What is a double bogey in golf?
Each hole has a by: the number of reference moves needed to complete it (3, 4, or 5). The double bogey is the score of two strokes over of this paragraph.
- A par-3 hole played in 5 strokes: double bogey.
- A par-4 hole played in 6 strokes: double bogey.
- A par-5 hole played in 7 strokes: double bogey.
A shot above par is a bogey; three notches higher, one triple bogey. More colloquially, people also say “to do a double.”.
Where does a double bogey rank on the scoring scale?
| Score on the hole | Last Name | Example on a par-4 hole |
|---|---|---|
| 3 strokes under par | Albatross | 1 shot |
| 2 strokes under par | Eagle | 2 shots |
| 1 stroke under par | Birdie | 3 shots |
| The par | By | 4 strokes |
| 1 stroke over par | Bogey | 5 shots |
| 2 strokes over par | Double bogey | 6 shots |
What is a double bogey worth in Stableford?
In Stableford, a net double bogey (after accounting for the hits blocked by your index finger) results in 0 points. As soon as this score is reached before the hole is finished, there is nothing left to gain: picking up your ball and moving on to the next hole saves time for the entire group, without changing the result.
A player who takes a penalty stroke on a hole may, however, play a gross double bogey and score 1 point, since his net score is then a bogey.
The Double Bogey and the Handicap
The global handicap system, administered in France by the FFGolf, caps the score for each hole at net double bogey To calculate your handicap: use 2 plus the number of strokes taken on the hole. A 10 on a par-4 hole therefore doesn't carry more weight than a net double bogey in your handicap calculation. The cap applies only to handicap calculation: in a stroke-play competition, the actual score counts.
Is a double bogey a bad score?
For a professional, it’s a real loss. For an amateur, it all depends on skill level: a player who takes two extra strokes on every hole and shoots a double bogey on each one is performing exactly at their level. On a very long hole, when playing into the wind or facing a poorly placed obstacle, a double bogey can even be a reasonable score.
What really costs you is when a double bogey turns into a triple bogey or worse, and your frustration ruins the next few holes.
How can you avoid double bogeys?
Most come from a a series of two errors: a bad move, followed by an overly risky attempt to make up for it.
- Going Out Safely: After hitting a drive into the trees, getting back onto the fairway costs one stroke; attempting to navigate a narrow passage often costs two or three.
- Avoid penalty zones: Play the side of the green opposite the water or out-of-bounds area, even if it means leaving a longer putt.
- Choose one more club when an obstacle shields the front of the green.
- Aim for two putts For long putts: leave the ball close to the hole rather than forcing the first putt.
- Establish a pre-shot routine between shots, to regain composure after a mistake.
Video Lessons on How to Avoid Double Bogeys
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Frequently Asked Questions: Double Bogey in Golf
What is a double bogey in golf?
This is a score of two strokes over par on a hole—for example, 6 strokes on a par-4 or 5 strokes on a par-3.
How many points is a double bogey worth in Stableford?
A net double bogey is worth 0 points. If you receive a stroke on the hole, a gross double bogey becomes a net bogey and is worth 1 point.
What is a net double bogey for the handicap?
This is the maximum score used per hole to calculate the handicap: par for the hole + 2 + the number of strokes taken on that hole. Any higher score is capped at this maximum.
Should you pick up your ball after a double bogey in Stableford?
Yes, as soon as a hole can no longer earn any points, it's recommended to pick up your ball: the score doesn't change, and the game moves along faster.