Golfer Newbies

In golf, par is defined as the standard number of strokes a “scratch” (0 handicap golfer) should be able to achieve for each hole on a golf course, or for the entire course; “a par-5 hole”; “par for this course is 72.”  There are a couple of things you might want to know about par.

1. First, notice that the definition is based on a scratch golfer. Most likely, if you are reading a Golf for Newbies site, you are not a scratch golfer. You likely have a handicap score. This handicap is calculated as the as the average score over par for several games. So, for instance, if you on average score 20 points over par, then your handicap is 20. In competitive golf this handicap is set by a governing organization. So, in essence, on a par 29 course with a 20 point handicap your personal “par” would be 49.
2. Originally, par was not a fixed number. It would be adjusted for a particular course based on weather, fairway conditions, etc. Now, however, it is a fixed number and is based on the yardage for the hole. A hole’s par includes 2 putts, so a par 3 hole assumes you can get to the green from the tee and then have 2 putts. A par 4 includes the tee shot, a fairway shot, and 2 putts. A par 5 includes the tee shot, two fairway shots, and 2 putts. The yardage ranges these pars are calculated on are shown below.

The current settings for men are:

• Par 3 – Up to 250 yards
• Par 4 – 251 to 470 yards
• Par 5 – 471 yards to 690 yards
• Par 6 – 691 yards or more

The current settings for women are:

• Par 3 – Up to 210 yards
• Par 4 – 211 to 400 yards
• Par 5 – 401 to 575 yards
• Par 6 – 575 yards or more