How To Read A Golf Scorecard: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Read & Fill Out a Scorecard in Golf PDF download Download Article Use a golf scorecard to track your points & improve your game Co-authored by Michael Metz and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: June 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Michael Metz and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 345,811 times.

Golf scorecards allow golfers to track their score and provide vital information about the course. If you’ve never used a scorecard before, however, they can be a bit confusing. In this article, we’ll teach you how to read and understand a scorecard, as well as how to fill out your scores. Plus, learn how to use scorecards to strategize and the other benefits of using a scorecard.

How do you read a golf scorecard?

  • The “hole” column lists the course holes in order from 1 to 18.
  • The tee box colors indicate the distance from the tee to the hole.
  • The handicap, or stroke index, ranks the holes from hardest (1) to easiest (18).
  • The par information tells you how many shots you should take per hole.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Understanding the Scorecard

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  1. Step 1 Find the "hole" column which lists the holes from 1 to 18. 1 Find the "hole" column which lists the holes from 1 to 18. Typically, the first thing on a golf scorecard is the list of holes. Golf courses vary between 9-hole courses and 18-hole courses. Some scorecards will have a map of the course with each hole on the map having its number next to it.[1]
    • Holes are typically played in order from 1 to 18. In some cases, like when the course is especially busy, players may start on the 10th and finish on the 9th hole. Players will start on the 10th hole and play from 10 to 18. After 18, players will then play from the 1st hole to the 9th hole to complete their round.
  2. Step 2 Identify the front and back sections that split the course into 2 halves. 2 Identify the front and back sections that split the course into 2 halves. Full-size, or 18-hole, courses are split into two 9s, or two 9-hold sections. Holes 1 to 9 are known as the front 9, and holes 10 to 18 are known as the back 9. After the 9th and 18th hole sections of the scorecard, you will see the words “Out” and “In” respectively.[2]
    • The 9th hole marks the end of the "Out" section, which means playing away from the clubhouse.
    • The 18th hole marks the end of the "In" section, which means playing back toward the clubhouse.
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  3. Step 3 Note the tee box colors on the side which indicate each hole’s distance. 3 Note the tee box colors on the side which indicate each hole’s distance. These colors represent the placement of the tee boxes on each hole. The numbers beside the color and beneath each hole denote the distance of that hole. Each color has a different meaning:[3]
    • Black or gold tees are the farthest from the hole. These tees are usually only played by professionals or very high-standard amateurs. Most courses do not have black or gold tees.
    • Blue tees reflect the tee boxes for local competitions. These tees are normally used by very good amateur players. If a course doesn’t have black or gold tees, the blue tee boxes are the farthest from the hole.
    • White tees are the middle tees, mostly used by golfers with middle-to-high handicaps.
    • Red tees are the shortest members’ tees. These tees are the closest to the fairway and make the course much shorter than the other tees. They are also known as “ladies’ tees.”
    • Green tees are used by junior golfers or beginners.
  4. Step 4 Locate the handicap section which ranks the holes by difficulty. 4 Locate the handicap section which ranks the holes by difficulty. Most golf scorecards also have a column that notes the handicap, or stroke index, or each hole. These numbers range from 1-18 and note the difficulty of each hole. Index 1 is the hardest hole on the course, and index 18 is the easiest.[4]
    • Some cards also have a section for "women's handicap." Some holes may play differently for women and men, which is why some courses have separate sections.
    • The handicap of each hole rarely overlaps with a player's handicap. Match-play is one area of golf where both handicaps are relevant. In match-play, players play each other in 1 vs. 1 situations. If Player A has a handicap of 2 and Player B has a handicap of 7, the difference is 5. Player B will then be allowed an extra shot on the 5 hardest holes, or the 5 holes with the lowest index. If Player A gets a 4 on one of these 5 holes and Player B gets a 5, they tie because of Player B's handicap.
  5. Step 5 Spot the par information to determine how many shots you should take. 5 Spot the par information to determine how many shots you should take. Par means the expected number of strokes on a hole.[5] For example, if par is 4, you should take 4 shots, and if par is 3, you should take 3 shots. Find the par information in the par row on the scorecard.
    • The average golf course is a par 72, which means that the pars of all the holes added together equals 72. If you look at the "Out" and "In" columns on the scorecard, you will see the par for each set of 9 holes. A par 72 golf course will usually have two 9 holes that are both par 36.
    • Par generally relates to length. Par 3s are the shortest holes on golf courses and par 5s are the longest holes. The most common par on a course is a par 4.
  6. Step 6 Read the course and slope rating to gauge the golf course’s difficulty. 6 Read the course and slope rating to gauge the golf course’s difficulty. The course rating represents the expected score for a golfer with a handicap of 0, while the slope rating reflects the relative difficulty of a course for players who do have a handicap. A slope rating of 113 is considered average, with higher values increasing in difficulty.[6]
  7. Step 7 Read the rules of golf (optional). 7 Read the rules of golf (optional). Some golf scorecards may also have a section that lists the general rules of golf and any special rules based on where you’re playing.[7] This section may also explain the pace of play (how long it takes to play 9 or 18 holes) and list reminders about course etiquette.
    • If you’re an experienced player, it may not be necessary to read the general rules, but it never hurts to have a refresher.
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Section 2 of 4:

Marking the Scorecard

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  1. Step 1 Write down the initials of everyone in your group. 1 Write down the initials of everyone in your group. Your scorecard will have spaces along the left side for every player’s name, though some cards may only provide enough room for an initial. In general, there will only be spaces for 4 names, as golf is typically played with no more than 4 total players.[8]
    • If you’re the one keeping score, your name will usually go in the final slot.
    • If you prefer an app instead of a physical scorecard, try keeping score with apps like mScorecard or EasyStroke.
  2. Step 2 Note the score each player gets on each hole. 2 Note the score each player gets on each hole. Write down the number of strokes each player took, not the number of shots they took versus par. For example, if you played the 1st hole, a par 4, and took 5 strokes, write a 5 in the box next to your name and below the 1st hole’s column.[9]
    • When there’s a hole in 1, some players mark it by writing a “1” with a circle around it to draw attention to it.
    • If you make a mistake, cross out the wrong number and write the correct score next to it. Sign your initials next to the corrected score to show that you were the one who corrected it and not somebody else trying to cheat.
    • If you’re using the Stableford System, players earn points based on their scores in relation to par on each course. This is a good option for recreational players because there are no negative points. To mark Stableford on your card use two rows: the top for the number of strokes you took to complete the hole and the bottom for the Stableford points earned on that hole.
  3. Step 3 Calculate everyone’s total at the end of the round. 3 Calculate everyone’s total at the end of the round. The easiest way to do this is by adding 9 holes at a time. Add your score for the first 9 holes and mark your total in the relevant box in the “Out” column. Then, do the same for the second 9 holes and mark your total in the “In” column. To find your total shots for the 18 holes, add the “In” and “Out” together.[10]
    • For example, if the course is a par 72 and you took 80 shots, you were 8 over par. If the course is a par 70 and you took 65 shots, you were 5 under par.
  4. Step 4 Mark each golfer’s score versus par in the total column. 4 Mark each golfer’s score versus par in the total column. Once you’ve calculated exactly how many shots each player took, find the difference between each player’s total and the par of the course. For example, if you took 77 shots on a par 72, you were 5 over par. Mark +5 in your section of the total column. If your friend finished 4 under par, mark -4 in their section of the total column.
    • Even par, taking exactly the amount of shots you should, can be marked with a 0 or an “E.”
    • Handicaps are a little more tricky. If you have a -15 handicap and you take 85 shots on a par 72, take 15 from 85. This leaves you with 70 shots on a par 72, or 2 under par.
    • A player with a -3 handicap will take 3 from their total. If they take 72 shots on a par 72, they take 3 from 72 to give them 69, meaning they’ve shot 3 under par with their handicap.
    • Your handicap is essentially an allowance to help you. Better players have lower handicaps and less-skilled players have higher handicaps.
  5. Step 5 Sign the “scorer” and “marker” sections at the end of the card. 5 Sign the “scorer” and “marker” sections at the end of the card. This is especially important if you’re playing a competition. If you fail to mark your card, you will be disqualified from the competition. If you marked the card, sign your name in the “marker” section. If someone else marked the card, write your name in the “scorer” section of the card.[11]
    • This step isn't very important in a casual round but it's good to know how to mark a scorecard properly.
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Section 3 of 4:

Using the Scorecard for Strategy

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  1. 1 Analyze the course layout. Before teeing off, study your scorecard to understand the layout of the course. Pay attention to holes with sharp doglegs, water hazards, bunkers, or anything else that may pose a challenge. Understand the par and total yardage for each hole to determine which clubs to use, and know where the easy and hard holes are so you can pace yourself.[12]
  2. 2 Choose the right tees. Use the scorecard to select a tee color that matches your skill level.[13] If you’re a beginner, consider choosing a tee with a shorter distance, or, if you want to practice your long game, go for a longer tee. Consider other factors such as weather conditions, as well. If it’s windy, for example, it may be better to play from a shorter tee.
  3. 3 Factor in handicaps. Your golf scorecard can warn you which holes are more difficult by revealing their handicap number.[14] Use the hole handicap to determine where you give or receive strokes. When the round is over, this also gives you the opportunity to compare your performance to each hole’s handicap ranking to see which areas of the game you need to improve upon.
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Section 4 of 4:

Benefits of Using a Scorecard

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  1. 1 Using a scorecard allows you to easily determine the winner. If you’re playing golf competitively, it’s important to use a scorecard to keep track of everyone’s scores on each hole and their scores in total. This way, you know the scores are accurate and that no one attempted to cheat.
  2. 2 Scorecards allow you to establish a handicap index. If you’re playing with golfers of different skill levels, using a scorecard is a great way to keep up with each player’s handicaps.[15] This allows you to compare yourself to other players and compete on an even playing field, even if you have different skill levels.
  3. 3 Scorecards show you areas in which you can improve. Because scorecards allow you to accurately record your score for each hole, you can easily track your performance against par, compare your game to others, and understand the difficulty of the course. This allows you to analyze your strengths and weaknesses so you can strategize for future games.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How can I tell if I've done a golf stroke? Community Answer Community Answer If you have swung the golf club and the ball has moved, it counts as a stroke. Additionally, there are penalty strokes that may count toward the final stroke count for the hole. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 17 Helpful 23
  • Question What do squares and circles indicate? Community Answer Community Answer Each square around a number indicates a shot over par. A circle indicates a shot under par. This makes it much easier to count your overall score at the end of the round. You just add a point for each square and subtract a point for each circle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 25
  • Question What does the stroke index on my score card mean? Jason Cregan Jason Cregan Community Answer Stroke index refers to the difficulty of a hole. A hole with a stroke index of 1 is the hardest hole on a course. A stroke index of 18 refers to the easiest hole. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 16
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Tips

  • If you don’t want to carry around a physical scorecard, there are many digital scorecards you can use online or through an app. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Every score has a name. "Par" is the name for taking 3 shots on a par 3, 4 shots on a par 4, or 5 shots on a par 5. A "bogey" is 1 shot worse than par, a "double-bogey" is 2 shots worse than par, and a "triple-bogey" is 3 shots worse than par. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Getting the ball in the hole from the tee is a "hole in one." Taking 2 shots on a par 5 is called an "albatross" or a "double-eagle." Taking 2 shots on a par 4 or 3 shots on a par 5 is called an "eagle." Taking two shots on a par 3, three shots on a par 4, or four shots on a par 5 is a "birdie." Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://jimvenetosgolfacademy.com/golf-scoring-the-complete-guide-to-proper-scoring/
  2. ↑ https://jimvenetosgolfacademy.com/golf-scoring-the-complete-guide-to-proper-scoring/
  3. ↑ https://www.golfgamebook.com/articles/what-is-a-golf-scorecard-and-how-to-read-it
  4. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/what-is-stroke-index-65266
  5. ↑ https://jimvenetosgolfacademy.com/golf-scoring-the-complete-guide-to-proper-scoring/
  6. ↑ https://golf.com/lifestyle/difference-course-rating-slope-rating-explained/
  7. ↑ https://casualgolfersunited.com/2018/03/18/reading-between-the-lines-of-the-golf-course-scorecard/
  8. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/how-to-read-a-golf-score-card-245097
  9. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/how-to-read-a-golf-score-card-245097
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/how-to-read-a-golf-score-card-245097
  2. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/how-to-read-a-golf-score-card-245097
  3. ↑ https://casualgolfersunited.com/2018/03/18/reading-between-the-lines-of-the-golf-course-scorecard/
  4. ↑ https://casualgolfersunited.com/2018/03/18/reading-between-the-lines-of-the-golf-course-scorecard/
  5. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/what-is-stroke-index-65266
  6. ↑ https://www.golfmonthly.com/features/the-game/how-to-read-a-golf-score-card-245097

About This Article

Michael Metz Co-authored by: Michael Metz Golf Instructor This article was co-authored by Michael Metz and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Michael Metz is a Golf Instructor and the Director of Instruction at Simi Hills Golf Course. With more than 15 years of experience, Michael is adept at coaching all facets of Golf. Mike uses technology, such as Flightscope, V1 Swing Suite, Blast Motion, and BodiTrak pressure mapping, to provide advanced golf training with quick results. This article has been viewed 345,811 times. 7 votes - 97% Co-authors: 10 Updated: June 1, 2025 Views: 345,811 Categories: Golf Article SummaryX

To read a golf scorecard, start by looking at the top row, which lists each hole number. In the row beneath the hole numbers, you’ll see the distance from the tee to each hole. Below that, look for the handicap to see how difficult the hole is, with 1 being the hardest and 18 being the easiest. Then, find the par information in the next row, which gives you an idea of how many shots you should take to get your ball into the hole. Finally, below that and along the left side, write each player’s name, followed by the number of shots they take on each hole. To learn how to calculate everyone’s total scores at the end of a round, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Michael Metz Co-authored by: Michael Metz Golf Instructor Co-authors: 10 Updated: June 1, 2025 Views: 345,811 97% of readers found this article helpful. 7 votes - 97% Click a star to add your vote Mary Williams

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