Bogey Meaning in Golf: What It Really Means on the Course
When you hear bogey, a score of one stroke over par on a single hole. Also known as one-over-par, it’s one of the most common terms in golf—and one that even beginners hear on their first round. It’s not a disaster. It’s not a win. It’s just part of the game. Most golfers, even good ones, make bogeys regularly. In fact, if you’re shooting around 90 for 18 holes, you’re averaging a bogey on every hole. That’s not bad—it’s normal.
Understanding bogey means understanding par, the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole. standard score. A par-3 hole means you should get the ball in the cup in three strokes. A bogey? Four. A par-4? Five strokes. A par-5? Six. The system is simple, but it’s the backbone of how golf is scored. And it’s why a bogey isn’t something to fear—it’s a benchmark. If you’re consistently hitting bogeys, you’re playing within reach of your skill level. Many golfers aim for bogey golf as a realistic goal before chasing birdies.
Bogey also ties into handicap, a system that levels the playing field between players of different skill levels. golf handicap. Your handicap tells you how many strokes over par you’re expected to take over 18 holes. If your handicap is 18, you’re expected to shoot 90 on a par-72 course—that’s one bogey per hole. So when you card a bogey, you’re not falling behind—you’re staying on track.
Don’t let the word sound like a failure. Golf isn’t about perfection. It’s about consistency. Even pros make bogeys. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Lydia Ko—they all have bogeys on their scorecards. The difference? They recover. They don’t let one bogey turn into two, three, or worse. That’s the real lesson. A bogey isn’t the end of your round. It’s just a pause. The next shot matters more.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical guides on how golfers at every level handle scoring, improve their game, and stop worrying about bogeys. From how to recover after a bad hole, to what equipment helps you avoid them, to how pros track their scores—you’ll see that bogey isn’t a flaw. It’s part of the path.
