Par (score)
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In golf, a par is a predetermined number of strokes that a golfer should require to complete a hole, a round (the sum of the total pars of the played holes, also called the course rating), or a tournament (the sum of the total pars of each round). Pars are the central component of stroke play, the most common kind of play in professional golf tournaments.
Par values for each hole are determined primarily, though not exclusively, by the length of each hole from the tee placement to the pin. Traditionally, holes are assigned par values between three and five strokes. An average par-three hole will range between 100 to 250 yards from the tee to the pin. Average par-four holes range between 251 and 475 yards. Average par-five holes are between 476 and 600 yards. Other considered factors include terrain and objects that may require a golfer to take fewer or more shots to overcome (such as trees, water, hills, or buildings). Some golf courses offer par-twos and par-sixes as well.
Typically, professional golf courses have par values of 72, with four par-threes, ten par-fours, and four par-fives.
Course and tournament scores
A golfer's score is determined by how many shots have been taken by the golfer relative to par. If a course has a par of 72 and a golfer takes 75 strokes to complete the course, the golfer's reported score is +3, or "three-over-par". This means that the golfer has taken three shots more than par to complete the course. If a golfer takes 70 strokes, their reported score is -2, or "two-under-par".Tournament scores are totaled by the golfer's score relative to par in each round (four in professional tournaments). If each of the four rounds of a tournament has a par of 72, the tournament par would be 288 and the golfer's score would be recorded relative to the tournament par. For example, a golfer could record a 70 in the first round, a 72 in the second round, a 73 in the third round, and a 69 in the fourth round. This would give the golfer a tournament score of 284, or four-under-par.
Hole scores
Scores on each hole are reported the same way that course scores are given. There are nicknames given to scores on holes ranging from four-under-par to five-over-par.Par: Even (E). The golfer has taken as many strokes as the hole's par number. In theory, pars are achieved by two putts, with the remaining shots being used to reach the green. For example, a par-five would take three shots to reach the green and two shots to putt the ball into the hole to achieve par. Unless conditions are favorable, most golfers will play for par on a hole.
Birdie: One-under-par (-1). These occur most commonly when a golfer's approach shot onto the green lands close enough to the pin that the golfer only requires one putt. The term originated during a game at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, NJ in either 1899 or 1903. In professional tournaments, golfers will play for a birdie if the conditions are not overly hazardous.
Eagle: Two-under-par (-2). A golfer most often plays very aggressively to obtain this score. Eagles most commonly occur on par-fives, when golfers with enough strength can drive to the green in two strokes rather than three. Some eagles result from well-placed approach shots that roll into the hole from outside the green. A hole-in-one on a par-three is an eagle.
Albatross: Three-under-par (-3). Also known as a double-eagle. These are very rare - even the longest-driving golfers can not realistically play for an albatross unless conditions are extremely favorable. They most likely occur on par-fives, with a strong drive and an approach that must hole in (usually from around 200 yards out). Par-four holes-in-one are albatrosses.
Condor: Four-under-par (-4). Also known as a triple-eagle. By far the rarest score in golf, this would require a hole-in-one on a par-five. The required distance alone makes this score physically impossible for almost all golfers. A condor has never been recorded in a professional tournament.
Bogey: One-over-par (+1). These usually result from poor shot selection that result in unpenalized hazards, such as the bunker or the rough, that require an additional stroke to put the ball back into reasonable play. They might also occur from an additional putt. Bogeys are relatively common in professional play, and one bogey is not usually damaging to a player's score.
Double-Bogey: Two-over-par (+2). Poor shot selection can result in double-bogeys. Sometimes, penalized hazards such as water and the out-of-bounds range, which add additional strokes, can contribute to a double-bogey. These might also occur on holes with very fast greens, when the golfer must make several dangerous putts.
Triple-Bogey: Three-over-par (+3). Poor shot and club selection, hazards (penalized or not), bad conditions, and extra putts usually contribute to this score. In professional tournaments, recovering from a triple-bogey is extremely difficult.
Quadruple-Bogey: Four-over-par (+4). These probably result from continuously poor shot selection that penalize a golfer while requiring a drop in an improbable place, such as the base of a cliff or the shoreline along the water. These can also occur from being consistently overly aggressive.
Quintuple-Bogey: Five-over-par (+5). Rare among the most skilled golfers. A golfer that records a quintuple-bogey is most likely playing on an extremely difficult hole anyway, but continued poor shot selection, impossible hazards and additional putts can contribute to this tournament-killing score.
Beyond +5, hole scores do not have nicknames and are simply read as they're scored. These nicknames are exclusive for hole scores and are not used to describe course and tournament scores.
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