What is par in golf ?
When playing golf you often say words that you might not fully know why you use them. Some are obvious and some are not, like why we yell "fore" not everyone knows. But then there are some golf terms that are just somewhat clear, like knowing that each hole has a "par". But why say par ?
The term "par" was originally used in the stock market, to show if a stock was above or below it's standard "par price". But not till 1870 was the term integrated into the sport of golf by Mr. AH Doleman. He was a golf writer back then that had asked two golfers what the score was to win the trophy at the Open, and then when the tournament was over the player whom won got 2 over that score. He then wrote how the golfer won by "2 over par".
Golf courses are designed around this theory of par. Each hole is designed to be either "Par 3″, "Par 4″, or "Par 5″. Each hole is designed so that to get par you would need 3, 4, or 5 strokes. Each hole you get 2 strokes to putt in, and either 1, 2 or 3 to "get on the green" (as see n below).
As seen above you can see the strokes needed to make par on a each type of hole there is.
- "Hole in One" - Speaks for it's self
- 3 under par = "Double Eagle" (Only on par 5)
- 2 under par = "Eagle" (on both par 4 and 5 holes)
- 1 under par = "Birdie"
- Par
- 1 over par = "Bogie"
- 2 over par = "Double Bogie"
- 3 over par = "Triple Bogie"
Here are the common terms that go along with par :
After that it would be up to your handicap whether or not you pick-up, and it's only good golf etiquette to pick-up rather than take too much time on the course. You can slow down the groups behind you.
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