Shooting a score that’s sub par is the goal for nearly every golfer, but what it means and how to achieve it can feel like a moving target. In its simplest terms, playing sub par golf means you’ve completed a hole, or an entire round, in fewer strokes than the designated par score. This article will break down the language of scoring, the strategies behind going low, and a practical path for you to start chasing those under-par scores yourself.
Before we go under par, we have to understand what par is. “Par” is the pre-determined number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. It's the standard, the benchmark you measure your performance against.
This number always includes two putts. The rest of the strokes are for getting your ball from the tee box to the green. Here’s how it usually breaks down:
An entire 18-hole course has a par, too. It’s just the sum of the par for all 18 holes. Most standard courses are a Par-72, usually made up of four Par-3s, ten Par-4s, and four Par-5s. So, if a pro golfer shoots a 72, they’ve shot “even par.” If they shoot a 71, they are “one under par.” If they shoot 68, they are "four under par" - a fantastic sub par round.
Golf has its own vocabulary for sub par scores, most of which thrillingly relate to birds. When your score on a hole is lower than par, you’ve accomplished something special, and there's a specific term for it.
A birdie is a score of one stroke less than par on any given hole. It's the most common sub par score and a feeling you'll want to chase again and again. A birdie is an immediate confirmation that you executed a great series of shots.
Making a handful of birdies is a good sign that your game is heading in the right direction. It shows you have an ability to hit quality shots that give you real scoring opportunities.
Now we’re flying higher. An eagle is a score of two strokes less than par on a hole. Eagles are much more rare and usually happen in one of two ways: holing out an approach shot on a Par-4 or reaching the green of a Par-5 in two shots and then making the putt.
Making an eagle is a huge momentum builder in a round. It can instantly erase a couple of mistakes you might have made earlier and gives your scorecard a massive boost.
This is the white whale for most golfers. An albatross, also known as a double eagle in the United States, is an exceptionally rare score of three strokes under par. It's so infrequent that many lifelong golfers will never see one in person.
How does it happen?
An albatross is one of the most exciting moments in golf. According to the National Hole-in-One Registry, your odds of making an ace are about 12,500 to 1. The odds of an albatross? They’re estimated to be closer to 6 million to 1. It is a true once-in-a-lifetime shot.
The condor is the rarest score in all of golf, almost mythical. This is a score of four-under-par on a single hole, which can only be achieved by making a hole-in-one on a Par-5. To do this, you would need a hole with a sharp dogleg or horseshoe shape, allowing you to cut a massive corner over trees or hazards in just the right conditions. This score has been officially recorded only a handful of times in the history of the sport.
Defining the terms is easy. Playing sub par golf is hard. It’s not just about hitting one amazing shot, it’s about knitting together 18 holes of smart, consistent, and confident golf. It combines technical skill with mental discipline.
Here’s what it generally demands:
Shooting under par is less about hitting perfect shots and more about avoiding big mistakes. Golfers who consistently score well aren't always bombing their driver 350 yards. Instead, they are thinking their way around the course.
Even the pros only hit about 12-13 greens in regulation per round. That means on 5 or 6 holes, they’re missing the green and have to chip or pitch the ball close to save par. Your "scrambling" ability - getting up and down from off the green - is what separates a round in the low 80s from one in the low 70s. A brilliant short game turns potential bogeys into pars, taking the pressure off your long game.
Making pars is great, but you need to make some birdies to get under par. This comes down to execution when you have the chance. When you hit a great approach shot and have a 12-foot putt for birdie, you have to have the confidence and technique to roll it in. Better players practice their putting relentlessly because they know that's where scores are truly made.
Golf is a frustrating game. You will hit bad shots and make bad holes. A golfer who shoots sub par has the mental toughness to leave a bogey in the past and step up to the next tee with a clear head. They don’t let one mistake turn into two or three. They stay present, focused on the very next shot, and committed to their process.
Ready to start working towards your own sub par round? It's a journey, but here are some logical steps to take.
Where are you losing your shots? You have to know the answer. Is it penalties off the tee? Poor shots from 100-150 yards? Three-putting? Start tracking your stats honestly. Count your fairways hit, greens in regulation, and number of putts. Once you know your weakness, you know what to work on.
Stop going to the range and just hitting balls aimlessly. Use your practice time to fix your weaknesses. If you struggle with shots from 75 yards, spend 30 minutes hitting nothing but wedge shots to a specific target. If you three-putt a lot, spend time on lag putting drills, making sure your speed control is solid.
Pick a course and a set of tees where a sub par round is a realistic goal. Don't play from the tips if you don't have the distance. On every hole, have a simple plan. Identify the biggest trouble spot and aim away from it. Sometimes that means taking a 3-wood or a hybrid off the tee instead of your driver, even on a Par-4. Playing for the center of the green is almost always a better strategy than firing at a tucked pin.
The fastest way to lower your scores is to get better from 100 yards and in. Dedicate more of your practice to chipping, pitching, and putting. Become automatic with 5-foot putts. This takes pressure off the rest of your game, because you know if you miss a green, you have the skills to save par.
Understanding "sub par" is one thing, but getting there requires a fundamental new way to approach the game. It’s a mix of capitalizing on opportunities to make birdies and eagles while playing disciplined, strategic golf to avoid high scores on any single hole.
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