Golf Scoring: What Is Considered a Good Score?

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Quick Answer

• A good golf score is often referred to as “par” or “under par.”
• For most amateur golfers, breaking 100 (scoring 99 or lower) is a significant achievement.
• Professional golfers consistently score well below par.

Who This Is For

• New golfers learning the basics of scoring and terminology.
• Intermediate golfers aiming to improve their game and understand their progress.
• Casual players curious about how their scores stack up.

Understanding What Is a Good Golf Score Called

This is the core of the game, really. Knowing if you’re playing well or just taking a nice walk. It all boils down to context and a few key terms. For most folks, the goal is to shoot as close to, or better than, the course’s designated “par.”

• Know your “par”: This is the magic number. For each hole, there’s a par – the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take. A par-3 means you aim for 3 strokes, a par-4 for 4, and a par-5 for 5. The total par for the course, usually found on the scorecard, gives you the overall benchmark.
• Learn the lingo: This is where it gets fun. Shooting under par is the sweet spot. A “birdie” is one stroke under par (like a 3 on a par-4). An “eagle” is two strokes under par (a 2 on a par-4, or a 3 on a par-5 – nice!). On the flip side, “bogey” means you’re one over par (a 5 on a par-4). A “double bogey” is two over, and so on. Knowing these terms makes scorecards and conversations make sense.
• Check the course rating: Every course has a par, typically ranging from 70 to 72 for 18 holes. This is your main reference point. A score of 72 on a par-72 course is considered “par” for the round.

What to Check First

• Course Par: What’s the total par for the 18 holes? This is your ultimate target.
• Hole Pars: What’s the par for each individual hole? This tells you if you’re looking at a par-3, par-4, or par-5 and helps you track birdies and bogeys hole by hole.
• Your Scorecard: Make sure you have one, and know where to mark your strokes for each hole, as well as the total. It’s your official record.
• Basic Rules on Penalties: Understand how penalty strokes work. Hitting out of bounds or into a water hazard can add strokes quickly and inflate your score significantly.

To accurately track your progress and understand your scores, a reliable golf scorecard is essential. Make sure you have one handy to mark your strokes for each hole.

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Step-by-Step Plan for Understanding Golf Scores

Let’s break down how to actually track your game and understand what your numbers mean. This isn’t rocket science, but it pays to be diligent.

1. Learn the definition of “par.”

• Action: Locate the par rating for each hole on your scorecard or the course’s yardage book.
• What to look for: The expected number of strokes for a scratch golfer (a golfer with a handicap of 0) to complete that specific hole. This is usually determined by the hole’s length and layout.
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing the par number with your actual score. Par is the target; your score is what you shoot. Shooting a 4 on a par-4 is good, but shooting a 5 means you were over par.

2. Record your strokes for each hole accurately.

• Action: After you finish each hole, meticulously count and record the total number of swings you took to get the ball into the cup.
• What to look for: An honest and precise count of every stroke, including any chips, pitches, and putts. Don’t round up or down.
• Mistake to avoid: Waiting until the end of the round to tally your scores. You’ll likely forget a stroke or two, especially on a long course or if you’re having a challenging day.

3. Add penalty strokes as required by the rules.

• Action: If you incur a penalty (e.g., hitting out of bounds, taking an unplayable lie, dropping from a water hazard), immediately add the appropriate number of penalty strokes to your score for that hole.
• What to look for: A clear understanding of the official rules of golf regarding penalties. When in doubt, ask a playing partner or consult a rulebook. Common penalties add one or two strokes.
• Mistake to avoid: Ignoring or forgetting penalty strokes. This is a surefire way to have an inaccurate score and delude yourself about your actual performance.

4. Calculate your score relative to par for each hole.

• Action: For each hole, compare the number of strokes you took to the hole’s par.
• What to look for: Whether you scored under par (birdie, eagle), at par, or over par (bogey, double bogey, etc.). This gives you immediate feedback on your performance on that specific hole.
• Mistake to avoid: Only looking at the raw number of strokes. A score of 5 might sound okay, but if it was on a par-3, it’s a double bogey. Understanding the context of par is crucial for evaluating your play.

5. Sum your total score for the entire round.

• Action: Add up the scores recorded for all 18 holes, including any penalty strokes.
• What to look for: A single, final number that represents your overall performance for the round. This is your gross score.
• Mistake to avoid: Simple arithmetic errors. Always double-check your addition, especially after a long round when you might be tired.

6. Understand how your score relates to the course’s overall par.

• Action: Compare your total round score to the total par for the course.
• What to look for: If your score is under par, at par, or over par for the entire 18 holes. This is the most common way to define a “good” score.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting the course’s total par. A score of 85 might seem high, but if the course par is 76, then you shot a 9-over-par round, which is pretty solid for many golfers.

7. Consider your handicap if you play regularly.

• Action: If you’re tracking your game over time, learn how to calculate or understand your golf handicap.
• What to look for: A handicap is a numerical measure of your playing ability, allowing you to compete fairly with golfers of different skill levels. A lower handicap indicates a better player. Your handicap is usually calculated based on your recent scores relative to the course’s “slope” and “rating.”
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing your handicap with your actual score. Your handicap is an average adjusted for course difficulty, not the score you shot on any given day. It’s a tool for comparison, not the score itself.

Common Mistakes in Golf Scoring

These little slip-ups can really mess with your score and your perception of your game. Pay attention here.

• Mistake: Miscalculating penalty strokes.
• Why it matters: Leads to an inaccurate score that doesn’t reflect your actual play. You might think you shot an 80, but if you missed a couple of penalty strokes, you might have actually shot an 82 or 83.
• Fix: Keep a basic summary of common penalty rules handy (e.g., water hazards, out of bounds, unplayable lie) or ask a more experienced playing partner to clarify if you’re unsure.

• Mistake: Forgetting to record a score for a hole.
• Why it matters: Results in an incomplete and incorrect round score. You’ll either have to guess later, which is unreliable, or ask your playing partners, which can be awkward and still not perfectly accurate.
• Fix: Make it a habit to mark your scorecard immediately after finishing each hole. Double-check your marks at the turn (after hole 9) and again at the end of the round before signing it.

• Mistake: Confusing score relative to par with absolute score.
• Why it matters: You might think a score of 5 is just a number, but on a par-3 hole, it’s a double bogey. Conversely, a 6 on a par-5 is just a bogey. Context is everything in golf scoring.
• Fix: Always note whether your score is under, over, or at par for each hole and for the entire round. This gives you a true understanding of your performance against the course’s expectations.

• Mistake: Not accounting for “whiffs” or practice swings.
• Why it matters: If you swing at the ball and miss completely (a whiff), that counts as one stroke. Similarly, a practice swing before you address the ball is free, but once you’ve addressed the ball and then swing, it’s a stroke, even if you miss.
• Fix: Remember that any attempt to strike the ball counts as a stroke, regardless of whether you make contact. Be honest with yourself and your playing partners.

• Mistake: Incorrectly applying the “out of bounds” (OB) rule.
• Why it matters: Hitting OB usually incurs a penalty of stroke and distance. This means you add one stroke to your score and must replay the shot from where you hit the previous one. This can quickly add two strokes to a hole.
• Fix: Understand the markings for OB (usually white stakes or lines). If you think you might be OB, it’s often best to play a provisional ball to save time, but be prepared to count the penalty if your original ball is indeed OB.

• Mistake: Incorrectly dropping the ball.
• Why it matters: When taking relief from an unplayable lie or a penalty area, the rules for dropping the ball are specific. Dropping it incorrectly can lead to an additional penalty stroke.
• Fix: Familiarize yourself with the proper dropping procedure, which usually involves dropping the ball from shoulder height. The specific rules can vary slightly depending on the situation, so consult the official rules if needed.

• Mistake: Not making sure your scorecard is correct before submitting it.
• Why it matters: Once you sign your scorecard, it’s official. If you realize later that you made a mistake in your scoring, it’s too late to change it. This can lead to disqualification in competitive play.
• Fix: Always review your scorecard with your playing partners after the round. Confirm the scores for each hole and the total before you sign it. This is a critical step.

FAQ

• What is the definition of par in golf?

Par is the standard number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. It’s determined by the hole’s length and difficulty, and courses typically have a par of 70, 71, or 72 for 18 holes.

• How do you calculate a golf score?

You calculate a golf score by adding up the total number of strokes you take for each hole on the course. This includes any penalty strokes incurred during play. The sum of all holes is your gross score for the round.

• What is a birdie in golf?

A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a single hole. For example, scoring a 3 on a par-4 hole or a 4 on a par-5 hole would be a birdie.

• What’s considered a “good” score for an amateur golfer?

For most amateur golfers, consistently shooting below 100 is a significant milestone. Breaking 90 is even better and indicates a strong player. For casual play, anything close to or under the course’s par is excellent.

• How does a golf handicap work?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s potential playing ability. It allows golfers of different skill levels to compete against each other fairly by providing a “net” score adjusted for their handicap. A lower handicap indicates a better player.

• Is it better to be under par or over par?

It is always better to be under par. A score of “under par” means you took fewer strokes than expected to complete a hole or the course, which is the objective of the game.

• What is an eagle in golf?

An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole. For instance, scoring a 2 on a par-4 hole or a 3 on a par-5 hole would be an eagle. It’s a rare and exciting achievement!