Understanding Golf Scores: What Does Under Par Mean?

← Golf Gameplay & Rules | Golf Scoring and Handicaps

BLOCKQUOTE_0

Quick Answer

• When your golf score is “under par,” it means you completed a hole or the entire round using fewer strokes than the standard score (par) set for that challenge.
• A score of -1 (one under par) is a good outcome, indicating you played better than expected. Scores like -2, -3, and so on are even better.
• In golf, the objective is always to achieve the lowest score possible.

Who This Is For

• Beginner golfers who are just starting to learn the intricacies of golf scoring and terminology.
• Casual players who want to deepen their understanding of what they see on scorecards and during televised golf matches.
• Anyone curious about how golfers achieve scores lower than the set par and what that signifies for their performance.

What Is Under Par in Golf: First Checks

Before you can truly grasp what “under par” means, you need to get a few basics locked down. It’s like knowing your knots before you tie them.

• Understand the definition of “par” for each hole: On any golf course, each hole has a designated “par.” This is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take to get the ball into the hole. You’ll typically see par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s. A par 3 means you should ideally take 3 strokes, a par 4 means 4 strokes, and a par 5 means 5 strokes. This is your benchmark for that specific hole.
• Locate the total par for the entire golf course on the scorecard: Your scorecard isn’t just about individual holes. It will also list the total par for the entire 18 holes. For example, a course might have a total par of 72. This number is your target for the entire round. If you finish with 72 strokes, you’re “even par.”
• Know how to calculate your score for each hole (total strokes taken): This seems obvious, but it’s crucial. You need to accurately count every single stroke you make on each hole, from your tee shot all the way until the ball is in the cup. Don’t forget putts! It’s easy to lose track when you’re focused on the game.
• Be aware of penalty strokes: Golf has rules, and sometimes you break them, intentionally or not. Hitting a ball out of bounds, losing a ball in the woods, or taking an unplayable lie often results in penalty strokes. These must be added to your score for that hole. A penalty stroke is just as real as any other stroke you take.

To accurately track your progress and understand your scores, a good golf scorecard is essential. It helps you keep a clear record of each hole and the total for the round.

No products found.

Step-by-Step Plan: Understanding Golf Scores Under Par

Let’s break down how to figure out if you’re playing under par. It’s not rocket science, but it requires a bit of focus.

• Action: Learn the definition of “par.”
• What to look for: Par is the standard number of strokes considered ideal for a skilled golfer to complete a specific hole. For instance, a par 4 hole means the benchmark is 4 strokes.
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing the hole’s par with your actual score for that hole. The par is the target; your score is what you actually did. Don’t call a 4 on a par 4 “under par.” It’s even par.

• Action: Record your strokes for each hole accurately.
• What to look for: The total number of swings you took from the tee box until the ball rests in the bottom of the cup. This includes tee shots, fairway shots, chips, pitches, and putts.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to count penalty strokes. These are critical and can easily turn a score that looks good on paper into one that’s over par. If you hit into a water hazard and take a drop, that’s at least one penalty stroke you need to add.

• Action: Calculate your score for each hole relative to its par.
• What to look for: Subtract the hole’s designated par from the total number of strokes you actually took on that hole. For example, if you shot a 3 on a par 4 hole, your score for that hole is 3 – 4 = -1. This means you are one under par on that hole. If you shot a 5 on a par 4, your score is 5 – 4 = +1, meaning you are one over par.
• Mistake to avoid: Incorrectly calculating the difference. It’s basic subtraction, but in the heat of the moment, or after a particularly frustrating hole, it’s easy to miscalculate. Double-check your math for each hole.

• Action: Sum up your scores relative to par for the entire round.
• What to look for: After calculating your score relative to par for each of the 18 holes, add them all up. This gives you your total score relative to the course’s overall par. For example, if you are -1 on five holes, E (even par) on eight holes, and +1 on five holes, your total score for the round would be (-1 5) + (0 8) + (+1 * 5) = -5 + 0 + +5 = 0. You would be even par for the round.
• Mistake to avoid: Adding up your individual hole scores instead of your scores relative to par. Or, simply making an arithmetic error in the final summation. It’s always good practice to have someone else check your card, or to do it yourself very carefully after you’ve finished playing.

• Action: Understand specific achievements like birdies and eagles.
• What to look for: A score of -1 on a hole is called a “birdie.” A score of -2 on a hole is called an “eagle.” A score of -3 on a hole is an “albatross” (or double eagle). These are all ways of being under par on a single hole.
• Mistake to avoid: Not recognizing these specific terms. Knowing them helps you understand commentary and your own scorecard more quickly. A birdie is good, an eagle is great!

• Action: Recognize scores over par.
• What to look for: Scores of +1 (bogey), +2 (double bogey), and so on indicate you took more strokes than par on a hole. These are the opposite of being under par.
• Mistake to avoid: Getting confused between under par and over par. Remember, under par is good (fewer strokes), over par is not so good (more strokes).

Understanding Golf Scores Under Par: Key Concepts

Playing “under par” is the dream for many golfers. It signifies a level of skill and consistency that most amateurs strive for. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what makes these scores so desirable.

• What is a Birdie? A birdie is achieved when a golfer completes a hole in one stroke less than the par for that hole. So, on a par 4, a score of 3 is a birdie. On a par 5, a score of 4 is a birdie. On a par 3, a score of 2 is a birdie. Birdies are the most common way golfers achieve scores under par on individual holes. Consistently making birdies is how you shoot under par for a round.
• What is an Eagle? An eagle is an even more impressive feat, meaning a golfer finishes a hole in two strokes less than par. This is typically seen on par 5 holes, where scoring a 3 is an eagle. It can also happen on a par 4 if a golfer hits a hole-in-one (which is 3 strokes under par, technically an albatross but often referred to as an eagle for simplicity in some contexts, though technically incorrect). Eagles are relatively rare and indicate exceptional play.
• What is an Albatross (or Double Eagle)? This is the rarest of the under-par scores. An albatross means finishing a hole in three strokes less than par. This almost exclusively happens on par 5 holes where a golfer scores a 2. It requires two incredibly accurate and powerful shots. You might see this happen once in a blue moon in professional tournaments.
• The Significance of “Even Par” (E): When you see “E” or “0” next to a player’s name or on a scorecard, it means their score for that hole or the entire round is exactly equal to the par. They didn’t beat par, but they also didn’t fall behind it. It’s a solid, consistent performance.
• Scores Over Par (Bogey, Double Bogey, etc.): The flip side of being under par are scores over par. A “bogey” is one stroke over par (+1). A “double bogey” is two strokes over par (+2), and so on. These are the scores you’re trying to avoid if your goal is to play under par.

Common Mistakes

Even experienced golfers can slip up when it comes to scoring. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for.

• Mistaking “under par” for a negative outcome — Why it matters: This is the most fundamental misunderstanding. Many beginners might hear “under” and think it’s a bad thing. In golf, however, “under” is what you’re aiming for. — Fix: Always remember that in golf, lower scores are better. “Under par” means you beat the expected score, which is excellent.

• Confusing hole par with your actual score — Why it matters: Each hole has its own par, but your score is the number of strokes you actually took. If you shoot a 4 on a par 4, that’s even par, not under par. — Fix: Clearly distinguish between the standard par for the hole and the number of strokes you recorded. Write down your strokes first, then calculate its relation to par.

• Forgetting penalty strokes — Why it matters: Penalty strokes are added to your score and can significantly change your standing relative to par. Missing these means your scorecard is inaccurate. — Fix: Be vigilant about rule infractions. If you hit a ball out of bounds, take an unplayable lie, or lose a ball, immediately add the appropriate penalty strokes to your score for that hole.

• Miscalculating the difference between your score and par — Why it matters: Simple arithmetic errors can lead to incorrectly thinking you are under par when you are actually over, or vice-versa. — Fix: Take a moment after each hole to do the subtraction: Your Strokes – Par = Score Relative to Par. Double-check this calculation, especially when you’re tired or frustrated.

• Not understanding the terminology (birdie, eagle, etc.) — Why it matters: If you don’t know what a birdie is, you might not realize you just played a great hole. It hinders your ability to communicate about your game. — Fix: Familiarize yourself with the common golf scoring terms. A birdie is one under par, an eagle is two under par.

• Assuming a good score on one hole means the whole round is good — Why it matters: Golf is a game of consistency. You can make an eagle on one hole and then several bogeys on others, still ending up over par for the round. — Fix: Focus on playing consistently well on every hole. One great shot or hole doesn’t guarantee a good overall score.

FAQ

• What is par in golf?

Par in golf is the standard number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. Most golf holes are classified as par 3, par 4, or par 5, indicating the expected number of strokes. The total par for a course is the sum of the pars for all 18 holes.

• How many strokes does it take to be under par on a single hole?

To be under par on a single hole, you must take fewer strokes than the par designated for that hole. For example, on a par 4, taking 3 strokes would be one under par (-1). Taking 2 strokes would be two under par (-2, an eagle).

• What is the best possible score on a par 5 hole?

The best possible score on a par 5 hole is an albatross, which is three strokes under par (-3). This means you would complete the hole in just two strokes (5 – 3 = 2). This is an extremely rare achievement.

• What does “even par” mean?

“Even par,” often displayed as “E” or “0” on a scorecard or leaderboard, signifies that your total score for a hole or the entire round is exactly equal to the course’s par. For instance, if a course has a total par of 72 and you shoot a 72, you are even par.

• Is a score of -2 good in golf?

Yes, a score of -2 is considered very good in golf. It means you completed the hole or the round with two fewer strokes than the standard par. On a single hole, this is called an eagle. For an entire round, shooting -2 is a strong performance that many golfers aspire to.

• What is the difference between a birdie and an eagle?

A birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a hole. So, if you make a 3 on a par 4, that’s a birdie. If you make a 2 on that same par 4, that’s an eagle. Eagles are significantly rarer and more impressive than birdies.

• Can you be under par on a par 3 hole?

Yes, you can be under par on a par 3. The most common way is to score a birdie, which means getting the ball in the hole in 2 strokes (one under par). If you manage to make a hole-in-one on a par 3, that’s 2 strokes under par (-2), which is technically an eagle.