Golf scoring can feel confusing at first, especially when everyone keeps talking about par. What Is Par in Golf? In simple terms, par is the “normal” number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take on a hole.
Once that makes sense, the whole game starts to feel a lot clearer.
In this blog, you’ll learn what par really means, how Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5 holes work, and what scores like birdie, bogey, and eagle mean.
You’ll also see how handicaps and net par help beginners compete fairly, how par shapes strategy on each hole, and easy tips to use par to track your progress and improve your game.
What Is Par in Golf?
Par represents the standard number of strokes a scratch golfer (someone who typically shoots around even par) should need to finish a hole. But how do golf courses decide what par should be for each hole?
Three Main Factors Determine Par:
- Hole Length: The distance from tee to green
- Difficulty: Obstacles like water hazards, bunkers, and trees
- Terrain: Uphill, downhill, or flat layout
Par always includes two putts on the green. So when you see a Par 4, the expectation is two shots to reach the green, plus two putts to finish.
Types of Golf Pars Explained (Par 3, Par 4, Par 5)
Let’s go deeper into each type of par hole and what makes them unique.
Par 3: Short and Precise
Par 3 holes are the shortest on the course. The goal? Hit your ball onto the green with your first shot, then sink it in two putts.
What Makes Par 3s Challenging:
- Accuracy matters more than power
- Often require precise iron or wedge shots
- Greens are usually protected by bunkers or water
- No room for error on your tee shot
Beginners often struggle with Par 3s because they demand control. But here’s the good news: these holes give you a real chance to save strokes if you practice your short game!
Par 4: The Standard Hole
The par 4 holes make up the majority of most golf courses. They’re medium length and require a good balance of distance and accuracy.
The Typical Par 4 Strategy:
- First shot (drive): Get as far down the fairway as possible
- Second shot (approach): Land on or near the green
- Two putts: Finish the hole
Par 4s teach you about club selection and course management. Should you use your driver off the tee, or play it safe with a 3-wood? These decisions make Par 4s both challenging and fun.
Par 5: Long and Strategic
Par 5 holes are the longest on the course. They give you three shots to reach the green before those two putts.
What’s Interesting About Par 5s:
- Professional golfers often reach the green in just two shots (not three!)
- Great scoring opportunities for players of all levels
- Reward intelligent decision-making and patience
- Room to recover from a bad shot
Many golfers love Par 5s because they offer more chances to make up for mistakes. Even if your drive doesn’t go far, you still have two more shots to get on the green.
Typical Yardage Ranges for Par
Different pars correspond to different hole lengths. Here’s what you’ll typically see on most golf courses:
| Par | Typical Yardage Range | Expected Shots |
|---|---|---|
| Par 3 | 100–250 yards | 1 shot to green + 2 putts |
| Par 4 | 251–470 yards | 2 shots to green + 2 putts |
| Par 5 | 471–690+ yards | 3 shots to green + 2 putts |
Most full 18-hole golf courses have a total par between 70 and 72. This means if you add up the par for all 18 holes, you’ll usually get one of those numbers.
A typical course might have four Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and four Par 5s.
How Golf Scoring Works: Scores Relative to Par
Here’s where golf gets really interesting. Your score on each hole is measured against par. Let’s break down the scoring terms you’ll hear on every golf course.
Under-Par Scores (Good Scores)
These are the scores every golfer dreams about:
| Term | Meaning | Example Score |
|---|---|---|
| Birdie | One stroke under par | 3 on a Par 4 |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par | 3 on a Par 5 |
| Albatross (Double Eagle) | Three strokes under par | 2 on a Par 5 |
| Condor | Four strokes under par (very rare) | 1 on a Par 5 (hole-in-one) |
Getting a birdie feels amazing, even for beginners. Eagles are less common but absolutely thrilling when they happen!
Over-Par Scores (Higher Scores)
Most golfers, especially when starting, score over par. That’s completely normal:
- Bogey – One stroke over par (5 on a Par 4)
- Double Bogey – Two strokes over par (6 on a Par 4)
- Triple Bogey – Three strokes over par (7 on a Par 4)
- Quadruple Bogey – Four strokes over par (8 on a Par 4)
Don’t get discouraged by bogeys! Even professional golfers make them. The key is learning from each hole and improving over time.
Even Par
When you finish a hole in exactly par (like 4 strokes on a Par 4), you’re “even par” for that hole. If you play all 18 holes at even par, you’ve shot a score equal to the course par—that’s an excellent round of golf!
Net Par in Golf: How Handicaps Affect Scoring
Here’s something that makes golf fair for everyone: the handicap system. Your handicap gives you extra strokes on challenging holes based on your skill level.
How It Works: Let’s say you’re a beginner with a handicap that gives you one extra stroke on a tough Par 4. If you score a 5 (which would typically be a bogey), your net score becomes a 4; that’s net par!
This system lets golfers of different abilities compete fairly. A bogey for you might actually count as a par when your handicap is applied. Pretty cool, right?
How Par Shapes Golf Strategy
Understanding par isn’t just about keeping score; it changes how you play each hole.
- On Par 3s: Focus on accuracy. Take your time selecting the right club. A solid shot onto the green gives you a real chance at par or better.
- On Par 4s: Play smart off the tee. You don’t always need your longest club. Sometimes, a controlled drive that keeps you in the fairway beats a long drive into the rough.
- On Par 5s: Think about risk versus reward. Can you reach the green in two shots, or should you play it safe and lay up? Distance helps, but risk management matters more.
Professional golfers plan every shot around par. As a beginner, you can do the same thing, adjust your expectations. If par is 4, maybe your personal goal is 6. That’s still strategic thinking!
Why Par Matters for Improving Your Golf Game
Par gives you a measuring stick for improvement. Here’s why it’s so valuable:
- Track your progress: Keeping score against par shows you where you’re getting better. Maybe you’re consistently making bogeys on Par 4s now instead of double bogeys, that’s real progress!
- Plan your shots: Knowing the hole’s par helps you choose the right clubs and strategy. You’re not just swinging randomly; you’re playing with purpose.
- Understand consistency: Par teaches you that golf is about consistent, imaginative play, not just occasionally hitting one great shot.
- Learn the language: Once you know par, terms like birdie, eagle, and bogey all make perfect sense. You can follow tournaments and talk golf with anyone.
Beginner Tips for Playing to Par
Ready to start improving your scores? Here are some friendly tips:
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Focus on solid contact | Focus on solid contact over distance. A 150-yard shot down the middle beats a 200-yard shot in the woods every time. |
| Practice your short game | Practice your short game religiously. Most of your strokes happen within 100 yards of the green. Get good at chipping and putting, and watch your scores drop. |
| Learn your clubs | Learn your clubs. Know how far you typically hit each club. This helps you make better decisions on every shot. |
| Don’t stress about over-par | Don’t stress about scoring over par. Everyone starts there. Even scratch golfers were beginners once. Enjoy the process of learning. |
| Set realistic goals | Set realistic goals. Maybe par isn’t your goal yet, and that’s okay. Aim for bogey or double bogey golf and celebrate your progress at any level. |
Wrapping Up
Understanding par in golf turns a confusing scorecard into a simple story of each hole. Par shows what a skilled golfer is expected to shoot, but it also gives every player a clear target to work toward.
Whether it’s learning the difference between Par 3, Par 4, and Par 5, or using terms like birdie, bogey, and net par, this knowledge makes the game feel more fun and less stressful.
Use par as a guide, not a pressure point. Set small goals, enjoy your progress, and remember that every round is a chance to learn.
Ready to put this into action? Grab some clubs, head to the course, and start playing with par in mind today!
