4 reasons par exists in disc golf

Let’s get this out of the way right from the get-go …

Here’s how the PDGA defines “par” in disc golf:

“Par is the score that an expert disc golfer would be expected to make on a given hole with errorless play under ordinary weather conditions.”

That’s fine and all, but what’s the big deal with par? At the end of the day, it’s strokes that matter. Everyone can count: Jot ‘em down, add ‘em up, turn ‘em in and presto – that was easy. Though painfully basic, why even flirt with adding more math to something that doesn’t require it?

If you’ve asked these questions, breathe easy …

The following are four answers:

1. It’s a measuring stick of sorts

This is the best reason.

The other three are all derived from it.

Par serves as a personal measuring stick of sorts for disc golfers to compare their play to what a clean, mistake-free round would look like. If yours is a mentality that prefers competing against the course, rather than the rest of the field, assuming it’s set correctly, par means a great deal.

Also, if you’ve never thrown a track before, par provides an instant idea of where your game needs to be to achieve a middle-of-the-pack result – in theory. Furthermore, with previous years’ scores recorded on the PDGA website, it can also give you the inside scoop on what’s needed to take home the top prize at a tournament you’re planning on playing in, even if you’re new to it.

That’s value.

2. It’s helpful for tournament directors

Deuce-or-die disc golf is …

Meh.

For fans, well-set pars give off an appearance of professionalism. As such, it’s no wonder tournament directors (TDs) are obsessed with making sure they cement theirs properly.

Additionally, for detail-obsessed TDs seeking to improve their events year after year, relative to par, scoring anomalies give them an idea of where changes need to be made in the future. Was a crazy low or obscenely high score on a select few holes merely a one-off issue or a trend?

Par tells them – and quickly.

3. It’s great for building out a game plan

Again, the fewest throws wins …

Duh.

For the Pro Tour, though par isn’t an ideal score, it helps make that happen. For example, if there’s a hole that doesn’t favor a particular player’s game, par gives him (or her) a target score to minimize damage and move on. The inverse of that is true, too. During practice rounds, with the majority of the field purportedly playing at (or near) par, knowing when to attack is a cinch.

Inside the mind of a touring pro:

“This is where I’ll lose strokes; I’ll play for par. This is where I’ll gain them; I’ll get aggressive.”

Nuff said.

4. It’s capable of maintaining spectator interest

I’m a disc golf fan.

I can’t imagine watching the pros play without par.

It’d be torture.

For starters, with the Disc Golf Network showing me hole-by-hole pars during coverage, I’m able to better track my favorite players’ big-picture performances, as they rarely share a card.

Similarly, let’s say I’m NOT sitting in front of my television to watch some Pro Tour action. Using UDisc Live, when viewed through the lens of par, based solely on the numbers in front of me, I’m able to see who devoured a hole or had the hole devour them – this is awesome stuff.

Being a fan is one thing, but how about those poor commentators? With fewer (and smaller) numbers to deal with, delivering a better on-air product is a much simpler task, as there’s virtually no number-crunching, allowing the in-booth guys to more naturally speak.

Love you, Ian Anderson.

It pains me to say this …

Ball golf got par right.

Disc golf is wise to follow suit.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• The Bi-Moto method: The strangest putt in disc golf
• Yes, par-twos are PDGA-legal (and why you don’t see them)
• Disc golf myth: What happens when your disc hits someone’s bag?

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