What Does “Bogey” Mean

Bogey usually means a score of one over par in golf. It can also mean a slightly scary or mysterious thing, depending on the context.

In everyday speech, people most often use bogey when talking about golf. For example, if a golfer finishes a hole in one stroke more than the expected score, that is a bogey. In casual English, the word can also appear in phrases like “bogeyman,” which refers to something people fear or use to scare children.

Meaning & Usage

In golf, a bogey is a score that is one stroke above par. If a hole is par 4 and you take 5 strokes, that is a bogey. Outside of golf, “bogey” can sometimes mean an unknown or unwanted thing, but this use is less common.

Examples

“I made a bogey on the last hole.”

“She played well, but a bogey kept her score higher.”

“Children were told not to worry about the bogeyman.”

What does bogey mean in golf?

In golf, a bogey means finishing a hole one stroke over par.

Is bogey used outside golf?

Yes, but less often. It can also mean a scary or unknown thing, especially in words like “bogeyman.”

Is bogey good or bad?

In golf, it is usually not ideal, because it means you went over par.