Par and Bogey Competition: Playing Hole by Hole Against the Course
Par and Bogey competitions are match-play-style formats where you play each hole against a fixed target — net par in Par, net bogey (par+1) in Bogey — scoring +1 for a win, 0 for a halve, −1 for a loss, governed by Rule 21.3.
What are Par and Bogey competitions?
Par and Bogey competitions are formats where you don't compete against other players — you compete hole by hole against the course itself, as if the course were your opponent in match play.
On each hole, the result is evaluated against a fixed target:
- In Par: the target is the hole's par (adjusted for your handicap).
- In Bogey: the target is bogey (par + 1, adjusted for your handicap).
They are governed by Rule 21.3 of the Rules of Golf (2019 edition).
How Par competition is scored
On each hole you compare your net result to the hole's par:
| Net result | Score |
|---|---|
| Better than par (birdie or better) | +1 (you win the hole) |
| Equal to par | 0 (hole halved) |
| Worse than par (bogey or worse) | −1 (you lose the hole) |
The final total is the sum of all results: +5, −2, +3… The player with the highest total after 18 holes wins.
Key distinction from Stableford: in Par, all won holes are worth the same (+1) regardless of margin. An eagle counts the same as a birdie.
How Bogey competition is scored
The format is identical, but the target on each hole is bogey (par + 1) instead of par. This is more generous for higher-handicap players.
| Net result | Score |
|---|---|
| Better than bogey (par or better) | +1 |
| Equal to bogey | 0 |
| Worse than bogey (double bogey or worse) | −1 |
In practice, Bogey competitions are less common than Par or Stableford at most clubs.
How handicap is applied
As with Stableford and Strokeplay, the allowance is 95% of Course Handicap (official WHS allowances table, USGA/R&A 2024).
Handicap strokes are distributed by Stroke Index. On holes where you receive a stroke, your net par is par + 1. On holes where you don't receive a stroke, your net par is the hole's par.
Example: par-4 hole, S.I. 3, Playing Handicap 18. You receive 1 stroke → your Par competition target is 5 or better. Your Bogey competition target is 6 or better.
Differences between Par, Bogey and Stableford
| Aspect | Par | Bogey | Stableford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target per hole | Net par | Net bogey (par+1) | Maximum points |
| Birdie vs. par | Equal (both +1) | Equal (both +1) | Different (3 vs. 2 pts) |
| Double bogey | −1 | −1 | 0 points |
| Final score | Sum: e.g. +4 | Sum: e.g. +6 | Sum: e.g. 36 pts |
| Handicap | 95% CH | 95% CH | 95% CH |
| Rule | 21.3 | 21.3 | 21.1 |
The key difference from Stableford: in Par, extra margin above par isn't rewarded. A player who birdies a hole gets the same +1 whether they made a birdie or an eagle.
When are they used in official competition?
Par and Bogey competitions appear occasionally in club competition calendars as alternatives to Stableford. They're also valid formats for USGA, R&A and national federation competitions.
They're particularly interesting for players who already know Stableford well and want an experience closer to match play without needing a head-to-head opponent. Another individual format that evaluates players hole by hole — but stretches the competition across an entire club season rather than a single round — is the ringer competition, where your personal-best net score on each hole, accumulated over months of play, determines the final standings.
Strategy in Par and Bogey
Aggressive play is less rewarded than in Stableford: since a birdie and an eagle give the same +1, there's no strategic incentive to risk going for eagle if a conservative birdie is more likely.
Avoiding −1 on hard holes is as important as winning easy ones: in Stableford, a bad hole scores 0 and you move on. In Par, it scores −1. Three lost holes and three won holes leaves you at 0 for the six — the same as if you'd halved all six. Protecting against losses on hard holes matters as much as winning holes on easy ones.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Par competition and a Bogey competition?
In a Par competition the target on each hole is net par; in a Bogey competition the target is net bogey (par + 1). Both score +1 for beating the target, 0 for matching it, and −1 for missing it (Rule 21.3).
How do you score a Par competition?
Compare your net score on each hole to the hole's par: better than par = +1, equal to par = 0, worse than par = −1. Add all 18 hole results; the highest total wins.
Does an eagle count more than a birdie in Par or Bogey?
No. In both Par and Bogey competitions, any score better than the target earns the same +1. An eagle and a birdie are equal (Rule 21.3).
What handicap allowance is used in Par and Bogey competitions?
The official WHS allowance is 95% of your Course Handicap, with strokes allocated by Stroke Index — the same as Stableford and individual stroke play.
Are Par and Bogey competitions official Rules of Golf formats?
Yes. Both are recognised forms of stroke play under Rule 21.3 and are valid for club, national, and international competitions.