Golf is a stroke-based target sport where players complete holes in as few shots as possible across individual or team scoring formats.
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Standard stroke play golf — complete 9 or 18 holes, counting every stroke. The player with the fewest total strokes wins. The most common competitive format.
Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport played on a course of 9 or 18 holes. Each hole has a tee area, fairway, hazards, and a green with a flagstick marking the cup.
The goal in stroke play: complete the course in the fewest total strokes possible. Every swing counts — from the first tee shot to the final putt on the 18th green.
A full 18-hole round takes about 3.5–4.5 hours. Golf is played individually, with each player responsible for their own ball from tee to hole.
Course: 9 or 18 holes, each with a par value (the expected number of strokes for a skilled player)
Par values: Typically par 3 (short), par 4 (medium), or par 5 (long) per hole
Standard 18-hole par: Usually 70–72 total strokes
Clubs: Players may carry up to 14 clubs — drivers, irons, wedges, and a putter
Ball: Small dimpled ball; each player plays their own throughout
Tee shot: Hit from within the tee box toward the fairway or green
Approach shots: Continue hitting toward the green, advancing the ball from where it lies
Putting: Once on the green, roll the ball into the cup using a putter
Hole out: The hole is complete when the ball drops into the cup
Every shot counts as one stroke, including:
Tee shots, fairway shots, chips, and putts
Penalty strokes (added to your count without swinging — see below)
Whiffs (swinging and missing) do count if you intended to hit the ball
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ace / Hole-in-one | 1 stroke on any hole |
| Albatross (Double Eagle) | 3 under par |
| Eagle | 2 under par |
| Birdie | 1 under par |
| Par | Expected strokes for the hole |
| Bogey | 1 over par |
| Double bogey | 2 over par |
| Triple bogey | 3 over par |
Out of bounds (OB): Ball goes beyond course boundaries — stroke + distance penalty (re-hit from the previous spot, +1 penalty stroke)
Water hazard: Ball enters a water hazard — 1 penalty stroke, drop behind the hazard or re-hit
Lateral hazard (red stakes): Same as water hazard but with a lateral drop option
Unplayable lie: Declare your ball unplayable — 1 penalty stroke, with drop options
Lost ball: If you can't find your ball within 3 minutes — treated as OB
Ready golf: Hit when ready (in casual play) rather than strict order
Repair divots and ball marks on the green
Rake bunkers after playing from sand
Keep pace: Be ready when it's your turn; let faster groups play through
Silence during swings: Stand still and quiet while others are hitting
Course management: Play for position rather than maximum distance — aim for the center of fairways and greens
Avoid big numbers: A conservative play that avoids penalty strokes often beats a risky shot
Short game priority: Most strokes are saved around the green — chipping and putting practice pays off fastest
Club selection: Choose the club that puts you in the best position for your NEXT shot, not just the current one
Mental game: Golf is 18 separate events — a bad hole doesn't affect the next one unless you let it
Golf stroke play uses lower score wins — the fewest total strokes wins.
Record each player's total stroke count for the round (or the number of holes played). Players are ranked from lowest to highest total.
Handicaps may be applied for net scoring, but gross (actual) strokes are the standard recording method.
When recording a golf round in How You Rank:
Select Stroke Play variant
Enter each player's total stroke count for the round
The system ranks players from lowest score to highest (since lower is better in golf)
For 9-hole rounds, record the 9-hole total; for 18, record the full total