How Golf is scored and Basic terms used in Golf

How Golf is scored?

Golf has two different types of scoring systems;

• Stroke play
• Match play 

Stroke play

With stroke play, a golf player’s objective is to hit the hole by using the lowest number of strokes taken at hitting the ball. This is the most used format in most reputable tournaments.

Match play

With this format, a golfer is given a point for every hole they have gotten lower numbers of strokes to hit the hole and the winner is always the one with the highest number of points after around. The most reputable tournament that uses this format is the Ryder Cup.

Scoring Terms That You Should Know 

Par: Refers to the number of strokes a golf player is predicted to need to hit one hole on the golf course. For instance: the most common ones being par-3, 4, 5 and 6

Ace/ Hole in one

This is hitting the ball straight to the hole from the start which is the tee in one shot.

Double Eagle 

This is a score after three strokes under par.

Bogey

A score after one stroke over par. There are other bogeys such as the triple bogey and double bogey

Putt

A shot was taken from the green to the hole 

Birdie

A score made from a number of strokes under the par in one hole.

The golf course 

This is a place where golf is played with either 18 holes or 9 holes depending on the area space. On the golf course, each hole has the following parts; 

• Teeing ground
• water  hazard
• rough
• out of bounds
• sank bunker
• water hazard
• fairway
• putting green
• flagstick
• hole 

A round consists of 18 holes or 9 holes depending on the golf course terrain.

A golf match is usually played in groups of 1 to 4 players each kicking off from the tee to the hole on the golf course and after completion of the 18th hole, a round is complete.

A tournament is made of usually four rounds.