Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
How often have you heard a golfer refer to themselves as a bogey golfer? Has it left you wondering if this is just another of those tricky golf terms or sayings. As a former professional golfer (who was once a bogey golfer), I’m here to give you the rundown on what it means to be a bogey golfer, whether or not it’s considered a good or bad thing, and if your game of golf falls in the bogey golf category.
What Is Bogey Golf?
The bogey golf definition is making a bogey on all 18 holes. The resulting score for a round of bogey golf is right around 90 on a traditional par-72 golf course.
When golfers refer to the term bogey golf, they aren’t saying they make a bogey on each hole. Instead, they mean that their average score is usually around 90. This means they may make a few pars, a triple bogey, a double bogey, and maybe even the occasional birdie. However, at the end of the round, they appear to be about 1 over par on each hole.
The term bogey golf has presented itself as a definition of average golfers. A scratch golfer or player who makes par on every hole is considered more of a par golfer. Players who are more recreational golfers and make more double bogeys than anything else are often called high handicappers or double bogey golfers.
| Golfer Type | Definition | Avg Score for 18 Holes | Avg Score for 9 Holes |
| Par Golfer | Averages a score of par on every hole, also known as scratch golfers | 72 | 36 |
| Bogey Golfer | Averages one stroke above par on every hole. | 90 | 45 |
| Double Bogey Golfer | Averages two strokes above par on every hole. | 108 | 54 |
Profile of A Bogey Golfer
The average bogey golfer has a handicap in the 15-20 range. They typically have a weakness somewhere in their game that causes them to struggle with breaking 90 consistently. For many bogey golfers, the tee shot ends up a little to the right, or they three-putt a hole, costing them an extra shot.
Many bogey golfers will have a few pars in a row and think they are on their way to a good score when something bad happens. They may hit a ball out of bounds, flub a shot into the water, miss a green, or make a poor choice that leads them to a quadruple bogey. Here is a profile of a bogey golfer, or what many would consider to be an average player.
| Profile of a Bogey Golfer | Details |
| Average Handicap | Typically around 15-20 |
| Strengths | Consistent driving, occasional slice or hook |
| Weaknesses | Short game precision, gets the ball on the green but not close, putting consistency. |
| Areas for Improvement | Short game skills, putting accuracy, improving course management |
| Recommended Equipment | Game-improvement irons, forgiving drivers, draw bias |
| Swing Speed | Moderate (around 85-95 mph for drivers) |
| Additional Notes | Can benefit from regular coaching and practice drills |
Is Bogey Golf Good or Bad?
So now the real question is, if you are a bogey golfer, are you a good player? Making a bogey on a hole when you hit a golf shot in trouble or out of bounds is a very good score. Making a bogey on a par-4 hole where you were 10 feet from the pin in two shots is a bad hole.
Whether or not bogey golf is good is kind of relative. Making a bogey on a given hole can undoubtedly be a good score. However, making a bogey on all 18 may not be what every golfer dreams of shooting.
When Is Bogey Golf Good?
Here are a few of the situations where you could consider bogey golf to be good:
- Any golfer within 5 years of learning the game
- Players who only frequent the course occasionally
- Any time you are playing a golf course with a challenging course rating and slope rating
- Playing in poor weather conditions or when the degree of difficulty is increased.
- Any golfer with physical limitations that keep them from having a single digit handicap
- Players who want to have fun, enjoy a relatively quick round, and still hit some great shots
When Is Bogey Golf Not Good?
Here are a few times when bogey golf is not good:
- You are a scratch player, and your game is just struggling
- Your swing is very consistent, and your shots are consistent, but you struggle with three putting almost every hole
- Hitting a par-5 hole in two shots and making a bogey is not good!
It’s estimated that only 20-30% of golfers can break 90. If you are shooting around 90 every round, it may not be a perfect score, but compared to the field, it’s pretty good.
Is A Female Bogey Golfer A Good Player?
The percentage of women who play golf is considerably lower than that of men. Various studies have been done about the numbers golfers shoot. The USGA often does studies, but only includes golfers with a handicap index. About 20-30% of male golfers can break 90, but only about 10-17% of women can break 90.
Women who have single-digit handicaps would be referred to as expert golfer. If you are a new woman player and can make a bogey on even a single hole, consider that a win. Keep collecting those bogeys until they eventually turn into a par!
Where Are Bogey Golfers Losing The Most Strokes?
It may seem easy to pick up a single stroke on every hole and take your bogey golf game to a scratch golf game, but it’s not. As a former teaching professional, I always found it important to determine where strokes are being lost. For bogey golfers, most shots (usually around 6 per round) are lost on the putting green.
That’s a lot!
The next area where players struggle is their approach shots (4 shots) and driving accuracy (3 shots), followed by chipping (3 shots) and course management (2 shots).
Tips for Bogey Golfers To Improve
We looked at where bogey golfers are losing the most strokes. The putting green was the clear winner. I’ll tell you a story you may need to hear to make the proper adjustments to your game.
I told my stepdad that if he has 36 putts (2 putts per hole) in a round, it’s way too many.
This shocked him because he said that 2 putting every hole was considered par. The problem with this mindset is that he was also not hitting greens in regulation.
If it takes you three shots to hit a green, you can save your par with a 1 putt. If you take three or even four shots to hit a green and then add a 2 putt, you end up a bogey (or higher) golfer.
Keep that in mind the next time you consider a 2 putt to be a good thing.
Most Efficient Ways For Bogey Golfers To Improve
Here are some quickest and most efficient ways for bogey golfers to improve.
- Your second shot on par 4 and par 5 holes should be first about safety and next about proximity, leave the ball in a safe place don’t worry about hitting the pin.
- Play some match play with friends who are a little better than you; it will help improve your score and focus.
- Use a golf GPS device to track strokes gained, driving accuracy, putting accuracy, etc. Use this information to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
- Become a smart course manager. Remember, you don’t need driver off of every tee. Lastly, hitting a 200-yard shot over water with a 5-yard wood in your hand is not something you will pull off 9/10 times.
- Learn to get out of the sand traps in one shot and leave yourself a putt for par.
- Par every par-3 hole, get a good yardage to the center of the green, and make a solid two-putt.
- Layup in front of water hazards and hit a shorter shot over; don’t try to push it.
- Remember that 1 over par on some holes is a good score. If you are in trouble, get out of there with your bogey. Undoubtedly, even a low handicap golfer will make a bogey.
Final Thoughts
Now, you should have a good idea of the bogey golf definition. The best golfers in the game have to admit that a player who is a bogey golfer who can hit consistent shots and plays with a good pace is a good golfer. The skill level difference between professional golfers and bogey golfers is quite significant, but it doesn’t mean that a bogey golfer could never make it. We all start somewhere. If you want more practical tips on getting better at golf, just let me know; I’m happy to write more articles.
