What is a bogey in golf?
In golf, a bogey is a score of one stroke over par for a hole. [1] Par is the standard number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. For example, if a hole has a par of 4, a bogey would be a score of 5.
Origin of the Term[edit | edit source]
The term "bogey" originated in the late 19th century. It is believed to have been derived from the name of a fictional golfer, "Bogey," who was used as a benchmark for scoring. [2] Golfers would compare their scores to Bogey's, and a score one stroke over par was considered to be "Bogey's score."
Significance in Golf Scoring[edit | edit source]
Bogey is a significant term in golf scoring because it represents a relatively common score. While a birdie (one stroke under par) is considered a good score, and an eagle (two strokes under par) is exceptional, bogey is a more achievable target for most golfers.
Bogey in Tournament Play[edit | edit source]
In professional golf tournaments, bogey is often used as a reference point for scoring. For example, a golfer might be described as being "two under bogey" or "one over bogey" for a particular round.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Bogey is a fundamental term in golf scoring, representing a score of one stroke over par. It serves as a benchmark for golfers of all skill levels and is frequently used in tournament play to describe a player's performance relative to par.