Par
Scoring
Explained Simply
The number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole or for the whole round. Most holes are par 3, 4, or 5.
Example
“A par-4 hole expects you to reach the green in 2 shots and take 2 putts. If you do exactly that, you made par.”
Why it matters
Par is the yardstick for every score you make. Every other scoring term (birdie, bogey, etc.) is measured relative to par.
Common beginner mistake
Feeling bad for not making par. Most beginners will score well above par — that's completely normal and fine.
Related
beginner
Scoring
Related
- BogeyFinishing a hole in one stroke MORE than par. On a par-4, a bogey is a score of 5.
- BirdieFinishing a hole in one stroke LESS than par. On a par-4, a birdie is a score of 3.
- Course RatingA number (like 71.4) that reflects how difficult a course is for a scratch golfer under normal conditions. Think of it as the 'expected score' for an expert.