What does “par” mean in golf and how is it determined?

[ethanpowell]

I often hear the term “par” when watching or playing golf, but I’m not fully sure how it’s calculated. What exactly does par represent for a hole or a course? Also, how do course designers decide whether a hole is par 3, par 4, or par 5?

 

[danielfoster]

In golf, "par" refers to the number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to take to finish a hole or an entire course. This number is primarily based on the length and difficulty of each hole. Typically, shorter holes are designated as par 3, medium-length holes as par 4, and the longer ones as par 5. Par serves as a benchmark for players to gauge their performance throughout a round.

 

[michaelross]

In golf, "par" refers to the number of strokes that a skilled golfer is expected to take to finish a hole. This number is primarily based on the hole's length and its level of difficulty. Typically, holes are categorized as par 3, par 4, or par 5.