When it comes to professional golf, the scoring system used is generally known as stroke play. This is the most common and traditional scoring method in the game, where each player's goal is to complete each hole in as few strokes as possible. At the end of the round, the player with the lowest total score is declared the winner.

In stroke play, each hole is assigned a par score, which is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to complete the hole in. The par score typically ranges from 3 to 5, with 4 being the most common par for a hole. A player's score on each hole is recorded by counting the number of strokes taken to complete it.

Let's take a look at how scores are recorded in stroke play:

• Birdie: When a player completes a hole in one stroke less than the par score, it is known as a birdie. For example, if a hole is a par 4 and a player completes it in 3 strokes, they have scored a birdie on that hole.
• Par: If a player completes a hole in the exact number of strokes as the par score, it is considered a par. For example, if a hole is a par 3 and a player completes it in 3 strokes, they have scored a par on that hole.
• Bogey: When a player completes a hole in one stroke more than the par score, it is known as a bogey. For example, if a hole is a par 5 and a player completes it in 6 strokes, they have scored a bogey on that hole.
• Double Bogey: If a player completes a hole in two strokes more than the par score, it is considered a double bogey. For example, if a hole is a par 4 and a player completes it in 6 strokes, they have scored a double bogey on that hole.
• Eagle: When a player completes a hole in two strokes less than the par score, it is known as an eagle. For example, if a hole is a par 5 and a player completes it in 3 strokes, they have scored an eagle on that hole.
• Albatross: The term albatross is used when a player completes a hole in three strokes less than the par score. It is a rare occurrence in the game of golf and is often celebrated by players and spectators alike.
• Scorecard: To keep track of their scores during a round, players use a scorecard. The scorecard lists each hole, its par score, and has spaces for players to record their scores on each hole. At the end of the round, the total scores for each hole are added up to determine the final score.

In professional golf tournaments, players usually compete over multiple rounds, typically four rounds, to determine the winner. The player with the lowest cumulative score at the end of all the rounds is declared the champion.

It is worth noting that in some golf formats such as match play, a different scoring system is used where each hole is won, lost, or tied based on the player's score relative to their opponent's score. However, stroke play remains the most common scoring system in professional golf and is used in most tournaments.