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Understanding a Double Bogey in Golf

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Gameplay & Rules | Golf Scoring and Handicaps


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Quick Answer

  • A double bogey is a score of two strokes over par on a single golf hole.
  • It’s a common score for amateur golfers and indicates a challenging hole for the player.
  • Achieving par is the goal, so a double bogey signifies a score that needs improvement.

Who This is For

  • Beginners learning the basic scoring terms in golf.
  • Golfers who want to understand their scorecards better.
  • Players looking to identify areas for improvement in their game.

What to Check First for a Double Bogey

  • Confirm the par for the specific hole you are playing. This is your baseline. Without knowing what par is, you can’t figure out if you’re over or under. Always check the scorecard or the tee box markers.
  • Count the total number of strokes taken on that hole. This includes every swing, from the tee shot all the way to sinking the putt. Don’t forget any penalty strokes you might have incurred. It’s easy to lose track when you’re focused on the game.
  • Subtract the par for the hole from your total strokes. This simple math tells you how many strokes you were over or under par. If the result is a positive two, you’ve got yourself a double bogey.
  • Review your scorecard after the hole. A quick glance at your scorecard helps confirm your tally and the resulting score relative to par. It’s a good habit to build.

Step-by-Step Plan to Understanding Your Double Bogey

1. Identify the Hole Number: As soon as you’ve finished playing a hole, make a mental note or physically mark down which hole number it was on your scorecard.

  • Action: Note the specific hole on the course or scorecard.
  • What to look for: The hole number clearly marked on the tee box or printed on your scorecard.
  • Mistake to avoid: Confusing hole numbers. It sounds simple, but when you’re focused on your swing or the next shot, it’s easy to jot down the wrong number. I once nearly gave myself a triple bogey on the 7th because I wrote it down for the 17th. Oops.

2. Determine the Par for That Hole: Find out what the course designers intended for that specific hole. Par is the standard number of strokes a scratch golfer should take.

  • Action: Locate the par rating for the hole you just played.
  • What to look for: The par value (typically 3, 4, or 5) printed on the scorecard, tee box sign, or course guide.
  • Mistake to avoid: Assuming all holes are the same par. They aren’t. A par-3 plays differently than a par-5, and knowing this is crucial for accurate scoring.

3. Accurately Tally Your Strokes: This is where diligence pays off. Count every single stroke you took from the moment you addressed the ball on the tee until it dropped into the cup.

  • Action: Count every swing and any penalty strokes incurred.
  • What to look for: Your total number of shots for the hole. This includes tee shots, fairway shots, approach shots, chips, putts, and any strokes added due to penalties (like hitting out of bounds, into a water hazard, or losing a ball).
  • Mistake to avoid: Forgetting penalty strokes. This is a big one. A lost ball or a ball in the water can easily add two or more strokes to your score. Be honest and count them. It’s part of the game, and knowing your real score helps you improve.

4. Calculate the Score Relative to Par: Now for the math. Subtract the hole’s par from your total stroke count for that hole.

  • Action: Subtract the par value from your total stroke count.
  • What to look for: The resulting number. If it’s a positive ‘2’, you’ve achieved a double bogey. For example, if par is 4 and you took 6 strokes, 6 – 4 = 2.
  • Mistake to avoid: Simple arithmetic errors. When you’re done with a hole, especially a tough one, your brain might be fried. Double-check your math before marking it down.

5. Record Your Score: Mark your score on your scorecard clearly. It’s good practice to note whether it’s a bogey, double bogey, birdie, etc.

  • Action: Write down your score for the hole on your scorecard.
  • What to look for: A clear notation of the number of strokes taken and ideally, how that relates to par. Some scorecards have symbols for common scores.
  • Mistake to avoid: Not recording your score immediately. It’s easy to forget your exact stroke count for a hole by the time you get to the clubhouse.

6. Review and Analyze: After a few holes or at the end of your round, take a look at your scorecard. Identify where you made double bogeys.

  • Action: Review your scorecard to identify where you scored a double bogey.
  • What to look for: Holes where your score was exactly two over par.
  • Mistake to avoid: Ignoring your double bogeys. These are often opportunities for improvement. Understanding Golf Scoring Basics: What A Double Bogey Signifies can highlight areas where you might need more practice, like course management or specific types of shots.

Understanding a Double Bogey in Golf Scoring

A double bogey is a fundamental scoring term in golf that signifies a score of two strokes over par on any given hole [1]. For instance, if you play a par-4 hole and complete it in six strokes, you’ve made a double bogey. This score is very common, particularly among amateur golfers who are still developing their skills and consistency on the course. It’s not the score you’re aiming for if you want to shoot par or better, but it’s a natural part of the learning process. Understanding Understanding Golf Scoring: What is a Double Bogey? is key to deciphering your scorecard and tracking your progress.

The concept of “par” is central to understanding a double bogey. Par represents the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete a hole. This number is determined by the hole’s length and difficulty, typically being a par-3, par-4, or par-5. When you score a double bogey, you’ve taken two more strokes than this standard. This means on a par-4, you took 6 strokes; on a par-5, you took 7 strokes; and on a par-3, you took 5 strokes. While it’s not ideal, it’s a score that many golfers encounter regularly. The goal is always to get as close to par as possible, and a double bogey is a clear indicator that you’ve had a tougher time on that particular hole.

The Significance of a Double Bogey on Your Scorecard

When you look at your scorecard, a double bogey stands out. It’s a step further away from par than a single bogey (one over par) and a significant distance from scores like a birdie (one under par) or an eagle (two under par). For beginners, encountering double bogeys is almost guaranteed. The challenge of golf lies in its complexity: mastering different clubs, dealing with varied terrain, navigating hazards, and maintaining mental focus. A double bogey simply means that on one hole, you had a combination of shots or events that led to a score two strokes higher than the course’s expectation.

It’s important to view a double bogey not as a failure, but as an opportunity for analysis. Did you have trouble off the tee? Were your approach shots consistently short or long? Did you struggle on the greens with your putting? Identifying where these double bogeys occur can provide valuable insights into your game. For example, if you consistently make double bogeys on par-5 holes, it might indicate that you need to work on your long game, your ability to reach the green in three shots, or your strategy for playing longer holes. Conversely, if you’re making them on par-3s, it might point to issues with your short game or bunker play.

How Double Bogeys Affect Your Overall Game

Your golf score is the sum of your strokes on each hole. A double bogey, being two strokes over par, will naturally increase your total score. If you’re aiming to break 100, 90, or even par, each double bogey you make pushes you further away from that goal. However, golf is a game of averages and averages. A single double bogey on a round of 18 holes, while not ideal, might be offset by a few pars or even a birdie. The key is to minimize the frequency of these higher scores and maximize the number of holes where you score at or below par.

Understanding Defining a Double Bogey in Golf Scoring is also about managing your expectations. Golf is a difficult sport, and perfection is rare. Even the best professional golfers make bogeys and, occasionally, double bogeys. For the average golfer, these scores are part of the landscape. The important thing is to learn from them. Instead of getting discouraged, use each double bogey as a data point. Analyze what happened, what you could have done differently, and what you can practice to avoid repeating the same mistakes. This analytical approach is what separates players who improve from those who plateau.

Common Mistakes in Understanding a Double Bogey

  • Mistake: Not knowing the par of the hole.
  • Why it matters: You can’t determine a double bogey without knowing the par. It’s like trying to measure without a ruler; your results will be meaningless. You might think you shot a 5 on a par-4 and called it a bogey, when in reality, it was par.
  • Fix: Always check the scorecard or course guide for the hole’s par before you tee off. Tee box signs usually display this information prominently.
  • Mistake: Inaccurate stroke count.
  • Why it matters: Incorrect stroke counts lead to incorrect score calculations and a false sense of your performance. This can be especially misleading if you’re tracking your progress over time or comparing scores with friends.
  • Fix: Diligently count every swing and penalty stroke. Many golfers find it helpful to keep a running tally in their head or jot down strokes after each shot. Don’t be afraid to ask your playing partners to confirm your count if you’re unsure.
  • Mistake: Confusing double bogey with other scores.
  • Why it matters: Mislabeling scores can lead to a misunderstanding of your performance and areas needing improvement. If you think a double bogey is just one over par, you’re not accurately assessing your game.
  • Fix: Learn the definitions of bogey (one over par), double bogey (two over par), birdie (one under par), eagle (two under par), and par. Having these definitions down cold is fundamental to understanding your scorecard.
  • Mistake: Forgetting penalty strokes.
  • Why it matters: Penalty strokes add to your score and are crucial for accurate tracking. A lost ball or a ball in a water hazard can quickly turn a hole that seemed manageable into a score that needs careful calculation. Ignoring these can significantly skew your perceived ability.
  • Fix: Be aware of the rules of golf and add any applicable penalty strokes immediately. If you hit a ball out of bounds, you’ll typically add a stroke and re-tee. If your ball goes into a water hazard, you’ll add a stroke and drop according to the rules.
  • Mistake: Not understanding the course layout and its challenges.
  • Why it matters: Some holes are inherently more difficult than others, even if they have the same par. A tight par-4 with lots of hazards is much tougher than a wide-open par-4. This can lead to unexpected higher scores.
  • Fix: Familiarize yourself with the course before playing. Look at the scorecard for hole lengths and par, but also consider the layout. If a hole looks intimidating, plan your shots carefully and be extra vigilant with your stroke count.
  • Mistake: Trying to play too aggressively after a bad shot.
  • Why it matters: After hitting a poor shot that might lead to a double bogey, golfers sometimes try to force a heroic recovery shot, which often leads to further errors and more strokes.
  • Fix: Accept the situation. If you’re in trouble, play a safe shot to get back into a playable position. It’s often better to take an extra stroke and be on the fairway or green than to risk losing another ball or hitting into a worse hazard. This approach can turn a potential triple bogey into a double.

FAQ

  • What is the definition of par in golf?

Par is the standard number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. It is determined by the hole’s length and difficulty, typically being a par-3, par-4, or par-5.

  • How many strokes over par is a double bogey?

A double bogey is precisely two strokes over the designated par for a hole. For example, on a par-4, a double bogey would be a score of 6.

  • Is a double bogey a bad score?

While it’s not the ideal score if you’re aiming for par or better, a double bogey is a very common score, especially for amateur golfers. It’s not necessarily “bad” in the sense of being rare or impossible, but it does indicate you were two strokes away from the expected score for that hole. Don’t let it get you down; focus on the next hole.

  • What is a bogey in golf?

A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole. So, on a par-4, a bogey would be a score of 5.

  • What is better, a double bogey or a bogey?

A bogey is better than a double bogey because it is closer to par. A bogey is one stroke over par, while a double bogey is two strokes over par.

  • What is a birdie in golf?

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

  • How can I improve my score and avoid double bogeys?

To improve and avoid double bogeys, focus on consistent ball striking, good course management, and putting. Practice drills that target your weaknesses, whether it’s driving accuracy, approach shots, or putting. Also, learn to play conservatively when you’re in trouble to minimize penalty strokes.

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