What course has the best set of one shotters?

[Willie_Dow]

Before you make a final judgement on this question, read the chapter in Robert Hunter's book "The Links" on Laying Out the Course.
Take a good read of the footnote which mentions Kittansett.

Willie

[Jim_Coleman]

   Teeth of the Dog.  Three dramatic ocean holes of different lengths; a fun island (in the sand) green; and three different directions.

[Phil_the_Author]

Tilly made some interesting comments on this subject. He wrote, “I have always contended that no course is any greater than its one-shotters. Each par 3 here is a gem… To stand on the teeing ground of any of these and look out to the green is inspirational… It seems to say: ‘I am a grand golf hole and I know it as you will, too, in just another moment.’”

And what course was he speaking of when he wrote this?

[THuckaby2]

First of all, doesn't it suck that it's come to recycling 5.5 year old threads to get any interest in here?

 

But on topic, I'd say I concur with Geoffrey C - either Winged Foot course is tough to beat on this, particularly the West.  Only #10 is not the best of the set there.  

I'm surprised no one mentioned Cypress Point... too trite and obvious?  #3 is good at the very least... #7 is great... then each of #15 and #16 have been called best in the world at one time or another.  Rather nice drama building there as well.

TH

ps - Philip - was that Tillie quote about WF-West? Maybe SFGC?

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Merion..although perhaps too much emphasis on length with the obvious exception number 13..the extension of # 17 has made it a little too long in my opinion.

Pine Valley...the perfect blend of par threes, especially with the possible variability with tee and pin placements.

Western Gailes...the best par three collection of any links course I have ever played.

Cypress Point..although not an original addition there
And a surprise here...Texarkana CC
a TREMENDOUS..Redan at number 11...a good long 230, at # 3...a subtle water hazard at # 6...and one of the best "simple" par 3's I have ever played at # 13

[Phil_the_Author]

Tom,

He wrote that about Pinehurst #2. In the same writing he also stated, “These new greens are quite as fine as anyone could wish to play to or putt over.”

Considering what has become of these greens, I wonder if Tilly would have approved?

[THuckaby2]

Tom,

He wrote that about Pinehurst #2. In the same writing he also stated, “These new greens are quite as fine as anyone could wish to play to or putt over.”

Considering what has become of these greens, I wonder if Tilly would have approved?

Wow!  I obviously wouldn't have guessed that.  And I've never been there in person, but well... looking at it from afar, on TV, etc... I'm just having a hard time putting those par threes in league with the other greats mentioned on this thread.  But perhaps folks more familiar with #2 can set me straight.  Or is Tilly's comment valid during his lifetime but perhaps not now?  As for if he'd approve today.... I am shrugging...

Lots of questions, zero answers.

 
TH

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

Of those that I have played in no particular order...

Pine Valley (#1)
NGLA
WFW/WFE (Especially #17 East)
Harbour Town (Diversity & Difficulty)
Yale
HCEG (#13 is a personal favorite)
Round Hill in Greenwich, CT (Highly underated)
Westhampton
Chechessee

[John Shimp]

While the overall course is not as distinguished as most mentioned in this thread, the par 3's at Palmetto Golf Club in
Aiken are a real strong set.  #7 is short (150 yd range) with an extremely small, long thing, elevated green.  A miss is penal here. This hole is unique and used to be on a toughest 100 holes in the US list. #9 is long and uphill to a green that is well protected on the right side -- difficult mid to long iron shot. Overall pretty intimidating but not so much as #7.  #11 is a drop shot par 3 over water that is a short iron. The weakest of the 4, but still a nice hole as the green is redan like.  #16 is long (200+) to a green that verges on being too small for the required club.  Really tough hole to par that is sandwiched between some short par 4's.  It strengthens the finish of the course substantially.  

[Tony_Chapman]

Listen, I'm a dunce and I have played half the courses you guys have played but did I miss something at Wildhorse? Those short holes are fantastic.

#4 is a sweet reverse-Redan of about 175 yards. #9 has the coolest green surrounds and is about 150 (but will get longer with a new back tee). The short little 11th is fantastic and the long 13th is brutal on a hot summer day with a south wind in your face.

They all go a different direction and each troubles you in a different way. Great holes!

Also Huck: What about Pasatiempo?

[THuckaby2]

Tony:

My feeling here was we were trying to identify the absolute best of the best.. or at least I was.  Thus no mention of Wild Horse or Pasa or any other courses that have a complete set of strong par threes.

But if we are to extend it out more broadly, well each of those do belong... as does Sand Hills for that matter.... and a whole bunch of others.

They're just not gonna measure up to Winged Foot or Cypress (or Western Gailes - great call by Michael there), that's all.

TH

[Gerry B]

add the 3 one shotters at Myopia Hunt Club to the list:

#3 -253 yds with a cross bunker to carry at around 200 yards - must have been a short par 4 in the early days or Messr Leeds was impersonating the Marquid de Sade

#9 -135 yard short hole - as good a short hole as I have played - skinny green with 7 bunkers to add to the excitement

#17 -190 yds downhill - a beauty

3 of the 4 one shotters at Tillinghast's only current contribution to Canadian Golf - Scarboro in Toronto are really great as well - all over 200 yds. The 4th equals if not surpasses  the #7 dual hole hole at SFGC IMHO.The short 11th could a gem with some tweaking and the par 3 19th hole(gambling hole)is a gem as well - 135 yards - severely sloped green - if you don'tmake 2 or 3 - 5,6 or even higher is likely when they roll the green.

Agree that the 4 one shotters at Merion are outstanding as well as are the quartet at Pine Valley and Shoreacres has a formidable 4 as well.
I also love the 4 one shotters at Forsgate (Banks Course)-  Eden  /  Reverse Redan / Short (aka the Horseshoe -one of the great green complexes anywhere / Biarritz  

[Bob_Huntley]

If there any better par threes at a club with two courses, I would suggest the Monterey Peninsula Country Club's Dunes and Shore Courses.

The Raynor/Hunter/ MacKenzie 10th of the Dunes is a world beater and the Rees Jones 14th of the Dunes is superb.

[ForkaB]

What this thread elicits in me is the realisation that par-3s in general are exhilirating.  In fact, I find it very difficult to think of a course that has a BAD set of par-3s.

There is a je ne sais quoi about standing on a short hole, having the green framed in front of you and saying to you in a soft feminine voice, "Hit me, big boy......"

[RT]

So far I admire Swinley Forests 5 par-3's.  Handsome, majestic, interesting, diverse, they make what Rich has eluded to as the raison d'etre in a par-3.

[Willie_Dow]

Robert Hunter says, in "The Links" chapter: Laying Out The Course, "Do not lay out holes toward the west, especially one-shot holes, and those coming in the last nine."

Why is this ?  The setting sun ?

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