Emojis they are not, so get this out of your mind when you see circles and squares on a golf scorecard. These symbols are included by golfers who use the characters on a scorecard to indicate their scores against par, giving them an easy way to tally up their score instead of adding the numbers together. Got it?
If not, consider this: A circle around a number on a scorecard indicates a score under par. So, for a birdie, a player puts ONE circle around the score. The method is also used for an eagle, but in this case, a player puts TWO circles around the score. And in the event of the very rare albatross (incorrectly called a double eagle), a player puts THREE circles around the score.
A SQUARE around a number on a scorecard indicates a score over par. So, for a bogey, a player puts ONE SQUARE around the score. For a double bogey, a player puts TWO SQUARES around the score.
Why are these characters used on a scorecard? Because, this way, instead of adding numbers to get a score, a golfer just has to keep track of a count that starts at zero. The idea is to have more circles than squares on the card. Then, with that number at the end of nine holes, a player can add that number to the par for the side and get their nine-hole score.
Circles and squares on the scorecard making scoring in golf easier. Now, you know.
