In golf, "par" represents the number of strokes that an expert golfer is expected to take to complete a hole or a course. Each hole has its own par value, typically ranging from three to five strokes for standard holes. Golfers aim to complete the hole in par or under par to demonstrate skill. Achieving a score below par indicates better performance, while exceeding par shows the need for improvement. Understanding par is crucial for golfers to gauge their performance against standard expectations.