A very good golfer — or a very lucky golfer — might complete a hole in fewer strokes than the par (called "under par"). And of course, most of us are not "experts" at golf, and so on most holes we'll need more strokes than the par (called "over par"). That's where those other terms — birdies, eagles, bogeys, and so on — come into play.
What is the par of a golf course?
The par of a golf course or group of holes (like the back 9 or front 9 holes) is the sum of par for every hole in the group. Par on full-sizes 18-hole golf courses is usually in the range of 69 to 73.
What is a par-3 hole in golf?
And regardless of length, the par number of a hole always allows for two putts. So a 150-yard hole is one on which the expert is expected to hit the green with his tee shot, take two putts, and, therefore, require three strokes to finish that hole. Such a hole is therefore called a par-3.
How many strokes is 2 over par in golf?
If a player took 4 strokes to complete a par-3, 6 strokes to complete a par-4, and 4 strokes to complete a par-5 hole, their score could be described as "two over par" or "+2". Even - "Even" ("E") can be used to describe a golfer's score when it is equal to the combined par of all holes that they've completed.
How far under par can you go in golf?
Given that a par-5 hole is the highest par most golfers will ever see, there is a limit to how far under par a golfer can go. But a hole-in-one — knocking the ball in the hole with your first shot — is also called an "ace."
What is one less than par in golf?
Birdie. A hole score of one stroke fewer than par (one under par, −1) is known as a birdie, e.g. 2 strokes to complete a par 3 hole or 4 strokes on a par 5 hole.
What is one less par than stroke?
- Birdie. : One stroke under par on a hole, the fourth best shot you can make.
What is it called when golfers score one fewer shots less than par?
“Birdie” and “bogey” are simple once you understand the concept of par. A player makes a “birdie” when he uses one fewer strokes than the par of the hole.
Is two strokes less than par?
Eagle - An "Eagle" is when a golfer scores two fewer strokes than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 3 strokes on a par-5 hole. Eagles are most commonly achieved by reaching a par-5 green in 2 strokes, then completing the hole with one putt.
What is 2-under par in golf?
eagleAn eagle is 2-under par on a hole. A double bogey is 2-over par on a hole. A double eagle (very rare) is 3-under par (also called an "albatross"). A triple bogey is 3-over par.
What is 2-under par called in golf?
eagleA birdie is universally known as a score of 1-under par on a hole. An eagle is 2-under par. Double that — a double eagle — and it would be 4-under par.
Who has scored a condor in golf?
Mike CreanA condor was scored without cutting over a dogleg by Mike Crean at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club in Denver, Colorado, in 2002, when he holed his drive at the 517 yard par-5 9th. This is longest hole in one on record, although it was of course aided by the altitude and thin air of 'mile-high' Denver.
What is a mulligan in golf?
The basic definition of mulligan, a term most associated with golf, is a "do-over," a second try after your first has gone awry. Every weekend golfer has taken a few mulligans in their lifetime, and there's no shame in that.
What is a ostrich in golf?
Supposedly, this is the name assigned to completing a hole having struck the ball five fewer times than par. In other words, this is what happens when you hole-out a Par 7 with two strokes or shoot a Hole-In-One on a Par Six.
What is 3 under par in golf?
Albatross. An albatross is—you guessed it—a term for three under par. Like the bird itself, achieving an albatross in golf is rare indeed.
How many hits is a par?
Par is the number of shots considered an even score. For example, a par-5 hole requires the golfer to hit five shots from the tee box to the cup in order to attain a par score. The par score for most 18-hole golf courses ranges from 70 to 72, and typically includes a majority of par-4 holes.
What's after triple bogey?
A “Double Bogey” is a score of 2 strokes over par on any individual hole. A “Triple Bogey” is a score of 3 strokes over par on any individual hole. A “Quadruple Bogey” is a score of 4 strokes over par on any individual hole.
How Many Strokes In A Par?
Par is not the same between holes, it varies of course. And length is what is taken into account in determining the number of strokes needed for completing a hole. This is why the par-3 hole, since it’s a short one, requires a single stroke (by a highly skilled golfer), followed by two putts.
Connection Between Par and Scoring – Under Par Golf Scoring Terms
BIRDIE – 1-under par, that is 1 stroke under par is referred to as a birdie. Good examples would be 4 strokes on par-5, 3 strokes on par-4, and 2 strokes on par-3.
Connection Between Par and Distance
The logic is pretty straightforward – longer holes equal to higher par.
What Is the Average Par On A Golf Course?
That would be 72 for your regular 18-hole round of golf. As for a 9-hole golf course, the average is par-3.
Time to Wrap Things Up!
You can use the term ‘par’ in multiple ways for the game of golf. But USGA defines it as the total number of strokes any expert golfer would take for completing an individual hole. And it goes without saying that this also depends on the difficulty and length of the hole.
How many strokes to complete a par-3?
A golfer would be even through three holes if they took 4 strokes to complete a par-3, 3 strokes to complete a par-4, and 5 strokes to complete a par-5 hole. Birdie - A " Birdie " is when a golfer scores one less stroke than par on an individual golf hole. Ex: 2 strokes on a par-3 hole.
How many yards is a par 4?
Par-4 – 211 to 400 yards. Par-5 – 401 to 575 yards. The golf scoring term "Par" is also used to reference the combined par of a group of golf holes. Full-length 18-hole golf courses include par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes.
What is a stroke in golf?
Golf Scoring Terms Explained. Stroke - In golf, a "Stroke" is any forward club swing, including when putting, that a golfer is trying to hit the ball. You can essentially use "Stroke" as a synonym for a shot/putt, but keep in mind that it also includes "whiffs" if you miss the ball when trying to hit it. Par - " Par " is the number of strokes that ...
How many condors are there in the PGA?
Only four condors have been recorded in PGA history. Generally, the only way to accomplish a condor is to massively "cut off" a "dogleg" par-5 golf hole for a hole-in-one. Hole-in-One / Ace - A "Hole-in-One" or "Ace" occurs when a golfer hits their first shot into the hole (cup), completing the hole in just one stroke.
How many chances do you get on a hole in one?
According to American Hole 'N One, the average golfer's chances of making a hole-in-one on a par-3 hole are 12,500 to 1. The odds improve for professional golfers at 2,500 to 1. When aces do occur, it's almost always on a par-3 hole, though hole-in-ones have been accomplished on par-4 and even par-5 holes.
How many pars per round on TheGrint?
TheGrint users at the same handicap range only make 3.6 pars per round. Birdies, Pars, Bogeys Per Handicap - Source MyGolfSpy. It's not until golfer's in that study reached a handicap in the range of 1-5 that they started averaging more than 1 birdie per round (and 9 pars per round).
Is a bogey bad for golf?
While a bogey is a bad result for a low handicap or professional golfer, new and less skilled golfers are often fine with only needing one more stroke than par to complete a hole. If you got a bogey on every hole of a par-72 course, you'd shoot a 90. This is a major milestone for newer golfers.
Par of a Golf Course
The par of a golf course or group of holes (like the back 9 or front 9 holes) is the sum of par for every hole in the group.
Scoring Par Is NOT Easy for Most Golfers
It’s essential to remember that “par” is the number of strokes an “EXPERT” golfer is expected to make.
Scoring Terms for Individual Golf Holes
While you could describe your score as “one under,” “three over,” etc. for individual golf holes, there are other golf scoring terms more commonly used to describe how you scored in relation to par for a particular hole.
What is the par of a golf course?
The Par of a Golf Course. For 18 holes of golf, the par is the total number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to require to complete the course. Most full-size golf courses range from pars of 69 to 74, with par-70, par-71 and par-72 courses most common.
What is par in golf?
Brent Kelley. Updated June 21, 2019. In golf, "par" is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete an individual hole, or to complete all the holes on a golf course. Par is the standard to which golfers aspire. Usage Examples: "This hole is a par-4.".
How many strokes to reach green on par 3?
On a par-3 hole, an expert golfer is expected to need only one stroke to reach the green, followed by two putts, for three strokes total. On a par-4, he should need two strokes to reach the green, followed by two putts, for four strokes total.
How many strokes are under par on a par 4?
This is also referred to as being "even-par" or " level par .". If you take five strokes to play a par-4 hole, then you are 1-over par for that hole; if you take three strokes on a par-4, you are 1- under par on that hole.
How many strokes does a par 5 take?
On a par-5, she is expected to reach the green in three strokes, followed by two putts, for five strokes total. There aren't official rules about how long a hole has to be to be called a par 3, 4 or 5, but governing bodies have published guidelines for the length of holes and par ratings .
What does "par" mean in golf?
"Par" is also used to describe a golfer's scoring performance on an individual hole or for a complete round of golf. If you complete a par-4 hole having used four strokes, then you are said to have "parred the hole." This is also referred to as being "even-par" or " level par ."
What does the 13th hole mean?
It's a par-5 hole. What does that mean? In this case, it means that five is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to finish play of that hole.
What is par in golf?
A par is obtained on a hole when a golfer uses a number of strokes that is in line with what is deemed standard. It is a score that golfers strive to match – if not beat – and is referred to as “even”, or “even-par”.
How many strokes do you need to par on a par 5?
For example, on a hole that is a par-5, a golfer will par the hole if he requires 5 strokes. On a par-4, 4 strokes and finally 3 strokes on a par-3. On the scorecard, a golfer can write down the letter ‘E’ to designate a par or alternatively can simply mark down the number of strokes that was required for that hole.
What does it mean to halve a hole?
In match play a golfer or a team is said to halve a hole when its score is identical to that of its opponent. In essence, it is a term used to indicate that the hole was tied. In addition to a single hole, the term halve is also used to describe a match that ends in a tie, with no winner which can be referred as a halved match. Note that this can only apply when the rules of the tournament or round allow for a match to end in a tie. Indeed, in many cases if a match were to stand at all square after 18 holes, extra holes of sudden death are played as long as needed in order to determine a winner.
How many strokes does it take to score an eagle?
As such, a golfer that posts an eagle is said to be 2 under par on that hole. In practice, an eagle is achieved when requiring 3 strokes on a par-5, two strokes on a par-4, and 1 stroke on a par-3 for a hole-in-one. On the scorecard a golfer who has scored an eagle will either mark his score as -2 or will put the number ...
What is a birdie on a hole?
As such, a golfer that posts a birdie on a hole can be referred as having shot one under par. Consequently, a birdie is achieved when using 4 strokes on a par-5, 3 strokes on a par-4, and 2 strokes on a par-3. On the scorecard the golfer who has hit a birdie will ...
What is an albatross in golf?
An albatross – or double eagle – is achieved when a golfer uses three strokes less than is deemed standard for a hole. Or in other words when he requires three strokes fewer than the par number for that hole. As such, a golfer who scores an albatross is said to be 3 under par for that hole. In practice, this will happen for a score ...
What does it mean when a golfer is down?
In Match Play, a golfer is said to be down when he is trailing his opponent in the match. For example, a golfer who is 2-down trails his opponent by 2 holes. That means that his opponent has bested him on 2 occasions more than he has bested this opponent.
What is the par score in golf?
The par score for most 18-hole golf courses ranges from 70 to 72, and typically includes a majority of par-4 holes. The remaining holes are par-3 or par-5 holes.
What is the score of a par-72 golf course?
A player's score often is expressed in terms of the number of strokes under, even with or over the par score. A golfer who shoots a score of 65 on a par-72 course is seven under par, or minus-seven.
How is success determined in golf?
In golf, success is determined by the lower score, or the fewest number of shots taken on the hole or in the round. Each course has a designated number, known as par, that represents the score a skillful golfer would shoot. Furthermore, each hole on a course, typically nine holes or 18 holes, has its own par score.
How many yards is a hole in one?
Occasionally, golfers will record a hole-in-one on a shorter (about 300 yards) par 4. A hole-in-one is considered official when a witness can verify the score.
What is the score of a par 72?
A golfer who shoots a score of 65 on a par-72 course is seven under par, or minus-seven. A golfer who shoots an 80 is eight over par, or plus-eight. A golfer who scores a 72, par for the course, is even.
How many shots to get to the green on a par 5?
Conversely, a par-5 hole might require three or four shots to reach the green. The U.S. Golf Association issued the following yardage guidelines, as of 2010, for determining the par score of a hole: par 3, up to 250 yards (men), up to 210 yards (women); par 4, 251 yards to 470 yards (men), 211 yards to 400 yards (women); par 5, ...
How many holes are there in golf?
Furthermore, each hole on a course, typically nine holes or 18 holes, has its own par score. A course's par score is the sum of the par scores for each of the holes.
What is match play in golf?
Match play: Where golfers or teams play against other golfers or teams hole-by-hole. You play against another player and if you make a 4 and he makes a 5, you win the hole. The aim is to win the majority of the 18 holes. There is no count of all the strokes at the end. You count strokes only on each hole to see who wins it.
What is the back nine on a golf course?
Back nine: Holes 10-18 on an 18 hole course. The opposite and complement to the front nine. Backspin: When you hit a ball, the grooves create a spin on the ball that rotates backward and is responsible for stopping the ball on the green or fairway and often can roll backwards. Alternatives: zip, rip, bite.
What is a distance marker in golf?
Distance markers: Stakes on the side of the fairway or plates embedded in the fairway marking 100, 150, 200 and sometimes 250 yard marks from the green. Dogleg : A type of golf hole which starts off straight but then the fairway turns left or right toward the green.
What is a bump and run shot?
Bump and run : A pitch or chip shot that is played lower with the aim to bump the ball into the air and let it run or roll for most of the journey to the hole. It can be performed from the fairway or green-side. Bunker : An hollow filled with sand.
What is a golf course called?
Course: A place to play golf is called a golf club or golf course, either with 9 or 18 holes. Cross-handed (putting grip): Usually right handed players have right hand below left hand. Some golfers such as Jordan Spieth putt with the left hand below the right.
What is a sandbagger in golf?
Sandbagger: A golfer who manipulates his handicap to be higher than his skill level suggests. Guys do this to win more prizes in competitions. You might see a guy playing off a 9 handicap but shoots 75 or 76 very often on competition days but 84 or 85 during social games. Often are not popular with other competitors. In golf, it truly is ‘you’re only cheating yourself’.
What is a lay up on golf?
Lay up : Hitting the ball short of a hazard or trouble on the course when it’s possible to try hit it on the green in one shot. This is a good tactic if you are not confident you can clear the hazard.