Golf is known to be a technical sport full of technical terms that you may not know the meaning of. One of those golf terms commonly thrown out in conversation and television broadcasts is the word “double bogey”.
If you are reading this article, you may wonder: What exactly does “double bogey” mean in golf?
In this article, we will explain to you exactly what a double bogey is in golf, along with some examples to solidify your comprehension.
What Is A Double Bogey In Golf?
In golf, a double bogey designates the act of completing a golf hole with two strokes over par. In other words, scoring a double bogey is when you complete a golf hole with two more strokes than the par number. For example, if a golf hole is a par 5 hole, completing it in 7 golf strokes results in a double bogey.
In the great game of golf, the term “double bogey” is a word that is fairly common on golf courses, especially on smaller holes like par 3 golf holes.
In golf, scoring a double bogey means that a golfer completed a golf hole with two more strokes than the ideal amount of strokes indicated by the par number. A double bogey is the act of completing a golf hole with two strokes over par.
The general formula to know if you scored a double bogey is the following:
A double bogey is scored if and only if:
(Strokes required to complete a hole) – (Par number for that hole) = +2
You can read a real-world example of a double bogey scored, down below.
Example:
Bryan is not the best golfer. He gets ready to tee off in front of a par 5 golf hole.
Eventually, Bryan completes the hole in 7 strokes.
(Strokes required) – Par = 7 – 5 = +2 score for the hole
Therefore, as his score is +2 for the hole, Bryan scored a double bogey.
To make things as simple as possible for you to know if you scored a double bogey, refer yourself to the following chart:
| Par Number for the Hole | Exact Shots Taken to Get a Double Bogey |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 7 |
| 6 | 8 |
| 7 | 9 |
Scoring a double bogey is not a great thing to accomplish in golf, and it is something you want to avoid. In reality, scoring a double bogey is generally viewed as bad. Scoring a double bogey will not raise any applause or cheer from the spectators in the crowd.
In fact, scoring a double bogey on a given golf hole means you required two more strokes than the average scratch golfer; scratch golfers are defined as excellent golf players. This means you are a lot under the skill level of a scratch golfer.
Double bogeys are known to be very common on a golf course, as opposed to birdies and eagles. The reason double bogeys are so common is because the average golfer is below the level of a scratch golfer; the amount of double bogeys most people score reflects this fact.
Whereas birdies require excellent golfing performance to score, double bogeys are the result of making multiple mistakes.
If you are currently scoring many double bogeys, then you should probably work a lot on your short game (putting on the green), as that is where the most unforgiving mistakes are often made. Great players avoid double bogeys by always putting the ball in the hole in one or two putts.
Additionally, focus on going for safe golf shots instead of going for the perfect yet risky golf shot that will get you in the perfect set-up for your next shot. You will score a lot fewer double bogeys and more pars if you avoid mistakes by going for safe value shots.
The term “double bogey” simply comes from the similar term “bogey”. A double bogey represents a score that is twice as bad as a bogey, so it is referred to as a double bogey. As to where the term “bogey” came from, simply read the next paragraphs.
Linguistic historians claim that the origin of the term “bogey” in golf comes from an 1890’s song called “The Bogey Man”, commonly sung in the British Isles. The Bogey Man was known as a stealthy character who hides in the dark shadows, rarely seen.
Continuing down this train of thought, golfers started to equate the idea of a “Bogey” as being the perfect golf score a golfer could reach in good weather conditions, as it was rarely seen. Nowadays, after the emergence of par as the new ideal score, people have a much more negative view of the bogey, viewing it as dissatisfying to score.
In summary, double bogeys are important to avoid if you want to lower your golf handicap. If you wish to score less double bogeys and more birdies consistently, you can read our guide: How To Improve Your Golf Score? – 9 Pro Tips.
Conclusion
There you go! After reading this article, you have learned exactly what the word double bogey means in golf. You also got to read some real-world examples to further improve your understanding of the meaning of a double bogey.
Do you have any other words you wish to know more about? How often do you score double bogeys? Let us know in the comments down below!
