I Asked "What Does Par Mean?" on the First Tee and Felt Like I'd Spoken a Different Language
Okay, so here's what nobody tells you: you can play golf for months without ever really understanding par, and nobody will correct you because they assume you already know. That was me in 2023, standing on the first tee at Grandview with a borrowed 7-iron, when a kind man named Earl said, "It's a par 4, so try to get there in two." I nodded like I understood, then whispered to my husband, "What's a par?" He tried to explain, but by then I was too embarrassed to ask again. So I played the hole, took six strokes, and wrote down a number that meant nothing to me. Sound familiar? If you're new to golf, par is one of those words everyone uses and nobody explains. Let me fix that right now, in the simplest way possible, so you can walk onto any course and actually know what's going on.
Why You Should Trust Me on This
My name's Maya Chen. I started golf in 2023 knowing absolutely nothing, and I've made every beginner mistake—including pretending to understand par for way too long. I'm not a pro, and I won't give you a technical definition that makes your eyes glaze over. I'm the friend who's already been confused, already asked the dumb questions, and already figured out how to explain it without making you feel small. I may earn a small commission if you buy through my links, but I only recommend what I'd hand to a friend on the first tee. And I'll never call you a dummy for not knowing what a birdie is. I had to ask too.
Par in One Sentence
Par is the number of strokes a good golfer is expected to take to complete a hole. That's it. On a par 3, you're expected to get the ball in the hole in three strokes. On a par 4, four strokes. On a par 5, five. Most golf courses have a mix of par 3s, 4s, and 5s, and the total par for 18 holes is usually between 70 and 72. If you hear someone say "this is a par-72 course," that means if you added up the par on every hole, the total would be 72. For a beginner, just remember: par is the target number, not the law.
Now, here's where the fun words come in. If you take fewer strokes than par, you made a birdie (one under) or an eagle (two under). If you take more, you made a bogey (one over) or double bogey (two over). Most beginners make a lot of bogeys and doubles, and that's completely normal. I didn't make my first birdie until my second year, and I nearly dropped my putter. Don't chase birdies—let them come to you. Your job in the first year is to make contact, have fun, and maybe sneak in a par on a short hole. If you want to understand scoring in more detail, I've written a full guide on golf scoring for beginners that goes deeper without the pressure.
Why Par Matters (And Why It Doesn't)
Par matters because it gives you a frame of reference. Without it, you're just hitting a ball around a field with no idea if you're doing okay. With it, you can say, "Well, I took three extra strokes on that par 4, but I got a bogey on the last hole, so I'm improving." It's a measuring stick, not a judge. Par does not define your worth as a golfer, and it certainly shouldn't define your enjoyment of the round. I've seen Earl shoot 85 and act like he lost his dog, and I've seen him shoot 105 and laugh all the way to the clubhouse. The number on the card is just information. What you do with it is up to you.
Here's a truth I wish someone had told me: for your first six months, ignore par completely. Just count your strokes, write them down, and don't compare yourself to the little numbers on the scorecard. You'll be happier, and you'll actually learn faster because you're not beating yourself up. The time to care about par is when you can consistently get the ball in the air and are ready to start thinking about strategy. Until then, par is just a word.
Three Common Misunderstandings Beginners Have About Par
I made all three of these mistakes, and I've seen every new golfer make them too. Let's clear them up right now.
1. "Par is the score I'm supposed to get." No. Par is what an expert is expected to shoot. For a beginner, being double par or worse is fine. Don't hold yourself to a scratch golfer's standard. I once shot 127 on a par-72 course and cried in the parking lot because I thought I'd failed. Looking back, I was exactly where I should have been. Give yourself grace.
2. "If I make a bogey, I'm bad." Bogey means one over par, and for most weekend golfers, a bogey is a solid score. The average amateur shoots around 90-100, which is mostly bogeys and doubles. When I made my first real bogey on a par 4, I actually felt proud—I'd only taken five strokes on a hole that experts do in four. That's progress. Celebrate bogeys.
3. "Par is the same for everyone." It is, but your relationship to it changes as you improve. A scratch golfer expects to make par; a beginner hopes to survive. The par number doesn't change, but your expectations should. Don't compare your first-year scores to someone else's tenth-year scores. Compare yourself to last month's you.
How to Use Par to Actually Improve (Without Obsessing)
Once you're comfortable with the concept, par can be a gentle guide for your practice. Here's how I use it. On each hole, instead of thinking "I need to make par," I think "What's a realistic goal for me on this hole?" On a par 5, my goal might be "get to the green in six shots and two-putt." That's a triple bogey on paper, but it's achievable and it keeps me focused on the process instead of the number. Over time, my realistic goal on par 5s has moved from seven to six to sometimes five. That's how I know I'm improving—not by my total score, but by my realistic goals getting closer to par.
If you want to track your progress without the pressure, I recommend keeping a simple scorecard and circling your good holes. I use a basic scorecard holder to keep mine dry. Here's a search for affordable scorecard holders on Amazon. If your budget's tight, DHgate has cheap ones, but shipping takes longer. You don't need a holder—a zippered pocket works—but it helps. And if you're still building your starter kit, our beginner gear hub has the essentials without the fluff.
Who Should NOT Worry About Par Yet
If you're brand new and still learning to make contact, then forget par entirely. Just hit balls, walk the course, and enjoy being outside. Par is a concept for people who can already get the ball in the air. I played my first three rounds without knowing what par meant, and honestly, it was liberating. Give yourself permission to ignore the little numbers until you're ready.
If you're the type who gets anxious about performance—and I am—then use par as a friendly reference, not a threat. Write your score, but don't add it up until the end, and don't compare your total to par. I still don't add up my score until I'm home, sometimes not until the next day. It protects my mental peace, and that's worth more than a lower score.
And if you're already a competitive golfer shooting in the 80s, then this article is too basic for you. You already know what par means. Go work on your short game, and leave us beginners to our bogeys.
What to Do When You Finally Make a Par
The first time you write down a number that matches the little "4" on the card, you'll feel like you've won something. I remember my first par—it was on a short par 3 at a local Beckley course, and I walked off that green like I was walking on air. I didn't tell anyone, because I was too busy smiling. That's the moment golf gets you. And here's the beautiful thing: after your first par, you'll want more. Not because par is the goal, but because it's proof that you're getting better. That's what keeps us all coming back—the small victories that feel enormous when they finally happen.
If you want to get your first par sooner, focus on the fundamentals. My swing basics guide is the perfect place to start, and Earl's grip guide will help you feel more confident over the ball. Then get out there and chase that first par—it's closer than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions About Par
What does par mean in golf?
Par is the number of strokes a skilled golfer is expected to take on a hole. A par 3 means three strokes, a par 4 means four, and a par 5 means five. It's the standard used to measure your score against the course.
What is a birdie and a bogey?
A birdie is one stroke under par, so on a par 4, you'd score a 3. A bogey is one stroke over par, so on a par 4, you'd score a 5. Bogeys are common and perfectly fine for beginners. Birdies are rare and worth celebrating.
What is a good score for a beginner?
For a beginner, shooting anywhere from 100 to 130 on a par-72 course is normal. That's roughly 28 to 58 over par. Don't compare yourself to tour players—they've been playing for decades. Your only goal should be to improve a little each month, not to hit a magic number.
Should I keep score as a beginner?
It's up to you. Keeping score can help you track progress, but it can also add pressure. I recommend writing down your strokes but not adding them up until the end, and not comparing your total to par. Focus on making contact and having fun.
How do I know what par is on each hole?
It's printed on the scorecard, usually near the yardage for each hole. You'll also see markers on the tee box or signs near the green. If you're not sure, just ask a playing partner. Most golfers are happy to explain.
Where to Go From Here
Now that you understand par, the next step is learning the other scoring basics. My golf scoring for beginners guide covers bogeys, birdies, and how to keep score without the stress. Then check out golf rules for beginners to make sure you're playing the game right.
If you're still building your confidence, what to expect your first time golfing will calm your nerves before you ever step on a tee box. And if you want to see par in action on a real course, Earl's list of Beckley golf courses will point you to a fairway where you can chase that first par.
Remember, par is a friend, not a judge. Now go make some bogeys—and maybe, just maybe, a par.