Keeping score during a game of golf may prove to be difficult for newcomers to the sport. Every course you play has a scorecard, that tells you each hole’s length, par and rating. Here’s a breakdown of how to score the game for you beginners, or a refresher for those of you who’ve been playing for years.
Stroke Play
In stroke play you must count every shot that you hit, and you have to record that number on your scorecard. In stroke play, you’re not only playing against your golfing companions, but you’re also playing against everyone else on the field. You count one stroke for every time you swing at the ball. You keep track of a companion’s score, on a scorecard, and they keep track of yours. If it takes you 4 swings to get the ball in the hole, you will get a 4 for that hole.
Be careful when you check your card. In a traditional game, you would hand the scorecard over to your opponent and they would review it and then sign it. You would do the same. Once it’s signed that score is final. A weird quirk of golf scoring is that you’re responsible for the accuracy of your card, and your companion is responsible for his, even though you are carrying and scoring each other’s scorecards.
Match Play
When you’re using the match play scoring system, holes aren’t scored with numbers. Holes are scored with the term “one up” or “one down.” If you take 5 swings for the first hole, and your companion takes 6, you are now “one up” for that hole. Each hole is viewed separately, you simply win or lose the hole.
In match play, if you’re having a lousy play at one hole, you can just pick up your ball, and concede that hole, or lose it. Instead of losing by a massive numerical score because it took you 15 swings, all you lose is that hole, and you get to start over on the next. In match play, games can be won by scores of “six and five” or “four and three.”
If you’re playing match play with a group of people, don’t get too caught up in how many shots it takes you to complete the hole. Remember you’re not competing against everyone else on the green, you’re competing against the other group of people. If you’re playing match play, the score doesn’t mean too much any way. The only thing that truly matters in a casual game of match play golf, is how your score compares to your opponents.
Play Golf
If you’ve never played golf, and have always been confused by how scoring works, or how in the world you will ever figure out how to play, use this a simple breakdown. Head out and play a round with a friend. Choose your style of play, match or stroke, and see how well you do. Both variations of playing have pros and cons, it’s up to you to see which you like best.
Source: River’s Edge Golf Blog