{"id":2744,"date":"2026-11-04T00:41:21","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T23:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/comparatifs\/le-par-au-golf-par-3-par-4-et-par-5-expliques\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T22:55:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T21:55:48","slug":"par-in-golf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/par-in-golf\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Par in Golf? Par 3, Par 4 and Par 5 Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"bgt-chapo\">Par is the first number listed on a scorecard, and it serves as the benchmark for all scores in golf. Par 3, par 4, par 5: it indicates how many strokes a good player should take on each hole. Here is the exact definition of par, the approximate lengths of the holes, the par for a course, and the best strategy for playing each type of hole.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a par in golf?<\/h2>\n<p>Par is the number of strokes a very good player\u2014at scratch level\u2014is expected to take on a hole under normal conditions. This number always includes <strong>two putts<\/strong> on the green.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Par 3:<\/strong> One shot to reach the green, then two putts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Par 4:<\/strong> Two shots to reach the green, then two putts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Par 5:<\/strong> Three shots to reach the green, then two putts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Reaching the green two strokes under par is called a \u201cgreen in regulation.\u201d It\u2019s a statistic that\u2019s closely tracked by both pros and amateurs. The par for each hole is listed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/scorecard\/\">scorecard<\/a> and, most often, on the starting sign.<\/p>\n<h2>Par 3, par 4, par 5: What are the hole lengths?<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"bgt-fig\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/par-3-par-4-par-5-golf-nombre-de-coups.webp\" alt=\"Diagram of a par-3, a par-4, and a par-5 as seen from above, showing the typical number of strokes needed to reach the green and make two putts\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>A par always counts as two putts: one shot on a par-3 hole, two shots on a par-4 hole, and three on a par-5 hole.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The par depends primarily on the length of the hole. The ranges below are approximate: they differ between men\u2019s and women\u2019s tees and overlap from one category to another.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>By<\/td>\n<td>Men (approx.)<\/td>\n<td>Women (approx.)<\/td>\n<td>Shots to the green<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Par 3<\/td>\n<td>Up to 230 m<\/td>\n<td>Up to 200 m<\/td>\n<td>1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Par 4<\/td>\n<td>From 230 to 450 m<\/td>\n<td>From 190 to 390 m<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Par 5<\/td>\n<td>Above 430 m<\/td>\n<td>More than 350 m<\/td>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>Length isn't everything. The elevation change, the shape of the hole, the obstacles, and the prevailing wind can lead an architect to classify a long hole as a par 4, or a short hole as a par 5. An elbow-shaped hole, the <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/dogleg\/\">dogleg<\/a>, is also longer than it appears if you don't cut the corner. There are par-6 holes, but they are very rare.<\/p>\n<h2>What is the par for a golf course?<\/h2>\n<p>The par for a course is the sum of the pars for its holes. For an 18-hole course, it is usually between 70 and 72.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Par 72:<\/strong> The most common configurations are 4 by 3, 10 by 4, and 4 by 5.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Par 70:<\/strong> For example, there are 4 by 3, 12 by 4, and 2 by 5.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Compact courses:<\/strong> Short courses, or \u201cpitch-and-putt\u201d courses, have a much lower par, consisting mainly of par-3 holes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Be careful not to confuse the par with the SSS, or course rating. The SSS measures the actual difficulty of the course for a scratch player and is used to calculate the handicap. Two par-72 courses can have very different SSS values.<\/p>\n<h2>Birdie, bogey, eagle: golf scoring terms<\/h2>\n<p>Each score on a hole has a name, depending on how far it is from par.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>Last Name<\/td>\n<td>Difference from par<\/td>\n<td>Example on a par-4 hole<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/albatross\/\">Albatross<\/a><\/td>\n<td>\u22123<\/td>\n<td>Hole 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/eagle\/\">Eagle<\/a><\/td>\n<td>\u22122<\/td>\n<td>Hole 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/birdie\/\">Birdie<\/a><\/td>\n<td>\u22121<\/td>\n<td>Hole 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>By<\/td>\n<td>0<\/td>\n<td>Hole 4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/bogey\/\">Bogey<\/a><\/td>\n<td>+1<\/td>\n<td>Hole 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/double-bogey\/\">Double bogey<\/a><\/td>\n<td>+2<\/td>\n<td>Hole 6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>A hole played in a single stroke is called a <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/definition\/ace\/\">ace<\/a>, or a hole-in-one. On a par-3 hole, it\u2019s an eagle; on a par-4 hole, it\u2019s an albatross. For a round as a whole, we refer to a score as \u201cunder par\u201d (for example, \u22122) or \u201cover par\u201d (+10).<\/p>\n<h2>How do you play a par-3, a par-4, and a par-5?<\/h2>\n<h3>The par-3: Aim for the center of the green<\/h3>\n<p>On a par-3 hole, the tee shot determines almost everything. Choose your club based on the distance to the center of the green, not to the flag, especially if the flag is near a bunker or the edge of the green. Tees are allowed: drive it almost all the way in to get a perfect lie. If you reach the green in two putts, that\u2019s a par.<\/p>\n<h3>The par-4: Positioning the drive<\/h3>\n<p>On a par-4 hole, the drive is primarily used to set up the second shot. A drive down the middle of the fairway\u2014even if it\u2019s a little short\u2014is better than a long drive into the trees. On a dogleg, choose between cutting the corner and playing it safe, depending on your accuracy. On short par-4s, a wood or hybrid off the tee is often sufficient.<\/p>\n<h3>The par-5: Think in terms of three shots<\/h3>\n<p>The par-5 is the hole where an amateur can most easily shoot par. Think about it the other way around: what distance do you like to play for your third shot? If you\u2019re comfortable hitting 85 yards with your wedge, play your second shot to leave that distance, rather than forcing a wood to get as close to the green as possible. That\u2019s the logic behind course management in <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/pro\/tiger-woods\/\">Tiger Woods<\/a>: Start at the green and work your way back up to the tee.<\/p>\n<h3>Your own by<\/h3>\n<p>For an amateur, shooting par on a hole isn't always the right goal. Add the strokes you receive based on your handicap: on a hole where you receive a stroke, a bogey is equivalent to your personal par. This way of thinking takes a lot of the pressure off and helps you avoid risky shots.<\/p>\n<h2>\u201cPer\u201d in everyday language<\/h2>\n<p>The word comes from Latin <em>by<\/em>, which means \u201cequal.\u201d In English, the expression <em>as a matter of course<\/em>, a term from golf, means \u201cnothing surprising\u201d or \u201cthat\u2019s the norm.\u201d In French, the expression \u201cjouer sous le par\u201d is most commonly used to describe a golfer who posts a score better than the course par.<\/p>\n<h2>Video Lessons to Help You Play Each Hole Better<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bgt-art-les\"><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/video\/scottie-scheffler-attack-pins-with-irons\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/s7gboaWg-zM\/mqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\"><span><b>Hitting the flags with iron shots like Scottie Scheffler<\/b><small>Scottie Scheffler \u00b7 7 min<\/small><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/video\/min-woo-lee-driver-fade-draw-fairway-finder\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ce4FURdKLms\/mqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\"><span><b>Fairway Finder with the Driver: Min Woo Lee's Three Drives<\/b><small>Min Woo Lee \u00b7 6 min<\/small><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/video\/sergio-garcia-100-yard-wedge-52-or-58\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/BIC7TgJ_0QY\/mqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\"><span><b>Sergio Garcia's 100-yard wedge shot: 52\u00b0 or 58\u00b0?<\/b><small>Sergio Garcia \u00b7 14 min<\/small><\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/video\/celine-boutier-playing-lesson-course-strategy\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/UvDuEe9_MqY\/mqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"320\" height=\"180\"><span><b>C\u00e9line Boutier's Course Management, from the Tee to the Green<\/b><small>C\u00e9line Boutier \u00b7 22 min<\/small><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<p>To develop your hole-by-hole game plan, go through all <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/topic\/course-management\/\">video lessons on course management<\/a>, or sign up for the free program <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/programs\/drive-better\/\">Drive the Ball Better in 7 Steps<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The paragraph also serves as a reference for <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/stableford\/\">Counting Points in Stableford<\/a> and for <a href=\"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/handicap-index-calculation\/\">calculate your handicap<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions About Par in Golf<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bgt-faq\">\n<details>\n<summary>What does \u201cfaire le par\u201d mean?<\/summary>\n<p>It means finishing the hole in exactly the number of strokes expected: 3 strokes on a par-3, 4 on a par-4, and 5 on a par-5.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Why does he count it as two putts?<\/summary>\n<p>Because it's generally considered that a good player, once on the green, finishes the hole in two putts. A single putt saves a stroke off par.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What is the most common par for an 18-hole course?<\/summary>\n<p>A par-72 course, typically with 4 par-3s, 10 par-4s, and 4 par-5s. Many courses are also par-70 or par-71.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Can the par for the same hole change?<\/summary>\n<p>Yes. Some holes are classified differently depending on the tee: a par 5 for women may be a par 4 from the men's tees. The par for each tee is indicated on the scorecard.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What par means in golf: typical yardages for par 3, par 4 and par 5 holes, course par, scoring terms (birdie, bogey) and how to play each hole.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2744"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2757,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2744\/revisions\/2757"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2720"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}