The spelling of "double-bogey" follows the general rules of English spelling, with each syllable representing a distinct sound unit. The first syllable "dub-" is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by a voiced "b" consonant. The second syllable "-uhl" is pronounced with a schwa vowel sound followed by a voiced "l" consonant. The final syllable "-boh-gee" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by an unaspirated "b" and a voiced "g" consonant, and ends with a long "e" sound.
A double-bogey is a term commonly used in the game of golf to describe a scoring result on a specific hole. Specifically, it refers to the act of completing a hole with two strokes over par. Par represents the number of strokes that an experienced golfer is expected to require to complete a hole, typically ranging from three to five strokes depending on the hole's distance and difficulty. For instance, if a hole is designated as par 4, a double-bogey would be achieved by taking six strokes to finish it.
The term "double-bogey" is derived from the original golf term "bogey," which refers to completing a hole exactly one stroke over par. By adding the prefix "double-" to the term, it emphasizes that the golfer exceeded par by two strokes. Scoring a double-bogey suggests that a golfer faced considerable difficulty on the hole, requiring more strokes than expected to successfully advance the ball into the hole.
Double-bogeys are important in golf as they contribute to a player's overall score for the round. They are regarded as less favorable outcomes compared to achieving par or even a birdie (finishing the hole one stroke under par), as they result in lost strokes and increase the player's total score. Golfers strive to minimize the number of double-bogeys they score, focusing on efficient shot selection, accuracy, and sound course management to improve their performance.
The word "double-bogey" comes from the sport of golf. The term "bogey" itself originated in the late 19th century, derived from the word "bogle", which means a ghost or goblin. In golf, a "bogey" refers to scoring one stroke over par for a specific hole. The prefix "double" is added to indicate two strokes over par, hence "double-bogey". The term serves to describe a higher score than a bogey, highlighting less proficiency in playing the hole.