[Msrwbdas]

We are all concerned with "par". It is how we measure a course (par 70, par 72) our holes (par 3, 4, 5 even 6) our success (2 under par, 10 over par) and how we understand where our heroes stand during a tournament.

We use it all the time but does it have any real value?

At my home course we have a hole, the number 1 handicap hole, that is of moderate length (just under 400 yards) but is a dogleg and the green is fronted by a pond. It is a hard hole for most players and extremely difficult for most women. There has been discussion about changing the par on this hole from 4 to five for the women and they are outraged.

With the exception of being able to know the relative score of competitors DURING A ROUND, I find par to be, essentially, meaningless.

Whether par on a hole is 3, 4, or 5 does not matter; what matters is what you score. If you score 4, you score 4 regardless of whether it is considered a bogey, par or birdie.

Is there a reason we are so consumed with PAR?