Learn the essentials of golf scoring and terminology with our comprehensive guide for beginners at Burlingame Country Club. Master scorecards, understand par, and decode golf language.
_______________________________
Golf Scoring 101: How to Keep Score and Understand Golf Terminology
Stepping onto our championship course at Burlingame Country Club for the first time can be both exciting and a bit overwhelming. Understanding how to keep score and knowing the basic terminology is essential to enjoying your game and feeling confident on the course. Whether you’re completely new to golf or just need a refresher, this guide will walk you through the fundamentals of golf scoring and help you decode the language that makes our sport so unique.
Understanding the Scorecard
When you arrive at our Tom Jackson-designed course nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll receive a scorecard that might initially look like a complex puzzle. But don’t worry—it’s actually quite straightforward once you know what you’re looking at.
The scorecard is organized by holes (numbered 1-18) with several rows of information for each one. You’ll see numbers indicating the distance from each tee box to the hole, the hole’s par, and handicap information. There are also blank spaces where you’ll record the number of strokes you take on each hole.
The top of the card shows different tee options (often color-coded) representing different starting points with varying distances. At Burlingame, we offer multiple tee positions to accommodate players of all skill levels, so you can choose the one that best matches your ability and comfort level.
Par: Your Baseline Score
Par is the standard number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. Think of par as the “goal” for each hole. Most holes are designated as par 3, par 4, or par 5:
A par 3 hole is relatively short, and a skilled player should reach the green with one shot and then use two putts to finish.
On a par 4 hole, the expert golfer typically needs two shots to reach the green, followed by two putts.
A par 5 hole is longer, generally requiring three shots to reach the green, plus two putts.
Our mountain course offers a beautiful variety of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, with the total par for all 18 holes typically adding up to 72.
How to Track Your Score
Keeping score in golf is actually quite simple: count every swing you take at the ball, including practice swings where you accidentally hit the ball and shots you hit into hazards or out of bounds.
After completing each hole, write down your total number of strokes in the appropriate box on your scorecard. At the end of your round, add up all your scores for a total.
Golf uses some special terms to describe scores in relation to par:
Common Scoring Terms
Birdie: Completing a hole in one stroke under par
Eagle: Completing a hole in two strokes under par
Bogey: Completing a hole in one stroke over par
Double Bogey: Completing a hole in two strokes over par
Par: Completing a hole in exactly the number of strokes expected
As you enjoy the panoramic mountain vistas from our course at 3,000 feet elevation, remember that your score is personal—it’s about challenging yourself and tracking your improvement over time.
Essential Golf Terminology
Beyond scoring, there’s a whole vocabulary that helps golfers communicate on the course. Here are some terms you’ll hear regularly while playing at Burlingame Country Club:
Fairway: The closely mown area between the tee and the green
Green: The area of very short grass surrounding the hole
Rough: The longer grass bordering the fairway
Bunker: A hazard filled with sand
Water Hazard: Ponds, streams, or other water features on the course
Tee Box: The starting area for each hole
Approach: A shot intended to reach the green
Drive: Your first shot from the tee (usually with a driver)
Putt: A shot rolled along the green toward the hole
Mulligan: An informal second chance after a poor shot (not allowed in official play)
When playing through our mountain landscape, you might also hear terms specific to course features, like “dogleg” (a hole that bends left or right) or “elevation change” (something we have plenty of with our course ranging from 3,000-3,500 feet).
Ready to Improve Your Golf Experience?
Understanding scoring and terminology is just the beginning of your golf journey at Burlingame Country Club. Our professional staff is always available to answer questions and help you feel more comfortable on the course. We offer private lessons, clinics, and casual playing opportunities for members of all skill levels.
Join us for a round surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where you can put your new knowledge into practice while making connections with fellow members. After your round, continue the conversation at Elevation 3042, our casual dining venue, where you can discuss your game over a delicious meal.
Your Burlingame experience awaits—where every round contributes to “The Best of Times.”