text: if you don't know, "par" is a golfing term. It is the approximate "rating" of difficulty for each hole. Only better golfers actually "make par" regularly. When a golfer shoots below par, that is EXCELLENT! Only the very best players can do that regularly. Somehow, the meaning or the words "sub-par" or "below par" as used outside of the game of golf, have become unfavorable, anything but excellent! Par doesn't really mean "normal" or "average". It is more of a target to try for. If your effort doesn't measure up to that "target", you effort is sub-par.