The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Golf Rules and Basics All clubs Beginner ⏱ 2 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Par 3, Par 4, Par 5 Golf: Explained by Marion Ricordeau

Are you just starting out and still confused about what “par” means? Marion Ricordeau, a world university golf champion, explains it in two minutes with a diagram: the par 3, the par 4, the par 5, and the course’s total par.

▶
Marion Ricordeau
Marion Ricordeau · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

What the lesson shows

Marion Ricordeau defines the par as a contract entered into with the course. On a par-3 hole, one shot to reach the green and two putts allowed: Three shots, and the job is done. On a par-4 hole, one shot to the fairway, one to the green, then two putts. On a par-5 hole, three shots to reach the green, then two putts.

The difference lies in the distance to the hole. On average, a par 3 is 225 m or less, a par 4 is up to 440 m, and anything longer than that is a par 5. The by total Adds up the 18 holes: depending on the architect’s design, the total is usually around 72 strokes, sometimes 70 or 71. She notes that aiming for this total is already a challenge for an experienced player.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Locate the par for each hole on the scorecard.
  2. On a par-3 hole, plan on one shot to reach the green, followed by two putts.
  3. On a par-4 hole, plan for one shot to the fairway, one to the green, and then two putts.
  4. On a par-5 hole, plan on three shots to reach the green, followed by two putts.
  5. Add up the pars for all 18 holes to find the total par for the course.

Key Takeaways

A par is a stroke agreement made with the course.
Each par counts as two putts on the green.
Par 3: one shot to the green, usually 245 yards or less.
Par 4: two shots to the green, up to about 440 m.
Par 5: three shots to the green, more than 440 m.
The total par for the 18 holes is around 72.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • To think that every hole is played with the same number of strokes.
  • Forget that the par includes two putts on the green.
  • Set the total par as your goal right from the start.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Reviewing the scorecard before the game
  2. Comparison of the length of each hole with its par
  3. Counting his strokes hole by hole against par

Your Questions

What does "faire le par" mean?

It means fulfilling the hole's objective: playing the expected number of strokes. Marion Ricordeau breaks it down into the number of strokes needed to reach the green plus two putts.

How do you know if a hole is a par 3, a par 4, or a par 5?

Based on distance, on average: 225 m or less for a par 3, up to 440 m for a par 4, and longer for a par 5.

What is the total par for a course?

Typically 72 strokes over 18 holes, sometimes 70 or 71, depending on the mix of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes chosen by the architect.

Learn More

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Marion Ricordeau). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros