[Jeff_Mingay]

I think I, myself, may have started a similar thread a year or more ago. Regardless, I'd like to hear about some strategic par 3s?

On several occasions in the past, I've cited the 8th at St. George's (Thompson) as one.

Where are others?

(We've got something interesting panning out presenting on the 12th -- 240 yards from the back tee -- at Blackhawk GC.)

[T_MacWood]

There are the par-3's that give a clear choice off the tee like the 16th at Cypress Point. What about the par-3s with large complex greens, like the 17th at Oakland Hills or the 2nd at Prarie Dunes, that force you to choose the correct quadrant or else?

[aclayman]

A recent post mentioned the par 3's at Pinion hills and how the several tee options really added to the optimal use of everything. The green the surrounds the wind.
More options equals more chance of hitting on perfection.

[JSS]

Every par 3 at Shinnecock.

[LeeH]

Tom,

"that force you to choose the correct quadrant or else?"

is this the essence of strategy ? I always thought that this kind of thing means you have only one option and thus there is no strategy? Im only asking respectfully, not arguing :-)

I thought a strategic par 3 would be one where you can actually choose to lay up or play the hole in a way other than hitting the green. If its just a case of hitting a certain area of a green then isnt every par 3 thats not flat in some way strategic?

[T_MacWood]

In the case of the two holes I mentioned the strategy is formed by the severity of the green and the angles of those severe slopes. These greens are unique in the complexity of their slopes. Is the Redan like any other green that is not flat?

The choice comes in what type of shot you choose to play a high approach, a low approach, fade, draw, etc.. Are you going to use the slope as a back-stop, are you going run a lower shot up the slope, are you going to attempt to use the slope to feed the ball into a certain area, are you going attempt take out the slopes with a high direct approach, are you going to choose to play away form the pin & hazzards and take your chance with a very difficult two putt? Risk, reward and choosing point A, B or C are what is normally associated with strategy in a 2-D world, in this case you must also choose the type of shot or trajectory is best suited to getting the ball into the area you choose. I'm not sure these types of complex 3-D features translate well on a video game.

[jglenn]

Every par 3 in Scotland.

For the most part, because of the ground game.

[John_Conley]

I like par 3s with an angular green.  The green can be large, but you need to match the distance and line or you'll find trouble.

#8 at Rolling Oaks get my vote for the best par 3 in Florida.

[LeeH]

Tom,
OK. I didnt read that intent in your original post, I read into it that you meant aiming for a specific section of green or else you have little chance.
I totally agree about the run up thing and the backstops and various other trajectory based options - I dont think I mentioned videa games anywhere? but in any case, the ones I play do indeed utilise this very well since they are 3D and you do have to play different trajectory shots depending on the circumstance and conditions / firmness of the terrain.
But I do play real golf too. Just very badly :-)

[Laun M]

6th at West Sussex is a good example of a lay up stategic par 3 - go for the green over water (which I think is out-of-bounds) or lay up to the right and pitch to the green.

5th at Worlington is not (deliberately, at least) a lay up but requires much strategic thought - mainly deciding where the best place is to miss it.

[George Pazin]

John Conley -

What do you like about Rolling Oaks #8?

The only time I played it was in 97 & I was even more of a hack then than I am now, but I didn't find it very interesting. Just another par 3 with a pretty pond in front. I don't intend this to be mean, I'm just wondering if I missed something.

[John_Conley]

Mr. Pazin:

Oh my!  Start with the scenic view that you mentioned, not a prereq for a great hole, but it is what takes a very good hole over the top.  It gives you a preview of the 9th, 10th, and 18th that you'll be playing later.  The view really sets the stage.

But we've got a hole to play first...  The brook angle matches the green and causes you to decide if you are playing to the "front lobe" or "back lobe" when choosing your club.  This effectively makes the green play half as large as its square footage.  Pin in back?  Your line is further left than if you are aiming for the front lobe, although that is an option if you want to putt back to it.  Pin up front?  You've got a small target area and the stuff in back isn't really part of the hole.

I usually don't like holes that don't give you a bail out area, but this one works here.  It is very hard to get up and down if you cheat away from the brook and aim long right.

Toss in any wind here and it gives you a new set of issues, since the elevated tee won't allow anyone to "keep it out of the wind".

I use this as an example of how a modest angular green with properly placed hazards can make a tough hole without length.

For more on same topic, see my post on #5 at Southern Dunes whose green uses the same concept.

The first par 3 on the back 9 at Great Waters is one I'd describe as just a par 3 with a lake in front.

[George Pazin]

John -

I checked your bio, & while I am indeed your elder, you can still just call me George. :-)

When I played at Rolling Oaks, I was pretty much a beginner, so I guess I don't remember it well. I don't remember the green being angled at all. Still, this hole has a little bit too much "Hit & hope" for my tastes. I seem to recall a par 3 on the back nine - maybe the 13th? - that was a shot across a waste area of sorts that offered more options. I think it was angled short left to long right, and it sloped off behind the green. Then again, I could be remembering this totally wrong.

I liked your description of Southern Dunes #5 & it does indeed sound interesting. I used to travel to Orlando twice a year on business, & I'm sorry I never got the chance to check out the course.

[Mike Erdmann]

 http://www.viser.net/~mike/BD12.jpg

I think that Bandon Dunes #12 is one of the most strategic par 3's I can recall seeing.  That one sod-faced bunker right smack in the front of the green forces you to think strategically about how you're going to play the hole.  It's very much like the Road Hole 17th at the Old Course.  As you can see from the photo, the green is pretty deep on the right side, but VERY shallow on the left, with a 75 foot drop to the beach beyond the green.  When the pin is set to the left or middle of the green, strategy really comes into play.  Sometimes the safest option is to play short left of the green and pitch or chip up to the hole, just to avoid having the bunker come into play.  That bunker really gets into your head and forces you to think about different options, and I think it makes it a great hole.

[aclayman]

John- It is an interesting point that you have touched on. I find the 8th at WWRO a beautiful hole and I like the use of the rocks as a land bridge, but I also know others, who I respect on this site, who abhore the use of rocks anywhere near a green.

[Mike O'Neill]

Jeff,

The 17th at Bayside in Nebraska favors the run up by far over the aerial shot, at least on the west side of the green. I am premature in mentioning the hole because it isn't open just yet. But it is one I am looking forward to playing. The green has three sections really with a slope behind to help feed the long ball back toward the green. A small "canyon" with bunkers cut into its face guards the front left (west side) of the green, but the front right is designed to take a punch shot and feed it into the green. Just how hard you punch it determines if you find the correct section of the green. I think it is playing at less than 130 yards mostly down wind too. But I don't know the exact length. If you happen to find a section of the green without the pin, you will no doubt have a wild ride on your birdie putt. Wild and fun.

As with any golf course, you can also always just fire at the pin. Don't be short however.  

[JamieS]

I'll nominate the 10th at Pine Valley. For first-timers playing PVGC, you know they are thinking about that hole before they even tee it up. All the talk about the Devil's A#&%hole...the hype and the buildup, get golfers thinking more than they should about a shot of usually 125-140 yards. The "pit" is located to the right center, short of the green, visible from the tee, and must be avoided at all costs. The green is plenty large enough to accept a less than perfect shot...but the "strategy" is placed directly in your line of sight and also between your ears...not the best place for many golfers.

[John_Beaumont]

7th at Hoylake - but not now that they've taken the out of bounds away.  And i bet they won't bring it back when Hoylake gets its promised Open, the pampered pros wouldn't stand for that

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