What Is Par in Golf? Score, Hole Ratings, and Course Par
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TL;DR
Par estimates the number of strokes a skilled player should need to complete a hole. A full course’s par is the sum of its hole pars, commonly 70–72 on an 18-hole layout.
How a hole gets its par
Length is the main factor, but the expected number of putts and playing conditions also matter. Par-three holes usually need one tee shot and two putts; par fours and fives add approach shots.
Scores relative to par
One under is a birdie, two under an eagle, and one over a bogey. These labels describe the relationship to par, not the absolute number of strokes.
Course par and tournament scoring
Players can finish below or above par across a round. A leaderboard may show “-8” or “+3,” meaning the total relative to the course’s par, not the number of strokes played.
Par is not a guarantee
Wind, firmness, elevation and pin position affect difficulty. A high-handicap player should use par as a reference, not as a promise of what every hole should take.
Related golf terms
Compare birdie, albatross, handicap and what a hole-in-one means.
Sources
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