What Is A Bogey In Golf?
If you are new to the game, you might be wondering... what is a bogey in golf? We explain everything you need to know about this key golfing term...


A 'bogey' is a key golf expression that you will hear consistently on the course, or when watching the coverage of big televised golf events.
While all golfers will actively try to avoid a bogey, they are quite common and understanding the meaning is crucial for your participation and enjoyment of golf.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about this key piece of vocabulary...
What Is A Bogey In Golf?
A player taking one shot more than the par score for a hole is said to have made a bogey. An example of this is when a player makes a four on a par-3, or a five on a par-4.
There are other variations of bogeys, with each more unwelcome than the next. A double-bogey is when a player takes two shots more than par, a triple-bogey when taking three shots more than par, and a quadruple bogey – well... you get my drift.
Rory McIlroy famously made bogey on the 72nd hole at the 2024 US Open...
Bogey are common at the professional level, and even more recurrent in the amateur game. For a tour professional, going a full 72-holes over the course of a tournament without a bogey is real achievement, but one that is quite rare.
The first player to achieve this accolade on the PGA Tour was Lee Trevino, winning the 1974 Greater New Orleans Open as a result.
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The longest bogey-free streak came from Jin Young Ko in 2019, accumulating 114 holes without a blemish, eclipsing Tiger Woods' record of 110.
Jin Young Ko currently holds the record for the longest bogey-free streak in golf...
Is A Bogey Better Than A Par?
Scoring a bogey means taking one shot more than par, and as golf is scored with lower scores being superior, a bogey is worse than a par on the scorecard.
Depending on your handicap index, and ultimately your playing ability, a bogey might actually be a good score for you – depending on how many shots you receive on each hole.

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover news and social media.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. His favorite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 LST 15°, 19°
Irons: TaylorMade P.7CB
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1