by Matthew Adams

Created on: December 03, 2009

In the game of golf, there is golf stroke-play and golf match-play. They are slightly different ways to recording golf scores. Overall, in championship golf, scoring is largely stroke-play but some are match-play events.

Stroke-play golf records the number of shots taken for all holes. In addition to this, any penalties are also added to a golf score if the ball is moved, or a shot re-taken. Then, when the round is over the scores for the holes are taken and added to give an overall total score.

Scorecards are used to record golf scores. For each hole on the course, there is a box for a player to record their score. Then, there are boxes to also include the overall total score for the round.

Some may also note that the scorecard includes numbers of three, four and five next to the hole's number. These are the par scores for the golf holes, which are low scores for the hole relating to distance. The shortest holes are par three, while the longest are par five. Then, each golf course has par score, which is the total of the par scores. Typically, these may be between 60-70 or perhaps 70-80. Overall, they are very good scores for the course.

With these par scores included, players can compare their own scores to the par. For holes, players can be over or under par. Most likely, they will be over par and some scores have names. For example, if a player is one over the par for a hole, that is a bogey. If two over, a double, or if three then that is a triple bogey. Alternatively, if a player finishes one under par, then that is a birdie. Eagles are two under par, with the exception of par 3 holes where you can hole in one.

When a round is over, scores over or under par can be taken and added to the par score to give a total score. Most amateur players will be over the course par, with variable scores. The player with the lowest score recorded wins the round.

However, in match-play golf that is not necessarily the case. While scores for holes are recorded, holes can be won, lost or tied. The player with the best score for a hole will win the hole. In the event that a hole is tied then 0.5 is given to both players. Overall, the player who wins the most holes wins the golf round. As an example, a match-play score might be something like 10.5-7.5. So, with match-play golf the scores for the round are not included.

Therefore, those are the ways golf scores can be recorded. Either by stroke-play or by match-play, which is an alternative used in championships such as the Ryder Cup.

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