Understanding Golf Scoring: What Does Par Mean?

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Quick Answer

• Par is the benchmark score for a hole or an entire golf course, representing the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take.
• It’s the foundation for understanding most golf scoring systems, including stroke play and match play.
• Knowing what par means is crucial for tracking your progress and comparing your performance against expectations.

Who This Is For

• New golfers trying to wrap their heads around the fundamental terminology and scoring concepts.
• Amateur players looking to deepen their understanding of game strategy, handicaps, and how their scores stack up.

What to Check First

• Par for Each Hole: Before you even tee off, grab a scorecard. It will clearly list the “par” for every single hole – typically a 3, 4, or 5. This is your primary reference point for how difficult the hole is supposed to be.
• Total Course Par: Look at the bottom of the scorecard. It sums up the par for all the holes, giving you the course’s overall par. This is what you’re aiming to beat for the entire round.
• Stroke Play vs. Match Play: Understand that there are different ways to keep score. Stroke play counts every stroke on every hole for the whole round. Match play pits you against an opponent hole by hole. Knowing which format you’re playing dictates how you track your progress.
• Your Actual Strokes: This sounds obvious, but it’s the most critical piece. You need to know the exact number of swings you take on each hole, from the tee shot all the way until the ball is in the cup.

Step-by-Step Plan to Understand Golf Scoring

Defining Par in Golf: Understanding Course Scoring

This is where the rubber meets the road. Par isn’t just a number; it’s the standard by which you measure your game. Let’s break down how to use it.

• Action: Identify the par for the specific hole you are playing.
• What to look for: On the tee box or your scorecard, you’ll see a designation like “Par 3,” “Par 4,” or “Par 5.” This number is based on the hole’s length and expected difficulty for a proficient golfer. For instance, a Par 4 typically means you should be able to reach the green in two shots and take two putts.
• Mistake to avoid: Confusing the hole number (e.g., Hole #5) with its par designation. They are often different. You might be playing Hole 5, which could be a Par 4.

• Action: Accurately record your score for that hole.
• What to look for: This means counting every single stroke you take from the moment you address the ball on the tee until it drops into the hole. Don’t forget those crucial putts on the green, or any penalty strokes you might incur.
• Mistake to avoid: Underreporting your strokes by forgetting to count putts or by conveniently overlooking penalty strokes. This is a common pitfall that leads to inaccurate scorekeeping and a skewed perception of your game.

• Action: Compare your actual score to the hole’s par.
• What to look for: This comparison is where you determine your performance relative to the standard. If you took 3 strokes on a Par 4, you’ve shot a “birdie” (one under par). If you took 5 strokes on a Par 4, that’s a “bogey” (one over par). If you match the par, you’ve played “to par.”
• Mistake to avoid: Inaccurate scorekeeping or a misunderstanding of the terms relative to par. Knowing that a “birdie” is good and a “bogey” is not so good is fundamental.

• Action: Sum your scores for all holes to get your total round score.
• What to look for: Add up the strokes you recorded for each individual hole. This gives you your gross score for the round. You can then compare this total to the course’s total par to see if you shot under, at, or over par for the entire 18 holes.
• Mistake to avoid: Simple arithmetic errors when adding up your scores. Double-checking your addition is always a smart move, especially if you’re aiming for a specific score or handicap calculation.

• Action: Familiarize yourself with common golf scoring terms relative to par.
• What to look for: Understand terms like “Eagle” (two strokes under par), “Birdie” (one stroke under par), “Par” (score equals par), “Bogey” (one stroke over par), “Double Bogey” (two strokes over par), and so on. These terms are the language of golf scoring.
• Mistake to avoid: Mixing up these terms or not knowing what they mean. If someone says they shot an eagle, you need to know that’s a fantastic score, two strokes better than par.

• Action: Understand how your score relates to the course’s overall par.
• What to look for: If the course is a Par 72 and you shoot an 80, you are “8 over par.” If you shoot a 70, you are “2 under par.” This gives you a broader perspective on your performance for the entire round.
• Mistake to avoid: Focusing too much on individual holes and losing sight of your overall standing relative to the course’s total par. Both perspectives are important.

Common Mistakes in Golf Scoring

• Mistake: Not counting putts.
• Why it matters: This is a major score inflation error. Every stroke counts, and forgetting your putts means your score is significantly lower than it actually was, which messes up your handicap and any competitive play.
• Fix: Make it a habit to count every single stroke from your tee shot to the ball dropping into the hole, including all putts. Develop a system, maybe a quick mental tally after each hole.

• Mistake: Forgetting penalty strokes.
• Why it matters: Hitting a ball out of bounds, into a water hazard, or taking an unplayable lie all incur penalty strokes. Not adding these in is like cheating yourself and misrepresenting your actual ability. It’s crucial for accurate handicaps and fair play.
• Fix: Be aware of the rules of golf regarding penalties. As soon as a situation arises that requires a penalty stroke, acknowledge it and add it to your score for that hole. When in doubt, consult the rules or a more experienced golfer.

• Mistake: Confusing stroke play with match play scoring.
• Why it matters: These formats are fundamentally different. In stroke play, the total number of strokes over the entire round determines the winner. In match play, you win or lose individual holes, and the player who wins more holes wins the match. Applying the wrong logic can lead to massive confusion.
• Fix: Clearly understand the scoring rules for the specific format you are playing before you start. If you’re unsure, ask your playing partners or check the competition rules.

• Mistake: Inaccurate scorekeeping on the scorecard.
• Why it matters: Simply scribbling down numbers without care can lead to errors. You might misread a number, double-count a hole, or miss a hole entirely. This directly impacts your recorded score and any subsequent handicap calculations.
• Fix: Be diligent. After each hole, take a moment to clearly mark your score. It’s helpful to use a consistent method, like tally marks or writing the number clearly. A quick review of your scorecard before signing it is essential.

• Mistake: Not understanding the difference between gross and net scores.
• Why it matters: Your gross score is the total number of strokes you took. Your net score is your gross score minus any handicap strokes you receive. For handicap purposes and in many tournaments, the net score is what truly matters for determining who wins.
• Fix: Learn how your handicap is applied. If you receive strokes on certain holes, make sure you correctly subtract them from your gross score on those holes to arrive at your net score for the round.

• Mistake: Relying solely on memory for scores.
• Why it matters: As the round progresses, especially after a few tricky holes or a long stretch of play, your memory can become unreliable. You might forget a penalty, misremember a putt count, or even a whole hole’s score.
• Fix: Always use a scorecard and pencil (or a golf scoring app). Record your score for each hole immediately after you finish it. This ensures accuracy and provides a tangible record.

FAQ

• What is the difference between par and bogey?

Par is the standard number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole. A bogey is a score that is one stroke over par for that hole. So, if a hole is a Par 4, a score of 4 is par, and a score of 5 is a bogey.

• How many strokes is an eagle in golf?

An eagle is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole. For example, on a Par 5, an eagle would be a score of 3. On a Par 4, an eagle would be a score of 2.

• Does par change depending on the golfer’s skill level?

No, par is set by the golf course designers based on the hole’s length and difficulty, and it represents the standard for a proficient golfer. The par for a hole or course remains the same for all players. What changes is your score relative to par, which reflects your individual skill level.

• What’s the lowest possible score on a golf hole?

The lowest possible score on any hole is a “hole-in-one,” also known as an “ace.” This means you hit the ball directly from the tee into the hole in a single stroke. This score is three strokes under par on a Par 4 and four strokes under par on a Par 5.

• How are golf handicaps calculated using par?

Golf handicaps are calculated based on your scores relative to the course’s par and its “slope rating” (which adjusts difficulty for non-expert players). Generally, your handicap is an average of your best scores over a period, adjusted by the course’s difficulty. It aims to allow players of different abilities to compete against each other fairly. Understanding Par in Golf: Scoring and Expectations [1] provides a good overview of how this works.

• What is a “double bogey” and how does it relate to par?

A double bogey is a score that is two strokes over par on a hole. If a hole is a Par 4, a score of 6 would be a double bogey. It’s a common score for many amateur golfers and signifies a less-than-ideal performance on that hole.

• If I shoot 75 on a Par 72 course, what is my score relative to par?

If the course par is 72 and you shoot a gross score of 75, you are “3 over par.” This is calculated by subtracting the course par from your gross score (75 – 72 = 3).

Sources:

• Understanding Par in Golf: Scoring and Expectations
• Defining Par in Golf: Understanding Course Scoring