Par 3 vs Par 4 vs Par 5
The difference between a par 3, a par 4 and a par 5 comes down to length and how many shots a good player needs to reach the green: one, two or three. Each one then allows two putts.
That simple difference changes how you play the hole, which club you start with, and where the trouble usually hides.
The three hole types side by side
| Par 3 | Par 4 | Par 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shots to reach the green | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Rough men's length | Up to about 250 yds | About 250 to 470 yds | About 470 yds and over |
| Usual tee club | Iron or hybrid | Driver or fairway wood | Driver |
| Typical number on 18 holes | 4 | 10 | 4 |
| Birdie score | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Lengths are rough guides. Women's and junior tees are shorter, and the exact numbers vary by course and by the golf body setting the par. If you want the background on how par is decided, see what is par in golf?
Par 3s: one shot to hit
A par 3 is the shortest hole on the course. The idea is to hit the green with your tee shot, then two-putt.
- What matters: one good iron shot. Picking the right club for the distance, and the wind, is most of the battle.
- Where the trouble is: around the green. Par 3s often have bunkers, water or steep slopes right next to the putting surface, because there's no long fairway to defend.
- Scoring: a birdie is a 2, which needs a good tee shot and a holed putt. Par 3s are also where nearly all holes in one happen.
For a step-by-step approach, read how to hit a tee shot on a par 3.
Par 4s: the backbone of the course
Par 4s make up most of a typical course. You're expected to hit a tee shot into the fairway, then an approach shot onto the green.
- What matters: a tee shot that sets up a clear second shot, and an accurate approach.
- Where the trouble is: along the fairway. Bunkers catch drives, trees line the sides, and doglegs bend the hole so you can't see the green from the tee.
- Scoring: short par 4s can be reached in one by long hitters, but for most players a par is a good result and a bogey is common.
Par 5s: three shots and a choice
Par 5s are the longest holes. Most golfers need three shots to reach the green.
- What matters: decision-making. Strong players can try to reach the green in two, which brings eagle into play. Everyone else can lay up to a comfortable distance and hit a wedge in.
- Where the trouble is: spread along the length of the hole, often with a hazard placed to catch players who go for the green in two.
- Scoring: for good golfers, par 5s are the easiest holes to birdie, because a short third shot can be hit close. For beginners, a 6 is often a fine score.
Par 6s and par 7s
A few courses have a par 6, and a tiny number have a par 7. They're unusual, very long holes, and most golfers will never play one.
How to play each one better
- Par 3: take enough club to reach the middle of the green. Short is usually where the trouble is.
- Par 4: keep the tee shot in play first, distance second. A shot from the fairway is worth more than 20 extra yards in the rough.
- Par 5: plan backwards. Decide which distance you like for your third shot and lay up to it.
Par 3s and par 4s in Mashy
Mashy is a pitch and putt game, so it only has par 3s and par 4s, and no par 5s. On a par 3, you'll pick an iron and aim for the green. On a par 4, like the doglegs at Dogleg Downs, you'll place the tee shot to open up the green for your second. With clubs from a 7 iron (150 yards) down to a lob wedge, choosing the right one for each shot is a big part of the game.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a par 3 hole?
Most par 3s for adult men are somewhere between about 100 and 250 yards, and women's tees are usually shorter. The defining feature is that a good player should reach the green with the tee shot, so the length depends on the course and the tees you play from.
How many par 3s, par 4s and par 5s are on a golf course?
A common 18-hole par 72 layout has four par 3s, ten par 4s and four par 5s. Many courses vary this, for example a par 70 might have two par 5s and twelve par 4s, so check the scorecard before you play.
Is a par 5 harder than a par 4?
Not usually for good players, who often find par 5s the easiest holes to birdie because the third shot is short. For beginners, par 5s can feel harder simply because there are more shots, and so more chances for one to go wrong.
What is a drivable par 4?
A drivable par 4 is a short par 4 where a long hitter can reach the green with the tee shot. It gives a chance of an eagle, but the green is usually well protected, so going for it carries real risk.
Can a par 3 have a dogleg?
It's very rare. Because a par 3 is designed to be played with one shot onto the green, the hole is almost always a straight line from tee to green. Doglegs, where the fairway bends, are found on par 4s and par 5s.