A par 3, or par-3 hole, is a hole that an expert golfer is expected to need only three strokes to complete. Par-3 holes are the shortest holes on the golf course, holes that are short enough that the golfer can try to hit the green with his tee shot. A hole's par always includes two putts, so a par 3 is one where the expert golfer is expected to hit the green in one stroke, then take two putts to get the ball into the hole.