Golf Scoring

[Boyder]

I learned something new yesterday watching the Golf Channel ... that in the beginning of the game, the Scots did not have "par". Instead the game was played and what ever the lowest score was won - period. I know that basically we play the game the same way now, but I find it interesting that on the mental side of the game it could be much less stressful if par was taken off the table, at least for high handicappers like myself.
I know that when I play with my brother-in-law most weekends, we play more of a match-play format instead of stroke play just because we find that to be more fun.
Just interested in your thoughts if you think you have more fun/less stress playing golf when you're not worried about "par" and simply shoot for the fewest strokes, or any of the other "games" or formats played (match play, best-ball, etc.).

[GDWindowpane]

But then we couldn't argue about how many strokes we were getting/giving...

My brother, who only plays maybe once a year has the same mentality, he doesn't want to get strokes. His thought, if I can't beat you straight up then you should win. I enjoy the handicap system.

[msd3075]

But then we couldn't argue about how many strokes we were getting/giving...

Getting strokes wouldn't be changed if par was taken out. You could still handicap the holes without having a par set for each hole. The handicap system doesn't even taken par into account; it's all based off the Course Rating and Slope, two things that don't even take par into consideration.

[iacas]

I can't really comment (you said for the higher handicapper). I like par. It's an intrinsic means of measuring your ability against the course and against other players.

[Meddle]

Being a higher handicapper, I play with bogey as my goal for each hole, and think of myself as "one over bogey" or "one under bogey", etc. That helps keep the pressure off and makes me feel more confident in how I am doing, versus measuring myself against par.
Setting a standard for each hole on the course makes golf more focused, I think. It makes me think of golf one hole at a time and focus my attention on beating par (or bogey) for that hole, rather than focusing on one giant score at the end of the round. To me that is more daunting, and I think I would have trouble giving each hole my full attention.

[B-Con]

Being a higher handicapper, I play with bogey as my goal for each hole, and think of myself as "one over bogey" or "one under bogey", etc. That helps keep the pressure off and makes me feel more confident in how I am doing, versus measuring myself against par.

More or less, same here. I aim for par off the tee, but the moment par doesn't look realistic I consider my personal standard to be bogey, just so that I don't find myself over-muscling shots or losing my concentration in a desperate attempt to save par. If I could play consistent bogey golf, my handiap would be much lower.

That said, I prefer using par as my scoring standard. I'm not very interested in how I compare to others, I'm interested in how I compare to the "perfect" player.

[ET-Taylor]

Probably par as if you go for bogey you get double ur reasonably happy and double bogeys aren't what I want

[sean_miller]

More or less, same here. I aim for par off the tee, but the moment par doesn't look realistic I consider my personal standard to be bogey, just so that I don't find myself over-muscling shots or losing my concentration in a desperate attempt to save par. If I could play consistent bogey golf, my handiap would be much lower.

Keep in mind the "perfect player" would be at least 18 under par for 18 holes.

I use the whole scorecard (par and handicap rating of the individual holes, strings of easy or hard holes, etc) to get an idea of when to attack and when to play safe. A blowup hole followed by another tough hole can really get you off the rails. There are some tough holes where a bogey is my par before the round starts, just in case the wheels have fallen off. Sometimes, mid-round I project where I'll finish relative to par, at my current strokes per hole pace, then I try to beat that score. That may be why I typically play better on the back nine - when I limit the meltdowns.

[Fourputt]

For me, par is the target when I'm on the tee box. But par becomes adjustable after I see the results of the tee shot. If par is no longer a reasonable number at that point, then I play the next shot with the new number as my goal. That doesn't always mean that I've ruled out making par, but I does mean that I've set a goal to minimize the damage as best I can.

By the same token, an exceptional tee shot may allow me adjust my target from par to birdie.

[right handed phil mickelson]

Since par was put into the vocabulary of the game of golf, it has formed into a sport where you can play by yourself. Par allows a player to play against the course, and not just against other people. This ability has broadened golf to many more players.

I myself prefer referring to par. When I try and play to beat another person, I end up not playing to the best of my abilities (usually depending on the person, and how they're playing that particular day). When I relate my scores relative to par, I find that I can think a lot more about the shots and focus a little more on my own game, rather then trying to beat someone else.

[Boyder]

Since par was put into the vocabulary of the game of golf, it has formed into a sport where you can play by yourself. Par allows a player to play against the course, and not just against other people. This ability has broadened golf to many more players. .......

I still play by myself often ... if I shoot a 101 one day, I strive to shoot lower the next. It's just a number to me to shoot for.

I'm in no way saying we should eliminate Par - I just found it interesting that par was not part of the original game. Makes for an interesting discussion either way ....

[B-Con]

Keep in mind the "perfect player" would be at least 18 under par for 18 holes.

Good point, par is more of a reflection of a good player who doesn't make any sizeable mistakes (ie, always hits X yards with Y degrees of accuracy) rather than a "perfect" player. But still, I'd rather use that as a standard than my handicap compared to someone else's. My handicap is just a measure of how many mistakes per round I make.

[Mr Eagle]

I still play by myself often ... if I shoot a 101 one day, I strive to shoot lower the next. It's just a number to me to shoot for.

The origional form of golf as you say was a matchplay format and for me is still the most enjoyable way to play the game.Its competetive nature makes for interesting decisions while on the course.When your up you are trying to force your opponent into going for it,when your down you have to risk it more often to try and get back level.You can only but improve your overall game when playing matchplay,you attempt shots you would not normally Who cares what PAR is ? Its just a number,bragging rights in the 19th is what its all about and 4 and 3 sounds better to me (whilst necking my third pint) than I shot 16 over. On another point ,the pro games best tournaments,the best TV ect are all matchplay. Theres not a better specticle than the Ryder cup, is there?