Golf Scoring Calculator
Golf Scoring Calculator
Calculate scores relative to par and see how terms like bogey, birdie, and eagle work in golf scoring.
Enter the par value for your hole to see scoring outcomes
Scoring Terms Explained
| Term | Strokes Relative to Par | Example (Par 4) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 0 | 4 | Standard strokes for a skilled golfer |
| Bogey | +1 | 5 | One stroke over par (the term's origin story) |
| Birdie | -1 | 3 | One stroke under par |
| Eagle | -2 | 2 | Two strokes under par |
When you hear the word bogey is a golf scoring term for one stroke over par on a hole, you probably wonder why it sounds more like a spooky creature than a sports term.
Key Takeaways
- A bogey means one stroke more than par for a given hole.
- The word comes from a 19th‑century British song about a "bogey man" and a club‑level scoring competition.
- It was first used on a scorecard in the 1890s at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
- Today the term is standard worldwide, appearing on every official golf scorecard.
- Understanding the bogey’s history helps you remember other scoring terms like birdie and eagle.
The bogey origin traces back to a popular music‑hall tune called "The Bogey Man" that was whistled while players walked the course. Early members of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club turned the melody into a challenge: they would try to beat the “bogey” - the highest score they thought they could achieve on each hole. If a player finished a hole in the same number of strokes as the song’s rhythm, that score was recorded as a bogey.
What a bogey means on the scorecard
On a modern scorecard, a bogey is simply the number of strokes that is one higher than the hole’s par is the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete the hole. For example, if a par‑4 hole is completed in five strokes, the golfer writes a 5 and the term “bogey” is automatically attached to that score.
Historical roots of the term
The story begins in the late 1800s, when British golf clubs were still figuring out how to standardise scoring. The Royal Liverpool Golf Club (often called "Hoylake") introduced the concept of a "bogey score" in 1890. Club members would set a target score for each hole based on the ball’s distance and the difficulty of the terrain. That target was called the bogey, and beating it earned the nickname "birdie" - a term coined shortly after by an American golfer at the Atlantic City Country Club.
At the time, the word "bogey" was already part of British slang, referring to a mythical monster that haunted the countryside. The choice was playful: just as the bogey man was imagined to be a little harder to beat than an ordinary creature, the bogey score represented a modest challenge for the average club member.
How the bogey evolved from a song to a scoring term
Club members would often whistle the tune "The Bogey Man" while walking the fairway. The rhythm of the whistling matched the number of strokes they aimed for. If a player reached the green in the same number of strokes as the song’s beats, that was recorded as a bogey. Over time the musical reference faded, but the label stuck.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) officially adopted the term in the early 1900s, and it spread to courses worldwide as golf’s governing bodies standardised the language. By the 1920s, every printed scorecard listed "bogey" alongside "par", "birdie", and later "eagle".
Comparison of common golf scoring terms
| Term | Strokes relative to par | Typical usage | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Par is the benchmark number of strokes for a hole | 0 | Baseline for scoring | Derived from the Latin "parare" meaning "to prepare" |
| Bogey is one stroke over par | +1 | Common for amateur players | British song and folklore, 1890s club competition |
| Birdie is one stroke under par | -1 | Desired achievement for most golfers | Coined in 1903 at Atlantic City, likening a light bird to a light score |
| Eagle is two strokes under par | -2 | Rare, celebrated scoring | Early 20th‑century, following the bird‑theme hierarchy |
Common misconceptions about the bogey
Many newcomers think a bogey is a terrible score, but on a difficult par‑5 it may be a perfectly respectable result. The term does not imply a lack of skill; it simply marks a score that is one stroke higher than the expected standard.
Another myth is that "bogey" and "bogeyman" are interchangeable in golf slang. While they share a root, the "bogey" in golf is a neutral scoring term, whereas "bogeyman" remains a broader cultural reference.
Tips for remembering the term
- Link the word to the old tune: humming the melody while you walk the fairway helps cement the connection.
- Think of the bogey as a "plus one" - just add one to the par number.
- Remember the hierarchy: eagle (2 under), birdie (1 under), par (even), bogey (1 over), double bogey (2 over).
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does a bogey mean in golf?
A bogey is a score of one stroke more than the hole’s par. On a par‑4, a score of five strokes is recorded as a bogey.
When was the term "bogey" first used?
The word appeared on scorecards in 1890 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club in England, stemming from a club competition linked to a popular song.
Is a bogey considered a bad score?
Not necessarily. For many amateur players, a bogey is a typical result, especially on long or challenging holes.
How does a bogey differ from a double bogey?
A double bogey is two strokes over par, while a bogey is just one stroke over. Both are recorded on the scorecard but indicate different levels of difficulty.
Why is the term "bogey" still used today?
The term has become part of universal golf vocabulary. It provides a quick, standardized way to describe scores relative to par, which is essential for competition and record‑keeping.
