Bogey Definition: One Stroke Over Par
A bogey in golf means completing a hole in one stroke more than its par value. If a hole is a par 4, a bogey is a score of 5. On a par 3, a bogey is 4. On a par 5, a bogey is 6. It represents a score that is slightly above the expected standard for the hole, and it is by far the most common above-par result in golf.
On a scorecard, a bogey is typically marked with a square around the number (as opposed to a circle for a birdie). In scoring notation, a bogey is recorded as +1 (one over par). While golfers naturally prefer birdies and pars, a bogey is far from a disaster. In fact, for many amateur golfers, consistently making bogeys rather than double or triple bogeys is the fastest path to lower scores.
A round of "bogey golf" on a par-72 course means shooting 90 (one bogey on every hole). This is often cited as a milestone for developing golfers, and reaching this level of consistency represents genuine skill and course management. Many golfers aspire to break 90, making the bogey a benchmark to build from rather than something to dread.
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Download Free on iOSOrigin of the Term "Bogey"
The term "bogey" has roots in a popular British music hall song from the late 1800s called "The Bogey Man" (also known as "Here Comes the Bogey Man"). In the early days of golf, playing against "Colonel Bogey" became a way of describing the score an average competent golfer should make on each hole. The idea was that Colonel Bogey was an invisible opponent you were trying to beat.
Originally, in the 1890s, a "bogey" actually represented the ideal score for a good amateur player, which was essentially what we now call "par." As golf evolved and the official par system was established in the early 1900s, the meaning of bogey shifted. Par became the expected score for an expert golfer, and bogey settled into its current meaning of one over par.
Interestingly, the "Colonel Bogey March," a famous military march composed by Lieutenant F. J. Ricketts in 1914, was also inspired by this golfing term. Ricketts based the opening notes on a two-note whistle he heard from a golfer who used it instead of shouting "fore." The march became one of the most recognized pieces of military music in the world, forever linking golf to musical history.
Double Bogey, Triple Bogey & Beyond
The bogey system extends to describe progressively worse scores on a hole. Here is the complete hierarchy of above-par scores:
Average Bogeys Per Round by Handicap Level
Understanding the typical bogey count for your handicap helps set realistic expectations and identify where your game stands:
| Handicap Range | Avg. Bogeys/Round | Avg. Double+ /Round | Typical Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch (0) | 4-6 | 0-1 | 70-74 |
| 5 Handicap | 6-8 | 1-2 | 76-80 |
| 10 Handicap | 8-10 | 2-3 | 82-86 |
| 15 Handicap | 9-11 | 3-5 | 87-92 |
| 20 Handicap | 10-12 | 4-6 | 92-98 |
| 30 Handicap | 8-10 | 6-10 | 100-110 |
Notice something interesting: higher-handicap golfers do not necessarily make more bogeys than mid-handicappers. The real difference is in the number of double bogeys and worse. Eliminating those blow-up holes is the single most effective way to lower your scores. Converting double bogeys into bogeys has a bigger impact on your total score than converting bogeys into pars.
6 Strategies to Reduce Your Bogeys
1. Get Up and Down More Often
Most bogeys happen when you miss the green in regulation and fail to save par with a chip and putt. Improving your short game, particularly chips from 10-30 yards and bunker play, is the fastest way to convert bogeys into pars. Practice the bump-and-run shot for reliable results around the green.
2. Eliminate Three-Putts
A three-putt almost always means a bogey (or worse). Focus on lag putting from long distances to get the ball within a 3-foot circle, and sharpen your routine on short putts. Most three-putts come from leaving the first putt either way short or way past the hole.
3. Keep the Ball in Play Off the Tee
Penalty strokes from lost balls and out-of-bounds drives are bogey machines. If a hole is tight, consider hitting a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee instead of driver. The goal is the fairway, not maximum distance.
4. Play to the Center of the Green
Stop firing at pins tucked behind bunkers and water hazards. Aiming for the center of the green gives you a margin for error and avoids the short-sided misses that lead to bogeys. A 25-foot putt from the middle of the green is better than a buried bunker shot.
5. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine
Many bogeys result from rushed or uncommitted swings. A consistent pre-shot routine helps you focus on the target, commit to your club selection, and execute with confidence. Take an extra 10 seconds to visualize the shot before stepping up to the ball.
6. Adopt a Bogey Mindset on Tough Holes
On the most difficult holes (high stroke index), accept that a bogey is a good score. Playing for bogey means avoiding the risky shots that turn a manageable hole into a disaster. Sometimes the smartest play is to lay up, chip to the green, and two-putt for a bogey rather than gambling for par.
The Mental Approach to Bogeys
How you react to a bogey matters as much as the bogey itself. The best golfers in the world make bogeys every single round. The difference is in how they respond. A bogey is not a failure. It is a completely normal part of golf. The problems start when you let a bogey affect the next hole.
Research in sports psychology shows that golfers who dwell on bogeys tend to follow them with more bogeys, creating a destructive snowball effect. The antidote is to adopt a "next shot" mentality: once a hole is over, it is over. Your only job is to play the next shot as well as you can.
Tour professionals often describe their goal not as making birdies but as "limiting the damage." They know that a round with 4 birdies and 2 bogeys (net -2) beats a round with 6 birdies and 5 bogeys (net -1). Keeping bogeys off the card is just as important as putting birdies on it, and it is often easier to improve.
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Golf Scorecard App tracks every bogey, double bogey, and worse so you can identify patterns. Discover which holes give you trouble and where to focus your practice.
