Mr. Short Game

How to Break Par... Sort Of

Most golfers put too much pressure on themselves by playing against traditional par. The “personal par” strategy gives you a smarter scoring target based on your actual game — so you can make better decisions, avoid blow-up holes, and start chasing your best scores with a clearer plan.

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The Big Idea: Stop Playing Standard Par

  • Most golfers get stuck thinking only in traditional par.
  • That creates pressure on every hole and often leads to poor decisions.
  • Instead, create a personal scoring system based on how you actually play.

Step 1: Define Your Personal Par

  • Look at your typical score — for example, 85.
  • That number becomes your new “par” for the round.
  • Your goal is no longer breaking 72. It’s beating your personal par.

Step 2: Rewrite the Scorecard

Once you know your personal par, mentally adjust the scorecard to match your game.

  • Add strokes to the holes that usually cause trouble.
  • Keep easier holes as scoring opportunities.
  • Turn hard par 4s into personal par 5s or 6s if needed.
  • Remove pressure from the holes that typically derail your round.

Step 3: Change How You Play Each Hole

When a difficult hole becomes a personal par 5 or 6, your strategy changes completely.

  • Choose safer tee shots instead of forcing driver.
  • Lay up when the smart play calls for it.
  • Aim for stress-free bogey or personal-par outcomes.
  • Stop chasing hero shots that usually lead to bigger numbers.

Step 4: Remove Traditional Par Pressure

  • There is no need to panic after one bad shot.
  • You are trying to beat your number, not the course’s number.
  • Better expectations lead to better decisions.
  • Fewer emotional swings usually means fewer blow-up holes.

Why This Works

  • Golf scoring is mental as much as technical.
  • Lower pressure creates more realistic course management.
  • You stop compounding mistakes after one bad swing.
  • You measure success against your own game.

Final Thought

Everyone’s “par” is different. The key is playing against your game, not the course rating. Once you start thinking this way, breaking your best scores becomes much more realistic.

Start tracking your average score, build your personal par system, and watch how quickly your mindset — and your scores — can change.