Double Bogey Definition: Two Strokes Over Par
A double bogey in golf means completing a hole in two strokes more than its par value. On a par 4, a double bogey is a score of 6. On a par 3, it is a score of 5. On a par 5, a double bogey is 7. In scoring notation, it is recorded as +2 (two over par).
While a single bogey is generally considered an acceptable score for most amateur golfers, a double bogey represents a significantly damaging hole. The difference between a bogey and a double bogey may seem like just one stroke, but over 18 holes, the cumulative impact of double bogeys is the primary reason most amateurs struggle to break 90 or 100.
Consider this: a golfer who makes 18 bogeys (one per hole) shoots 90 on a par-72 course. Replace just 4 of those bogeys with double bogeys, and the score jumps to 94. Replace 4 more, and it is 98. Double bogeys, not the absence of birdies, are what inflate amateur scores the most. This is why scoring improvement for most golfers should focus on eliminating doubles rather than chasing birdies.
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Download Free on iOSHow Common Are Double Bogeys?
Double bogeys are extremely common among recreational golfers. Here is how the frequency breaks down by skill level:
| Skill Level | Double Bogeys Per Round | % of Holes |
|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour Pro | 0.2 - 0.5 | 1-3% |
| Scratch Amateur (0 hcp) | 0.5 - 1 | 3-6% |
| 10 Handicap | 2 - 3 | 11-17% |
| 20 Handicap | 4 - 6 | 22-33% |
| 30 Handicap | 6 - 10 | 33-56% |
| Beginner (36+ hcp) | 8 - 14 | 44-78% |
For beginners, double bogeys (and worse) can account for the majority of holes played. As golfers improve, the first major milestone is reducing the number of holes scored at double bogey or higher. Converting just 2-3 double bogeys per round into regular bogeys can save 2-3 strokes immediately.
How Double Bogeys Affect Your Total Score
To understand the true impact of double bogeys, consider two golfers with the same number of pars and birdies but different bogey patterns:
Golfer A: Consistent
4 pars, 14 bogeys, 0 double bogeys = Score: 86
Golfer B: Streaky
6 pars, 1 birdie, 6 bogeys, 5 double bogeys = Score: 87
Golfer B actually had more exciting moments (6 pars and a birdie), but the 5 double bogeys erased all of that advantage. This illustrates a fundamental truth in golf: avoiding bad holes is more valuable than chasing great ones. The math is simple: every double bogey you convert to a bogey saves one stroke. Every bogey you convert to a par also saves one stroke. But for most amateurs, the double-to-bogey conversion is far easier to achieve and more impactful because doubles are more frequent.
The Net Double Bogey Rule in the Handicap System
The World Handicap System uses a concept called net double bogey as the maximum score for handicap calculation purposes. This means that regardless of your actual score on a hole, the maximum score that counts toward your handicap is:
For example, if you are a 20-handicap golfer and receive one handicap stroke on a par 4, your maximum score for handicap purposes on that hole is 4 + 2 + 1 = 7. Even if you actually scored a 9 or 10, only 7 goes into the handicap calculation.
This rule replaced the older Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) system and serves two purposes: it prevents a single catastrophic hole from disproportionately inflating your handicap, and it keeps the pace of play moving by giving golfers a reason to pick up their ball when a hole has gone badly. If you have exceeded your net double bogey score, there is no handicap penalty for picking up.
7 Strategies to Avoid Double Bogeys
Eliminating double bogeys is the single most effective way for amateur golfers to lower their scores. Here are proven strategies:
1. Keep the Ball in Play at All Costs
The number one cause of double bogeys is penalty strokes from lost balls and out-of-bounds drives. If the hole is tight, take a 3-wood, hybrid, or even an iron off the tee. A ball in the fairway 210 yards out is infinitely better than a lost ball 280 yards into the trees.
2. Avoid Short-Sided Misses
When the pin is near a bunker or the edge of the green, aim to miss on the "big side" where you have more green to work with. A chip from the fat side of the green is much easier than a delicate bunker shot over a bunker lip to a pin 10 feet away.
3. Take Your Medicine
When you find trouble (trees, deep rough, awkward lie), do not attempt a hero shot. Punch the ball back to the fairway, accept the bogey, and move on. The attempt to recover with a miracle shot from a bad lie is what turns bogeys into doubles and triples.
4. Improve Your 50-100 Yard Wedge Game
Many double bogeys happen after a decent drive and a poor approach or recovery shot leaves you an awkward wedge distance. Becoming reliable from 50-100 yards eliminates the chunked chip and the bladed wedge that turn manageable situations into disasters.
5. Putt Defensively on Fast Greens
Three-putting is a major source of double bogeys. On fast, sloping greens, focus on getting your first putt within a 3-foot circle rather than trying to hole it. A confident two-putt from 30 feet beats an aggressive attempt that slides 6 feet past.
6. Know When to Play Safe vs. Aggressive
Before every shot, ask yourself: "What is the worst thing that can happen?" If the downside of an aggressive play is a penalty or unplayable lie, choose the safer option. Aggressive play should be reserved for situations where the miss is still manageable.
7. Have a Recovery Plan Before You Need One
Before teeing off, identify the trouble spots on each hole and decide in advance how you will play if you find them. Having a plan eliminates the panicked, emotionally driven decisions that compound mistakes into double bogeys.
Identify Your Double Bogey Holes
Golf Scorecard App tracks every double bogey and shows you which holes and situations produce them. Use data to target your practice and eliminate the scores that hurt you most.
