
What Is the Meaning of 'Par'?
- The Par of an Individual Hole. Think of any hole on a golf course. ...
- The Par of a Golf Course. ...
- Scoring in Relation to Par (1-Under Par, Etc.) "Par" is also used to describe a golfer's scoring performance on an individual hole or for a complete round of golf.
- 'Par' Before Golf. ...
Full Answer
What does par stand for in golf?
Par noun (Golf) The number of strokes required for a hole or a round played without mistake, two strokes being allowed on each hole for putting. Par represents perfect play, whereas bogey makes allowance on some holes for human frailty. Thus if par for a course is 75, bogey is usually put down, arbitrarily, as 81 or 82.
What is 4 under par called in golf?
In golf, "condor" is the popular term for a score of 4-under par on an individual hole. Among common golf holes, a condor is only possible on a par-5 hole. Scoring a condor is so rare that only a handful are known in the history of golf. Since a condor is a score of 4-under-par on a golf hole, these are the scores required to claim a condor:
What is the highest par rating in golf?
- LA QUINTA / CALIF. / 7,266 YARDS / PAR 72. ...
- OAKMONT / PA. / 7,255 YARDS / PAR 71. ...
- FARMINGDALE / N.Y. / 7,386 YARDS / PAR 71. ...
- ASHEBORO / N.C. / 6,543 YARDS / PAR 72. ...
- HAVEN / WIS. / 7,362 YARDS / PAR 72. ...
- PINE VALLEY / N.J. / 6,999 YARDS / PAR 70. ...
- SANFORD / N.C. / 6,554 YARDS / PAR 71. ...
- MAMARONECK / N.Y. ...
- HOBE SOUND / FLA. ...
- SCOTTSDALE / 7,412 YARDS / PAR 72. ...
What is five over par in golf?
In golf, any score, whether on an individual hole or for a completed round, that is higher than the par rating for that hole or for the round is said to be "over par." "Over par" is usually spoken and denoted in relation to par itself; for example, a score of 5 on a par-4 is termed "1-over par."

What is par golf?
For golf purposes, the USGA defined "par" as, "the score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole. Par means expert play under ordinary weather conditions, allowing two strokes on the putting green."
What is normal par for golf?
The standard par for a course is 72, meaning the average golfer shoots 28 strokes over par to shoot her 100. A milestone such as becoming a bogey golfer, meaning you average shooting 1 over par on every hole, would lead to an average score of 90 strokes.
What happens when you get par in golf?
"Par" refers to the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need to complete the play of one hole on a golf course. Golf holes of different lengths will require more or fewer strokes by a golfer. And regardless of length, the par number of a hole always allows for two putts.
Is 100 a good golf score?
Since a score of 100 is considered an average score for an average golfer, you'll be considered an above-average golfer if you can consistently break 100.
Is 77 a good golf score?
Golf courses normally have a par that ranges between 70 and 72; any score that is at par or under par is considered good.
How many strokes is par?
Golf Scoring Terms Cheat SheetGolf Scoring TermExplanationStrokeAny forward club swing that's intended to hit the golf ball.ParThe number of strokes an expert player is expected to make for a given hole or a group of holes (usually 9 or 18).BirdieOne stroke under par on an individual hole.8 more rows•Jul 15, 2021
What is a good score in golf?
In golf, scores less than 120 strokes are seen as respectable, or “good” scores among amateur golfers. While 90 stroke scores are considered average, scores below 120 strokes on an 18-hole course are seen amongst the golf community as relatively good.
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.
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.
What is a par for a golf hole?
Par for a golf hole is meant to give expert golfers 2 putts per hole.
What does "one under par" mean in golf?
If you took 4 strokes to complete a par-5 hole, you could say you were “one under par” or “one under.” However, other terms are more commonly used to describe a golfers score for a hole in relation to par (see the “Scoring Terms for Individual Golf Holes” section below).
How many holes are par in golf?
The term “par” in golf refers to the number of strokes that an expert golfer should need to complete an individual hole or a “round” of golf holes (usually 18 or 9 hole s).
What is an eagle on a par 3?
Eagle – An “Eagle” is a score of two strokes under par on an individual hole. For example, 2 strokes on a par-4 hole or 3 strokes on a par-5 hole. While a hole-in-one (one stroke) on a par-3 could be described as an eagle, it’d more commonly be referred to as a “hole-in-one” or “ace.”
What is double eagle?
Albatross (Double-Eagle) – An “Albatross” or “Double-Eagle” is a score of 3 strokes under par on an individual hole. For example, 2 strokes on a par-5 or a “hole-in-one” on a par-4. Again, 1 stroke on a par-4 is usually referred to as a “hole-in-one” or “ace,” rather than an albatross. This feat is so incredibly rare that I doubt it’ll ever come up in your golf round!
How many strokes does it take to get to the green on a par 5?
Are expected to reach the green in 3 strokes on a par-5 golf hole, leaving them 2 putts for par.
What is an ace in golf?
Hole-in-One/Ace – A “Hole-in-One” or “Ace” is when a golfer hits their first shot of the hole into the cup ( another word for the physical hole in the ground that the flagstick goes into).
What is the par score for a golf tournament?
If each of the four rounds has a par of 72, the tournament par would be 288. For example, a golfer could record a 70 in the first round, a 72 in the second round, a 73 in the third round, and a 69 in the fourth round. That would give a tournament score of 284, or "four-under-par".
How is par determined?
Par is primarily determined by the playing length of each hole from the teeing ground to the putting green. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which includes a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts.
What is a bogey score?
A score of one stroke more than par (+1) for a hole is known as a bogey, e.g. 4 strokes to complete a par 3 hole or 6 strokes on a par 5 hole. The first meaning of bogey in golf was the number of strokes a good golfer should take at each hole, and first came into use at the Great Yarmouth Golf Club in 1890, based on the phrase " bogey man " and a popular music hall song Here Comes the Bogey Man. Notionally, players competed against Colonel Bogey, and this gave the title to a 1914 marching tune, Colonel Bogey March. As golf became more standardised in the United States, par scores were tightened and recreational golfers found themselves scoring over par, with bogey changing meaning to one-over-par.
What is the score of a golfer?
A golfer's score is compared with the par score. If a course has a par of 72 and a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete the course, the reported score is +3, or "three-over-par" and takes three shots more than par to complete the course. If a golfer takes 70 strokes, the reported score is −2, or "two-under-par".
What is a birdie hole?
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. This expression was coined in 1899, at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, New Jersey.
How many times has a condor been on a par 5?
As of January 2021, a condor had been recorded only five times on a par-5, once reportedly on a straight drive (a record 517 yards or 473 metres, aided by the thin air at high altitude in Denver ). Another was reportedly achieved with a 3-iron club (in 1995 on a horseshoe-shaped par-5 hole). In December 2020, a condor on a par-6 was recorded on the 18th hole at Lake Chabot Golf Course in Oakland, California. A condor has never been achieved during a professional tournament.
What is the seventh hole in golf?
A sign at The River Course at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wisconsin, indicating that the seventh hole being played is a par-four. In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient (scratch, or zero, handicap) golfer should require to complete a hole, a round (the sum of the pars of the played holes), ...
What is par in golf?
Par, or bogey, is a scoring system used mostly in amateur and club golf. It is a stroke play format played against the course, with match play scoring based on the number of strokes taken on each hole compared to a fixed score, usually the par or bogey; in this context, bogey is meant in the traditional sense as the score a good player would expect ...
What is the scoring system used in golf?
Scoring system used mostly in amateur and club golf; involves scoring (+, 0, −) based on results at each hole ; the objective is to have an end score with more pluses than minuses. This article is about the scoring system used as an alternative to Stableford and normal stroke play. For a general definition of par, see Par (score).
What is a Birdie in Golf?
If you are making Birdies consistently, you have figured this golf thing out and may want to try your luck in some tournaments.
What is an Eagle in Golf?
If you’ve made an Eagle, you’ve probably had a hole in one or a massive hole out. An Eagle is rare for amateur golfers and very tough for a professional golfer.
What is an Albatross in Golf?
This is the rarest shot in Golf, and only a handful of golfers have ever achieved an albatross on a golf course.
What is a Bogey in Golf?
A Bogey is never the Goal on a golf course, but it will, unfortunately, be a regular score for amateur golfers. Depending on your handicap, a bogey could be a good thing. For an 18 Handicap Golfer, a Bogey on each hole would be a decent score.
How many putts to make a par in golf?
It is pretty much setup around regulation golf. This means on a par four, you are supposed to hit a tee shot and then your approach shot should be on the green. You are then given two putts to make a par.
How many yards to approach a par shot?
Something to keep you in play and leave you with a 140-150 yards left for your approach shot. Many amateurs can have success from this distance with their approach shots. Making anything more than par from the fairway actually becomes more difficult.
How many bad shots does it take to not make par?
It takes two bad shots once you are in the fairway to not make par. Let me explain further…even if you miss with your approach shot, you should be able to hit a decent chip and get up and down to save par around 50% of the time on simple chips.
What is the goal of a tee shot?
The goal of the tee shot is to hit the ball far enough to have a decent 2nd shot, but also to keep the ball in play.
What can we control in golf?
All we can control in golf is our process and have awareness of what we are thinking. Shawn Clement’s approach to focusing on the target and swinging towards that target is liberating. In my golf game, gone are the days of trying to hit different positions at P1 through P8.
How long should you pick a shot in golf?
Ultimately, as the golfer, you have to pick a shot that you are comfortable with for 4 straight hours.
What is the hardest part about golf?
Keeping our kind right and staying focused on the task at hand might be the most difficult part about golf. We swing our eBay when we are relaxed, comfortable and trust the decision that we have made.

Overview
In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a proficient (scratch, or zero handicap) golfer should require to complete a hole, a round (the sum of the pars of the played holes), or a tournament (the sum of the pars of each round).
Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five. A typical 18-hole golf course will have a total par around 72, and a 9-hole par-3 course (wh…
Determination of par
Par is primarily determined by the playing length of each hole from the teeing ground to the putting green. Holes are generally assigned par values between three and five, which includes a regulation number of strokes to reach the green based on the average distance a proficient golfer hits the ball, and two putts. On occasion, factors other than distance are taken into account when setting the par for a hole; these include altitude, terrain and obstacles that result in a hole playin…
Course and tournament scores
A golfer's score is compared with the par score. If a course has a par of 72 and a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete the course, the reported score is +3, or "three-over-par" and takes three shots more than par to complete the course. If a golfer takes 70 strokes, the reported score is −2, or "two-under-par".
Tournament scores are reported by totalling scores relative to par in each round (there are usual…
Hole scores
Scores on each hole are reported in the same way that course scores are given. Names are commonly given to scores on holes relative to par.
A hole score equal to the par of the hole is simply called a par. The term is thought to have originated from the stock exchange, where it was used to describe the expected value of stocks. The transition to golf was made by writer A. H. Doleman prior to The Open Championship at Prest…