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