A par is a score that is equal to the number of strokes that a scratch player is expected to take on a particular hole.
Holes are either a Par 3, Par 4, or Par 5, with the occasionally novelty Par 6.
According to the USGA, a par is “the score that a scratch player would generally be expected to achieve on a hole under normal course and weather conditions, allowing for two strokes on the putting green.
So, with two strokes always allowed on the green regardless of what par the hole is, a player is allowed one stroke to get the ball on the green on Par 3s, two strokes on par 4s, and three strokes on par 5s.
Hole Distance Based On Par
The USGA recommends the following distances be used when establishing par for a hole:
| Par | Men | Women |
| 3 | <260 Yards | <220 Yards |
| 4 | 240-490 yards | 200-420 yards |
| 5 | 450-710 yards | 370- 600 yards |
Par For The Course: What Is Par For 18 Holes? 9 Holes?
The term par can refer to a score on an individual hole or a score for a round of 9 or 18 holes.
Most 18-hole golf courses are par 70, 71, or 72.
Sometimes, courses can have different par totals for the front and back nine.
For example, a course may have a par 35 front nine and a par 36 back nine for a course par of 71.
“Shooting par” would mean your total score was equal to whatever the course has designated as their par.
On a golf leaderboard, shooting even par is designated with the letter “E.”
If you see an “E” next to a player’s name on a leaderboard, that means they are currently even par.
Other Golf Scoring Terms
All golf scoring terms derive their meaning by their relation to par.
All scores over par on a hole have the term bogey in them:
A bogey is a score of one over par.
A double bogey is a score of two over par.
A triple bogey is a score of three over par.
Etc.
All scores under par on a hole have different terms:
A birdie is a score of 1 under par.
An eagle is a score of 2 under par.
An albatross (double eagle) is a score of 3 under par.
A condor is a score of 4 under par.