How to Track Golf Scores

Unlike most other sports, golfers keep track of their scores with low numbers and even use negatives as great scores. The higher you score, the worse your game, and because of this, tracking scores in golf can be confusing for those who are new to the game. The player with the fewest strokes to get the ball in each of the holes wins a round of golf, and calculating these scores with par numbers for each hole provide a second way to track scores.

Instructions

1. Notice the rows and columns on the golf scorecard. These include rows for the hole number and the par for that hole. There is a column for each of the 18 holes.

2. Count the strokes for each hole and mark them in the column under the hole number.

3. Subtract the par from the number of strokes you marked for the hole. Write this as a positive or negative number in relation to the par of the hole. So if it was a par-4 hole and you took five strokes to get the ball in the hole, you would put "1." Conversely, if you took three strokes to get the ball in the hole, you would put "-1."

4. Add the strokes for all 18 holes and indicate the number after the 18th hole.

5. Count the positive and negatives for the par numbers and indicate this near the stroke total.

6. Use the number over or under par to compare and track scores with other golfers. Or you can use the total number of strokes to give a more complete idea of how you tackled the course.

References

• Golf.com