What should I Add to my Pub Golf Scorecard

In this article we will discuss what a pub golf scorecard is and what information you should add to your own scorecards. We’ll go over the scorecard basics. Then we’ll cover the drinks, the different approaches and we’ll also give you some examples of drink lists for your scorecard.

We’ll also cover adding a rule sheet to your scorecard, what rules should be in that scorecard and we’ll cover some penalties for rogue pub golfers. Finally, we present a list of blank scorecards that you can download and use for your own pub golf outing.

Before you create your own scorecard we recommend you read our definitive pub golf guide and our article about creating your own rules.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way. So lets get started.

What is a pub golf scorecard?

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Put simply, a pub golf scorecard records a player and their partners score for each hole on the course. Without the scorecard a pub golf outing is basically a group of weirdly dressed drinkers on a pub crawl. With that in mind, each player participating in the event needs a scorecard.

The best way to do this is to create a scorecard, print out a copy for each player and distribute the cards amongst the players on the night. That way, each player can score both their own and partners score.

Creating your own pub golf scorecard

A scorecard contains a list of all the holes the players will visit during the course. And, that list of holes will be listed in the appropriate order. For example, hole 1 through to hole 9 or 18, depending on the length of your course. And, it is also customary to have the name of the pub displayed next to the hole number.

Each hole will indicate whether or not its a bunker or/and water hazard. And finally, each hole will have an area to add the players score and his/her partners score. Below is an example of a typical scorecard sheet.

As you can see from the above example, there are nine holes which lists each pub, their par, their hazard status, an area for the players score, the partners score and totals section. So lets go over the scorecard in more detail.

The Details of a Pub Golf Scorecard

Here is a brief overview of a standard pub golf scorecard and its contents.

1. Hole: The hole represents a bar and the hole number represents which order the holes are visited. For example, hole 1 is visited first through to hole 9 or 18 depending on the course.
2. Par: The par is the score designated to a pub. So, if a pub is designated a par 3 hole, then the players must drink a par 3 drink to break even.
3. Pub: The pub is of course the name of the pub being visited. For example, if hole 1 is the Winchester, then it will be stated as such under the pub column.
4. Drink: Sometimes, a drink can be specified for a pub, but generally, pubs are parred and the player can choose from a list of parred drinks.
5. Water Hazard: If a pub is designated a water hazard, then the players are not permitted to have a toilet break in that pub. Doing so will result in a predetermined penalty stated on the scorecard. For example, If hole 3, the Red Lion, is designated a water hazard, then toilet breaks are not permitted in the Red Lion. Any player who takes a toilet break in the Red Lion will be penalised.
6. Bunker Hazard: If a pub is designated a bunker hazard, then the players are required to drink a shot to leave the hole. The shot is on top of the parred drink designated for that hole. For example, if hole 7 is a par 4 and a bunker hazard then players must drink a par 4 drink and a shot to stay on course. Its probably best to keep your bunker hazards to a minimum.
7. Players Score: This is where the player keeps their own score. As an example, if the player drinks a par 3 drink in hole 1, then player adds 3 to the players score for hole 1.
8. Partners Score: Players are paired so they can keep a track of each others score. The partners score column is where this is done. For example, if a players paired partner drinks a par 3 in hole 1, then the player adds 3 to the partners score for hole 1.

And that is pretty much the all you need to know about a pub golf scorecard. But a pub golf scorecard also needs to par drinks and the best way to do that is to add a drink list to your scorecard.

Dealing with the drink list

There are two ways you can deal with the drinks list for your pub golf course. They are as follows.

1. Firstly, you can designate a drink for each hole. For example, in the above scorecard you could specify that players drink a pint of ale with an ABV range of 4% – 6% at hole 1. When your players reach that hole, they will all drink a pint with the specified ABV.
2. Or secondly, you can have a list of drinks for each par listed on your scorecard and players can choose from an appropriately parred drink when they visit each hole. For example, When your players visit hole 2, they can choose any par 3 drink from the drink list.

The choice is yours. Both options are perfectly valid. However, the second option gives your players more flexibility throughout the course and makes the event easier to manage. Let’s look at how you would create a drink list for your pub golf outing.

Creating a drink list for your pub golf scorecard

There are no hard and fast rules for a drink list but a common approach is categorise drinks and then par them based on their alcoholic volume. For example,  Lagers, Beers, Ales and Ciders are generally categorised together and then parred on their alcoholic volume as demonstrated below.

Lagers, Beers, Ales and Ciders

You can then do something similar with shots, mixers and wines as demonstrated below.

Shots and Mixers

Wines and Wine Spritzers

The above list pretty much covers all the drinks that your players will need on any given event and both our standard nine hole and eighteen hole scorecards contain the above drink lists. But, before we move on, it is common for pub golf to add a few special par five options.

Par Five Drinks for your Pub Golf Scorecard

Par fives are generally considered the difficult rounds on a pub golf outing. Thus, they usually require more alcohol to complete. There are two ways you can achieve this during your event.

Firstly, you can choose a pint of lager/beer/ale/cider with a high ABV% or you can select two drinks to boost the alcoholic challenge. As an example, a pint of cider within the range of 4% – 6% ABV and a double shot of Rum. Or secondly, if you so wish, you could make it three drinks. The choice is yours.

Below is an example of a standard list of par five drinks for your pub golf scorecard.

Par Five Beverage List for your Pub Golf Scorecard

The Rules Sheet

It is also useful to add a rule sheet to your scorecard. The rule sheet is generally on the reverse side of the scorecard. This is a handy addition for the event because it gives the players direct access to the game rules. The latter will make both the organisers and caddies lives easier as it reduces the amount of questions thrown their way during the event.

Adding additional rules to your Pub Golf Scorecard

As the event organiser, you are free to add any additional rules to the game as you see fit. Below is an example of rules that you will find on all our scorecards.

• A caddy will be assigned to oversee the round. The caddy is an independent referee and does not participate in the event.
• The caddies decision is final.
• All players will pair up, keep each other’s scores and drink within sight of their playing partner.
• Each round will be completed within 30 minutes.
• The player with the lowest score at the end of a round is the winner for that round.
• The player with the lowest score after all the rounds are complete is the event winner.
• Water hazards: Players are not allowed to go to the toilet at any hole deemed a ‘water hazard’ Doing so will result in a penalty.
• Bunker Hazards: If a hole is designated a bunker hazard, then an alcoholic shot is required to be taken to get out of the bunker. The shot must be downed in one.
• Rewards & penalties are added to the score for the completed hole.
• Any drink spilled by a person will result in a penalty to the person causing a spillage.
• A person causing the spillage will pay for the top up or the replacement of the spilled drink.
• A person drinking a topped up or replaced beverage due to spillage will be given extra time to complete the drink. The duration allowed will be decided by the caddy.
• Blowing chunks, falling, or falling off one’s seat during a round is considered to be out of bounds and will result in a penalty.

Feel free to use all of the above in your own pub golf scorecards.

Be creative and add your own rules

As mentioned above, you should be creative and add your own rules. Part of the fun is to make your event specific to you and your fellow pub golfers. But before we move on a word of advice, if you do add your own rules, make sure they are challenging and fun. And, make sure they don’t make the game too hard. You want to make sure at least some of your pub golfers can finish the course.

Adding Penalties to your Pub Golf Scorecard

With the rules in place, you need to make sure that your pub golfers follow them. And, the best way to do that is to add penalties to your pub golf scorecard. Below is a list of standard penalties for your event.

• Spilling your own or another players drink costs 3 strokes.
• Going to the bathroom on a hole designated a water hazard costs 2 strokes.
• Failure to negotiate a bunker costs 2 strokes
• Going out of bounds (see out of bound rules) costs 3 strokes.
• Failing to complete a hole in the designated time costs 2 strokes.
• Failing to complete a hole costs 3 strokes
• Not drinking in a hole costs 4 strokes
• Being refused a drink or being kicked of a bar costs 5 strokes
• Not drinking with your pub golf partner costs 3 strokes
• Arguing with the caddy costs 5 strokes
• Cheating costs 10 strokes
• Fighting with another player costs 20 strokes

Again, as with the rules, having the penalties clearly stated on your scorecard removes any doubt about the rules and the penalties for not following them. Also, it is totally acceptable to be creative and add your own penalties to the scorecard.

Choose from our Pub Golf Scorecards

At this point, you have enough knowledge to go ahead and create a scorecard specific to your event. However, feel free to download our blank scorecard templates which are ready to go. Or, you can use them as a reference for your own creations.The Nine hole scorecard, has nine blank holes, a drink list and a rule sheet.

• Nine Hole Scorecard

The eighteen hole scorecard, has nine blank holes, a drink list and a rule sheet.

• Eighteen Hole Scorecard

As mentioned above, your are free to use or refer to these scorecards for your own event.Have fun and play safeAnd that is pretty much everything we have to say about pub golf scorecards. Check out our definitive guide to pub golf and our article that covers the rules of the game.As always have fun, play safe and drink responsibly.Happy pub golfing.