Why are Par-3 18th holes so rare?

[Duncan Cheslett]

The best I've seen is at Ashton-under-Lyne, a very interesting course to the east of Manchester.


The last plays over a deep wooded ravine to a green directly under the clubhouse balcony, which on a Saturday is filled with cheering (or jeering) golfers enjoying a post-round drink.


If only they'd trim the foliage a little!

[Thomas Dai]

The photo of the wonderful looking 18th at Pensacola posted above got me searching so here is Bill McB's course profile should others wish to read more - http://golfclubatlas.com/in-my-opinion/pensacola-country-club/
atb

[Thomas Dai]

Haven't played it for years but Alister MacKenzies's Teignmouth GC in Devon has a 220yd 18th over an old quarry - http://www.teignmouthgolfclub.co.uk/course/hole_eighteen/


Also in Devon, Dartmouth GC has an epic long par-3 18th. Very steeply downhill and over a lake -




atb

[Forrest Richardson]

Stigma. It simply isn't done that much. Even Jeff's list proves that...30,000 golf courses in the world and just his list, which could probably be expanded to what...maybe a few hundred on regulation courses?


Arizona Grand is my only regulation course with a finishing par-3. And even this was once a short four until neighboring land was appropriated.


I think there is a general feeling that a demanding hole requiring several tests of golf — perhaps accuracy, carry and some length — is called for at the end of a match. I used to like par-5s, and still do, because they tend to somewhat equalize play if the length is "correct" and the risk-reward ample. Of course this equalization is also a trait of the par-3...but it seems not quite as demanding of multiple skills. Whereas the par-4 or par-5 requires a banger tee shot, a long club from through-the-green and (usually) an approach or short testy shot...plus the putts and green surround shots that may be at play.


BTW - A par-3 opening (first) hole is the best way to self regulate pace-of-play. A par-3 first hole simply meters the pace without much need to a starter. But we rarely see this at all.

[Ben Hollerbach]

BTW - A par-3 opening (first) hole is the best way to self regulate pace-of-play. A par-3 first hole simply meters the pace without much need to a starter. But we rarely see this at all.

Sorry to hijack the discussion, but this is something tossing around my head for quite some time. It's often advised that a par three should not be found early in a routing, as it can cause an unwanted back-up, but it seems to me that starting a round with a par 3 followed by a long par 4 would help to evenly start and distribute groups throughout a round and would be great strategy inherently built into the design. I'd also think mid-length par 3 starter could work as a really nice "gentle handshake" opener, something like the 4th at Belvedere.

[Craig Van Egmond]

My home course Lakeside Memorial ends in a par 3.  It was built in 1945.

The hole plays uphill, anywhere from 166 - 232 yards and the green is mostly blind. You can see the top of the flag.

Beast of a hole to end on actually.

[Ira Fishman]

Stigma. It simply isn't done that much. Even Jeff's list proves that...30,000 golf courses in the world and just his list, which could probably be expanded to what...maybe a few hundred on regulation courses?


Arizona Grand is my only regulation course with a finishing par-3. And even this was once a short four until neighboring land was appropriated.


I think there is a general feeling that a demanding hole requiring several tests of golf — perhaps accuracy, carry and some length — is called for at the end of a match. I used to like par-5s, and still do, because they tend to somewhat equalize play if the length is "correct" and the risk-reward ample. Of course this equalization is also a trait of the par-3...but it seems not quite as demanding of multiple skills. Whereas the par-4 or par-5 requires a banger tee shot, a long club from through-the-green and (usually) an approach or short testy shot...plus the putts and green surround shots that may be at play.


BTW - A par-3 opening (first) hole is the best way to self regulate pace-of-play. A par-3 first hole simply meters the pace without much need to a starter. But we rarely see this at all.

All true, but imagine if the nines at Yale were reversed. Being even or one up and facing that hole? I probably would just walk in for a beer.

[Tim_Weiman]

Stigma. It simply isn't done that much. Even Jeff's list proves that...30,000 golf courses in the world and just his list, which could probably be expanded to what...maybe a few hundred on regulation courses?


Arizona Grand is my only regulation course with a finishing par-3. And even this was once a short four until neighboring land was appropriated.


I think there is a general feeling that a demanding hole requiring several tests of golf — perhaps accuracy, carry and some length — is called for at the end of a match. I used to like par-5s, and still do, because they tend to somewhat equalize play if the length is "correct" and the risk-reward ample. Of course this equalization is also a trait of the par-3...but it seems not quite as demanding of multiple skills. Whereas the par-4 or par-5 requires a banger tee shot, a long club from through-the-green and (usually) an approach or short testy shot...plus the putts and green surround shots that may be at play.


BTW - A par-3 opening (first) hole is the best way to self regulate pace-of-play. A par-3 first hole simply meters the pace without much need to a starter. But we rarely see this at all.

Forrest,


Very interesting observation regarding the potential virtue of a Par 3 as a starter. Never thought about that.

[Martin Toal]

St Pierre (Old) and Forest or Arden, 2 courses formerly on the British leg of the European Tour, and both, strangely, Marriott resorts, had longish par-3s.


Both seemed to be simply the shortest way to get back to clubhouse level and are both uphill. Neither very noteworthy expect for list completists.

[Adrian_Stiff]

Stigma. It simply isn't done that much. Even Jeff's list proves that...30,000 golf courses in the world and just his list, which could probably be expanded to what...maybe a few hundred on regulation courses?


Arizona Grand is my only regulation course with a finishing par-3. And even this was once a short four until neighboring land was appropriated.


I think there is a general feeling that a demanding hole requiring several tests of golf — perhaps accuracy, carry and some length — is called for at the end of a match. I used to like par-5s, and still do, because they tend to somewhat equalize play if the length is "correct" and the risk-reward ample. Of course this equalization is also a trait of the par-3...but it seems not quite as demanding of multiple skills. Whereas the par-4 or par-5 requires a banger tee shot, a long club from through-the-green and (usually) an approach or short testy shot...plus the putts and green surround shots that may be at play.


BTW - A par-3 opening (first) hole is the best way to self regulate pace-of-play. A par-3 first hole simply meters the pace without much need to a starter. But we rarely see this at all.

Forrest,


Very interesting observation regarding the potential virtue of a Par 3 as a starter. Never thought about that.

It depends what sort of course you are looking at, it is certainly a consideration for a club that wants to be private. In most cases they are avoided because it serves up a commercial disaster because of the length of time it takes to play. I have done one but the key thought was "it has to be played in 8 minutes" so it was little 105 yarder to an island green and we can get it played in 8 minutes okay. It really helps with pace of play as it reduces numbers but at 11 or 12 minutes in reduces your till ringing considerably.