History of Par in Golf – From Its Roots to Today

If you’ve ever wondered why a "par" score feels like a benchmark in golf, you’re not alone. Par isn't just a number; it’s a piece of golf history that tells the story of how the game has changed. In this tag page we’ll walk through where the term came from, how it’s been used over the years, and why it still matters to every player, from beginners to pros.

Where the Word "Par" Started

Back in the 19th century, British golfers needed a way to compare holes of different lengths. The first recorded use of "par" was in the 1880s at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews. They set a standard number of strokes that an expert golfer should need to finish a hole. That number became the "par" – a goal, not a punishment.

Early course designers like Old Tom Morris would assign a par based on how far the green lay from the tee and the terrain. A short, flat hole might be a par‑3, while a long, hilly one could be a par‑5. These early standards helped shape the way courses are built today.

How Par Evolved Into a Scoring System

As golf spread to America, the United States Golf Association (USGA) adopted the British system but added its own tweaks. By the 1930s, the term "par" was officially used in scorecards, making it easy for players to see how they performed against the benchmark.

The real twist came when players started naming scores that were better than par. In 1899, a golfer named John “Willie” Anderson shot a 1 under on a hole and someone shouted, "That's a birdie!" The name stuck, and soon you got "eagle" for 2 under and "albatross" for 3 under. Our tag includes an article titled "Why Is It Called a Birdie in Golf?" that dives deep into that quirky naming history.

Today, par isn't just a number on a card – it’s a baseline for strategy. Professionals plan their shots around reaching par, while amateurs use it to measure improvement. Knowing the history helps you appreciate why a par‑4 might feel easier or harder depending on the course design.Beyond golf, the idea of a standard benchmark shows up in other sports too. In tennis, for instance, a player aims for a "set point" as a target, similar to how golfers aim for par. This cross‑sport thinking shows how a simple concept can shape competition.

So next time you step up to the tee, remember that you're not just playing a game – you're part of a tradition that started over a century ago. Understanding the history of par gives you a richer perspective and maybe even a little edge on the course.