What does par mean in golf Meaning and Definition
What does par mean in golf
Pronunciation
/ˈpɑr/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
In golf, “par” refers to the predicted number of strokes a skilled golfer should take to complete a hole or round. It is a standard measure of the difficulty of a course.
Examples
- The golfer’s goal was to achieve par on the entire course.
- The par-three hole proved to be a challenge for beginners.
Synonyms
- Target score
- Standard score
Antonyms
- Bogey
- Triple bogey
Etymology
The word “par” originated from the French word “par”, meaning “comparable” or “equal”, and was adopted into English in the context of golf.
Usage Notes
In golf, par is typically used in reference to a specific course or hole, but it can also be used more generally to describe a golfer’s performance.
Cultural References
CNN Sports Illustrated has used “par” in various headlines and articles to describe golfers’ performances and the difficulty of certain courses.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- “Beat the par” – to complete a hole or hole-in-one
- “Go over par” – to exceed the predicted number of strokes
Related Words or Phrases
- Score
- Hole-in-one
- Birdie
Collocations
- Par for the course
- Par a single digit
Frequency of Use
The frequency of use for “par” is moderate, particularly in the context of golf and sports journalism.
Common Misspellings
par, pare, pare, pare