How to Score a Round of Golf

An international trade executive by profession, Benedito Carraro pursues a variety of interests in his leisure time. Benedito Carraro is an avid golfer and enjoys playing courses across the United States.

Scoring a round of golf is a relatively simple process, though correct use of the scorecard is essential, both in competition and in tracking the individual golfer's performance. The beginning golfer learns to record his or her score on each hole in the box provided under that hole number on the scorecard. The score box typically appears in the same column as the distance to the green, the par, and the handicap for the hole, so that the golfer can assess his or her success as a function of the hole's difficulty.

If the golfer is submitting the scorecard in formal competition, his or her primary task is to ensure that the numbers for each hole are accurate and that the course handicap is correct. If the golfer submits a lower score than is accurate, that individual receives an automatic disqualification. The responsibility falls to the golfer even if a marker is recording scores, as an incorrectly marked card turned in by a third party results in the golfer's disqualification.

Golfers are also welcome to use their scorecards to track their own progress. Many golfers choose to circle the score on a particular hole if that score was under par or to draw a square around the score if it was over par. Additional columns allow for similar tracking of putts to the hole and other statistics, which can help a golfer to improve performance in future rounds.