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