Par
The reference number of strokes assigned to a hole.
Par gives you a reference for the hole, not a score you must achieve as a beginner. A scorecard lists par for each hole and adds those values into a total for the round.
A par-4 hole
| Strokes taken | Score name | Relative to par |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Birdie | −1 |
| 4 | Par | Even |
| 5 | Bogey | +1 |
Par stays at four in this example. The player’s score changes, so the description changes with it.
From one hole to a round
If an illustrative nine-hole course has a total par of 36 and you take 42 strokes, your round is six over par. Record the actual strokes on each hole; the difference from par is another way to describe the total.
Par and course difficulty
Two courses with the same par can ask very different things of a golfer. Look at tee length, Course Rating and Slope Rating as well as par when choosing where to play. A shorter set of tees may suit your carry distance better.