What is a Double Bogey in Golf?
A double bogey is when a golfer takes two strokes more than par to finish a hole. For example, if you score a 7 on a par-5, then you would be scoring a double bogey since you scored +2 above par. Par is the expected score on a hole. Each hole on a golf course is either a Par-3, Par-4, or a Par-5. Combined, all 18 holes usually add up to a par of 72, but some golf courses play as a Par-70 or Par-71.
Double bogey is a scoring term used by golfers. You’ll hear someone say “I got a double” or “write me down for a double bogey.” You would look at what par is for the hole and add two strokes to that number to write down your partner’s double bogey on the scorecard.
In our golf words for beginners guide, we share all the other scoring terms that you need to learn as well if you’re new to the game of golf. Words like birdie, eagle, albatross, and more.
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The History of the Double Bogey
So where did the word “double bogey” come from in golf? Well it all started in the late 1800’s when golfers began using the term bogey which came from the song Bogey Man. Bogey was soon adopted in the early 1900’s as the golf term for one over par.
Golfers adopted unique names for scores under par like Albatross, Eagle, and Birdie, but for whatever reason they didn’t adopt unique names for over par scores. It was just bogey, double bogey, triple bogey, quadruple bogey, etc. using the word “bogey” repeatedly.
Is Double Bogey a Bad Golf Score?
Yes, a double bogey is considered a bad score to have on your scorecard. The goal is to achieve par on every hole and not make big numbers on a scorecard. A double bogey is considered a big number and will start to make your score go up quickly.
If you double bogey every hole you’ll finish 36 strokes above par (18 holes x 2 over par each hole), which would give you a score of 108.
This is not considered a good score in golf.
However, if you’re brand new to golf and you currently make triple and quadruple bogeys and you score 130+ for 18 holes, then scoring a 108 with all double bogeys might feel like a good score to you and signs of improvement.
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How to Avoid Making Double Bogey in Golf?
If you want to improve your golf game and stop making so many double bogeys, here are a few tips you can follow to make more pars instead:
Practice Putting
Many golfers who make double bogeys do so because of poor putting. If you take more than two putts to get the ball into the cup, then you’re wasting strokes. You should never 3-putt, 4-putt, 5-putt, etc. Aim for just two putts or less when your ball gets on the green.
Practice putting at the golf course practice green by working on simple golf putting drills. For example, spend a lot of time practicing your putting from 3 feet, 4 feet, and 5 feet away from the hole. These short distance putts are common during a golf round so you want to get really good at making putts inside of 5 feet.
Also practice speed control putting drills where you drop a golf ball farther away from the hole and have a long putt across the green. The goal isn’t to make this long putt, but instead get the ball as close as possible to the hole so you can have a short 2nd putt to finish the hole.
Practice Chipping
You may be losing strokes due to poor chipping. If you struggle to chip the ball onto the green on the first try, then practice chipping drills to improve your contact and become more consistent getting the ball out of the rough and onto the green on the 1st attempt.
If you can become skilled at chipping around the green, you should see a reduction in double bogeys on your scorecard.
Driving Range Practice
If your tee shots are getting you into trouble and causing you to score double bogeys frequently, then spend more time on the driving range practicing your golf swing. Find a consistent swing that can keep your tee shots in play so you have a chance to get to the green on your 2nd or 3rd shot with your irons.
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Work on Mental Strength to Avoid Double Bogey
The final cause of golfers who make double bogey often is a lack of mental focus. Work on building your golf mental toughness so you can handle pressure and stay focused during your golf round. Don’t let pars and bogeys turn into a double bogey.
It’s frustrating as heck when you think you should have made par on a hole but came away with a double bogey instead.
This is usually due to some sort of mental error.
Playing the wrong golf shot or too risky of a shot that ends up costing you extra strokes to your score. Or feeling insecure and not confident when you stand over your chip shot or putt, leading to a poor stroke.
How Many Double Bogeys Do Pro Golfers Make Per Round?
It’s not very common to see multiple double bogeys on a professional golfers scorecard, but you’ll frequently see at least one double bogey on the pro golfer scorecard.
So you’re not alone. Professional golfers do make double bogeys also.
But the frequency is the key. It’s okay to make a double bogey on occasion but don’t let it become a frequent thing.
Professional golfers might slip up and score a double bogey on a hole, but you’ll see them bounce back usually on the next hole with par or birdie. They try to limit the big numbers on the scorecard as much as possible and it takes mental toughness.
If you let a double bogey get you down, you’ll be affected on future holes and can lead to more doubles and triples.
Final Thoughts on the Double Bogey
Overall, a double bogey is scoring 2 strokes above par in golf. If par for the hole is a 3, then try your hardest to make a 3. If you end up making a 5, then that would be a double bogey (+2 more than par-3).
A double bogey is not a desired score in golf. It’s considered a bad score on a hole and you should try to limit the number of double bogeys you make.
Work on your putting and chipping for hours and hours each week to quickly reduce your chances of making double bogeys. You’ll be surprised how having a good short game can quickly help you stop making big numbers of the scorecard.
Check out our other articles on the scoring terms Albratross, Birdie, and Eagle, if you’d like to learn more.
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