What Does Par 4/5 Mean on a Golf Scorecard?

Looking at a golf scorecard and seeing Par 4 or Par 5 next to a hole number can be confusing if you're new to the game. It’s the foundational language of golf scoring, but it's not always obvious what it means. This guide will break down precisely what par represents, why holes are designated as a Par 3, 4, or 5, and how you can use this concept to play smarter, more confident golf.

What 'Par' Really Means in Golf

At its core, par is the expected number of strokes ahighly skilled golfer should take to complete a hole. It’s a benchmark - a pre-determined score that represents excellent play. Think of it less as a strict rule and more as a target to aim for. The United States Golf Association (USGA) sets these standards based on the distance from the tee to the green, always factoring in two putts.

The formula is simple:

(Number of shots to reach the green) + (Two putts) = Par

Every hole on the course has a par number. Adding up the par for all 18 holes gives you the total par for the course, which is usually between 70 and 72. Your final score is then talked about in relation to this number (e.g., "four over par" or "one under par"). But to understand course par, you first have to understand the par of individual holes.

Breaking Down the Different Types of Par

The single biggest factor that determines a hole's par rating is its length. The farther the green is from the tee, the more shots an expert golfer would be expected to take to get there. This breaks down into three standard categories: Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5.

The Par 3: A Test of Accuracy

A Par 3 is the shortest type of hole on a golf course. The expectation is that you will hit your tee shot onto the putting green and then take two putts to get the ball in the hole.

Formula: 1 shot to the green + 2 putts = 3 strokes.

Typical Yardages:

• Men: Up to about 260 yards
• Women: Up to about 220 yards

How to Play It: On a Par 3, your first shot is everything. There’s no secondary “approach shot”, your tee shot *is* the approach. The main challenge here is correct club selection. Depending on the distance, you might use anything from a short wedge to a long iron, hybrid, or even a fairway wood. The goal is singular: land your first shot on the green to give yourself a chance at birdie (2 strokes) or an easy par.

The Par 4: The Backbone of the Course

Par 4s are the most common type of hole you’ll find. They form the core of most golf courses and offer a classic "drive and an iron" challenge. The goal here is to get your ball on the green in two shots before your two putts.

Formula: 2 shots to the green + 2 putts = 4 strokes.

Typical Yardages:

• Men: Roughly 240 to 490 yards
• Women: Roughly 200 to 420 yards

How to Play It: It’s best to think of a Par 4 in two distinct parts.

1. The Tee Shot: This is your setup shot. The goal isn’t always to hit it as far as possible, but to place the ball in a good position in the fairway. A well-placed drive leaves you with a manageable second shot. Landing in the rough or behind a tree makes the next shot exponentially harder.
2. The Approach Shot: This is your second shot, where you try to hit the green. This shot requires precision, as you’ll be aiming at a Chtarget protected by bunkers, water, or difficult terrain.

Successfully navigating a Par 4 comes down to a good drive followed by a solid approach. Master this sequence, and you'll master the majority of the golf course.

The Par 5: Your Big Opportunity

Par 5s are the longest holes on the course and present the greatest strategic options. They are designed to be reached in three shots by the expert golfer, followed by two putts.

Formula: 3 shots to the green + 2 putts = 5 strokes.

Typical Yardages:

• Men: Over 450 yards
• Women: Over 400 yards

How to Play It: Par 5s are often called "scoring holes" because they offer the best chance to get a birdie (a score of 4) or better. As a player, you have two main strategic paths:

• Go for it in Two: A high-risk, high-reward play reserved for long hitters. This involves hitting a great drive and then attempting to reach the green with your second shot using a fairway wood or hybrid. It brings the possibility of an eagle (a score of 3) into play but also risks finding trouble that can lead to a big number.
• The Three-Shot Strategy: This is the smarter, more conservative play for the vast majority of golfers. The focus is on three well-placed shots.
  1. Hit a solid drive into the fairway.
  2. Hit a second shot, called a layup shot, to position yourself at your favorite yardage for an approach (for example, leaving yourself a full swing with a wedge from 100 yards out).
  3. Hit a precise third shot onto the green.
  This approach minimizes risk and maximizes your chance for a par or a straightforward bogey.

Beyond Par: Naming Your Scores

Once you understand what par is, you can understand the colorful language golfers use to describe their scores on a hole. It's all relative to par.

• Double Eagle (or Albatross): Three strokes under par (-3). Extremely rare! This means getting a 2 on a Par 5.
• Eagle: Two strokes under par (-2). This could be a 2 on a Par 4 or a 3 on a Par 5. A fantastic score.
• Birdie: One stroke under par (-1). This is a 2 on a Par 3, a 3 on a Par 4, or a 4 on a Par 5. A very good score.
• Par: Equal to par (Even). A solid, respectable score on any hole.
• Bogey: One stroke over par (+1). For example, a 5 on a Par 4. this is a common score for many amateurs.
• Double Bogey: Two strokes over par (+2). For example, a 6 on a Par 4.
• Triple Bogey: Three strokes over par (+3).

How to Use Par to Your Advantage (Even as a Beginner)

This is where the real coaching comes in. For a developing golfer, chasing the scorecard’s par can lead to pressure, risky shots, and frustration. The secret is to stop comparing yourself to the "scratch golfer" standard and start using par as a strategic guide for your game.

Your Par vs. The Scorecard Par

The most powerful mental shift you can make is to create your own "personal par." If you're consistently shooting around 100, then making a bogey (one over par) on every hole would give you a score of 90. That's a great improvement! In this case, a bogey is a fantastic score. A double bogey isn't a disaster, it's just average for now.

Look at a tough Par 4 not as a Par 4, but as a "Personal Par 5." Give yourself permission to take one extra shot to reach the green. This removes the pressure of needing two perfect shots and allows you to play smarter, lower-stress golf.

Let's walk through an example on a 380-yard Par 4:

• The "Scorecard Par" Mindset: "Okay, I have to hit a huge drive, then a perfect iron shot onto the green to make a 4." This often leads to swinging too hard, landing in trouble off the tee, and scrambling to save the hole.
• The "Personal Par 5" Mindset: "My goal is to get on the green in three calm shots.
  1. ,My first shot just needs to find the fairway. A 180-yard drive is fine.
  2. ,My second shot just needs to advance the ball another 150 yards down the fairway.
  3. ,Now I have a simple 50-yard pitch onto the green. I’m on in 3, calm and collected.”

With the second approach, you're now on the green with two putts for a 5 (a bogey) or three putts for a 6 (a double bogey). You avoided the potential for a 7 or an 8 by not taking unnecessary risks. This is how you really use par to manage your game and lower your scores.

Final Thoughts

In short, "Par 4" and "Par 5" are simply scoreboard benchmarks indicating the number of strokes talented golfers should aim for, based on a hole's distance. But the real skill is using that information not as a rigid rule, but as a flexible guide to build a smarter on-course strategy that fits your own game and abilities.

Developing that hole-by-hole strategy is much easier when you have an expert opinion right in your pocket. At Caddie AI, we've designed our app to act as your personal course strategist and swing coach. When you’re standing on a tempting Par 5 wondering if you should lay up or go for it, our on-demand technology can analyze the hole and your tendencies to provide a smart recommendation in seconds. We help you make a game plan for every shot, removing the guesswork so you can focus on swinging with total confidence.