Question

In golf, what is a bogey?

Answer 1

Answer: One stroke over par for a hole.

Explanation:

In golf, a bogey is a scoring term that represents when a player takes one stroke more than the designated par for a specific hole. To understand this better, let's first look at what par means in golf.

Par is the standard number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to complete a hole in normal playing conditions. Most golf holes are classified as par 3, par 4, or par 5, depending on their length and difficulty. When a golfer scores a bogey, it means they needed one additional stroke beyond this expected number.

Here are some practical examples of bogey scores:

• On a par 3 hole: A bogey would be 4 strokes • On a par 4 hole: A bogey would be 5 strokes • On a par 5 hole: A bogey would be 6 strokes

The term "bogey" has an interesting history in golf. It originated in the late 19th century from a popular British song called "The Bogey Man." Initially, bogey actually referred to what we now call par - the target score for accomplished golfers. However, as golf evolved and scoring standards improved, the meaning shifted to represent one stroke over the target score.

While professional golfers try to avoid bogeys, they're quite common for recreational players and shouldn't be viewed negatively. In fact, for many amateur golfers, consistently scoring bogeys represents solid, respectable play. Golf scoring terminology includes several other terms related to par: birdie (one under par), eagle (two under par), double bogey (two over par), and albatross or double eagle (three under par).