When you’re new to any sport, sometimes it can feel like you need to learn a whole new language just to understand what’s going on.
Rugby, cricket, basketball, and so many more carry their own specific terms and scoring systems that go beyond the usual one-nil layout.
If you’re a beginner and are keen to get to work with your golf clubs, you’ll first need to know the individual names of scores, so you can keep up with your fellow players and get to grips with the game much quicker.
So, what are the golf scoring terms you need to know, and what do they mean?
Par
Each hole on a golf course is designated a par number, represented by a single figure. It’s the number of strokes a player should reasonably be able to complete the hole in.
Golfers who can finish each hole dead-on par, or around that number, have a handicap of zero - also known as a scratch golfer.
For instance, a player who only needs four strokes on a par 4 finishes the hole with an on-par score. Someone who can do this consistently is generally considered an above-average golfer.
Birdie
Hitting a birdie represents finishing the hole one stroke under par.
Example: You’re able to sink a Par 3 in just 2 strokes.
Eagle
If you score an eagle, you’ve completed the hole in 2 strokes under par.
Example: You finish a Par 5 in 3 strokes – while impressive, this is the most common eagle in golf.
Albatross (Double Eagle)
Now we’re getting serious, and equally scarce.
An albatross is when you finish a hole three strokes under par. The most common example is completing a par 5 in just two strokes, which technically could happen by following a very long drive with a wondrous second shot that lands on the green and miraculously rolls into the hole.
The odds of landing an albatross are around six million to one, with very few having been landed in televised play. So, best of luck!
Condor
You’re never likely to see a condor land in your lifetime, but the term exists nevertheless.
A condor represents finishing a hole four strokes beneath par. To put into perspective just how difficult it would be to land a condor, you’d need to sink a hole-in-one (more on those in a moment) on a par 5 – which is a virtual impossibility.
They’re so rare, most bookmakers won’t even give you odds on such a score occurring.
Hole-in-One
As you can expect, a hole-in-one is where you land the ball in the hole with only one stroke.
While still extremely rare, this most commonly occurs on Par 3’s, where the green and flag are reachable with a single stroke.
Bogey
We had to reach the negatives eventually! A bogey represents finishing a hole one over par.
If you finished every hole on an 18-hole course with a bogey, you’d be 18 over par.
Double Bogey
Double bogeys can be incredibly damaging to a good score and turn an enjoyable round into a tormented one. Finishing the hole two strokes over par.
Triple Bogey
At least things are getting easier to understand now, right? A triple bogey means you’ve finished the hole three strokes over par.
Quadruple Bogey
Four strokes over par, you get the picture!
Where did golf scoring terms come from?
This topic could be an essay in itself, but here’s a quick overview…
‘Par’ and ‘bogey’ were actually interchangeable terms for a time, but around the early nineteen-hundreds, it was par that emerged as the favourable phrasing for the number of strokes a given hole should be completed in. This may have something to do with the original Latin: ‘par’ means ‘equal.’
As for the other bird-related terms, it’s believed to have begun with the usage of ‘bird’ as slang, referring to anything pleasant or likeable, and evolved from there. Eventually, these golfer scores became accepted across the board, with the United States Golf Association and many other governing bodies using them for professional golfers and major match play, including the PGA tour.
It’s an unusual beginning, given the above-mentioned birds have absolutely nothing to do with the game – unless an Eagle spontaneously steals your ball – but all traditions start from somewhere!
Find the latest golf clubs to lower your score with Clarkes Golf
Now that you know the lingo, if you’re ready to dedicate more time and energy to your golf game, you’ll need the right tools in your bag, so you can start rounding off your games in fewer strokes.
At Clarkes Golf, we’re home to a massive collection of golf clubs from the leading manufacturers in the sport – including Titleist, Ping, Mizuno, and many more. So we’ll always have the right clubs to complement your game as you progress.
Take a look at our full selection at the links above, or get in touch with the Clarkes Golf team if you need a helping hand with your purchase – we’re always happy to help.