Golf is an easy sport to keep score in, but it does scoring differently than many other sports in that participants keep track of their own scores. This demands integrity and honesty from golfers to keep the game fair, although in professional golfing there are officials who oversee scoring. If you're going out golfing for the first time and need to know how to keep track of your own score, you'll find it's an extremely simple task.
Step 1
Count the number of strokes it takes for you to hit the ball from the tee into the cup. Add this total under the corresponding hole number on your scorecard. For example, if it takes you four shots to get the ball in the cup on the first hole, your score is 4.
Step 2
Total up your scores from each hole throughout the day to get your final score for the round. Compare this number to the total expected score, or "par" listed on the scorecard. If your score is smaller than this number, subtract your score from the par score to get the number of strokes you were under par. If your score is larger than the par score, subtract the par total from your score to determine the number of strokes you finished over par. This is your score in a stroke play game.
Step 3
Keep score by counting who wins each hole if you want to play a match play game. For example, if you score a 5 on the first hole and your opponent scores a 6, you win that hole. The winner of each hole gets a point, and the individual or team with the most points at the end of the round wins. If there is a tie on a hole, neither team records a point.
Tips and Warnings
- Golfers often circle good scores on a hole, particularly when they are just starting out. Achieving par on a hole or getting a birdie (one under par) are good scores; they should stand out to accentuate the positive in your game.
Things You'll Need
- Scorecard
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