Golf can feel like a secret club with its own language—par, birdie, bogey, eagle—what do they even mean? If you’re new to the game or just brushing up, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with this beginner-friendly guide to golf scoring terms. By the end, you’ll not only understand the lingo but also feel ready to impress your buddies on the course in 2025. Let’s break it down step-by-step, with simple explanations, fun examples, and even a few stats to keep things interesting. Ready? Grab your clubs (or just your curiosity), and let’s tee off!
What Are Golf Score Terms? A Beginner’s Breakdown
Golf isn’t just about hitting a ball into a hole—it’s about how many swings (or strokes) it takes you to get there. Golf score terms are the words we use to describe that number compared to a standard called “par.” Think of par as the goalpost: it’s how many strokes a good golfer should take to finish a hole. Everything else—birdies, bogeys, eagles—tells you how you did compared to that goal.
For example, if a hole is a “par 4” and you finish in 3 strokes, you’ve beaten par. That’s a birdie! If it takes you 5 strokes, you’re over par—that’s a bogey. Simple, right? These golf terms make golf exciting because they turn every hole into a mini-challenge. Let’s dig into the details with a handy cheat sheet next.
Key Golf Scoring Terms Cheat Sheet
Here’s a quick rundown of the key golf scoring terms you’ll hear on the course. Bookmark this—it’s your go-to reference!
- Stroke: A single swing at the ball.
- Par: The expected number of strokes to complete a hole.
- Under Par: Scoring fewer strokes than par.
- Over Par: Scoring more strokes than par.
- Even: Matching the par score exactly.
- Birdie: One stroke under par.
- Eagle: Two strokes under par.
- Albatross / Double Eagle: Three strokes under par.
- Condor: Four strokes under par (extremely rare!).
- Hole-in-One / Ace: Hitting the ball into the hole in one stroke.
- Bogey: One stroke over par.
- Double Bogey: Two strokes over par.
- Triple Bogey: Three strokes over par.
- Quadruple Bogey: Four strokes over par.
Want more? Keep reading—I’ll explain each one with examples you can picture.
Key Golf Scoring Terms You Need to Know
Let’s unpack the most important golf score terms you’ll run into. Whether you’re swinging for fun or dreaming of the PGA, these are the basics every golfer should master.
Stroke
A stroke is just one swing at the ball. Hit it off the tee? That’s one stroke. Tap it into the hole? Another stroke. Count every swing—yes, even that embarrassing whiff when you miss the ball entirely. Your total strokes for a hole or round decide your score. It’s that simple!
Par: The Foundation of Golf Scoring
“Par” is a number in golf that tells an expert player how many swings (or strokes) they should need to finish a hole. Usually, each hole includes two “putts” (short hits to get the ball into the hole). For example, if a hole is called “par-4,” a scratch golfer should take two swings to reach the green (the smooth area near the hole) and then use two putts to finish the hole.
The par for a hole is mostly decided by its distance. But it’s not just about how long it is—things like the shape of the land, whether it slopes up or down, and other factors also matter. These things help figure out what kind of par the hole should have.
Here are some common distances chart, which are a bit different:
USGA‘s distance guidelines For men:
- Par-3: Up to 250 yards
- Par-4: 251 to 470 yards
- Par-5: 401 to 690 yards
USGA‘s distance guidelines For women:
- Par-3: Up to 210 yards
- Par-4: 211 to 400 yards
- Par-5: 401 to 575 yards
When we say “par,” it’s usually about the swings needed for one hole. But sometimes, people use it to talk about a group of holes too. A full 18-hole golf course has a mix of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes. The total par for all 18 holes is usually between 69 and 73, with par-72 being the most common.
If a player plays for four days, doing 18 holes each day, the total par for a par-72 course would be 288 over those four days. On TV or scoreboards, you’ll see a player’s score compared to par. This score is based on all the holes and days they’ve played. Sometimes, they also show each day’s score separately.
So, “par” is a keyword that helps you understand how well a golfer is doing!
Under Par
When a golfer hits the ball fewer times than the “par” to finish a hole, we call it “under par.” Now, “par” is just the number of shots someone is expected to take to get the ball into a specific hole on the golf course.
For example, imagine a golfer playing three different holes. On a par-3 hole (where 3 shots are expected), they take 3 shots. On a par-4 hole (4 shots expected), they only take 3 shots. And on a par-5 hole (5 shots expected), they take 4 shots. If you add it up, they’ve taken two shots less than the total par. So, we’d say their score is “two under par” or just “-2.”
This term is super common in golf—it’s a way to show how well a player is doing by highlighting how few shots they need. The lower the score, the better they’re playing! Pretty cool, right?
Over Par
In golf, “over par” is a way to say a player took more shots than the course expects, which is called “par.” For example, imagine a player is on a short par-3 hole and takes 4 shots to finish it. Then, on a par-4 hole, they take 6 shots, and on a par-5 hole, they take 4 shots. If you add it all up, their score would be called “two over par” or “+2.” It just means they took two extra shots compared to what par says they should’ve taken.
In simpler words, if you’re in a rush or mess up a bit and end up needing a couple more shots, you’re “over par.” And honestly, for anyone who plays golf, this happens all the time—it’s totally normal! 😊
Even
If someone says a golfer’s score is “exact” or “even,” it just means they’re scoring exactly what they’re supposed to for all the holes. For example, let’s say a golfer has to play three holes. They score 4 on the first hole, 3 on the second, and 5 on the third. If those numbers match the “par” (the expected score) for those holes, then their score is “even.”
In simpler words, in golf, “even” means the player got the exact score they were supposed to for a hole—no more, no less. Pretty straightforward, right?
Birdie: Scoring Under Par Made Simple
For people who play golf, a “birdie” happens when a player finishes a hole with one stroke less than the set number, called “par.” For example, if a hole’s par is 3, finishing it in 2 strokes is a birdie.
In 2019, on the PGA Tour (a big golf league), the average player made about 3.68 birdies per round. Justin Thomas was the best at this, averaging 4.58 birdies per round.
But for regular golfers, making a birdie—or even just hitting par—is pretty tough. Experts have looked at how often everyday players get pars, birdies, or even better scores, and how often they mess up with something like a “bogey” (one stroke over par) or worse mistakes.
An app called TheGrint checked data from its users. They found that players with a handicap (a measure of skill) between 16 and 20 only get about 0.3 birdies—or better—per round. Players in that same range average just 3.6 pars. It’s not until a player’s handicap drops to between 1 and 5 that they can average about one birdie (and 9 pars) in a round.
In simple words? If you’re just starting out, getting a birdie is going to feel really hard. But the more you practice and get better, the easier it’ll start to feel!
Eagle
An eagle is 2 strokes under par. On a par 5, that’s 3 strokes—maybe a killer drive and a perfect approach shot. On a par 4, it’s 2 strokes, like a long drive straight into the hole. Eagles are rare and feel like winning the lottery!
Albatross / Double Eagle
An albatross (or double eagle) is 3 strokes under par. Think a hole-in-one on a par 4 or 2 strokes on a par 5. It’s so rare that only about 1% of golfers ever score one in their lifetime. If you get an albatross, brag about it—you’ve earned it!
Condor
A condor is the rarest score in golf—it’s 4 under par on a single hole:
- Not possible on a par 3 or par 4
- 1 stroke (hole-in-one) on a par 5
- 2 strokes on a par 6
There have been fewer than ten verified condors in golf history. They typically occur on par 5 holes with significant doglegs or elevation changes where cutting the corner is possible. The odds of a condor are astronomical—so much so that many golfers play their entire lives without ever witnessing one.
Hole-in-One / Ace
A “hole in one” or “ace” happens when a golfer hits their first shot right into the hole (the cup) and finishes the hole with just one swing.
Aces don’t happen often—they’re super rare! According to the American Hole in One, the chances of an average golfer getting a hole in one on a par-3 hole are about 12,500 to 1. For professional golfers, the odds get better, around 2,500 to 1.
When aces do happen, they’re almost always on a par-3 hole, though there have been hole-in-ones on par-4 and even par-5 holes too!
Bogey: What Happens When You’re Over Par
So, a “bogey” in golf means when a player takes one extra swing, or stroke, more than the “par” to finish a hole. For example, if a hole’s par is 4, and the player takes 5 strokes to complete it, that’s a bogey.
Now, here’s the thing: for a skilled golfer with a low handicap or a pro, a bogey is kind of a bad deal—it’s not what they’re aiming for. But for newbies or less experienced players, it’s not a big problem at all. In fact, they’re pretty happy if they only take one extra stroke per hole!
Imagine a golf course with a total par of 72. If you get a bogey on every hole, your score would be 90. For someone just starting out, hitting 90 is a huge win! It feels awesome to reach that.
So yeah, a bogey might not be great, but for new players, it can be a cool sign that they’re off to a good start. 😊
Double Bogey
A double bogey is 2 strokes over par—like 6 strokes on a par 4. Rough day? Shake it off and aim for par next time.
Triple Bogey
Triple bogey is 3 strokes over par (7 on a par 4). It’s a tough hole, but it’s not the end of the world.
Quadruple Bogey
Four strokes over par—like 8 on a par 4. At this point, laugh it off and enjoy the fresh air. Golf’s about fun, too!
How Golf Score Is Calculated
Your golf score is the total number of strokes you take across all 18 holes (or 9, if you’re playing a short round). Here’s how it works:
- 1. Each hole has a par number.
- 2. You count your strokes per hole.
- 3. Compare your strokes to par to get your score terms (birdie, bogey, etc.).
- 4. Add up all your strokes for your total score.
For example:
- Hole 1 (Par 4): 4 strokes = even par.
- Hole 2 (Par 3): 2 strokes = birdie.
- Hole 3 (Par 5): 6 strokes = bogey.
Total strokes = 12. If the course par is 12 for those 3 holes, you’re “even par” overall. Pros often track their score relative to par (like -2 or +1), but beginners can just focus on the total strokes to start.
How Golf Score Terms Impact Your Game in 2025
Understanding golf scoring terms isn’t just trivia—it changes how you play. In 2025, tech like smart golf watches and apps (think Golfshot or Arccos) can track your birdies and bogeys in real-time, helping you spot patterns. Are you racking up bogeys on par 3s? Time to practice your short game. Nailing birdies on par 5s? Lean into your long drives.
Plus, these terms add bragging rights. Tell your friends you scored an eagle, and watch their jaws drop. Golf’s a mental game, too—knowing the lingo boosts your confidence and keeps you in the zone.
Golf Scoring Terms FAQs: Quick Answers for New Golfers
There’s no strict “7,” but here are seven big ones: par, birdie, eagle, bogey, double bogey, hole-in-one, and albatross. They cover the basics of under, over, and on par.
Stroke terms describe your swings—like “stroke” (one hit) or multi-stroke scores (double bogey). It’s all about counting those swings against par.
Seven under par doesn’t have an official name since it’s beyond rare—it’d be a mix of eagles and birdies over multiple holes. Call it “legendary” and leave it at that!
Two under par is an eagle. On a par 5, that’s 3 strokes—sweet!
An albatross (3 under par) beats an eagle. Even rarer? A condor (4 under par).
On a par 5, an eagle is 3 strokes. Drive, approach, putt—done!
On a par 3, a birdie is 2 strokes. One to the green, one to the hole—perfect.
That’s a “stroke.” Every hit counts toward your score.
An eagle is 2 shots under par. Simple math, big reward!
The lowest single-hole score is a hole-in-one (1 stroke). For a round, it’s just “under par”—the more negative, the better (like -10).
Negative scores mean you’re under par—fewer strokes than expected. It’s a good thing! A -2 means 2 under par, thanks to birdies or eagles.
Why This Matters for You
Mastering golf scoring terms isn’t just about sounding smart—it’s about enjoying the game more. Imagine stepping onto the course in 2025, tracking your birdies with a cool app, and knowing exactly what your score means. Whether you’re aiming for par or just happy to avoid a quadruple bogey, these terms give you a way to measure your progress and have fun doing it.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our guides on Golf Rules 101 or How to Improve Your Score for more tips. Now, go hit the links and chase that first birdie—I’m rooting for you!