| The vast majority of golf courses today have 18 | | | | essentially par is based on two of those strokes |
| holes as a staple of their golf course architecture. | | | | being putting strokes... three putts isn't good, and |
| There are however, a few courses still around | | | | one putting is the goal. |
| that have only nine holes... this usually comes | | | | If you stop and think about it for a moment and |
| about as a result of the budget available to build | | | | do the math, in a standard round of golf about |
| the course or the land available at the time the | | | | half of the strokes allocated, are allocated putts. |
| golf course architecture is laid out. | | | | So, if you have visited my website it's no wonder |
| In the beginning seaside golf course architecture | | | | why I put so much emphasis on practicing your |
| was referred to as links type golf courses. This is | | | | putting. |
| because these golf courses were the link | | | | Here's a quick tip then... if you want to |
| between the sea and the farmland. | | | | immediately start shaving strokes off of your golf |
| Most typical golf courses are between 5,000 and | | | | game, then practice your putting. Golf course |
| 7,000 yards long. Of course, there are still a few | | | | architecture is laid out to put a premium on |
| monster courses out there that are longer, but I | | | | putting... part three's equal one full swing and two |
| would suggest if you're just starting out that you | | | | putts... par fours equal two full swings and two |
| leave those types of courses to the better | | | | putts... par fives equal three full swings and two |
| players... or those monster mash type of fun golf | | | | putts. |
| outings. | | | | In the United States, most golf course |
| The architecture of golf courses are set up so | | | | architecture consists of total par being 72 strokes. |
| that every hole you play will either be par three, | | | | This consists of 10 par fours, four par threes, and |
| par four or a par 5. If you're thinking of a par | | | | four par fives. Having said this you of course can |
| two, you're thinking of miniature golf... and if you're | | | | find golf course architecture with total par being |
| thinking of a par six, well... there may be a few | | | | anywhere from 60 to 74... almost anything can |
| out there used as gimmicks as part of the golf | | | | go. |
| course architecture; but by and large they are | | | | So get out there and start improving your golf |
| rare. | | | | game and you'll soon not only be enjoying the |
| Par refers to the amount of strokes a reasonably | | | | game more but you'll also be gaining a greater |
| competent player should use in order to get the | | | | understanding and appreciation for the golf course |
| golf ball from the green to the inside of the cup. | | | | architecture. |
| The thing to keep in mind with par is that | | | | |