The Rules of Handicapping feature par as a factor in the calculation of:
Net par (for hole(s) not played)
Net double bogey (maximum hole score for handicap purposes)
Course Handicap which includes a Course Rating–par adjustment (FOR ALL ASSOCIATIONS THAT HAVE SELECTED TO INCLUDE COURSE RATING–PAR)
It is important that an accurate parbe established for each hole on a golf course for both men and women, and these values should be printed alongside each hole on the scorecard.It is recommended that par be established for each hole in accordance with the following hole lengths: Note: These guidelines assume an altitude less than 2,000 feet/610 metres above sea level.
Par reflects the score a scratch player is expected to score on a given hole and may be allocated depending on the playing difficulty of the hole, including any effective length correction factors, for example, elevation changes, forced lay-ups and prevalent wind.
Where a hole length falls within two parranges, for example 470 yards (men) or 400 yards (women), the par may be allocated as 4 or 5 depending on the difficulty of the hole.
Where a hole length falls within two parranges, it may be appropriate to designate parrelative to the way the hole was designed to be played. For example, if the hole lengths from all sets of tees on a specific hole lie within the recommended par4 range for men, with the exception of the forward tee at 250 yards, this hole can still be designated as a par4 hole due the way the hole is designed to be played.
