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