How to read a golf scorecard
Match the right tee row to each hole. Yardage describes length, par is the reference score, and stroke index allocates handicap strokes for the agreed format.
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Read a hole
A par-4 hole might be 365 yards from your tee and have stroke index 7. If you take five strokes, record 5: one over par. Stroke index is not a prediction of what you should shoot.
Add strokes, then compare with par
Pars of 4, 3 and 5 total 12. Scores of 5, 3 and 6 total 14, or two over par. Do not add the over-par figures to the stroke total again. Putts are already included in strokes.
Check tees and handicap terminology
Tees can differ in yardage, rating, slope and stroke-index order. Handicap Index, Course Handicap and Playing Handicap serve different purposes. Use the competition’s calculation and allowance instead of subtracting the same number on every hole.
Check before saving
Confirm each played hole has a score and the nine-hole totals add to the round total. Leave an incomplete card marked incomplete until the format specifies how to handle it. If the facility has several layouts, check which one you played.