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What does +1 mean in golf?

Published in Golf Scoring 2 mins read

In golf, +1 signifies a bogey, which means a golfer has taken one stroke more than the designated par for a specific hole. It indicates that the player completed the hole using one extra stroke beyond what an expert golfer is expected to achieve.

Understanding Golf Scoring: The Concept of Par

To fully comprehend what +1 (a bogey) means, it's crucial to understand "par." Par represents the standard number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or an entire golf course. Each hole on a course is assigned a par value, typically par-3, par-4, or par-5, based on its length and difficulty.

  • Par-3 Hole: An expert golfer is expected to complete this hole in 3 strokes.
  • Par-4 Hole: An expert golfer is expected to complete this hole in 4 strokes.
  • Par-5 Hole: An expert golfer is expected to complete this hole in 5 strokes.

A golfer's score for a hole is determined by comparing the number of strokes they took to the hole's par.

How a +1 (Bogey) is Achieved

When a golfer scores a +1 on a hole, it means they used one additional stroke beyond the par rating:

  • On a par-3 hole, taking 4 strokes results in a +1 (bogey).
  • On a par-4 hole, taking 5 strokes results in a +1 (bogey).
  • On a par-5 hole, taking 6 strokes results in a +1 (bogey).

Achieving a bogey is a very common occurrence in golf, even for skilled players, and is a respectable outcome given the challenges of the game.

Common Golf Scoring Terms Relative to Par

Golf uses specific terms to describe scores in relation to par, indicating whether a player is under, even with, or over the expected number of strokes.

The table below illustrates these common scoring terms:

Strokes Relative to Par Golfing Term Description
-3 Albatross (or Double-Eagle) Three strokes under par
-2 Eagle Two strokes under par
-1 Birdie One stroke under par
0 Par Strokes equal to par
+1 Bogey One stroke over par
+2 Double-Bogey Two strokes over par
+3 Triple-Bogey Three strokes over par

Understanding these terms helps golfers track their performance and communicate their scores accurately. For more detailed rules on golf scoring, you can refer to official golf organizations like the USGA.