Understanding Par in Golf

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Quick Answer

• Par is the benchmark number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to finish a hole.
• Hole pars are typically 3, 4, or 5, based mostly on how long the hole is.
• A standard 18-hole golf course usually has a total par of 70, 71, or 72.

Who This Is For

• Brand new golfers trying to wrap their heads around the basic scoring system.
• Casual players who want to understand golf course ratings and how to track their own game more effectively.
• Anyone watching golf on TV or at a tournament who wants to know what’s going on with the scores.

What to Check First

• Your Scorecard is Key: Always grab the scorecard before you tee off. It’s your guide to the course.
• Individual Hole Pars: Look for the column that lists the “Par” for each of the 18 holes. This tells you the target score for that specific hole.
• Total Course Par: Find the sum of all the individual hole pars. This is the overall benchmark for the entire course.
• Hole Yardage: Check the yardage for each hole. This measurement is the primary factor determining why a hole is assigned a particular par. It’s usually printed on the scorecard or on markers near the tee box.

Mastering How Many Strokes is a Par

Step-by-Step Plan: Understanding How Many Strokes is a Par

1. Action: Locate and examine the scorecard.

What to look for: A column clearly labeled “Par” next to each hole number (1 through 18). This is the standard score for that hole.
Mistake to avoid: Assuming all holes are the same par. They aren’t. You’ll see a mix of 3s, 4s, and 5s, and sometimes even a 6 on very long holes.

2. Action: Identify the par for each individual hole.

What to look for: The numbers 3, 4, or 5. These represent the expected number of strokes a highly skilled golfer (a “scratch golfer”) should take to get the ball in the hole.
Mistake to avoid: Thinking a par 3 is always short or a par 5 is always super long. While generally true, the yardage is the real determinant.

3. Action: Find the total par for the entire 18-hole course.

What to look for: A number usually listed at the bottom of the scorecard, typically ranging from 70 to 72. This is the sum of all the individual hole pars.
Mistake to avoid: Confusing the total course par with your own score or thinking it’s a target you must hit. It’s the course’s established benchmark.

4. Action: Check the yardage for a few holes.

What to look for: The distance from the teeing ground to the center of the green. This is the main factor in assigning par. For example, a hole might be a par 4 if it’s between 371 and 470 yards for men, or 311 and 390 yards for women.
Mistake to avoid: Guessing the par based purely on how the hole looks or feels. Always verify with the yardage and the scorecard.

5. Action: Understand the par breakdown.

What to look for: The number of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s on the course. A typical course might have four par 3s, ten par 4s, and four par 5s.
Mistake to avoid: Not realizing that the mix of par types affects the total course par. A course with more par 5s will have a higher total par than one with more par 3s, even if they have the same number of holes.

6. Action: Learn how your score relates to par.

What to look for: Terms like “birdie” (one stroke under par), “par” (on par), “bogey” (one stroke over par), and “double bogey” (two strokes over par).
Mistake to avoid: Trying to memorize all the scoring terms without first understanding what par is. Par is the foundation for all these other terms.

Understanding How Many Strokes is a Par: The Details

So, you’ve got the scorecard, you’ve seen the numbers. But what exactly goes into deciding if a hole is a par 3, 4, or 5? It’s not arbitrary; there are established guidelines, primarily based on yardage. These guidelines help ensure fairness and consistency across different golf courses.

The Yardage Guidelines for Par

The United States Golf Association (USGA) provides recommendations for yardage that help determine a hole’s par. These are generally followed by golf courses worldwide. Keep in mind these are guidelines, and course architects sometimes adjust them based on other factors like elevation changes, wind, or strategic challenges.

• Par 3: These are the shortest holes. For men, a par 3 is typically between 100 and 250 yards. For women, it’s usually between 100 and 210 yards. On a par 3, the expectation is that a skilled golfer will reach the green in one shot and take two putts.
• Par 4: These are the most common holes on a golf course. For men, they generally range from 251 to 470 yards. For women, they fall between 211 and 390 yards. On a par 4, the expectation is to reach the green in two shots and take two putts.
• Par 5: These are the longest holes. For men, they typically exceed 471 yards, often going up to 600 yards or more. For women, they are usually longer than 391 yards. On a par 5, the expectation is to reach the green in three shots and take two putts.

It’s interesting how the game is designed. You’re supposed to hit the green in a certain number of shots, and then you get two putts. That’s the math behind par.

Why Yardage is King

While other factors can play a role, yardage is the primary driver. A hole that looks intimidating but is relatively short might still be a par 4. Conversely, a straight, wide-open hole that’s quite long might be designated a par 5. The goal is to create a challenge that requires a certain number of strokes based on the distance and the typical abilities of a proficient golfer.

Sometimes you’ll see a hole that seems a bit short for a par 4, or a bit long for a par 3. This is where course design comes into play. Strategic hazards like bunkers, water features, or narrow fairways can add difficulty, justifying a higher par even if the yardage is on the lower end of the range. However, the scorecard and yardage markers are always the official guides.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking par is your personal target score.

Why it matters: Par is a benchmark for highly skilled golfers, not necessarily a realistic goal for beginners. Focusing too much on hitting par can lead to frustration.
Fix: Use par as a reference point, but celebrate your own progress. Aim to beat your previous scores, regardless of what par is.

• Mistake: Not understanding the yardage-to-par correlation.

Why it matters: People often guess a hole’s par based on its appearance rather than its actual length. This leads to confusion when reading the scorecard.
Fix: Always check the yardage listed for each hole. This will explain why it’s a par 3, 4, or 5. It’s printed right there for you.

• Mistake: Confusing the hole number with its par value.

Why it matters: The order of the holes (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) has no bearing on their par. Hole 1 could be a par 4, while Hole 5 might be a par 3.
Fix: Always refer to the scorecard for the specific par assigned to each hole number. Don’t make assumptions.

• Mistake: Overemphasizing scores like birdie or bogey without a solid grasp of par.

Why it matters: Terms like birdie, bogey, eagle, and double bogey are all defined in relation to par. If you don’t know what par is, these terms are meaningless.
Fix: Master the concept of par first. Once you understand par, learning these related terms becomes much easier. A birdie is one under par, a bogey is one over. Simple.

• Mistake: Assuming all golf courses have the same total par.

Why it matters: While 70-72 is the most common total par, the specific mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s can vary, leading to different overall course pars.
Fix: Always check the scorecard for the total par of the course you are playing. It provides context for the difficulty.

• Mistake: Getting discouraged by scoring over par.

Why it matters: For most golfers, especially beginners and intermediates, scoring over par is the norm. It’s part of the learning process.
Fix: Focus on consistent improvement. Track your scores relative to your own past performance, not just against par. Every round is a chance to get better.

FAQ

• What is the definition of par in golf?

Par in golf is the predetermined number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to need to complete a hole. It’s the standard score for that hole, serving as a benchmark for performance.

• How does the length of a golf hole determine its par?

The length, measured in yards, is the primary factor. Shorter holes are typically par 3, medium-length holes are par 4, and longer holes are par 5, based on established yardage guidelines set by golf organizations.

• What is the typical total par for a standard 18-hole golf course?

Most standard 18-hole golf courses have a total par that falls between 70 and 72. This is achieved by summing the pars of all 18 individual holes.

• Does every golf course have the same total par?

No, while 70-72 is the most common range, the specific combination of par 3s, par 4s, and par 5s can vary from course to course, leading to slightly different total pars.

• Is it bad if I score more than par on a hole?

Absolutely not. For the vast majority of golfers, especially those who are not professionals, scoring over par is completely normal and expected. The focus should be on personal improvement over time.

• What’s the difference between par and bogey?

Par is the standard score for a hole. A bogey is one stroke over par. For example, if a hole has a par of 4, then scoring a 5 on that hole would be a bogey.

• What does it mean to shoot “under par”?

Shooting under par means you’ve completed a hole or the entire course in fewer strokes than the designated par. For instance, scoring a 3 on a par 4 is one stroke under par, which is called a “birdie.”