Why do Golfers Hate the “Bogey” Format?

Post by golf journalist, Joshua Carr

There’s just something about the “Bogey” format that we all hate despite it basically being a slight adaptation of the stableford format. I’m convinced if you compared the field numbers at your club for bogey competitions and medal competitions, the field would be a lot smaller.

For those who aren’t sure what the bogey format is, it is effectively matchplay against the course. Most of the time it is full handicap, which is another reason why it is incredible that the format is so unpopular.

The course has already made par on every hole and you simply have to try and beat the course. If you beat the course on a hole you get a +, if you lose a hole you get a – and if you half a hole you get a 0. The lost holes are subtracted from the won holes to give the final score.

I think the first thing that scares the everyday club golfer away from the bogey is the fact that if you are 2 under on a hole, you only get one + as oppose to stableford where you would pick up 4 points. Some golfers, arguably the higher handicappers, feel hard done by because of this rule.

A lot of the higher handicappers at my course believe the bogey favours the lower handicapper too much as they will make more birdies and when a higher handicapper makes a nett eagle, they are punished. However, surely a lower handicapper is supposed to be more consistent? A format should not favour a certain handicapper. And, in all honesty, none of the formats really do favour any range of handicap, it’s all between the ears.

Another suggestion is that club golfers already play a lot of matchplay golf. I know at my course there are at least five matchplay competitions you can be involved in at any one time so the thought of another matchplay at the weekend isn’t ideal. Also, those who play for there County play a lot of matchplay golf already.

However, you have to look at the flip side. There has to be a loser in these matches and they may cherish the bogey competition, as they don’t get to play much matchplay style golf.

It is also a much quicker format of golf. Just like the stableford, if you can’t score on a hole you can just pick up your ball instead of having to hole out on every single hole. In terms of attracting new golfers, the bogey is perfect as it cuts down the amount of time you’re on the course.

I’ve always found that the bogey format is a fun format and it mixes things up a bit during the season. A four hour plus medal round often becomes a bit tedious and boring. There’s nothing worse than having a poor round and knowing you’re going to be at least four and half hours on the course.

People who say the bogey format is poor and shouldn’t be part of a clubs tournament schedules should just give it a chance in my opinion. When you listen to some people give their reasons for not playing in a bogey tournament, it really does make you realise that golf is game that is won and lost between the ears.

What are your thoughts on the bogey format? We would love to know. Please fee free to comment below: