<P> In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes that a scratch (or 0 handicap) golfer should require to complete a hole, a round (the sum of the pars of the played holes), or a tournament (the sum of the pars of each round). Pars are the central component of stroke play, the most common kind of play in professional golf tournaments . The term is also used in golf - like sports such as disc golf, with the same meaning . </P> <P> The length of each hole from the tee placement to the pin mostly determines par values for each hole . Almost invariably, holes are assigned par values between three and five strokes . For a casual player from the middle tees, a par - three hole will be 100--250 yards (90--230 m) from the tee to the pin . Par - four holes are 250--470 yards (230--430 m), but tournament players will often encounter par - four holes 500 yards (460 m) or more, as it is common for short par - five holes for normal play to be turned into par - four holes in championship play . Par - five holes are typically 470--600 yards (430--550 m), but in the modern game holes of over 600 yards are becoming more common in championship play . Other relevant factors in setting the par for the hole include the terrain and obstacles (such as trees, water hazards, hills, or buildings) that may require a golfer to take more (or fewer) shots . Some golf courses feature par - sixes and, very rarely, par - sevens, but the latter are not recognised by the United States Golf Association . </P> <P> Typical championship golf courses have par values of 72, comprising four par - threes, ten par - fours, and four par - fives . Championship course par can be as high as 73 to as low as 69 . Most 18 - hole courses not designed for championships have a par close to 72, but some will be lower . Courses with par above 73 are rare . Courses built on relatively small parcels of land will often be designed as "Par - 3 Courses" in which every hole (or almost every hole) is a par - three (for a total par of 54 or slightly higher over 18 holes). </P>

Who sets the par on a golf course