What is a par in golf?

Definition

The standard number of strokes that a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or course under normal playing conditions, serving as the benchmark for scoring and handicap calculations. Par is determined by hole length and design difficulty, with par-3 holes typically under 250 yards, par-4 holes between 250-470 yards, and par-5 holes over 470 yards. Course par usually totals 70-72 strokes for 18 holes, though it can vary based on course design and difficulty. Par provides the universal standard for comparing golf performance across different courses and serves as the foundation for all golf scoring systems and handicap calculations.