Newcomers to the golf course are often lost when they hear their partner say the incomprehensible word “par. Why is a hole in golf marked “par-3” or “par-4” when you can just have fun?
Later, as the player gains experience, he discovers the exciting world of amateur matches. In some cases, younger members get a chance to gauge their progress by taking part in a local tournament. When playing on the scoresheet, a quick understanding of how a particular hole in the course is rated can serve a player well: Referees are human beings who make mistakes and may hesitate to play their favorite. Finally, in golf, the right hole, correctly assessed by par, tells you which club to use to hit the ball as accurately as possible.
The term “par” refers to the approximate number of strokes that must be taken before a hole in the golf course is covered by the ball. Based on the distance from the tee to the green, the number of strokes over the hole is calculated as follows:
Par-3 – the distance is less than 225 meters, the standard number of strokes is three;
Par-4 – the distance is 225 – 434 meters, the number of strokes – four;
Par-5 – distance over 435 meters, number of strokes – five.
As an exception, there are also 6-par holes for super-professionals located at a distance of 595 meters from the tee and beyond.
Sometimes, based on golfing experience, a hole may receive a par higher than the distance prescribed, as the presence of serious obstacles nearby makes it very difficult for the player.
The score for a round is based on the number of strokes. The standard answer to the question of how many holes are in golf and what the total par of the course is, assumes 18 holes, which includes ten 4-par holes and four 3-par and 5-par holes each. The total combined par of a standard course is 72 strokes. In fact, each club decides for itself, how many holes to have golf, guided by the available opportunities. The only requirement is that the number of holes must be a multiple of nine.
Depending on the qualifications of the golfer, a hole in the course may be hit by more or fewer strokes than the par. In such cases, the stroke count is given with a plus or minus sign. Regular attendance at the golf club opens the door to mastery: an experienced player will have no trouble getting through a five-par hole with three accurately calculated strokes.