What Is a Score of 7 on a Golf Hole Called?

You just finished the first hole of your round of golf and wrote down a "7" on the scorecard. That means you used seven strokes to complete the preceding hole. But is there a specific name for a score of 7 in golf? What do golfers call a 7?

The specific term that applies to a single-hole score of 7 depends on the par of the hole being played. "Par" refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete a given hole. Holes are generally par-3, par-4 or par-5, but par-6 holes also exist. So a score of seven is always over-par. These are the terms used for a score of seven on each par-rated hole:

• On a par-3 hole a 7 is 4-over par, called a quadruple bogey.
• On a par-4 hole a 7 is 3-over par, a triple bogey.
• On a par-5 hole a 7 is 2-over par, a double bogey.
• On a par-6 hole a 7 is 1-over par, a bogey.

There are also some slang terms for some of those iterations of "bogey." A double bogey is sometimes called a buzzard, so a score of 7 on a par-5 hole can be called a buzzard.

A triple bogey, in slang, can be called a "trip" or "trips," or be called a "grouse." So a score of 7 on a par-4 hole can be referred to as a grouse, or as making trips or a trip. And a quadruple bogey, in slang, can be called a quad, or a "double buzzard," or a "turkey." So a score of 7 on a par-3 hole can be referred to by any of those names, too.

Is a score of 7 a bad score? That depends on what level of golfer you are and what your expectations are. Every golfer who plays, including the very best in the world, will make a seven sometimes. Beginners and high-handicappers will make lots of them. A very good golfer will certainly think of a seven as a poor score. A beginner, on the other hand, might be thrilled to score 7 on a long, par-5 hole.

Related articles:

• The quintuple bogey explained
• What it takes to score a condor
• What is a score of 4 on a golf hole called?