Golf Score Terms

Some of the many terms that correspond to different scores in golf date back to the mid-to-late 1800s. For example, the term "par," one of the most recognizable golf terms, is derived from the stock exchange term that a stock may be above or below its normal, or "par" figure. It was first used to describe an expected golf score in 1870.

  1. Ace

    • An "ace" is also known as the elusive "hole-in-one." This is when ball goes into the hole on a golfer's first shot. According to a five-year study conducted by U.S. Hole In One, a provider of hole-in-one contest prize insurance, the odds are 1 in 12,500 that an average golfer will ever get a hole-in-one. Even professionals don't get one often. There were only 36 aces on the entire Professional Golfer's Association Tour in the entire 2009 season.

    Double Eagle

    • A double eagle is a score that is three shots under par. In other words, you scored a 2 on a par-5 hole. Double eagles are even rarer than holes-in-one. The odds of making one are one in a million, according to a 2004 article in "Golf World" magazine. Three under par is also called an "Albatross," which is an old British name for a double eagle. It refers to the rare bird because of the rarity of the score.

    Eagle

    • An eagle describes a hole completed two shots under par. For example, it's an eagle if you score a 3 on a par-5 hole, or a 2 on a par-4 hole. Eagles are rare even for professional golfers. In 2010, Matt Bettencourt led all tour players with eagles, and he had only 17 of them.

    Birdie

    • A birdie refers to a score that is one shot under par. If you score a 4 on a par- 5, or a 2 on a par-3, that constitutes a birdie.

    Par

    • A par means you completed the hole in the number of expected strokes. The par number is determined by the course developer, who factors in things like distance from tee to green, slope, hazards and overall difficulty. Par is the standard score that many players strive to shoot when playing golf. When golfers refer to their "handicap," this is the number of shots they shoot over par in an average round.

    Bogey

    • A bogey is one over par. For example, a 4 on a par-3 or a 5 on a par-4 is a bogey. A double bogey is two shots over par, a triple bogey is three shots over par and so on. In 2011, pro golfer Kevin Na made news for a bogey there is no term for. He shot a 16 on a par-4.