Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Par is the score a scratch player is expected to make on a hole, and the total of those hole scores for a course or round. A hole's par is printed on the scorecard; making par means scoring that number of strokes, before any handicap adjustment.
How it matters in match play
Par is a useful benchmark, but it does not by itself decide a match-play hole. Under Rule 3.2a, the player with fewer strokes wins the hole, while equal scores are tied; in a handicap match, the lower net score wins. Both players could be under, at, or over par and still produce the same match result.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Par |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix F (Establishing Par); Rules of Golf, Rule 3.2a(1) |
| Related concepts | Score Relative to Par, Gross Score, Net Score, Match Play, Hole Score |
Worked example
On a par-4 hole, Alex takes 4 strokes and Ben takes 5, so Alex wins the hole by one stroke; if their match is level beforehand, Alex becomes 1 up, regardless of whether either score was above or below par on another hole.
Rule reference: WHS Rules of Handicapping, Appendix F (Establishing Par); Rules of Golf, Rule 3.2a(1)
Sources: www.usga.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
What does par mean in golf?
Par is the expected score for a scratch player on a hole or course. For example, a par-3 is assigned a par of 3, while a player's actual Hole Score may be lower, equal, or higher.
Does par decide who wins a match-play hole?
No. Match Play is decided by comparing the players' strokes on that hole, or their Net Score where handicap strokes apply. Par is a reference point, not a separate tiebreaker.
Can par differ between tee sets?
Yes, a Committee may establish par for each tee set, considering hole length, difficulty, and how the hole is designed to be played. WHS Appendix F recommends standardising par across tee sets where appropriate.
Is par the same as a player's handicap score?
No. Par is the course's expected score for a scratch player. A handicap score accounts for a player's allocated Handicap Strokes, so a player's net result can differ from the hole's par.
What is a par-5?
A par-5 is a hole for which the established par is five strokes. The label describes the hole's benchmark; it does not guarantee that every player will take five strokes.
Does making par automatically win a hole?
No. If an opponent also makes par, the Hole Score is tied. If the opponent makes a lower score, the opponent wins; if handicap strokes apply, compare the resulting Net Score.