How Many Strokes Should a Beginner Take per Hole?
Photo by Freddie Collins on Unsplash New golfers often set themselves up for disappointment by expecting to score near par when they first take up the game. Managing expectations correctly makes the beginning of your golf journey far more enjoyable. Here's what you should actually expect from your scores as a beginner — and what realistic progress looks like over time. What Par Means (And Why You Shouldn't Target It Yet) Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to take on a given hole, accounting for two putts once on the green. A par-4 expects the expert to reach the green in two shots and take two putts. A par-3 expects one shot to the green plus two putts. Par for an 18-hole course typically runs 70–72 total strokes. Shooting par requires a combination of consistent ball striking, accurate short game, and reliable putting that takes most golfers years to develop. As a beginner, par is not your target. Double bogey (2 over par per hole) is a healthy init...
