betting game involves competing to win each hole individually. The player with the lowest score on a hole wins the “skin” (which is usually a predetermined amount of money… or maybe just bragging rights for the more frugal golfers).

Golf Scoring: Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips to help you keep score like a pro (or at least like someone who knows what they’re doing):

• Use a Pencil: Use a pencil to mark your scorecard, so you can erase any mistakes (or just pretend you never made them).
• Double-Check Your Score: Before you sign your scorecard, double-check your score to make sure it’s accurate (or at least as accurate as your memory allows).
• Be Honest: Always be honest about your score, even if it’s not your best day on the course. (Nobody likes a cheater… except maybe the cheater themselves… and even they probably feel a little guilty about it.)
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you’re unsure about how to keep score in a particular format, don’t hesitate to ask your playing partners or the tournament organizer for help. (There’s no shame in admitting you need a little guidance… unless you’re trying to impress your boss… or your significant other… or that cute golf pro you’ve been eyeing.)

Golf Scoring: The Key to a Fair and Fun Game

Keeping score is an essential part of the game of golf. It’s the way we track our progress, measure our own score and skills, and compete against each other (or maybe just against ourselves… and our inner demons).

So, the next time you step onto the golf course, remember the importance of keeping score accurately and honestly. It’s the key to a fair and fun game (and maybe even a few bragging rights… or at least a good excuse to have a celebratory drink at the 19th hole).