How to keep score in golf

The idea: fewer strokes wins

In golf, you count every swing that is meant to hit the ball, and the player with the lowest total wins. That is the opposite of most sports, where the biggest number wins. Every swing at the ball counts as one stroke, even a swing that misses it completely, as long as you meant to hit it. Once you accept that smaller is better, the rest of scoring is simple bookkeeping.

What is on a scorecard

A scorecard is a small card or sheet, often on a clipboard or in an app, that lists the holes in order. For each hole you will usually see these items.

• Hole number, from 1 up to 9 or 18 depending on the round.
• Par, the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to need on that hole.
• Distance, shown for each set of tees.
• A row for each player, with a box to write the strokes taken on each hole.
• Totals for the front half, back half and whole round.

If a word on the card is unfamiliar, our golf terms for new parents guide covers the common ones.

Scoring relative to par

Golfers talk about a hole by comparing the strokes taken with par. Memorizing these names makes the scoreboard and the chatter on the course make sense.

A round total can also be given relative to par. If the course par is 36 for nine holes and a player takes 40 strokes, that player is four over par. A player who takes 34 is two under par.

What counts as a stroke

1. Every swing that is intended to hit the ball counts, including a swing that completely misses it.
2. Putts count exactly like any other stroke.
3. Practice swings do not count, as long as you do not hit the ball.
4. Penalty strokes are added to the score for certain situations, such as hitting into a penalty area or out of bounds. See penalties, lost balls and out of bounds for how those work.

A worked example

Imagine a par 4. A player hits a drive down the fairway (1), an approach shot onto the green (2), a long first putt that stops near the hole (3) and taps in the short one (4). That is a par. If the same player had missed the green and needed a chip (3), then two putts (4 and 5), the score would be a bogey. Write the number in the box and move to the next hole.

Many youth programs also set a maximum number of strokes per hole, sometimes called a "pick up" rule, so a hard hole does not take forever. Whether your program uses one varies, so ask your coach.

Who keeps the card

In many formats, golfers keep score for another player in the group, called a marker, and the player checks and approves the card at the end. In casual and beginner play, it is common for each player to track their own score and for the group to compare. At the end of a round, check each hole before anyone signs or turns in a card, because a wrong total can sometimes count against a player. Your league or coach will tell you the exact process.

Tips for keeping score as a beginner

• Write the score as soon as the hole is finished, while everyone remembers it clearly.
• Agree on the number out loud with the group before moving to the next tee.
• Use pencil, and keep a spare, since pens can smear in damp weather.
• Add up each half separately and then add them together to check the total.
• Do not erase in a hurry. Neat corrections are better than guesses.

Scoring words you will hear on the course

Beyond the names in the table, a few phrases come up constantly. Gross score is the plain total of strokes. Net score is a gross score after a handicap adjustment, used in some events so that players of different ability can compete fairly. A hole in one is holing the ball with the first stroke from the tee, and it is a score of one on that hole. A tap-in is a very short putt. "Making the turn" means finishing the first half of an 18-hole round. You do not have to memorize them all. Listen, ask questions and let the words become familiar over a few rounds.

After the round

When the last hole is finished, take a moment to review the card together. Count each half, add the totals and compare with the group. This is a good time to talk about what went well. Many young golfers enjoy keeping their cards in a folder, so they can look back and see how far they have come. Some families also jot a note on the back about a favorite shot or a new thing learned. Over a season that record becomes a pleasant story of progress, and it shifts attention from a single number to the whole experience of learning the game.

Common beginner mistakes

• Forgetting a missed swing. A swing and a miss still counts as a stroke.
• Leaving out penalty strokes. Add them to the hole where they happened.
• Mixing up the hole numbers. On a busy course, it is easy to write a score in the wrong row.
• Dwelling on a bad hole. One high number does not define a round. Learn from it and move on, as described in handling nerves in youth golf.

Scoring also depends on the format being played, because some games count holes won rather than total strokes. See stroke play vs match play vs scramble.

Sources and further reading

1. Rule 3 - The Competition USGA
2. Golf - Play, Rules, Equipment Encyclopaedia Britannica
3. Stroke play Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Frequently asked questions

How is golf scored?

Players count every stroke taken, and the player with the lowest total wins. Scores are often compared with par.

Does a missed swing count as a stroke?

Yes. If you swing at the ball to hit it and miss, it still counts as a stroke. A practice swing does not count.

What is par in golf?

Par is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole. It is usually 3, 4 or 5 depending on the length.

What is the difference between a birdie and a bogey?

A birdie is one stroke under par on a hole. A bogey is one stroke over par.

Who keeps score in a golf group?

It varies by event. Often a player records another player's score, and each player checks it before turning it in. Ask your coach or league.