Walking onto a golf course for the first time, you'll hear the word par everywhere, but its meaning can feel a bit fuzzy. Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or the entire course. This article will show you exactly how par is determined, what the different scoring terms mean, and how you can use this knowledge to set realistic goals and play smarter golf.
At its heart, par is a standard. Think of it as the ultimate benchmark set by the people who design and rate golf courses. It represents the target score for a scratch golfer (a player with a zero handicap) under normal weather and course conditions. For any given hole, the par is the total number of shots it should take to get the ball from the tee into the cup.
So, if you’re playing a "Par-4," the expectation for a highly skilled golfer is to complete that hole in four strokes. If you’re playing a "Par-3," it’s three strokes, and for a "Par-5," it's five. It’s that straightforward. Par isn’t a rule you have to follow, but rather a guidepost for scoring and a way to measure your performance against a consistent standard.
The par for a hole isn't chosen at random. It’s almost entirely based on one primary factor: distance. Specifically, it's the distance from the standard men's teeing ground (often the white or middle tees) to the center of the green. The architects who laid out the course determined the par based on how many shots it would take a skilled player to reach the green, plus two putts.
Here’s a general breakdown of the yardages that correspond to each par value, as suggested by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Keep in mind these are guidelines, and courses can vary.
On a Par-3, the goal is to hit the green with your very first shot from the tee. The "3" assumes one shot to reach the green and two putts to get the ball in the hole. These holes are a pure test of your iron play and accuracy.
Par-4s make up the bulk of most golf courses. The name of the game here is getting on the green in two shots. The standard calculation is one tee shot (your drive), one approach shot (usually with an iron), and then two putts. These holes demand a good combination of distance off the tee and precision with your second shot.
Par-5s are the big ones where you can really let the driver fly. These are considered three-shot holes for most players. The par calculation follows the pattern: one tee shot, a second "lay-up" shot to get closer to the green, and a third shot onto the putting surface, followed by the standard two putts. For long hitters, these holes represent the best opportunity to score under par.
As a coach, this is where I see the lightbulb go on for many golfers. Understanding the composition of par is more valuable than just knowing the number. Hitting the green in what's called "regulation" is the key.
Greens in Regulation (GIR) means your ball is on the putting surface in the expected number of shots, leaving you two putts to make par. Here’s how it works:
Why is this so important? Because it simplifies your goal on every hole. Instead of stressing about making a 4 on a Par-4, reframe your thinking: my mission is to get my ball on the putting surface in two strokes. If you achieve that, you've done the "hard" part. Now you have two putts to secure your par. If you start tracking your Greens in Regulation, you’ll get a much clearer picture of your iron play and overall performance than if you just tallied up your final scores.
Just as each hole has a par, the entire 18-hole course does too. A course's par is simply the sum of the pars for all 18 holes. While there can be variations, the vast majority of courses have a total par of 70, 71, or, most commonly, 72.
A typical Par-72 course layout looks like this:
A par of 70 or 71 usually means the course has more Par-3s and fewer Par-5s. For example, a Par-70 course might have six Par-3s and only two Par-5s. It doesn't necessarily mean the course is easier - it's just configured differently. Knowing the course par gives a bogey golfer an initial target, for example, trying to shoot 90 on a Par-72 course is a fantastic goal.
Once you understand par, you can master the colorful language used to describe scores. All these terms relate back to how many strokes you took compared to the par of the hole.
Here’s a quick guide:
This is arguably the most important section. Chasing par is the standard you see on TV, but for about 95% of golfers, trying to make par on every hole is a recipe for frustration. It's an elite performance standard. A more productive and enjoyable way to approach the game is to set personal goals based on your current ability.
Instead of thinking, "I need to make a 4," shift your mindset. Here are some healthier ways to think about scoring:
A bogey on every hole translates to a score of 90 on a Par-72 course. That is a fantastic achievement that puts you ahead of the majority of casual golfers. If you’re a beginner or a high-handicapper, making a bogey should feel like a success, not a failure. It means you managed the hole without any major mistakes.
The single biggest thing that inflates scores isn't bogeys, it's the dreaded "blow-up" hole. The 7s, 8s, and 9s. Your primary goal for a round could be simply: "No scores higher than a double bogey." This mindset encourages smarter decisions, like punching out of the trees instead of attempting a heroic shot or being content with getting the ball back in the fairway after a bad drive.
A fun mental game is to create your own par for the course. If you typically shoot around 100, your personal par is 100. Every time you score better than that, you've beaten "your" par for the day. This provides a much more motivating and tangible benchmark for measuring improvement.
Remember, golf is a journey. Par is just a signpost on the road. The real goal is to get a little better each time you play and, most importantly, have fun doing it.
From the length of an individual hole to the scoring terms you hear on a broadcast, par is the foundational concept that structures the game of golf. By understanding how it's calculated and what it represents, you can set more realistic goals for yourself, make smarter on-course decisions, and ultimately feel more confident and prepared for your round.
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