Par (golf scoring format)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the scoring system "Par", that is used in club golf as an alternative to Stableford and normal stroke play. The Par (score) page provides a general definition of par on a golf hole.

Par is a scoring system used mostly in amateur and club golf. It involves scoring (+1, 0, -1) based on results at each hole. The objective is to have the highest positive score.

[edit] Scoring

Before play starts, players should adjust the pars on the course to their respective handicap, using the Index.

For every hole:

• +1 - One or more strokes under the handicap-adjusted par.
• 0 - Equal to the handicap-adjusted par.
• -1 - One or more strokes over the handicap-adjusted par.

At the completion of the round, the scores for each hole are added up to produce a final score.

[edit] Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantage of Par is that a few bad holes would not completely ruin the whole round. Par is also a short-term resolution to slow-play, because once the player cannot play to their adjusted par, they can pick up their ball. Par can also restrict scores of the field to within a smaller range.

The Par format's main disadvantage is that there is no reward for a handicap-adjusted eagle (or even better).