Hearing 'par' is one of the most common things in golf, but what does it actually mean for your game? It’s a standard, a benchmark, and a core part of how we talk about our performance on every single hole. This guide will walk you through exactly what par is, how it’s determined for each hole, and most importantly, how you can use this concept to score better and, more importantly, enjoy the game more.
At its heart, par is the predetermined number of strokes a highly skilled golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. Think of it as the ultimate goal for a scratch or professional player. It’s a fixed number set by the golf course architect and governing bodies like the USGA, and it provides a universal benchmark for scoring.
The calculation for a hole's par is surprisingly straightforward. It's built on a simple formula:
For example, on a Par-4 hole, the expectation for an expert golfer is to hit two long shots to land on the putting surface and then take two putts to get the ball in the cup. This formula - shots to the green + two putts - is the foundation of scoring for every hole you’ll ever play.
The primary factor that determines the par of a golf hole is its length - the distance from the tee box to the center of the green. While course designers have some leeway, they generally follow guidelines set by organizations like the USGA (United States Golf Association). These guidelines help maintain consistency across different courses.
Here’s a breakdown of how the different pars are typically assigned based on yardage:
A par-3 is a hole where an expert golfer is expected to hit the green on their first shot (the tee shot) and then take two putts.
Par-3s are all about precision. There's no room for a recovery shot on the fairway. You have one chance to hit a great shot and land it on the green to give yourself a good putt for birdie. This is why they are often the most thrilling (and sometimes frustrating) holes on the course, often featuring intimidating hazards like water or deep bunkers guarding the green.
Coach's Feel: Think of a 165-yard hole with a flag tucked behind a bunker. Your job isn't to think about a long second shot. Your entire focus is on that one swing getting the ball airborne and landing it softly on the putting surface.
A a par-4 is a hole a skilled golfer is expected to reach the green in two shots, and then make two putts.
Par-4s are the most common type of hole on a standard golf course and they are often seen as the ultimate test of a complete golfer. They demand both length off the tee and accuracy on the approach shot. A great par-4 requires a well-placed drive to set up a manageable second shot into the green. Making par on a tough par-4 is often what separates a good round from a great one.
Coach's Feel: This is your classic drive-and-approach hole. A solid tee shot that lands in the fairway gives you a clean look for your second shot. A good iron swing from there puts you on the green with a chance to make a putt. That’s the rhythm of a well-played par-4.
A par-5 is a long hole where golfers are expected to get to the green in three good shots, and finish with two putts.
Par-5s are the big strategic decissions holes on the course. Because of their length, they offer a wider range of strategies. A long-hitter might try to get to the green in two shots hoping for an eagle, this high risk shot can lead to an incredible reward but brings high numbers in to play if it goes wrong. A more conservative play is the to play a strategic lay-up shot to a specific desirable yardeage giving you a higher percentage chance for your third. These are the holes where you can make up for past mistakes, so thinking your way through them is paramount.
Coach's Feel: Standing on a par-5 tee, you have options. Do you smash your driver as far as you can to get closer, or do you play a more controlled tee shot to a safer landing area? Do you go for the green in two, or play it safe with a second shot that leaves you a perfect wedge distance for your third? Your decisions here have a huge impact on your score.
Your score on any given hole is always described language relative to par. Knowing this terminology helps you track your rounds and talk about your game with anyone, it can even motivate you on the ourse when you are looking for that allusive Birdie or Eagle!
Here’s a quick list of the most common scoring terms:
Just as each hole has its own par, so does the entire course. The total par for an 18-hole course is simply the sum of the pars of every individual hole. Most standard championship courses have a total par of 72.
A common configuration for a par-72 course is:
Other common totals are par 70 or 71, usually resulting from having more par-3s or fewer par-5s. When someone says they "shot par" or finished "even par," it means their total score for the round was 72 on a par-72 course. If they shot an 85, you would say they finished "13 over par." If a professional shoots a 68, they finished "4 under par."
Here's a piece of coaching advice that can completely change how you feel about your game: stop getting frustrated because you are not making 'par.' The term 'par' was designed as a benchmark for the best golfers in the world, not for the recreational player who gets out a couple of times a month.
Holding yourself to a professional standard is a recipe for frustration. Instead, I encourage every player I work with to embrace the concept of a personal par.
If you typically shoot around 90, your average score on a hole is 5 strokes (90 divided by 18 holes). This means 'bogey golf' (averaging one over par on each hole) is your standard. On a tough par-4, a score of 5 isn’t a failure - it’s a success! It’s your personal par for that hole.
Here’s how to put that into practice:
Golf becomes a lot more fun when you start playing against yourself andyour own potential, not against the impossible standard of a world-ranked professional. A bogey is not a bad score, it's a great score for millions of golfers. Embracing that idea will help you enjoy your rounds so much more.
Par is the fundamental scoring system in golf, a benchmark based on a hole's length that gives every player a target to aim at. Understanding the difference between par-3s, 4s, and 5s explains the flow of a modern golf course and gives you better insight on what the better stratergy may be. By adapting your expectations ans playing for oyur own 'personal par' will transform your mental approach to teeing it up!
If you're ever looking for our help standing over a tricky shot on the course trying to decide what the best shot for YOUR game is to play and making your own personal par goals. New technology can remove the guesswork for you, Caddie AI acts as your on-demand golf expert providing strategies to help you navigate ay golf coures. We want to remove the uncertainty from your game so you walk up to every shot with confidence and get hte maximum enjoyment from the game of golf.
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