Golf scoring can feel like its own language when you first step onto a course.
Par, birdie, eagle, and bogey get thrown around so casually that keeping track of what each score means can become harder than keeping track of the ball.
I find that golf scoring becomes much simpler once every term is connected back to par. If you are trying to understand what is a bogey in golf, that same approach makes the term much easier to remember.
Once the basic scoring pattern clicks, reading a scorecard and following a round starts making far more sense.
Quick Answer: What is a Bogey in Golf?
A bogey in golf means completing a hole in one stroke more than its par. If a hole is a par 4 and you take five strokes to finish it, you have made a bogey.
Par represents the number of strokes a golfer is expected to need to complete a particular hole. A bogey simply adds one stroke to that number.
For example, taking four strokes on a par-3 hole is a bogey. Taking six strokes on a par-5 hole is also a bogey.
The specific number of strokes changes according to the hole’s par, but the relationship stays the same: par + 1 = bogey.
Where Did the Term “Bogey” Come From?
The term “bogey” in golf originated in England in the late 19th century and today means scoring one stroke over par.
Around 1890, Hugh Rotherham, secretary of Coventry Golf Club, helped establish a target score known as the “ground score,” representing how many strokes a good golfer should take on each hole.
During a similar competition at the Great Yarmouth Club, a player reportedly told the club secretary that his opponent played like “a regular Bogey man,” a nod to a popular song about an elusive, hard-to-catch character.
The nickname stuck, and “Colonel Bogey” became golf’s imaginary standard setter. As par became the professional benchmark, bogey settled into its modern meaning of one stroke over par.
For the full account, the USGA’s golf history archive traces how the two terms diverged on either side of the Atlantic.
Common Golf Scoring Terms You Should Know
1. Par
It is the standard number of shots a golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. For example, if a hole is a par 4, completing it in 4 shots means you have made par.
Type of Par | Expected Shots | Usually Used For |
|---|---|---|
Par 3 | 3 shots | Short holes |
Par 4 | 4 shots | Medium-length holes |
Par 5 | 5 shots | Long holes |
Par 6 | 6 shots | Very long and uncommon holes |
2. Birdie
A birdie means completing a hole in one stroke fewer than par. For example, if you finish a par-4 hole in three strokes, you have made a birdie.
Birdies lower your overall score and are generally considered a good result.
They can happen after a strong tee shot, an accurate approach, or a well-made putt that allows you to finish the hole under par.
3. Bogey
A bogey happens when you take one more shot than the par for a hole. So, if a hole is meant to take four shots and you finish it in five, you’ve made a bogey. If you need more extra shots, the score gets a different name:
- Double Bogey: You take 2 extra shots to finish the hole.
- Triple Bogey: You take 3 extra shots to finish the hole.
- Quadruple Bogey: You take 4 extra shots to finish the hole.
4. Eagle
An eagle is achieved when you complete a hole two strokes under par.
For example, taking only three strokes to finish a par-5 hole gives you an eagle. Eagles are less common than birdies and usually require a combination of long, accurate shots and good putting.
You may also make an eagle by scoring a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole. This eagle scoring breakdown walks through more examples across different par values.
5. Ace or Hole-in-One
An ace, commonly called a hole-in-one, happens when your first shot from the tee goes directly into the hole. It is most commonly achieved on par-3 holes because they are shorter.
A hole-in-one counts as just one stroke on the scorecard. Even experienced golfers may play for years without making one, which is why an ace is such a memorable achievement.
6. Albatross
An albatross means completing a hole three strokes under par.
For example, finishing a par-5 hole in only two strokes. It is an exceptionally rare score because a golfer usually needs a very long and accurate shot to achieve it.
An albatross is also sometimes called a “double eagle,” particularly in the United States, although both terms describe the same score.
Golf Terms at a Glance:
Term | Strokes Relative to Par |
|---|---|
Albatross (Double Eagle) | 3 under |
Eagle | 2 under |
Birdie | 1 under |
Par | Even |
Bogey | 1 over |
Double Bogey | 2 over |
Triple Bogey | 3 over |
Quadruple Bogey | 4 over |
What Usually Causes a Bogey?
A bogey does not always come from one particularly poor shot. Sometimes several small mistakes add a single extra stroke to the hole.
- Trouble Off the Tee: A drive into rough, trees, or another difficult position can make reaching the green harder.
- Missed Approach Shots: Missing the green may require an additional chip or pitch before putting.
- Poor Chipping: A chip that finishes far from the hole can make the next putt more difficult.
- Extra Putts: Taking three putts instead of two is a common way to add another stroke.
- Penalty Strokes: Water hazards, lost balls, and out-of-bounds shots can quickly increase the score.
- Risky Decisions: Attempting a difficult recovery instead of playing safely can turn a manageable hole into a higher score.
Learning the common types of golf shots makes it easier to spot exactly where those extra strokes creep in, if it is a mishit approach, a heavy chip, or one putt too many.
Is a Bogey Good or Bad in Golf?
A bogey is not necessarily a bad score, especially for beginners and recreational golfers. It simply means you took one more shot than par to complete the hole.
For example, scoring 5 on a par-4 hole is a bogey. While skilled golfers usually aim for par or better, making bogeys can still lead to a respectable round for many amateur players.
If you’re new to golf, consistently making bogeys can actually show that you’re keeping the ball in play and avoiding much higher scores. As your game improves, you can work toward turning more of those bogeys into pars or even birdies.
Tracking your score correctly is really the only way to know if bogeys are trending down as skills develop, rather than just guessing hole by hole.
Tips to Avoid Bogeys in Golf
Smart shot choices and consistent play can help prevent extra strokes and keep your score under control. Regular practice and playing the sport can also support better control and consistency on the golf course.
- Choose Safe Targets: Avoid unnecessary risks near hazards.
- Practice Short Game: Improve chipping and putting accuracy.
- Know Club Distances: Choose clubs based on reliable distances.
- Avoid Penalties: Play carefully around water and out-of-bounds areas.
- Recover Smartly: Choose a safe recovery after a poor shot.
- Stay Consistent: Focus on controlled shots and a steady routine.
The Final Putt
Not every hole ends with the score you hoped for, and sometimes that one extra swing is simply part of the game. Once you understand what is a bogey in golf, reading the scorecard and following a round starts to feel much easier.
A bogey means finishing one stroke over par, while double, triple, and quadruple bogeys come with additional strokes.
Knowing the stories behind par, birdie, eagle, and albatross also helps put every score into perspective.
I like to see a bogey as part of the challenge rather than a reason to get frustrated, especially once the history behind the word feels like a shared inside joke among golfers rather than a personal failure.
Which of these scoring terms surprised you the most? Drop your best bogey or birdie story in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ostrich in Golf?
An ostrich means scoring five strokes under par on a single hole. It is extremely rare and would usually require a hole-in-one on a par-6.
What Is the Rarest Shot in Golf?
A condor, four strokes under par on one hole, is among golf’s rarest recorded scores and has occurred only a handful of times.
Has Tiger Woods Ever Made an Albatross?
No, Tiger Woods has not recorded an albatross in PGA Tour competition, despite making numerous eagles and holes-in-one during his career.
What is the Lowest Possible Golf Score?
The lowest possible score on any individual golf hole is 1, known as a hole-in-one or ace. For a full round, there is no universal minimum.
