Golf scores are measured relative to par. Every hole has a par value (3, 4, or 5), and your score on that hole is named based on how many strokes above or below par you took.
All golf scoring terms
| Term | Strokes vs par | Example on par-4 | How rare? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condor | -4 | Hole-in-one on par-5 | Fewer than 10 recorded in history |
| Albatross | -3 | 1 stroke on par-4 | ~1 in 6 million shots (amateur) |
| Eagle | -2 | 2 strokes | 0.5-1% of holes (Tour) |
| Birdie | -1 | 3 strokes | 15-25% of holes (Tour) |
| Par | 0 | 4 strokes | 45-55% of holes (Tour) |
| Bogey | +1 | 5 strokes | 15-25% of holes (Tour) |
| Double bogey | +2 | 6 strokes | 3-5% of holes (Tour) |
| Triple bogey | +3 | 7 strokes | <1% (Tour), common for beginners |
Scorecard markings
Each score type has a standard marking on scorecards:
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- Eagle or better: double circle around the number
- Birdie: single circle
- Par: no marking, just the number
- Bogey: single square
- Double bogey or worse: double square
Golf scoring formats
Stroke play
Count every stroke over 18 holes. Lowest total wins. This is how most professional tournaments work and how most rounds are scored casually.
Match play
Each hole is a separate contest. Win more holes than your opponent and you win the match. The Ryder Cup uses match play. Your total strokes don't matter, only whether you won or lost each individual hole.
Stableford
Points-based system. Double bogey or worse: 0 points. Bogey: 1. Par: 2. Birdie: 3. Eagle: 4. Albatross: 5. Higher score wins. This format encourages aggressive play because the downside is capped at 0.
Scramble
Team format. Every player hits, the team picks the best shot, and everyone plays from that spot. Repeat until the ball is holed. Common in charity tournaments and corporate outings. Scramble scores are usually 10-15 under par because you're always playing from the best position.
How handicaps work with scoring
Your handicap adjusts your score to account for skill level. A 15-handicap gets 15 strokes of relief across 18 holes, distributed to the 15 hardest holes (ranked by handicap index on the scorecard).
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Net score = gross score minus handicap. If you shoot 90 with a 15 handicap, your net score is 75. This lets players of different abilities compete fairly.
Scoring strategy by level
Beginners (25+ handicap)
Don't aim for par. Aim to avoid big numbers. If you can keep every hole to bogey or better, you'll shoot around 90, which puts you at a 17-18 handicap. Focus on getting the ball in play off the tee and avoiding penalties.
Mid-handicap (12-20)
Your scoring gains come from eliminating double bogeys and converting bogeys into pars. A round with 0 doubles and 10 pars is better than a round with 2 birdies and 5 doubles. Course management matters more than distance at this level.
Low handicap (0-8)
You're making pars consistently. Improvement comes from converting par opportunities into birdie opportunities. That means better approach shots and better putting inside 15 feet.
For a deep dive into any specific term, see our guides on birdie, eagle, bogey, par, albatross, mulligan, and handicap.
