| Sometimes as you are beginning to play the | | | | their round as ten over. This means they were |
| game of golf, keeping score for a round may | | | | ten over par. On a course with a par of 72, |
| seem daunting at first. After reading this | | | | they would have been telling you that they |
| article, you should find scoring for golf can | | | | had shot 82 that day. Sometimes players will |
| be easy. Many players do not keep score when | | | | use a handicap for scoring. The handicap is |
| they first start because they are already | | | | the amount of strokes that can be subtracted |
| nervous and frustrated by their golf swing. | | | | from a player's actual score to produce a net |
| Remember no matter what skill level you are | | | | score. If your handicap is a 20 for the |
| at, having fun is the real name of the game. | | | | course you are playing that day and you shoot |
| We will begin with explaining the scorecard. | | | | a score of 85 or thirteen over, 85 would be |
| Obviously, not all scorecards are alike. | | | | your "gross score" and 65 or seven under |
| However, they all have some basic components. | | | | would be your "net score." This is why |
| To start with, every scorecard has a wide | | | | sometimes you will see two tournament scores |
| column for the names of the players. This is | | | | posted by a name at your local club. One is a |
| purely for your reference. The order the | | | | gross score and the other is a net score. You |
| names (or nicknames) appear on the card does | | | | will also find a column to record a score for |
| not matter. Although golf is typically played | | | | each hole played. Each time you make an |
| in foursomes, you may find more than four | | | | attempt to hit the ball it will count as one |
| spaces available for names. Sometimes, a | | | | stroke. The total strokes for each hole are |
| scorecard will have par (we will discuss | | | | added up and the total is entered on the |
| later) as a colored bar running across the | | | | scorecard. The first nine holes that you play |
| card and this will allow for you to show | | | | are referred to as the out nine and the last |
| teams more easily if needed. Next, par on the | | | | nine holes are referred to as the in nine. |
| scorecard refers to the expected amount of | | | | Old links golf courses went straight out for |
| strokes that it may take to complete the hole | | | | nine holes and then turned and came straight |
| for a scratch golfer. With exceptions to the | | | | back in. Once you have completed eighteen |
| rule, par is determined by distance. Par is | | | | holes you will add you r scores form the |
| always determined by assuming it would take | | | | front and back nines for your total score. To |
| two strokes once on the putting surface in | | | | properly complete a scorecard, you will sign |
| regulation. For example a hole that is a "Par | | | | the card as well. All scorecards have a place |
| 5" should take 3 strokes to reach the green | | | | to sign as the scorekeeper or to attest the |
| in regulation and two more strokes to | | | | scorecard as well as to provide the date. |
| complete. If you can reach a par five in two | | | | This will become more important to you as you |
| shots and two putts that would be a four or | | | | begin to play tournament golf. Your club may |
| one under par or also known as a birdie. | | | | require this for the scorecard to be valid |
| Conversely, if it takes you four strokes to | | | | for handicap purposes as well. Check with |
| reach the green on a par five and two putts | | | | your local club to make sure. |
| then you would have made a six or be one over | | | | |
| par also known as a bogey for that hole. | | | | Brad Myers is a Certified PGA Professional. |
| After the round you may hear someone refer to | | | | |