Understanding Par
Par is the number of strokes an accomplished golfer is expected to need to complete a hole, including two putts. This means most holes are par 3, 4, or 5, based primarily on the hole's length.
Par represents a standard, not a target reserved for pro players. It is the expected score for a hole assuming two putts once the ball reaches the green, plus the number of additional shots a skilled player would need to get there. A par-3 hole is short enough to reach the green in one shot. A par-4 typically needs two shots to reach the green. A par-5 typically needs three. The total par for a full 18-hole course is usually 70 to 72, made up of a mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s.
Par is set primarily by hole length, with some adjustment for difficulty (elevation change, hazards, green complexity), and is fixed for each hole and each course rather than changing based on who is playing. This is what makes it a useful universal reference. This means a par-4 is a par-4 whether a beginner or a tour pro is playing it, even though their actual scores on that hole will differ enormously.
Understanding par is the foundation every other scoring term builds on. This means birdie, bogey. The various "breaking X" milestones are all defined relative to par, not relative to some fixed number independent of the specific hole or course being played.
Example
A 380-yard hole is set as a par 4. This means a strong player might reach the green in two shots and then two-putt for the "par" score of 4.
Why it matters
Every other scoring concept in golf. This means birdie, bogey, handicap. This means is defined relative to par. As a result, understanding it is the entry point to making sense of a scorecard at all.
Frequently asked questions
Is par the same on every golf course?
No. This means total course par (usually 70 to 72) and individual hole pars are set based on each specific course's hole lengths and design. As a result, they vary somewhat from course to course.
Does "even par" mean I played perfectly?
It means you matched the expected standard score for the round. This for most amateur golfers. This means even skilled ones. This means is an excellent result, not a baseline expectation.
Related terms
- Bogey Golf"Bogey golf" describes shooting roughly one over par on every hole. This means around 90 for an 18-hole, par-72 course. This means a common and respectable benchmark for a solidly developing recreational golfer.
- Birdie and Eagle ExplainedA birdie is a score of one stroke under par on a hole. An eagle is two strokes under par. This means both are notable, celebrated results that most golfers, even good ones, make only occasionally.
- What Is a Good Score for BeginnersFor most new golfers, shooting somewhere in the 100–120 range on a full 18-hole course is a completely normal and respectable early score. This means breaking 100 typically takes months to a couple of years of regular play, not a single season.
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