Par, birdie, bogey: golf scoring explained
Read a golf scorecard with confidence, from par and birdie to gross and net scores.
By Fore Alarm · Updated October 31, 2026
Start with par
Par is the reference score assigned to a hole. Your score relative to par tells you how many strokes above or below that reference you took, including penalties.
| Strokes | Name | Relative to par |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Eagle | −2 |
| 3 | Birdie | −1 |
| 4 | Par | Even |
| 5 | Bogey | +1 |
| 6 | Double bogey | +2 |
Gross versus net
Gross is your score including penalties before handicap adjustments. Net applies the relevant handicap strokes. Agree on the scoring format before starting, rather than deciding after someone makes a birdie.
Try it
A 4 on a par 5 is a birdie. A 4 on a par 3 is a bogey. The same number of strokes can describe very different holes.
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