How to Score Golf
- 1). Grab a scorecard before going out on the course. Most golf courses will give you a scorecard at the same desk where you pay. It's important that you use the course scorecard. Otherwise, you won't know what par is for each hole.
- 2). Understand “par” for each hole and the course. Par is the predetermined number of shots it “should” take a player to complete a hole. This number is determined by the course. There is also a par for each separate hole. Par for the course is the sum of each par for all 18 holes.
- 3). Read over the scorecard before you begin play. Look for par for each hole as well as the course. This is normally found underneath the hole number found at the top of the scorecard. Often, the numbers for par will be a different color than the hole number.
- 4). Keep track of every shot you take during a hole. Many golfers use an additional piece of paper for this since there is more room. Make a mark to signify each shot taken on a particular hole. It's not recommended to just keep track in your head. This is a good way to get into an argument with your fellow golfers regarding your score.
- 5). Make additional marks for any penalties. These include hitting the ball into the water, hitting it out of bounds and losing the ball as well as any drop shots you are forced to take during the hole. Any time one of these things happens, it costs you one additional stroke.
- 6). Add up the total and write that number in the appropriate box for the hole you're on. If you have six marks for hole 1, write the number 6 in the box for the first hole. Do this for all 18 holes.
- 7). Keep score for the different parts of the round. A round of golf is broken up into two parts, the first nine holes (front nine) and final nine holes (back nine). After each half, add up all your strokes for those nine holes of play. At the end of your game, add the two numbers from your front and back nines to get your final score for the round.
- 8). Compare your final number with par for the course. For example, if you scored a 101, and par for the course is 80, you shot 21 over par (101 - 80).
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