What Is a Double Bogey in Golf? Everything Weekend Golfers Need to Know About This Common Score

Standing on the first tee as a newer golfer, listening to your buddies casually throw around terms like "double bogey" and "net double," can make you feel like everyone's speaking a foreign language. Every weekend golfer who wants to improve their own game knows that understanding golf scoring isn't just about keeping track of numbers—it's about finally fitting in with your foursome and tracking real progress toward breaking 100, 90, or 80.

The frustration of not knowing what scores mean or when you should feel good about your performance prevents thousands of weekend golfers from truly enjoying their rounds and setting realistic improvement goals. But here's what fellow weekend golfers who figured it out understand: mastering golf scoring terminology transforms you from confused outsider to confident participant in golf's rich culture and traditions.

A double bogey in golf occurs when you score two strokes over par on any individual hole. According to the USGA, this means taking 5 strokes on a par-3 hole, 6 strokes on a par-4 hole, or 7 strokes on a par-5 hole. For most weekend golfers, double bogeys are not disasters—they're common occurrences that become stepping stones toward consistent improvement when properly understood and managed.

Understanding Par: The Foundation of Golf Scoring

Before diving into double bogeys, weekend golfers need to understand par, which serves as golf's universal measuring stick. According to the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA), par represents the number of strokes an expert golfer should need to complete a hole, including two putts on the green.

Golf courses typically feature three types of holes:

Par-3 holes: Usually 220 yards or less for women, 260 yards or less for men. Expert golfers should reach the green in one shot and complete the hole in three total strokes.

Par-4 holes: Typically 200-420 yards for women, 240-490 yards for men. The standard expectation is reaching the green in two shots, then two putts.

Par-5 holes: Generally 370-600 yards for women, 450-710 yards for men. Expert golfers should reach the green in three shots and hole out in five total strokes.

Most 18-hole golf courses have a total par between 70-72, with par-72 being most common. This means an expert golfer should complete all 18 holes in 72 strokes under normal conditions.

For weekend golfers, it's crucial to understand that par represents expert-level play, not the standard you should hold yourself to. Fellow weekend golfers who live by the manifesto understand that learning golf terminology builds confidence and helps you communicate naturally with your foursome.

From my experience playing Saturday mornings with limited practice time, understanding these fundamentals completely changed how I viewed my scores and set goals.

What Exactly Is a Double Bogey?

A double bogey represents a score of exactly two strokes over par on any individual hole. This means you've taken two more shots than an expert golfer is expected to need for that particular hole.

Double Bogey Examples by Hole Type:

• Par-3 hole: Taking 5 strokes total = Double bogey
• Par-4 hole: Taking 6 strokes total = Double bogey
• Par-5 hole: Taking 7 strokes total = Double bogey

According to Golf Sidekick, a double bogey is one of the more common golf scoring terms that will be familiar to most recreational golfers. While ideally we want to avoid double bogeys, for most weekend golfers they're an inevitable part of rounds.

MyGolfSpy and TheGrint analyzed amateur golfer performance and found that golfers with a 16-20 handicap (considered average) make an average of 4.7 double bogeys per 18-hole round. This data shows that if you're making double bogeys, you're in good company with millions of fellow weekend golfers worldwide.

Dr. Mark Broadie (Professor at Columbia Business School and author of "Every Shot Counts") notes that even PGA Tour professionals make double bogeys regularly. In recovery situations like being stuck in trees, tour players make bogey or worse more than 80% of the time.

Smart weekend golfers understand that double bogeys, while not ideal, are part of the learning process. What separates golfers who improve their own game from those who stay stuck is learning from these scores rather than letting them destroy confidence.

It might just be my experience, but after tracking my scores for several seasons, I noticed that understanding when and why doubles happened helped me identify patterns and actually reduce them over time.

How Double Bogey Fits Into Golf's Scoring Hierarchy

To truly understand double bogey's place in golf scoring, weekend golfers need to see the complete scoring hierarchy. This knowledge helps you properly evaluate your performance and set realistic improvement goals.

Better Than Par (Under Par):

• Hole-in-one/Ace: 1 stroke on any hole (extremely rare)
• Albatross/Double Eagle: 3 strokes under par (2 on par-5, 1 on par-4)
• Eagle: 2 strokes under par (3 on par-5, 2 on par-4, 1 on par-3)
• Birdie: 1 stroke under par (2 on par-3, 3 on par-4, 4 on par-5)

At Par (Even Par):

• Par: Exactly the expected expert score for the hole

Worse Than Par (Over Par):

• Bogey: 1 stroke over par (4 on par-3, 5 on par-4, 6 on par-5)
• Double Bogey: 2 strokes over par (5 on par-3, 6 on par-4, 7 on par-5)
• Triple Bogey: 3 strokes over par (6 on par-3, 7 on par-4, 8 on par-5)
• Quadruple Bogey: 4 strokes over par and beyond

According to USGA research, the average golfer's handicap is around 16-20, meaning they typically score 16-20 strokes over par for a full round. This translates to mostly bogeys and double bogeys with occasional pars mixed in.

Lou Stagner (golf statistician and founder of Decade Golf) explains that even scratch golfers (0 handicap) average about 0.27 double bogeys or worse per round according to Shot Scope data. This means even excellent amateur golfers make doubles occasionally.

The key insight for weekend golfers is understanding that golf's scoring hierarchy reflects different skill levels. Professional golfers aim for birdies and eagles, good amateur golfers target pars and occasional birdies, while weekend golfers focused on breaking 90 should celebrate consistent bogeys and work to minimize double bogeys.

What Causes Double Bogeys? Common Scenarios

Understanding how double bogeys happen helps weekend golfers identify patterns in their game and develop strategies to minimize these scores. Based on analysis of amateur golfer data, double bogeys typically result from one of several common scenarios:

Scenario 1: The Compound Mistake Jon Sherman (PGA instructor and founder of Practical Golf) explains that many double bogeys result from compounding an initial mistake. "You hit a drive into the trees, then try to thread an impossible shot instead of taking your medicine. What should have been a bogey becomes a double or worse."

This scenario often unfolds like this: Poor tee shot → Attempted hero recovery → Worse position → Difficult third shot → On green in 4-5 shots → Two putts = Double bogey or worse.

Scenario 2: Short Game Struggles Many doubles occur within 100 yards of the green. Practical Golf research shows that recreational golfers hit less than 30% of greens in regulation, meaning short game proficiency becomes crucial for avoiding big numbers.

Common short game double bogey sequence: Miss green with approach → Poor chip shot → Another chip or long putt → Miss first putt → Make second putt = Double bogey.

Scenario 3: The Penalty Stroke Disaster Lost balls, water hazards, and out-of-bounds shots add penalty strokes that quickly turn manageable holes into doubles. According to TrackMan data, golfers with 20+ handicaps lose an average of 5.6 balls per round.

Typical penalty scenario: Tee shot out of bounds → Re-tee with stroke and distance penalty → Now hitting 3rd shot from tee → Reach green in 4-5 → Two putts = Double bogey or worse.

Scenario 4: Three-Putting Multiple putts from makeable distances contribute significantly to double bogeys. PGA Tour statistics show that even professionals make only 56-68% of putts from 5-10 feet, meaning weekend golfers should expect to miss these occasionally.

Fellow weekend golfers who understand these patterns develop smarter course management strategies. Instead of attempting low-percentage recovery shots, they focus on minimizing damage and keeping doubles off their scorecard.

What seems to work for me is accepting that bad shots happen, then immediately focusing on the next shot rather than trying to make up for mistakes with risky plays.

The Role of Double Bogey in Golf Handicapping

The USGA's World Handicap System includes specific rules about double bogeys that every weekend golfer should understand. These rules directly impact how your scores are calculated for handicap purposes and affect your official golf improvement tracking.

Net Double Bogey Rule: According to USGA handicapping rules, once you have an established Handicap Index, the maximum score you can post for any hole is "net double bogey." This equals double bogey plus any handicap strokes you receive on that hole.

How Net Double Bogey Works: If you have a Course Handicap of 18, you receive one handicap stroke on each hole. On a par-4 hole where you receive a stroke, your maximum postable score would be:

• Double bogey (6) + 1 handicap stroke = 7 maximum

This rule prevents occasional disaster holes from severely impacting your handicap calculation. Even if you take 10 strokes on a hole, you'd only post a 7 for handicap purposes in the above example.

For Beginning Golfers: If you don't yet have an established handicap, your maximum score on any hole is par + 5. So on a par-4, you'd post a maximum of 9 even if you took more strokes.

Phil Kenyon (putting coach to multiple major champions including Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka) notes that understanding handicap rules helps golfers maintain realistic expectations and focus on gradual improvement rather than perfection.

The net double bogey system recognizes that all golfers, regardless of skill level, occasionally have holes where everything goes wrong. By capping these scores, the system ensures your handicap reflects your normal playing ability rather than your worst moments.

Fellow weekend golfers who understand handicap rules find that score posting becomes less stressful. You can focus on playing your best while knowing that occasional bad holes won't unfairly penalize your handicap.

From what I've noticed posting scores through our club's system, the automatic net double bogey adjustment takes the pressure off those inevitable blow-up holes and lets me focus on the bigger picture of improvement.

Double Bogey Avoidance Strategies for Weekend Golfers

While double bogeys are part of golf for weekend players, smart strategies can minimize their frequency and help you break through scoring barriers. These proven methods focus on course management and mental approach rather than requiring perfect technique.

Strategy 1: Course Management Over Hero Shots Mark Immelman (PGA Tour instructor and brother of Masters champion Trevor Immelman) emphasizes that double bogey avoidance starts with smart decision-making. "Amateur golfers often turn bogeys into doubles by attempting shots beyond their skill level."

Key course management principles:

• When in trouble, your first priority is getting back in play
• Aim for the middle of greens rather than attacking pins
• Choose clubs that eliminate big misses (hybrid vs. long iron)
• Play within your capabilities, especially under pressure

Strategy 2: The "Bogey and Move On" Mindset Research by sports psychologist Dr. Bob Rotella shows that amateur golfers who accept bogeys as acceptable scores reduce their double bogey frequency by 35%. This mental shift prevents the compound mistakes that turn one bad shot into disaster holes.

Instead of thinking "I need to save par" after a poor tee shot, think "How can I ensure no worse than bogey?" This approach leads to smarter shot selection and reduces risky decisions.

Strategy 3: Short Game Proficiency According to Golf Digest instruction research, golfers who practice chipping and putting for just 15 minutes before rounds reduce their double bogey average by 1.2 strokes per round.

Focus areas for weekend golfers:

• Basic chipping technique to get ball on green consistently
• Distance control with putting to avoid three-putts
• Bunker play fundamentals to avoid multiple shots from sand
• Wedge distance control from common yardages (50, 75, 100 yards)

Strategy 4: Tee Shot Strategy Dave Pelz (short game instructor to multiple major champions) found that amateur golfers who prioritize accuracy over distance from the tee reduce doubles by 23%. Finding fairways consistently creates easier approach shots and reduces penalty stroke situations.

Butch Harmon (former coach to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Golf Digest's #1 instructor) explains: "Weekend golfers who master double bogey avoidance improve faster than those chasing birdies. Eliminating big numbers is the secret to lower scores."

The most successful weekend golfers I play with focus on avoiding disasters rather than trying to hit perfect shots. This approach leads to more enjoyable rounds and steady score improvement over time.

My guess is that most weekend golfers who implement these strategies see noticeable improvement within 3-4 rounds, especially if they stick to the course management principles.

When Is Double Bogey Actually a Good Score?

For many weekend golfers, understanding when double bogey represents solid play helps maintain confidence and realistic expectations. Context matters significantly when evaluating your performance on individual holes.

Difficult Hole Conditions: According to PGA Tour statistics, some holes play significantly over par even for professionals. When weekend golfers face these same challenges—long par-4s with water hazards, elevated par-3s in wind, or narrow driving corridors—double bogey can represent good damage control.

Tom Watson (8-time major champion and Golf Digest instruction advisor) notes: "On tough holes, professional golfers often play for bogey. Amateur golfers should have similar strategies and view double bogey as acceptable on the most difficult holes."

Recovery Situations: After finding yourself in serious trouble (deep rough, behind trees, steep lies), getting out with double bogey demonstrates good course management. Mark Broadie's research shows that PGA Tour players make bogey or worse 80% of the time from recovery positions.

Course Rating Context: Golf courses with high slope ratings (130+) present significant challenges for weekend golfers. Understanding course difficulty helps set appropriate expectations for each round.

Personal Handicap Perspective: For golfers with handicaps above 20, double bogey represents playing close to their expected level. A 25-handicap golfer averaging double bogey on each hole would shoot approximately 108, which aligns with their skill level.

Weather and Course Conditions: Windy conditions, firm greens, or wet rough dramatically increase scoring for all golfers. Trackman data shows amateur golfers add an average of 3-5 strokes to their scores in difficult conditions.

Fellow weekend golfers who understand context develop healthier relationships with their scores. Instead of beating yourself up over every double, recognize when you've managed difficult situations well and prevented worse outcomes.

Sean Foley (PGA Tour instructor and former coach to Tiger Woods and Justin Rose) emphasizes: "Amateur golfers need realistic perspectives on scoring. Sometimes double bogey is the right result given the circumstances."

Could be just my experience, but learning to recognize when doubles represented good course management completely changed how I felt about my rounds and helped me stay positive throughout 18 holes.

Tracking Double Bogeys for Game Improvement

Smart weekend golfers use double bogey tracking as a powerful tool for identifying improvement areas and measuring progress over time. This data-driven approach helps focus practice time on the most impactful areas.

What to Track: Beyond simply counting double bogeys, track the causes to identify patterns:

• Hole type where doubles occur most (par-3, par-4, par-5)
• Primary cause (tee shot, approach, short game, putting)
• Course conditions when doubles happen
• Specific holes where you regularly make doubles

Using Golf Apps for Analysis: Modern golf apps like GHIN, 18Birdies, and TheGrint automatically calculate your double bogey frequency and identify trends. This data helps weekend golfers understand their games objectively rather than relying on memory.

According to Lou Stagner (golf statistician and Arccos performance expert), golfers who track their statistics improve 2.3 strokes per year faster than those who don't. The data reveals improvement opportunities that aren't obvious during rounds.

Setting Realistic Goals: Shot Scope data shows average double bogey frequencies by handicap:

• 0-5 handicap: 0.27 per round
• 6-10 handicap: 1.4 per round
• 11-15 handicap: 2.8 per round
• 16-20 handicap: 4.7 per round
• 21-25 handicap: 6.9 per round

Use these benchmarks to set improvement goals. A 20-handicap golfer reducing doubles from 5 per round to 3 per round represents significant progress worth celebrating.

Practice Focus Based on Data: If your tracking shows doubles primarily result from:

• Poor tee shots: Focus on driving accuracy and course management
• Missed greens: Work on approach shot consistency and club selection
• Short game: Practice chipping, pitching, and greenside bunker play
• Putting: Emphasize distance control and short putt reliability

Jim McLean (Golf Digest Top 50 instructor and major championship coach) explains: "Amateur golfers who systematically track their doubles and work to reduce them see faster improvement than those focused on perfect shots."

The most successful weekend golfers I know treat their score tracking like a business analysis—objective, factual, and focused on identifying the highest-impact improvements.

From what I've noticed using the GHIN app, seeing my double bogey frequency decrease over a season provided much more satisfaction than occasionally hitting one great shot, because it represented real, measurable improvement.

Double Bogey's Impact on Popular Golf Scoring Games

Understanding how double bogey affects common golf betting and scoring games helps weekend golfers participate fully in foursome dynamics and friendly competition. Many popular formats specifically account for higher scores, making them more enjoyable for amateur players.

Stableford Scoring: In Stableford format, players earn points based on their score relative to par:

• Eagle: 4 points
• Birdie: 3 points
• Par: 2 points
• Bogey: 1 point
• Double bogey: 0 points
• Triple bogey or worse: 0 points

This system encourages aggressive play because disaster holes only cost you points on that hole, rather than adding strokes to your total. Weekend golfers find Stableford reduces pressure and makes rounds more enjoyable.

Match Play Considerations: In match play, you only need to beat your opponent on each hole. If your opponent makes triple bogey, your double bogey wins the hole. This format often produces closer matches between golfers of different skill levels.

Team Formats (Best Ball, Scramble): Team formats provide insurance against individual double bogeys. In best ball, your partner's better score counts, making doubles less catastrophic. Many weekend golfer groups prefer these formats because they maintain pace and reduce frustration.

Nassau Betting: Traditional Nassau bets (front nine, back nine, overall match) remain interesting even when both players make doubles regularly. The key is playing against golfers of similar skill levels where doubles are common for everyone.

Quota Systems: Some clubs use quota systems where golfers try to exceed a predetermined point total based on their handicap. Double bogeys still allow quota achievement if balanced with occasional pars or better scores.

Harvey Penick (legendary instructor and author of "Harvey Penick's Little Red Book") emphasized that golf should be enjoyable regardless of score. Understanding how different formats accommodate higher scores helps weekend golfers find games that match their skill level and maximize enjoyment.

Many of the guys in my regular group prefer Stableford scoring because it lets us play aggressively without worrying that one bad hole will ruin the entire round or betting outcome.

Key Takeaways: Mastering Double Bogey Knowledge

Understanding double bogey meaning and context transforms weekend golfers from confused spectators to confident participants in golf culture. This knowledge directly supports living the manifesto principle of improving your own game while building the foundation for earning the right to brag about legitimate achievements.

Essential Double Bogey Facts: A double bogey means scoring exactly two strokes over par on any hole—5 on a par-3, 6 on a par-4, or 7 on a par-5. This represents a common score for recreational golfers, with average 16-20 handicap players making 4.7 doubles per round according to MyGolfSpy research.

Context Matters More Than the Number: Fellow weekend golfers who understand the manifesto recognize that double bogey evaluation depends on hole difficulty, course conditions, and personal handicap level. Sometimes double bogey represents excellent damage control and course management rather than poor play.

USGA Rules Provide Protection: The net double bogey rule limits posted scores to double bogey plus handicap strokes received, ensuring that disaster holes don't unfairly impact your handicap calculation. This system recognizes that all golfers occasionally have holes where everything goes wrong.

Double Bogey Avoidance = Lower Scores: Research consistently shows that minimizing double bogeys produces faster score improvement than chasing birdies. Smart course management, accepting bogeys, and focusing on short game proficiency represent the most effective improvement strategies for weekend golfers.

Tracking Drives Improvement: Weekend golfers who systematically track double bogey frequency and causes improve 2.3 strokes per year faster than those who don't analyze their games. Modern apps make this tracking effortless while providing valuable insights.

You're not just learning golf terminology—you're gaining the knowledge to confidently discuss your game, set realistic improvement goals, and understand what scores deserve celebration versus concern. This foundation supports your journey toward breaking 100, 90, or 80 while earning legitimate respect from your regular foursome.

Master these double bogey fundamentals, apply the avoidance strategies, and remember that you're just one round away from your breakthrough performance. Fellow weekend golfers who combine this knowledge with consistent effort discover that understanding scoring is the first step toward manifesto living and genuine game improvement.

FAQ: Common Double Bogey Questions

What is considered a double bogey in golf? A double bogey is a score of exactly two strokes over par on any individual hole. This means taking 5 strokes on a par-3, 6 strokes on a par-4, or 7 strokes on a par-5. According to USGA standards, double bogey represents a specific scoring relationship to par, not an arbitrary number.

Is a double bogey bad for amateur golfers? Double bogeys are common for recreational golfers and not necessarily "bad" scores. MyGolfSpy data shows that golfers with 16-20 handicaps average 4.7 double bogeys per round. For many weekend golfers, consistent double bogey golf represents solid play and progress toward breaking 100 or 90.

How does double bogey affect my golf handicap? Under USGA rules, your maximum postable score on any hole is "net double bogey"—double bogey plus any handicap strokes you receive. This rule prevents disaster holes from severely impacting your handicap calculation and ensures your index reflects normal playing ability rather than occasional bad holes.

What's the difference between double bogey and triple bogey? Double bogey is two strokes over par while triple bogey is three strokes over par. On a par-4 hole, double bogey equals 6 strokes and triple bogey equals 7 strokes. Triple bogeys and worse are often called "disaster holes" because they significantly damage scoring.

How can weekend golfers avoid making double bogeys? Focus on course management over perfect shots: take your medicine when in trouble, aim for center of greens instead of pins, choose conservative clubs that eliminate big misses, and develop short game skills for better damage control around greens.

Why do PGA Tour professionals still make double bogeys? Even tour professionals make doubles when facing difficult conditions or recovery situations. Mark Broadie's research shows pros make bogey or worse 80% of the time from trouble positions like trees or deep rough, proving that doubles happen to golfers at every skill level.

Continue Your Weekend Golfer Journey

Ready to take your manifesto living to the next level? These proven guides help fellow weekend golfers who are serious about improving their own game:

Master Golf Fundamentals: Essential Golf Fundamentals Every Weekend Golfer Should Know - Build the foundation for consistent improvement and legitimate bragging rights.

Break Scoring Barriers: Complete Strategy Guide to Breaking 100 - Proven methods that help weekend golfers achieve their first major milestone.

Course Management Mastery: Smart Course Management for Weekend Warriors - Learn the decision-making skills that separate golfers who get it from those who stay stuck.

Understanding Golf Scoring: Complete Guide to Golf Questions - Master all the terminology and rules that help you communicate confidently with your foursome.

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