What Is Par at Riviera Golf Course?

The total par for an 18-hole round at the legendary Riviera Country Club is 71. This iconic layout, a masterpiece of strategic design, challenges golfers with a unique combination of ten Par 4s, four Par 3s, and four Par 5s that adds up to its famous Par-71 scorecard. This article will break down what par truly means, guide you through Riviera's scoring on a hole-by-hole basis, and provide practical tips on how to approach playing this historic course.

What 'Par' Actually Means for a Golfer

Before we step onto the hallowed grounds of Riviera, let's get clear on what "par" represents. In simple terms, par is the predetermined number of strokes a highly-skilled "scratch" golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. It's the standard, the benchmark for excellence. When you hear that Riviera is a Par 71, it means a top-tier player is expected to complete the entire 18-hole round in 71 strokes.

Each hole's par is calculated based on its length and the expected number of shots needed to reach the green, plus two putts. Here's the basic breakdown:

• Par 3: Expected to hit the green on your tee shot and then take two putts. Total: 3 strokes.
• Par 4: Expected to hit a tee shot, then an approach shot onto the green, followed by two putts. Total: 4 strokes.
• Par 5: Expected to hit a tee shot, a second (layup) shot, and a third (approach) shot onto the green, completed with two putts. Total: 5 strokes.

A player's score relative to par (like "one-under-par" or "three-over-par") is what matters in stroke play tournaments. Understanding this basic concept is the first step to thinking strategically about how you approach not just Riviera, but any golf course.

A Strategic Tour: Riviera's Hole-by-Hole Guide to Par

Riviera Country Club, affectionately known as "Hogan's Alley," is famous for its brilliant design by George C. Thomas Jr. Its Par 71 setup is anything but standard. The course asks profound strategic questions from the very first tee shot to the final putt. Knowing the par for each hole is one thing, navigating a path to achieve it is another entirely.

Let's walk through the course, examining the par for each hole and revealing the coaching perspective on how to play it.

The Front Nine: Navigating a Par 35

The outward nine at Riviera sets the tone immediately. With two challenging Par 3s and gettable par 5 beginning the day, you are tested on every club in your bag.

• Hole 1 (Par 5): An iconic, gentle handshake of an opening hole. Playing from an incredibly elevated tee, you get a beautiful view of the downhill fairway. For pros, it's a prime birdie opportunity. For amateurs, a straightforward par is on the cards. Coach's Tip: Don't get greedy. A good drive leaves a mid- to long-iron into a receptive green. Playing this as a three-shot hole secures an easy par and builds momentum.
• Hole 2 (Par 4): After the friendly opener, the course bites back. This is an uphill, demanding dogleg-right Par 4. Hitting the fairway is a must to have any chance of reaching the green in two. A par here feels like a birdie.
• Hole 3 (Par 4): A visually pleasing, shorter Par 4 that rewards precision over power. Small bunkers guard a subtle green complex. It demands a well-placed tee shot to set up the right angle for your approach.
• Hole 4 (Par 3): A monstrous Par 3, often requiring a fairway wood or hybrid even for the pros. The green is large, but guarded by a deep bunker. Simply hitting the green in regulation is a fantastic accomplishment, walking off with a par of 3 is a win.
• Hole 5 (Par 4): A classic dogleg-right that snakes between trees. The fairway cants from left to right, pushing tee shots toward trouble. A precise tee shot is everything.
• Hole 6 (Par 3): One of the most famous Par 3s in the world due to the pot bunker lurking in the center of the green. It’s not long, but it’s a pure test of nerve and accuracy with a short iron.
• Hole 7 (Par 4): A tight driving hole constricted by bunkers on both sides. Success here is all about finding the narrow fairway to have a clear look at a small, well-protected green.
• Hole 8 (Par 4): A unique Par 4 that offers a split fairway separated by a dry ditch (barranca). The choice off the tee - play safe to the wider left side or challenge the narrow right for a better angle - is a classic strategic dilemma.
• Hole 9 (Par 4): A strong Par 4 to close out the front nine. It's a straight hole whose defense comes from brilliant bunkering along the fairway and surrounding the green. A solid approach shot is required for a look at par.

The Back Nine: The Par 36 Journey Home

The back nine is slightly longer and contains some of the most memorable holes in championship golf, starting with the quintessential risk-reward Par 4.

• Hole 10 (Par 4): Perhaps the most fascinating short Par 4 in golf. At just over 300 yards, it tempts players to drive the green, but its ridiculously narrow, angled putting surface repels all but the most perfect shots. Coach's Tip: For every spectacular eagle or birdie, there's a disastrous double bogey. The smart play for most is a long iron or hybrid off the tee, leaving a simple wedge shot. Making par here requires excellent decision-making.
• Hole 11 (Par 5): A Par-5 whose narrow fairway feels like you are threading a needle all the way up to a green that features a barranca down the left. This will be a three shot hole for almost every golfer allowing you to get a good par to start building momentum on the back 9.
• Hole 12 (Par 4): A tremendously difficult uphill Par 4. It plays much longer than the yardage suggests, and the prevailing wind is often into your face. Surviving with a par of 4 is an achievement. Don’t be afraid to accept a bogey and move on.
• Hole 13 (Par 4): This dogleg-left climbs steadily uphill and is defined by the imposing sycamore trees that guard the left side and a fairway that slopes right-to-left. Finding the fairway is the only way to earn a par.
• Hole 14 (Par 3): A long Par 3 to an expansive, undulating green. It’s easy to get on the green, but being on the wrong tier can easily lead to a three-putt. Lag putting is just as important as the tee shot.
• Hole 15 (Par 4): A blind tee shot over a crest to a fairway that doglegs right. This hole is all about trust and commitment to your line off the tee. A well-placed drive can funnel down toward the green, setting up a good look at par.
• Hole 16 (Par 3): The final Par 3 is a gorgeous, straightforward hole played to a large, relatively flat green. It’s one of the few true birdie chances on the relentless back nine, and a solid par awaits those who find the putting surface from the tee.
• Hole 17 (Par 5): The last Par 5 is a true three-shot hole for amateurs, playing significantly uphill. Every shot must be struck well to traverse the nearly 600 yards. Par is a great score.
• Hole 18 (Par 4): A legendary finishing hole. This is a long, uphill Par 4 to a green nestled in a природнiй amphitheater below the iconic clubhouse. Your approach shot is played blindly from a valley in the fairway to a two-tiered green. Making your par of 4 here is an unforgettable close to a world-class round.

Your Game vs.The Pro Game: A Realistic Approach to Par

It’s important to remember that the Par 71 standard is set for the best players on the planet. For the average golfer, playing Riviera or any championship course requires a mental shift. Trying to match the official par on every hole is a recipe for frustration. Instead, focus on playing "smart bogey-golf" and creating your own "personal par."

As a coach, here’s my supportive advice:

• Embrace the Bogey: On tough holes like the 4th, 12th, and 18th, view a bogey as a good score. Don't press and turn a 5 into a 7. Treat these holes as "Par 4.5s" or "Par 5s" in your mind. This takes the pressure off.
• Play to the Big Targets: Forget firing at pins tucked behind bunkers. Riviera’s greens are complex. Aim for the "fat" part of the green every single time. Hit the wide side of the fairway. Prioritize being in play over being in perfect position.
• Make Smart Decisions: The 10th hole is the ultimate test. It entices you with glory but often punishes with gloom. Be honest about your skills. Laying up with an iron is the high-percentage play that protects your scorecard from a blow-up hole. Playing smart is more fulfilling than hitting one risky shot that has a low chance of success.

Playing at Riviera is about the experience - walking the same fairways as legends like Hogan, Woods, and Palmer. Your goal should be to enjoy the strategic challenge, not beat yourself up over your score. Celebrate good shots, laugh off the bad ones, and focus on navigating the course one smart decision at a time.

Final Thoughts

Riviera Country Club’s Par 71 scorecard tells a story of strategic balance, with each hole presenting a unique puzzle that demands both physical skill and mental discipline. Understanding the par is the first step, but successfully navigating the layout requires a mix of thoughtful strategy, realistic expectations, and committed execution.

On a course as nuanced as Riviera, having expert guidance can make all the difference. With Caddie AI, you can get instant, personalized strategic advice on how to approach any hole. If you're standing on the 10th tee wondering about the smart play, or looking at an awkward lie in the sticky kikuyu grass around the green, I can analyze the situation and give you a simple, effective plan - just like a tour caddie would - so you can play with more confidence and make better decisions on the course.