Playing The Game

Common terms used in golf scoring

In golf, there are several scoring terms and concepts that players use to track and understand their performance on the course. Here are some common golf scoring terms:

Par: The number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or the entire course.

Under par:

Birdie: A score of one stroke under par on a hole.

Eagle: A score of two strokes under par on a hole.

Albatross/Double Eagle: A score of three strokes under par on a hole.

Over par:

Bogey: A score of one stroke over par on a hole.

Double Bogey: A score of two strokes over par on a hole.

Triple Bogey: A score of three strokes over par on a hole.

Other:

Hole-in-One: A shot that goes directly from the tee into the hole in one stroke.

Gimme: A short putt that is conceded by an opponent as holed without actually being played.