You might be new to the golf course, aren’t you? If so, you might have heard terms like par, bogey, eagle, etc., being used by players now and then. If you have decided to learn about the terms, you’re already in the right direction to become competent in the game. Knowing about bogey golf is only justified at this stage!
There’s a certain weight, significance and even interesting history to the term. Enthused yet? Let us explain it for you…
Let Us Understand Bogey Golf
But bogey golf simply represents a scoring standard rather than a game variant. Counterintuitive? Not so much.
First, you need to know how the golf scoring system works.
In golf, players count how many strokes (hits of the ball) it takes to get the ball into the hole. The fewer strokes you use, the better your score.
Each hole on a golf course has a number called par.
Par: The number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take to finish that hole. Most holes are par-3, par-4, or par-5.
For example, if a hole is par 4, a skilled golfer is expected to finish it in 4 strokes.
If they take 4 strokes, they score par.
Now this is where bogey comes in.
A bogey means finishing the hole one stroke more than par.
On a par-4 hole, if a golfer takes 5 strokes to get the ball in the hole. That score is called a bogey.
Bogey: A bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a single hole.
While it doesn’t have a professional consequence, it matters a lot for recreational golfers. Getting to play bogey golf indicates consistency, control and competence in the game.
While professional players seek to avoid it, beginners are encouraged to aim for it.
The Scoring System in Golf
Knowing the scoring terms used in golf can give a bigger picture of what bogey good means.
| Golf Scoring | What It Means | Example (Par 4 Hole) |
| Eagle | Finishing the hole two strokes under par. This is a rare and excellent score, usually achieved with a very strong drive and precise follow-up shots. | Completing the hole in 2 strokes |
| Birdie | Scoring one stroke under par on a hole. This is a great result and a common goal for skilled golfers. | Completing the hole in 3 strokes |
| Par | The expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete the hole. It serves as the standard benchmark in golf scoring. | Completing the hole in 4 strokes |
| Bogey | Finishing the hole one stroke over par. While competitive golfers try to avoid it, beginners often consider it a decent result on difficult holes. | Completing the hole in 5 strokes |
| Double Bogey | Taking two strokes over par to finish the hole. This usually happens due to mistakes such as poor shots, hazards, or extra putts. | Completing the hole in 6 strokes |
| Triple Bogey (or worse) | Finishing three or more strokes over par. These scores typically occur when multiple errors happen during a hole. | Completing the hole in 7+ strokes |
Is a Bogey in Golf Good?
Not exactly. It depends on how skilled a golfer you’re. Skilled golfers are always seeking to score at or below par on every hole. They wouldn’t be happy getting a bogey. They’d rather avoid it.
But that’s not a criterion! They can still get double, triple or even quadruple bogeys. In fact, the best golfers score even worse. In 2019, PGA golfers scored 2.62 bogeys on average in TOUR Championship.
That said, getting a bogey in golf is still an achievement for beginner and recreational players.
Irrespective of the player you’re, bogey can still happen if the hole is hard, too.
How Can You Avoid Bogeys?
Know Your Golf Club: Choose your club based on the hole you are on. Not the other way around. Surrounding woods, sand, water hazards, even windflows can affect how the ball moves. Drive around and get a feel for your club first.
Visualise Before Shot: Success in golf depends on strategic thinking. So, think of possible obstacles on the path of your shot. Take risky shots that are worth it or choose an easier route.
Focus on Short Game: Practice your putt to improve your chances of lower scores. You might crush a long-distance shot. But if it takes several putts to finish the hole, those extra strokes will quickly add up and hurt your score.
Warm Up: Stretch, flex and warm yourself up before the game to improve focus and sharpness.
Slow Start: Practice placing the ball in safe spots first. Not long shots straight up!
Be Consistent: Avoiding a bogey in golf can’t happen overnight for beginners. It is okay that they happen. Be patient and focus on bringing yourself to course regularly.
A Brief History of “Bogey” Golf
The term “bogey” has an interesting origin that dates back to the late 19th century. In fact, bogey golf meaning becomes more apparent after knowing it.
Before the concept of par became widely used, golfers compared their scores against an imaginary opponent called the “Bogey Man.” The idea was simple: if you could match the Bogey Man’s score for a hole, you were doing well.
Why is it called a bogey in golf? The phrase was inspired by a popular British song at the time, “The Bogey Man,” which was recognized as “The Colonel Bogey March”. It represented an elusive character similar to the game of chase: “I’m the Bogey Man, catch me if you can.”
Golfers began using the term to describe the standard score a good amateur golfer was expected to make on a hole. If you beat the Bogey Man, you won the hole. If you didn’t, the Bogey Man won.
Over time, as the modern scoring system developed, par replaced bogey as the benchmark score for a hole. What used to be called a “bogey score” eventually became one stroke over par in today’s game.
Even though the meaning has evolved, the term stuck around. It is one of the most common scoring terms in golf today.
Wrapping Up
Dipping your hands into what is bogey golf is one of the first steps in the play. First steps toward learning how golf scoring works. But beyond the numbers, golf is really a game about course management and patience. Even experienced players know that every hole presents different challenges. So, don’t take pressure.
Instead of worrying about avoiding every bogey, focus on recovering well after mistakes. Learning when to play safely, when to take risks, and how to stay calm under pressure often matters more.
Over time, as your strategy and consistency improve, bogeys may naturally turn into pars, and sometimes even birdies. That’s part of what makes golf so rewarding.
FAQs
What is a double bogey in golf?
A double bogey means finishing a hole two strokes over par. For example, taking 6 strokes on a par-4 hole results in a double bogey. It usually happens due to mistakes like missed putts, hazards, or poor recovery shots.
What is an eagle in golf?
An eagle is when a golfer completes a hole two strokes under par. For instance, finishing a par-5 hole in 3 strokes or a par-4 hole in 2 strokes counts as an eagle. It’s a rare and excellent score in golf.
What is a par in golf?
Par is the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete a hole. It acts as the scoring benchmark for golf holes and courses. Common examples include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.
What score is better than a bogey?
Any score equal to or below par is better than a bogey. This includes par (even score), birdie (one under par), eagle (two under par), and albatross (three under par). These scores indicate stronger performance on a hole.
How many bogeys are normal per round?
For recreational golfers, several bogeys per round are normal. Many amateur players average 8-15 bogeys in an 18-hole round depending on course difficulty. Even professional golfers occasionally record bogeys during competitive rounds.
