Last updated: 4 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
PAR (Point-a-Rally) scoring replaced the traditional hand-in/hand-out squash scoring system. Under PAR, every rally scores a point — there is no advantage to serving. Games are played to 11 points (winning by 2; deuce from 10-10). PAR was adopted by the PSA (Professional Squash Association) in 2004 and is now standard at all levels globally. It speeds up games, makes scores easier to follow and eliminates the tactical serving-conserving play that characterised the old system.
- Every rally scores regardless of server
- Games to 11, win by 2
- Adopted by PSA in 2004
- Faster games; more TV-friendly
In practice
Par — the expected number of strokes a skilled golfer should need to complete a hole — gives every golfer a consistent reference point regardless of absolute scoring ability, which is why golf scoring is almost always discussed relative to par (birdie, bogey, even par) rather than in raw total strokes, making performance comparable across wildly different course difficulties.
FAQ
What determines whether a hole is a par 3, 4 or 5?
Primarily the hole's length, with course designers assigning par based on how many strokes (including putts) a skilled golfer is expected to need to reach and complete the hole.
Why is golf scored relative to par rather than total strokes?
Scoring relative to par standardizes comparison across holes and courses of different difficulty and length, letting a golfer's performance be meaningfully compared regardless of the specific course played.