Unlike the scoring systems of most sports, having fewer points is best in golf. A score of 72 is much better than a score of 102. Keeping the points might seem very simple - hit the ball, find it, hit it again… and so on - and finally add up all the hits given to the ball. There are actually some precautions you should know before you start playing golf and keeping points correctly. Go to the first point to get started.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Hold Points in a Stroke Play Competition
Step 1. Get a scorecard to score points
A round of golf is played over 18 holes. After each hole you will need to record your score on the scoreboard. Even the most experienced players can make mistakes without the help of the scoresheet so try to keep track of your scores and those of the people who play with you.
- Usually you are responsible for your opponent's score count and your opponent will take care of keeping your score count. At the end of each hole you will have to confront your opponent, check that he has written the correct score and initials with your initials. If your opponent makes a mistake (even assuming it's a bona fide mistake) that worsens your score, you'll have to give in and take the blame for the mistake.
- Some players, before the game begins, hire a third person to keep all the scores of the players involved.
Step 2. Each time a player intentionally attempts to hit the ball, one stroke is counted
In 99.9% of cases the attempts will actually lead to a hit but if the player tries to hit but then misses or kicks the ball, it will still have to be counted as a hit. Conversely, if the player is making a sighting shot and accidentally hits the ball, this shot is not counted. Each time the swing movement is performed, therefore, the shot must be calculated, and it does not matter whether it is successful or not.
- Each hole will be characterized by a number of strokes which is called "Par". This is the average number of strokes needed to get the ball into the hole. If the par is 3 and you use 4 shots to pocket the ball then your score will be +1. If the par of the entire course is 80 and you finish it with 95 strokes then your score will be +15.
- While it is not necessary to know these terms to keep points, it is a good rule to know that a 'birdie' is a one shot below par, an 'eagle' is two strokes below par and a 'bogey' is one shot over. par.
- Some players may arbitrarily decide not to attempt more than a 'double bogey' (+2) per hole.
Step 3. Know the penalties
Penalties are hits that will cost you extra points. Remember that in golf you have to try to have the lowest score and the penalties will make it go up fast instead. These are some examples of penalties:
- If your ball lands in the water you will have to drop by dropping a new ball nearby and adding a penalty shot to your score.
- If the ball goes beyond the playing field (beyond the white stakes) you will need to hit again from the first point and add two penalty strokes.
- If you lose a ball you will have to hit again from the first point and add two penalty shots.
Step 4. Add the points
After the game, add the points of each hole. Check them twice. If you are playing in a tournament one of your opponents will be keeping your points, you will need to check them and sign the scoresheet to make it official. The player with the fewest points will be the winner.
Some players add points every 9 holes so that they don't have to do too many calculations at the end of the game and to be able to resolve any problems or disputes more easily
Step 5. Take into account your handicap
After you have played at least 10 games on the same course (or at least the number of games established to determine the handicap on that course) you will be able to determine your handicap handicap. A handicap takes into account your previous scores and you will be able to play subsequent games taking into account your handicap (the aim, of course, is to improve and lower the handicap)
If you want to use a more elegant method that takes into account the handicap you can use the Stableford method. With this method your score is not determined by the number of strokes per hole, but by the difference in strokes from par. If you complete the hole with a number of strokes equal to par you get two points, if you complete it with a +1 (bogey) you get one point, if you complete it with a -1 (birdie) you get 3 points, if you complete it with a - 2 (eagle) score 4 points. In this case the player with the most points wins
Method 2 of 2: Keep the points in a Match Play
Step 1. The score of holes up and down is calculated
It's an easy way, for beginners, to keep score without having to be too meticulous by having to scrupulously keep track of every shot for every hole. All you have to do is win more holes than your opponent. If you have completed the first hole in five strokes and your opponent has completed three, he will have a hole up and will be one hole ahead of you.
Step 2. If necessary, concede a hole
If in a particular hole the ball just doesn't want to enter and you don't want to lose your head, you can give your opponent the hole and move on to the next hole.
Step 3. Remember who wins each hole
Keep playing and write down who wins the holes. Just write +1 if you have won the hole or -1 if you have lost it. If you and your opponent hit the hole with the same number of strokes, the hole is considered a tie (AS).
Step 4. The game ends when a player has more holes up than there are left in the course to be completed
The game can be won with a score of "four and three" that is, with a four hole advantage over the opponent and with three holes still to be played (after the fifteenth hole) since the opponent would no longer have a chance to recover or win.
Step 5. Don't be obsessed with the number of your hits
If you are a beginner it is more important that you try to get the hole than you get angry about the number of shots. This way you will focus more on trying to get into the rhythm of the game rather and with time and experience you can work and practice to reduce the number of hits.
Advice
- You'd be surprised how many shots are "forgotten" by golfers. If you are playing with someone who is convinced they scored 5 hits while you counted 6, stop and review the counts trying to remember how it went.
- If you are playing for fun and the score is tied decide the winner "on penalties" on putting for practice or with a game of arm wrestling.
- Learn to calculate your handicap. A good golfer and a beginner can play together using handicaps.
- Try to keep the penalty rules in mind, it will make things a lot easier and save you from arguing with your opponents.
Warnings
- If you write down a wrong score in a tournament you will be disqualified. You'd be wasting five hours of outdoor fun.
- If you find yourself playing with someone who is always trying to lower the score, don't fight, especially if it's your husband / wife / boyfriend / girlfriend. Just look for someone else to play with.
- If drinking beer is part of your golfing routine, don't try to keep the points and just try to keep the golf cart on the course.
