Golf Basics-Keeping Score

One of the first rules you need to learn about golf is how to keep score. Golf is scored by how many strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole. It is one of the few games where it is better to have a lower score.

Scoring is based upon pars on each hole. Par is what you score to break even on a hole. For example, if you are on a par 3 and get the ball in the hole in 3 strokes you made par.

A birdie is when you score one stroke under par. Let's say your on a par 4 and you score a 3 you made a birdie. If this was on the first hole you would be at 1under par.

A eagle is when you score 2 under par. Let's say the first hole is a par 5. If you score a 3 you made an eagle. You would be 2 under par at this point.

A bogey is when you score 1 over par. If you score a 5 on a par 4 that is a bogey. You would be 1 over par at this point.

A double bogey is when you score 2 strokes over par. A 5 on a par 3 is an example of this.

Here's an example using all the different scoring scenarios:

Hole 1 is a par 4. You score a 5 giving you a bogey. You are now 1 over par for the day.

Hole 2 is a par 5. You double bogey this hole with a 7. You are now 3 over par.

Hole 3 is a par 3. You score a birdie with a 2. You are now 2 over par for the day.

Hole 4 is a par 5. You score an eagle by shooting a 3. You are now even for the day.

I hope this helps those of you just starting to learn golf basics. Keep coming back as I will update with different golf topics.