Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Under par means completing a hole, round or other stated scoring unit in fewer strokes than its par. A score of 3 on a par-4 hole is 1 under par, written −1; a round of 70 on a par-72 course is 2 under par.
How it matters in match play
Under par is a useful description of a player's running gross or net scoring relative to the course's par, but it does not decide an ordinary match. Match play is settled hole by hole: the player with fewer strokes wins that hole, while a player's cumulative score under par can be reported as extra context. Handicap strokes can make net scores the relevant comparison.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Under Par |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf, Rule 3.2a(1); Rule 3.2c(3); Rule 21.3 |
| Related concepts | Par, Over Par, Even Par, Score Relative to Par, Gross Score |
Worked example
On a par-72 course, Alex scores 70, so Alex is 2 under par for the round; in a match, Alex still wins only the holes where the applicable gross or net score is lower than Ben's.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf, Rule 3.2a(1); Rule 3.2c(3); Rule 21.3
Sources: www.usga.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
How many strokes under par is a 70 on a par-72 course?
It is 2 under par: 70 is two strokes fewer than the course par of 72.
Does being under par automatically win a match?
No. Ordinary match play is decided by holes won, lost or tied. Being under par describes scoring relative to the course and does not replace the hole-by-hole result.
Can a player be under par and still lose a match?
Yes. A player can finish under par overall but lose more holes than the opponent, or lose the match before completing all holes. In a handicap match, compare the applicable net scores on each hole.
Is under par the same as winning a hole in Par/Bogey?
Not exactly. In the Rules' Par/Bogey form, a score lower than the Committee's fixed target wins the hole, usually against par or bogey. That is a specific competition format, not the general meaning of under par.
What does 1 under par mean on one hole?
It means the player used one fewer stroke than that hole's par. For example, 3 strokes on a par-4 hole is 1 under par and is also a Birdie.
Does handicap affect whether a round is under par?
It depends on the score being described. Gross under par compares actual strokes with course par; net under par compares the player's handicap-adjusted score with par. State gross or net so the comparison is clear.