text: what does sub-par mean?   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.