Double Bogey
A double bogey is a score of two strokes over par on a single golf hole. On a par 3 it’s a 5, on a par 4 it’s a 6, and on a par 5 it’s a 7.
What is a double bogey?
A double bogey simply means a golfer needed two more shots than the hole’s par to finish it. Par is the standard score a skilled golfer is expected to make on a hole, and “bogey” is the term for one stroke over that standard. Double the prefix, and the score sits at two over.
The term shows up constantly on scorecards, in television broadcasts, and in casual conversation around the clubhouse. When a commentator says a player “made double” on the 12th, that’s what they mean: two strokes more than the hole’s par. The number itself depends on the hole, since par changes from one hole to the next, but the +2 relationship is fixed.
For most recreational golfers, a double bogey is a regular feature of a round rather than a rare disaster. For low-handicap players and professionals, it’s a score worth avoiding because two dropped shots on a single hole are difficult to recover from over 18 holes.
Double bogey scores by hole
Because par varies hole to hole, the actual stroke count for a double bogey changes, too. The table below shows the score that counts as a double bogey for each common par rating.
| Hole par | Double bogey score |
|---|---|
| Par 3 | 5 strokes |
| Par 4 | 6 strokes |
| Par 5 | 7 strokes |
| Par 6 | 8 strokes |
Par 6 holes are unusual, but they exist on a handful of courses worldwide, and the same +2 logic applies. If a hole is rated par 6, an 8 is a double bogey on it.
Double bogey vs. bogey vs. triple bogey
These three terms all describe over-par scores, and golfers new to the game often mix them up. The difference is just how many shots over par the score sits at.
| Term | Strokes over par | Example on a par 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Bogey | +1 | 5 strokes |
| Double bogey | +2 | 6 strokes |
| Triple bogey | +3 | 7 strokes |
| Quadruple bogey | +4 | 8 strokes |
A bogey is one over par. A double bogey is two over. A triple bogey is three over, and a quadruple bogey is four over. Beyond that, golfers usually drop the naming convention and just refer to the raw stroke count or how many over par the score is.
How a double bogey is marked on a scorecard
On a paper scorecard or a televised broadcast graphic, a double bogey is shown as a number inside two concentric squares. A bogey gets one square, a double bogey gets two, and so on for triples and quadruples. The same logic runs in reverse for under-par scores, with circles instead: one circle for a birdie, two for an eagle, three for the rare albatross.
According to the USGA, scoring apps that support hole-by-hole entry will apply the relevant shape automatically once the score is logged. Some golfers also write a small “+2” next to the number, which is just another shorthand for the same thing.
Net double bogey explained
“Net double bogey” sounds like another name for a double bogey, but it’s a separate concept tied to handicap scoring rather than basic terminology.
Under the World Handicap System, which rolled out globally in 2020, net double bogey is the maximum score a golfer with an established handicap can post on any hole for handicap purposes. The formula is straightforward: par + 2 + any handicap strokes the player receives on that hole.
So a player whose Course Handicap entitles them to one stroke on a par 4 has a net double bogey of 4 + 2 + 1 = 7 on that hole. If the player actually scores a 9, the score gets adjusted down to 7 before it goes into the handicap calculation. The USGA explains that the rule exists to stop one disaster hole from skewing a player’s Handicap Index too far in the wrong direction.
The R&A and USGA jointly govern the World Handicap System, and the same net double bogey cap applies whether a golfer plays in the US, the UK, or anywhere else covered by the system.
Where the term comes from
“Bogey” predates “double bogey” by several decades. Scottish Golf History traces the word to the late 19th century, when a popular song featured a phantom character called the “Bogey-Man.” Golfers at the United Services Club in Gosport, England, started using “Colonel Bogey” as the name of a fictional opponent whose score represented the standard for the course, a bit like playing against par today.
For a while, “bogey” actually meant the standard score, the same role par now plays. As courses got measured more precisely and scoring tightened, “bogey” shifted to mean one over par instead, and “par” became the standard. Once that shift happened, “double bogey” was a natural extension. Two over par needed a name, and doubling the prefix did the job.
The term is now standard in golf vocabulary worldwide and appears in the official rules and handicap documentation published by both the USGA and the R&A.
How common is a double bogey?
Double bogeys are a normal part of amateur golf, and the data confirms it. Shot Scope data published by Golf Insider UK shows that 25-handicap golfers average 9.18 double bogeys (or worse) per round, while scratch golfers average just 0.27 per round, which works out to roughly one double bogey every three rounds.
A separate analysis by MyGolfSpy and TheGrint found that golfers with a 16-20 handicap, often cited as the average handicap range, average 4.7 double bogeys per round. Golfers in the 21-25 range average 8.9 doubles or worse per 18 holes.
Even at the elite level, double bogeys happen. A study by Golf Monthly looking at men’s major championships from 2000 onward found that 37 of 99 major winners (around 37%) carded at least one double bogey on their way to the title. Scottie Scheffler had a double in each of his Masters wins in 2022 and 2024.
So while double bogeys are worth avoiding when possible, they’re a feature of the game at every skill level, and a single one rarely defines a round.
Related Golf Terms
- Dogleg left — A hole that bends to the left at some point along its length.
- Dogleg right — A hole that bends to the right at some point along its length.
- Bogey — A score of one over par on a single hole.
- Dormie — In match play, being ahead by the same number of holes remaining.
- Birdie — A score of one under par on a single hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a double bogey bad?
For a beginner, a double bogey is a perfectly respectable score and a normal part of learning the game. For a low-handicap player or a professional, it’s a costly score because two shots dropped on one hole are hard to claw back over the rest of the round.
What is the maximum score on a hole for handicap purposes?
For a player with an established Handicap Index, the maximum score that can be posted is a net double bogey, which equals par + 2 + any handicap strokes received on that hole. The R&A and USGA both enforce this cap under the World Handicap System.
Is a double bogey worse than a bogey?
Yes. A bogey is one stroke over par, and a double bogey is two strokes over par. A double bogey costs the golfer one more stroke than a bogey on the same hole.
What is worse than a double bogey?
A triple bogey (three over par) and a quadruple bogey (four over par) are both worse than a double bogey. Beyond that, scores tend to be referred to by the raw stroke count rather than another named term.
Can a beginner be happy with a double bogey?
For most new golfers, yes. Averaging a double bogey across 18 holes produces a round in the upper 90s to low 100s, which is in the typical range for recreational players in the United States.
Sources
- USGA. “Net Double Bogey.” Accessed May 2026.
- R&A. “Rules of Handicapping: Adjustment of Hole Scores.” Accessed May 2026.
- Scottish Golf History. “Origin of Golf Terms: Bogey.” Accessed May 2026.
- Wikipedia. “Par (score).” Accessed May 2026.
- Britannica Dictionary. “Double Bogey.” Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Insider UK. “Birdies, Bogey & Doubles By Handicap.” Shot Scope data. Accessed May 2026.
- Golf Monthly. “How Often Do Golfers Win Majors With A Double-Bogey On The Scorecard?” Accessed May 2026.
