The symbols on the scorecard in golf can be very confusing, but once you understand what they all mean, it can be very helpful in improving your game. Here is a breakdown of the most common symbols and their meanings:
Stroke Play: The most common type of golf, stroke play is simply counting the number of strokes it takes you to complete the course. The scorecard will have a column for each hole, with the total number of strokes at the end.
Stableford: A points-based system, stableford awards points for each hole based on your score. For example, if you score a 3 on a hole, you would get 3 points. The goal is to have the most points at the end of the round.
Match Play: Rather than counting total strokes, match play is a head-to-head competition where the goal is to simply beat your opponent on each hole. The scorecard will have a column for each hole, with a winner for that hole designated by a symbol (usually a circle). If the match is tied after 18 holes, it is considered a “draw.”
Par: The standard number of strokes it should take a golfer to complete a hole. For example, a par-3 hole should be completed in 3 strokes.
Birdie: One stroke under par. For example, a birdie on a par-3 hole would be achieved by scoring a 2.