Understanding Golf Scores: What Is One Under Par Called?

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Quick Answer

• One under par in golf is called a birdie.
• It means you took one less stroke than the expected score (par) for that hole.
• This is a solid score, something every golfer aims for.

Who This Is For

• New golfers trying to decode the jargon on the course and on TV.
• Casual players who want to impress their buddies with their scoring knowledge.

What to Check First

• Understand “Par”: Before anything else, get a solid grip on what “par” means. It’s the benchmark, the target number of strokes a skilled golfer is supposed to take on any given hole. Courses typically have holes that are Par 3, Par 4, or Par 5.
• Relative Scoring Terms: Familiarize yourself with the basic scoring terms used in relation to par. This includes birdie (one under par), eagle (two under par), bogey (one over par), and double bogey (two over par). Knowing these is crucial for understanding the game.
• Course Scorecard: Grab a scorecard from any course you play or even look one up online. It’ll show you the par for each hole and the total par for the entire 18 holes. This is your reference guide.
• How Scores Add Up: Understand that your score for a hole is compared to its par, and then these individual hole scores are summed up to give you your total score for the round, relative to the course’s total par.

Understanding What 1 Under Par is Called and Other Golf Scores

Let’s break down how golf scoring works, focusing on that sweet spot of one under par. It’s not complicated once you get the hang of it, and it’s the foundation for understanding the game.

1. Learn the Term “Birdie.”

• Action: Commit the word “birdie” to memory for a score of one under par.
• What to look for: On any given hole, if the par is, say, 4, and you complete the hole in 3 strokes, you’ve just made a birdie. It’s that simple: your score is one less than the designated par.
• Mistake to avoid: Don’t confuse it with other under-par scores like an eagle (two under par) or over-par scores like a bogey (one over par). Stick with “birdie” for that specific -1 score.

2. Identify the Par for the Hole.

• Action: Before you even swing, check the scorecard or the tee marker to know the par for the hole you’re about to play.
• What to look for: The number designated as “Par” for that specific hole. Most courses have a mix of Par 3s, Par 4s, and Par 5s. Par 3s are typically shorter, Par 4s are mid-range, and Par 5s are the longest.
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming every hole is the same par. This is a rookie error. You need to know the par for each hole to accurately determine if you’ve made a birdie, eagle, or bogey. For instance, getting a 3 on a Par 4 is a birdie, but getting a 3 on a Par 3 is making par.

3. Accurately Count Your Strokes.

• Action: Keep a meticulous count of every single swing you take on the hole, from your tee shot all the way until the ball is in the cup.
• What to look for: The total number of times your club makes contact with the ball with the intention of moving it, including putts on the green. Don’t forget any practice swings that are taken with intent to hit the ball (though these aren’t usually counted in official scoring, it’s good practice to be precise).
• Mistake to avoid: Losing count, especially when you’re having a good or bad hole. It’s easy to get distracted. Always be aware of your stroke count. Also, be honest with yourself – no fudging the numbers!

4. Compare Your Strokes to the Hole’s Par.

• Action: Once you’ve finished the hole and know your stroke count and the hole’s par, do the math.
• What to look for: Subtract the hole’s par number from your total stroke count for that hole. If the result is -1, congratulations, you’ve made a birdie! If it’s -2, it’s an eagle. If it’s +1, it’s a bogey. If it’s 0, you made par.
• Mistake to avoid: Calculating backward or getting the subtraction mixed up. For example, if par is 5 and you took 4 strokes, your score relative to par is 4 – 5 = -1. That’s a birdie. If you think it’s 5 – 4 = 1, you might incorrectly think it’s a bogey. It’s always your score minus par.

5. Recognize Scorecard Notation and Terminology.

• Action: Learn how birdies and other scores are typically represented on a scorecard.
• What to look for: Many scorecards will have a column for “Strokes” and sometimes a column for “Par.” You can then calculate your score relative to par. Some scorecards might even have a dedicated spot to mark birdies, eagles, bogeys, etc. Often, a birdie is simply indicated by writing the lower stroke count (e.g., writing a ‘3’ on a Par 4 hole).
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming the number written on the scorecard is always the score relative to par. It’s usually just your total strokes for that hole. You still need to compare it to the par value for that hole to determine if it’s a birdie, bogey, or par.

6. Understand the Impact on Your Overall Score.

• Action: See how your individual hole scores, including your birdies, contribute to your total score for the round.
• What to look for: A birdie is a great way to lower your overall score. If the course par is 72, and you make several birdies, your final score will be significantly better than if you only made pars or bogeys. For example, making one birdie means you’re one stroke closer to beating the course’s total par.
• Mistake to avoid: Focusing solely on individual hole scores and forgetting how they all add up. A few birdies can really offset a couple of bad holes, but you still need to keep track of the big picture to know if you’re playing well overall.

7. Learn About “Streaks” and Momentum.

• Action: Notice how making a birdie can boost your confidence and potentially lead to more good play.
• What to look for: Golf is as much a mental game as a physical one. When you make a birdie, you feel good. That positive feeling can translate into better focus, a more relaxed swing, and a greater chance of making more birdies or pars on subsequent holes. It’s called building momentum.
• Mistake to avoid: Getting complacent after a birdie. While it’s great to celebrate, you need to stay focused on the current hole and execute your game plan. Don’t let one good shot make you forget the next shot is just as important.

Deeper Dive: What Is 1 Under Par Called and Scoring Nuances

Understanding what 1 under par is called is just the tip of the iceberg. Golf scoring has a rich vocabulary, and knowing these terms helps you appreciate the strategy and skill involved.

• The “Birdie” – A Golfer’s Delight: As we’ve established, a birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. It’s a universally positive outcome. Professional golfers often aim to make multiple birdies per round to stay competitive. For amateurs, it’s a sign of a well-played hole and a confidence booster. I remember my first birdie like it was yesterday – a tricky Par 5 where I managed to get on the green in two and two-putt. Felt like a million bucks!

• The “Eagle” – Flying High: Two strokes under par on a hole is an eagle. This is a rarer and even more impressive feat. Eagles are most commonly made on Par 5s, where a golfer might reach the green in two shots and sink a long putt, or on shorter Par 4s where a great drive and a subsequent chip-in or short putt can achieve it.

• The “Albatross” (or Double Eagle): This is three strokes under par on a single hole. It’s exceptionally rare and usually happens on a Par 5, where a golfer might drive the green and make the putt, or more commonly, sinks their second shot from the fairway into the hole. Think of it as a hole-in-one on a Par 4 or 5!

• The “Bogey” – A Common Setback: One stroke over par is a bogey. This is the most common score above par. It means you took one more stroke than expected. Most amateur golfers make bogeys regularly. It’s not ideal, but it’s part of the game for most of us.

• The “Double Bogey” and Beyond: Two strokes over par is a double bogey. Three strokes over is a triple bogey, and so on. These scores indicate a player is significantly over par on a hole and can quickly inflate a scorecard.

• “Par” – The Standard: Making par means you took exactly the expected number of strokes for the hole. It’s a solid, respectable score. Consistent pars are the backbone of a good round.

• “Even Par” and “Under Par” Rounds: When a golfer’s total score for 18 holes is equal to the total par for the course, they’ve shot “even par.” If their score is less than the total par, they’ve shot “under par.” For example, shooting a 70 on a Par 72 course means you are two under par for the round.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Confusing “birdie” with “bogey.”
• Why it matters: This is a fundamental misunderstanding that can lead to celebrating a bad score or lamenting a good one. A birdie is a score of -1 (good), while a bogey is a score of +1 (not so good).
• Fix: Associate “birdie” with “good” and “bogey” with “bad.” Think of a bird flying high (good) and a bogey as something dragging you down (bad).

• Mistake: Not understanding the definition of “par.”
• Why it matters: All scoring in golf is relative to par. If you don’t know what par is for a hole or the course, you can’t accurately assess your performance or understand terms like birdie or bogey.
• Fix: Always know the par for the hole you’re playing. Refer to the scorecard. Understand that par is the expected standard for a skilled player.

• Mistake: Incorrectly calculating scores relative to par.
• Why it matters: This leads to inaccurate scorekeeping and a false sense of how well you’re playing. You might think you made a birdie when you actually made a bogey.
• Fix: Always use the formula: Your Score – Par = Score Relative to Par. Double-check your subtraction. If par is 4 and you shot a 3, that’s 3 – 4 = -1 (birdie). If you shot a 5, that’s 5 – 4 = +1 (bogey).

• Mistake: Forgetting to add penalty strokes.
• Why it matters: Penalty strokes (for hitting out of bounds, into water hazards, etc.) are crucial additions to your score for a hole. Neglecting them can turn a potential birdie into a bogey or worse, significantly skewing your scorecard.
• Fix: Be vigilant about adding penalty strokes immediately after they are incurred. Don’t wait until the end of the hole. If you hit into the water on a Par 4 and take a penalty stroke, your score is now effectively one stroke higher before you even finish the hole.

• Mistake: Overlooking the importance of putting.
• Why it matters: A birdie is often made with excellent putting. If you’re consistently three-putting or taking too many putts, it’s hard to achieve birdies, even if your approach shots are good.
• Fix: Practice your putting! Work on lag putts to get close to the hole and short putts to finish them off. Aiming for two putts on most greens is a good strategy, with the occasional one-putt for a birdie opportunity.

• Mistake: Not keeping track of the overall score.
• Why it matters: While individual hole scores like birdies are exciting, a golfer needs to know their total score relative to par for the entire round to understand their overall performance and ranking.
• Fix: Sum up your scores after each hole and compare them to the cumulative par. This gives you a clear picture of whether you’re playing under, over, or at par for the round.

FAQ

• What is a score of two under par called?

A score of two under par on a single hole is called an eagle.

• What is a score of one over par called?

A score of one over par on a single hole is called a bogey.

• How do you calculate a score relative to par?

You subtract the par for the hole from the number of strokes you took to complete that hole. For example, if par is 4 and you took 3 strokes, your score relative to par is 3 – 4 = -1, which is a birdie.

• Is a birdie always a good score?

Yes, a birdie is always considered a good score in golf because it signifies completing a hole in one stroke less than the standard expectation (par).

• What if I take the same number of strokes as par on a hole?

If your stroke count matches the par for the hole, you have made par. This is neither under nor over par, and it’s a solid, respectable outcome.

• How many strokes under par is an Albatross?

An Albatross, also known as a double eagle, is three strokes under par on a single hole. This is a very rare and impressive score.

• Does a birdie count towards my overall score?

Absolutely. Birdies are crucial for lowering your total score for the round. Making several birdies can significantly improve your standing compared to the course’s total par.