What Is A Bogey In Golf?

What is a bogey in golf? The simplest answer is that a bogey in golf is a score on a hole one stroke over par. To truly understand what that means, however, you must understand how golf scoring works. To learn what a bogey is in golf in terms of golf's scoring structure, please continue reading.

Scoring in golf is based upon the number of strokes it takes to complete a course, which is divided up into separate holes, either nine or eighteen holes depending upon the size of the course. Each hole is assigned a number that is "par," meaning the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfer—one without a handicap—to complete the hole. A bogey in golf is a score on one hole, one stroke past that par number.

Par on golf holes is rated by difficulty and distance. Most courses contain par three, par four, and par five holes. A bogey in golf on a par three hole is completing the hole in four strokes, one over par. A bogey in golf on a par four is completing it in five strokes, and a bogey in golf on a par five is completing the hole in six strokes. For a beginning golfer, a bogey in golf is a very good score. For professionals, a bogey in golf can mean disaster.

The total score of the round is the total number of shots needed to complete the course. Many a bogey in golf will result in the score being over par.

Now that you understand the answer to the question "What is a bogey in golf?" it's time to hit the links.