Golf coverage has never been better. Shot tracers show the flight of the ball, statistics reveal how players are performing, and streaming lets you follow individual groups or holes. But if you're new to watching, the leaderboards, symbols and terms can be confusing. Here's how to follow and enjoy golf on TV.
Understanding the leaderboard
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| −5 | Five under par for the tournament |
| E | Level (even) par |
| +2 | Two over par |
| Thru 12 | Has completed 12 holes in this round |
| F | Finished the round |
| T3 | Tied for third place |
| Today | Score for the current round |
| R1, R2 | Round one, round two scores |
Read how golf scoring works.
The cut
In most professional stroke-play tournaments, the field is reduced after two rounds; only players within a certain number of places or shots of the lead continue. Read how professional golf tournaments work.
On-screen graphics
- Shot tracers: the ball's flight path.
- Distances: to the hole, carry and remaining yardage.
- Statistics: driving distance, fairways, greens in regulation, putts and strokes-gained style measures. Read golf statistics to track.
- Green-reading graphics: slopes and breaks. Read how to read greens.
- Launch data: ball speed, spin and club speed. Read launch monitor numbers explained.
Following the action
- Featured groups: many streams follow specific groups throughout.
- Featured holes: watch every player on key holes.
- Leaderboard apps: follow live scores and shot-by-shot data.
What to learn
- Pre-shot routines. Read golf pre-shot routine.
- Course management: when players attack or play safe. Read golf course management.
- Short game: chipping, pitching and bunker play.
- Tempo: how smooth the best swings look. Read golf tempo and rhythm.
- Rules: commentators often explain rules situations. Read golf rules every golfer should know.
Formats you'll see
- Stroke play: most weekly events.
- Match play and team events. Read team golf competitions explained.
- Playoffs. Read golf playoffs explained.
Watching in person
Nothing beats watching live. Read our golf tournament spectator guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does "thru" mean on a golf leaderboard?
How many holes a player has completed in the current round.
What does T3 mean?
Tied for third place.
What is the cut in golf?
The reduction of the field after two rounds in most professional events.
What is a shot tracer?
A graphic showing the flight path of the ball on screen.
The bottom line
Understanding leaderboards, the cut and on-screen graphics makes golf coverage much more enjoyable, and watching closely can improve your own game. For more on how events work, read how golf world rankings work.