Usually in sports when a person has a high score it means they are winning the game or are doing well. In golf it is the opposite, the lower your score the better you are doing in the game. In golf when you approach a hole and start to whack the golf ball to get it in to the hole, each whack is called a stroke. Each stroke you take to try to get the ball in the hole you must count. At the end of each of the holes count up your total strokes and write it down on your scorecard. When at the end of the round, add up the strokes for each hole and there you will have your golf score.
It is simple, the number of times you have hit the ball total is what your score will end up being at the end of the round. Every course has a score card and it tells you each hole's length, it's par, and it's rating relative to the other holes. There are two types of plays, stroke play and match play. In stroke play you must have card and pencil in hand to be able to record the scores. When playing you are playing against everyone else in the field not just your playing companion. Make sure to count the strokes for each hole and record your companions scores on the scorecard you have and your companion will do the same for you. It is important to check you card to make sure all the information is correct. Especially since you are not able to change a mistake later.
At the end of the round your companion signs his or her name on your card and you do the same for theirs. If the scorecard is lower than it should be than you or your companion can be disqualified. For match play the score is recorded as holes up or holes down. You play against your playing companion and the way you keep score is comparison to your companion number of holes up or down. Because each hole is a separate entity you don't need to write down your actual score you simply just count the number of holes you have won or lost.
The relative importance of the score can be confusing but it is best not to pressure yourself to get a certain score instead of focusing on your swing and enjoyment of the game. When you worry you are not allowing yourself to have a good time. Remember that the goal to go golfing is to relax, be out with nature and have a great time. Stroke play is probably best for beginner's because it allows you to have a better understanding of the game and you learn as you play. Match play is a more competitive way of playing and it seems the goal is to get a better score and play a better game than your playing companion. It is a good idea to keep track of your progress so that you could actually see weither or not you are improving or need some constructive advice to be able to play a better game.
There is now software for sale that keeps records of your past records and can also do calculations for you so that you are able to see when you were playing well and at what times you realized you needed some improvement. No matter what always remember to have fun with it and don't stress yourself out in order to reach perfection.