How to Keep Score in Golf
Golf needs accuracy and patience. In order to be a good golfer, you have to be able to sink a ball using few swings as possible. Unlike any other game, a winner is determined by the number of strokes a player made. The player with the lowest score wins. Here are the steps to keep score in golf.
Scoring
Get an official score card from the golf range. Write the player’s name on the score card.
Take note of every stroke the player makes.
Add up all the strokes for each hole and write this value on the score card.
After a round of golf, compute for the total value of all the strokes made for all the holes.
The derived sum will be the golf score. Write this on the space provided.
Par
This is the number of strokes required to sink a ball in a particular hole.
In keeping score, take note of the number of strokes a player made for the hole and compare this with the par.
For example, a par for a hole is 5 and a player made 8 strokes, this would mean that the player made 3 extra strokes to complete a hole. The score of that player would be 3-over.
If the golfer is able to sink a ball in less than 5 swings, subtract the number of strokes from the par and write under after the value. For example, a player finished that hole in 2 strokes, then the player’s score would be 3-under.
Penalties
golf scorerPenalties are treated as an extra stroke.
A stroke penalty is given to a player when:
The player hits the ball out of the designated playing area.
The player accidentally caused the ball to move without making a swing at it yet.
2 stroke penalty happens when:
A player putted his opponents ball.
A player made a swing at the wrong ball.
Deviating from the golf rules may not only cause penalties but also disqualification.
Stroke play
This is a type of golf game where a player competes against all the golfers in the field.
The player takes note of his opponent’s score and his opponent does the same thing for him.
The player signs his name on his score card at the end of the game.
The cards are submitted to the game officials and the scores are tallied to determine the winner.
Even though players are keeping score on their opponents, a player is still responsible for his own score. His opponent will not be blamed for any discrepancies on his score.
Match play
There is no need to tally the number of swings a player makes in this golf game.
Scores are counted by the number of holes a player won.
For example, player A made 5 swings for a hole and player B completed the hole in 3 swings, player B wins that hole. Player A is now one down and player B one up.
A player wins when he has more holes up than the number of remaining holes.
Keeping score in golf is confusing to most people. Knowing the rules of the game will make you appreciate golf more. Take out those golf clubs and practice your skills with a friend.