If you are wondering whether bogey or bogie is the correct word, the answer depends on what you mean. Both are correct English words, but they usually have different meanings.
In golf, the standard spelling is bogey, meaning a score of one stroke over par on a hole. In railway terminology, bogie commonly refers to the wheeled framework or assembly that supports part of a train or other rail vehicle.
For example:
I made a bogey on the 12th hole.
But:
The train’s bogies were inspected before departure.
So, bogey and bogie are not simply two spellings of the same word. The context determines which one you should use.
Bogey or Bogie: Which Is Correct?
Both bogey and bogie are correct, but they are normally used for different meanings.
Use bogey when you are talking about:
- A golf score of one stroke over par
- An unidentified aircraft or object in certain contexts
- A frightening or imaginary creature
- Some figurative uses referring to a persistent problem or opponent
Use bogie when referring to:
- A wheeled framework supporting part of a railway vehicle
- Railway or transportation equipment associated with that framework
Bogey
Bogey is the standard spelling for the golf term.
The golfer made a bogey on the final hole.
It can also have other meanings:
The radar operator reported a bogey.
Bogie
Bogie is commonly used in railway terminology.
Engineers inspected the train’s bogies.
In this context, a bogie is the wheeled assembly beneath part of a railway vehicle.
Quick Comparison
| Word | Common meaning | Example |
| bogey | One stroke over par in golf | I made a bogey. |
| bogey | Unidentified aircraft or object | Radar detected a bogey. |
| bogey | Frightening or imaginary creature | The story featured a bogey. |
| bogie | Wheeled railway assembly | The bogie needs repair. |
The easiest rule is:
Golf = bogey
Railway equipment = bogie
What Does Bogey Mean?
Bogey has several meanings in English, and the intended meaning depends on context.
Bogey in Golf
In golf, a bogey is a score of one stroke over par on a hole.
For example, if a hole is a par 4 and you complete it in five strokes, you have made a bogey.
She made a bogey on the par-4 seventh hole.
A bogey is not necessarily a disastrous score. It simply describes how many strokes were taken relative to par.
Bogey as a Frightening Creature
Bogey can also refer to an imaginary or frightening creature, particularly one used in stories or to frighten children.
For example:
The children were afraid that a bogey was hiding in the dark.
You may also encounter related forms such as bogeyman or boogeyman, depending on the variety of English and the intended word.
Bogey in Aviation
In aviation and military contexts, bogey can refer to an unidentified aircraft or other object detected by radar or other means.
For example:
The radar operator reported a bogey approaching from the east.
This is a specialized use and has nothing to do with the golf meaning.
Bogey as a Figurative Term
Bogey can sometimes be used figuratively for a persistent problem, fear, difficulty, or opponent.
For example:
Public speaking has always been his bogey.
The meaning depends heavily on the context and variety of English.
What Does Bogie Mean?
Bogie is most commonly associated with railway and transportation terminology.
A bogie is a wheeled framework or assembly that supports part of a railway vehicle and allows it to move along the tracks.
Bogie in Railway Terminology
A railway bogie can contain components such as:
- Wheels
- Axles
- Bearings
- Suspension
- A supporting frame
- Other mechanical equipment
The exact design varies according to the type of vehicle.
For example:
The engineer examined the bogie beneath the railway carriage.
A train or carriage can have multiple bogies.
The train’s bogies were inspected before service.
Why Are Bogies Used?
A bogie helps support the weight of a railway vehicle and allows it to move effectively along curved and uneven sections of track.
Instead of mounting every wheel assembly directly to the vehicle body, a railway vehicle can use a bogie as an intermediate wheeled structure.
This arrangement can improve movement, stability, and ride characteristics depending on the vehicle’s design.
Bogey or Bogie in Golf
If your question is specifically about golf, use bogey.
✅ He made a bogey on the ninth hole.
❌ He made a bogie on the ninth hole.
Although bogie can appear as a variant spelling in some contexts, bogey is the standard and safest spelling for modern golf writing.
What Is a Bogey in Golf?
A bogey means finishing a hole one stroke over par.
For example:
- Par 3 + 1 stroke = 4 strokes → bogey
- Par 4 + 1 stroke = 5 strokes → bogey
- Par 5 + 1 stroke = 6 strokes → bogey
So if a golfer takes five strokes on a par-4 hole, that golfer has made a bogey.
Bogey, Par, Birdie, and Double Bogey
Understanding the basic golf scoring terms makes the meaning of bogey easier to remember.
| Score relative to par | Golf term |
| 2 under par | Eagle |
| 1 under par | Birdie |
| Equal to par | Par |
| 1 over par | Bogey |
| 2 over par | Double bogey |
| 3 over par | Triple bogey |
For example, on a par-4 hole:
3 strokes = birdie
4 strokes = par
5 strokes = bogey
6 strokes = double bogey
Is Bogey One Over Par?
Yes. In standard golf terminology, a bogey is one stroke over par on a hole.
For example:
A golfer takes 5 strokes on a par-4 hole.
That score is:
One over par = bogey
This is one of the most important definitions to remember if you are learning golf vocabulary.
Bogie in Railway Terminology
If you are discussing trains, railways, or railway engineering, bogie is the appropriate term in varieties of English that use this word.
What Does a Train Bogie Look Like?
A bogie is the wheeled assembly underneath a railway vehicle. It generally includes wheels and axles together with a frame and other mechanical components.
A railway carriage may have two or more bogies supporting its body.
For example:
The damaged bogie was removed for maintenance.
The plural is:
bogies
For example:
The maintenance team inspected all the bogies.
Bogie vs. Truck
Railway terminology varies by region.
In British English and many other varieties, bogie is a common term for this type of wheeled railway assembly.
In American railway terminology, truck is commonly used for a similar component.
This means that a British railway article might say:
The carriage has two bogies.
An American railway source may use:
The railcar has two trucks.
The terminology can vary according to the railway system and technical context.
Bogey or Bogie in British and American English
Regional usage can make these words more confusing.
The important point is that bogie is not simply the British spelling of bogey.
British English
In British English, you are likely to see:
- bogey for the golf score
- bogie for a railway wheel assembly
For example:
He made a bogey on the 16th hole.
The train’s bogies were inspected.
American English
In American English, bogey is also the standard golf spelling.
For railway equipment, truck is more commonly used than bogie.
Therefore, the distinction is not simply:
British = bogie
American = bogey
Instead, the meaning and context determine the word.
Are Bogey and Bogie Just Different Spellings?
Not usually.
Although the words are closely related historically and may overlap in certain uses, modern English commonly distinguishes them by meaning.
For practical writing, remember:
bogey → golf and several other meanings
bogie → railway wheel assembly
This is why replacing one with the other can make a sentence incorrect or change its meaning.
Common Mistakes With Bogey and Bogie
Because the words look and sound similar, writers often confuse them.
Using Bogie for a Golf Score
When writing about a standard golf score, use bogey.
❌ The golfer made a bogie.
✅ The golfer made a bogey.
Using Bogey for Railway Equipment
When referring to a railway wheel assembly in terminology that uses bogie, use bogie.
❌ The train’s bogeys were repaired.
✅ The train’s bogies were repaired.
Assuming Bogie Is Always the British Form
This is an oversimplification.
Bogey and bogie have different established uses. Regional English can affect terminology, but the distinction is not simply a matter of spelling preference.
Confusing Bogey With Bogeyman
A bogey can refer to a frightening creature, but bogeyman is a more specific term for the traditional imaginary figure used to frighten children.
For example:
Parents sometimes warned children about the bogeyman.
Bogey and Bogie Example Sentences
Examples make the distinction easier to remember.
Examples With Bogey
I made a bogey on the fifth hole.
She avoided a bogey by sinking a difficult putt.
The radar detected a bogey in the area.
The character in the story was described as a frightening bogey.
Examples With Bogie
The engineer inspected the train’s bogie.
The damaged bogie was sent for repair.
The railway vehicle has two bogies.
Technicians checked the bogies before the train entered service.
What Is the Plural of Bogey and Bogie?
The plural forms are different.
Plural of Bogey
The plural of bogey is generally bogeys.
The golfer made three bogeys during the round.
Plural of Bogie
The plural of bogie is bogies.
The train’s bogies were inspected.
So:
bogey → bogeys
bogie → bogies
This difference is useful to remember when writing about golf or railway equipment.
The History of the Word Bogey in Golf
The golf term bogey has an interesting history.
The word was originally associated with the idea of a standard or target score rather than exactly the modern meaning of one over par. Over time, its meaning in golf changed, and bogey came to describe the score of one stroke over par.
The historical development is one reason the term can seem unusual if you are encountering it for the first time.
Today, however, the practical definition is straightforward:
A bogey is one stroke over par on a hole.
How to Remember Bogey or Bogie
A simple memory rule can help:
Golfers make bogeys. Trains have bogies.
Think:
Golf → bogey
I made a bogey on the 10th hole.
Train → bogie
The train’s bogie needs repair.
This is not a rule for every historical or specialized use of the words, but it is an excellent shortcut for the two meanings most likely to cause confusion.
Bogey or Bogie: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Bogey | Bogie |
| Golf score | ✅ Yes | Usually not the standard form |
| One over par | ✅ Yes | No |
| Railway wheel assembly | No | ✅ Yes |
| Unidentified aircraft | ✅ Yes | No |
| Imaginary frightening creature | ✅ Yes | No |
| Common plural | bogeys | bogies |
| Common American railway equivalent | — | truck |
The most useful rule is:
If you’re talking about golf, choose “bogey.” If you’re talking about a railway wheel assembly, choose “bogie.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bogey or bogie in golf?
The standard spelling for the golf term is bogey.
He made a bogey on the 11th hole.
Is bogey one over par?
Yes. A bogey is one stroke over par on a hole.
What is a bogie on a train?
A bogie is a wheeled framework or assembly that supports part of a railway vehicle and allows it to move along the tracks.
Is bogie the British spelling of bogey?
No. They are not simply British and American spellings of the same word. Bogey is the standard golf term, while bogie is commonly used for a railway wheel assembly.
Is bogie acceptable in golf?
Bogey is the standard and safest spelling for golf. Bogie may occur as a variant in some contexts, but it is not the usual form to choose in modern golf writing.
What is the difference between bogey and bogie?
Bogey commonly means one stroke over par in golf and has several other meanings. Bogie commonly refers to a wheeled railway assembly.
What is the plural of bogey?
The usual plural is bogeys.
The golfer made two bogeys.
What is the plural of bogie?
The plural is bogies.
The train’s bogies were inspected.
Is a bogey a bad score?
A bogey is not inherently “bad” or “good.” It simply means one stroke over the expected par for a hole. Whether it is a good result depends on the golfer’s skill level and the circumstances of the round.
What is two over par called?
Two strokes over par on a hole is called a double bogey.
What is three over par called?
Three strokes over par is called a triple bogey.
Is bogey an American or British word?
Bogey is used in both British and American English. Its meaning depends on context.
Is bogie used in American English?
Yes, bogie can be used in American English, particularly in technical or international contexts. However, truck is commonly used in American railway terminology for a similar railway assembly.
Is a bogie the same as a train truck?
The terms can refer to comparable railway wheel assemblies, but terminology varies by country and railway system. Bogie is common in British English, while truck is commonly used in American railway terminology.
Why is a golf score called a bogey?
The golf term developed historically from the idea of a standard or target score. Its meaning eventually evolved into the modern golf sense of one stroke over par.
Can bogie mean bogey?
In some contexts, bogie can occur as a variant spelling, but you should not automatically substitute it for bogey. For standard golf writing, bogey is the preferred form.
Is “bogey” a word outside golf?
Yes. Bogey can refer to an unidentified aircraft or object, an imaginary frightening creature, or a persistent problem or opponent in certain contexts.
Conclusion
Bogey and bogie are both correct words, but they usually serve different purposes.
Use bogey for the standard golf term meaning one stroke over par:
I made a bogey on the ninth hole.
Use bogie when referring to the wheeled assembly that supports part of a railway vehicle:
The train’s bogies were inspected.
The words can have other meanings, and regional usage can vary, but this simple distinction will help in most everyday situations:
Golf = bogey
Railway equipment = bogie
So, when deciding between bogey or bogie, don’t ask only which spelling is correct. First ask what you are trying to describe. The meaning determines the right word.
I am Daniel Brooks, a language researcher and grammar author passionate about exploring the history, meaning, and correct usage of English words and expressions. I enjoy analyzing confusing grammar rules, spelling differences, and common mistakes that many English learners face. My mission is to provide reliable and easy-to-understand grammar guidance that helps readers improve their communication skills.
I have created detailed learning materials and authored books such as “English Grammar Made Simple: Rules Everyone Should Know” and “The Ultimate English Usage Guide.” I write to make grammar less complicated and more enjoyable for learners at every level.