[Niall C]

Partly inspired by the Hopeman par 3 thread, let me ask, what do you think are Scotland’s best par 3’s ?

You might want to think which course has the best set ?

What is the best long par 3 ?

What is the best mid-length par 3 ?

What is the best short par 3 ?

And what is simply the best par 3 of all ?

Now normally we tend to discuss courses that are very good overall while not really dwelling on the lesser courses that nonetheless have some great golf and some terrific individual holes. This is an opportunity to showcase some of those holes/courses and I look forward to hearing suggestions that will make me want to go and discover them for myself.

So let’s hear your suggestions, and why you think they are so good.

Niall

[Jon Wiggett]

Niall,


a good set of questions.


I will stick to Highland 9 holers and not include any of mine to exclude bias though would say that both the 3rd and 8th at mine are up there.


Best Short is probably the second at Nethy Bridge
Best medium has to be the 7th at Tobermory
Best long Probably the 4th at Carrbridge.
Best overall for just being spectacular, difficult and so unique would have to be the 1st at Lochcarron.


One par3 to mention on Scottish 18 holers that I doubt many have played or even heard of is the first at the Municiple in Dunbar which must be the most spectacular setting and most difficult par three in Scotland.


Jon

[Ally Mcintosh]

My old favourite when I was a young lad was the 13th at Royal Tarlair.


It's been so long since I've played it that I couldn't tell you whether it is a great hole. It's certainly one of the most dramatic holes that I've ever seen. Puts 16th at Cypress Point to shame.

[Tom_Doak]

You kind of have to go with the Redan, the Eden, and the Postage Stamp on the first team, don't you?

[Michael Graham]

Niall,


a good set of questions.


I will stick to Highland 9 holers and not include any of mine to exclude bias though would say that both the 3rd and 8th at mine are up there.


Best Short is probably the second at Nethy Bridge
Best medium has to be the 7th at Tobermory
Best long Probably the 4th at Carrbridge.
Best overall for just being spectacular, difficult and so unique would have to be the 1st at Lochcarron.


One par3 to mention on Scottish 18 holers that I doubt many have played or even heard of is the first at the Municiple in Dunbar which must be the most spectacular setting and most difficult par three in Scotland.


Jon

Jon,


I played Winterfield a few times as a junior. I couldn’t fathom how someone could reach the green on the opening hole. I was happy to play it as a two shotter and even that wasn’t a given. You’re right in saying that there can’t be many people on GCA that have heard of, let alone played the course.

[Sean_A]

Some holes I think are terrific.

Long 3s over 175

14th Carnoustie Burnside...225ish...green at an angle and tiered

9 TNC...225ish uphill to a plateau green hard on the "beach"

16 Montrose...225ish...a par 3 which can be tackled with a flat shot bouncing up to a large green with some considerable movement


Medium 3s 145-175

3 Trump Aberdeen...150ish...downhill to a wonderful green hard on the beach

8 Eden...155ish...plays along the flat to a green popping up and shaped against the grain of the angle. 

10 Castle Course...155ish...superb green next to wee stream


Short 3s under 145

11 Renaissance...130ish...downhill to a green backed by a wall...whimsical

11 Castle Stuart....120ish downhill to a well protected green on sea

8 Troon (its cheating, but man what a hole!)

Ciao

[Steve Lapper]

You kind of have to go with the Redan, the Eden, and the Postage Stamp on the first team, don't you?

Don't leave out the "Eggshell" aka Dornoch #2.

[Tom_Doak]

You kind of have to go with the Redan, the Eden, and the Postage Stamp on the first team, don't you?

Don't leave out the "Eggshell" aka Dornoch #2.

I thought about Dornoch, but you could pick #6 as easily as #2, which meant I left them both off.


If you were trying to get four very different par-3's, and started with the three I named, the fourth would have to be a long one wouldn't it?  I doubt there will be a real consensus on that choice since people aren't as inclined to enjoy 220-yard holes.  If you want to crush people's spirits, the 16th at Carnoustie would do it, though I'd rather have another shot at the hole at Montrose that Sean mentioned.  I've never seen the Winterfield hole but on Google Earth it looks like a beautiful short par-4 


P.S.  Cancel the above, I would go with Prestwick #5 to complete the foursome.

[David_Tepper]

#16 at Golspie (165 yards) would certainly make my list.

[James Boon]

This isnt easy! I'm going to avoid some obvious ones in the interest of diversity... 


Short...
11 at Castle Stuart


Medium...
6 at Brora
9 at Durness
17 at Blairgowrie Rosemount


Long
16 at Machrihanish


To be honest 2 at Dornoch is always going to be a favourite and I have a soft spot for 11 on the Old Course thanks to a birdie on my only play. I'm also probably missing some gem of a par 3 on a little known course somewhere?


Cheers,


James

[Niall Hay]

You kind of have to go with the Redan, the Eden, and the Postage Stamp on the first team, don't you?

Those 3 are no brianers. With bonus being the Hole 5 - Himalayas at Prestwick. 

[Tim Gallant]

Some that haven't been brought up yet:


3 @ Dunbar
13 @ Muirfield
8 @ Kilspindie (although I wish the beach was red staked and not OB)
4 @ Cruden Bay
15 @ Cruden Bay
5 @ Gleneagles
7 @ Western Gailes
15 @ Turnberry

[Thomas Dai]

Some hard holes mentioned so far, easily bogeyable so, to relate to a point made on another thread, how many of those mentioned have low SI’s.
Not as many as probably should be I suggest.
Atb

[David_Tepper]

#18 at Brora is also a contender in the long hole category.

James B. -

#6 at Brora is a contender as well, although I would put it in the Long category as it almost always seems to play into a 2 or 3 club wind.

DT

[Sean_A]

P.S.  Cancel the above, I would go with Prestwick #5 to complete the foursome.

5 at Prestwick?  Really?  To me its a fairly dull blind shot.  Make it over the top and no worries. Bury one into the hill and its a shit fest.

This isnt easy! I'm going to avoid some obvious ones in the interest of diversity... 

Medium...
6 at Brora

Si

Some that haven't been brought up yet:

3 @ Dunbar
5 @ Gleneagles

5 Gleneagles...Si

To me, Dunbar's 3rd is the weakest short hole on the course  I nearly selected 5.

Ciao

[Mark Pearce]

13 at Muirfield is a great shout, Tim.  But then you let yourself down with 15 at Cruden Bay, which I think is a dreadful hole.


13 at Balcomie is an excellent long par 3

[Thomas Dai]

But then you let yourself down with 15 at Cruden Bay, which I think is a dreadful hole.

Mark,
A tip. Next time your there stand at the rear of the green and look back towards the tee, or look over towards the green/tee when you’re walking along the 8th fairway.
Atb

[Greg Ohlendorf]

Postage Stamp is my number one, followed closely by Dornoch #2, The Redan at NB, and #18 at Brora.


Greg

[David_Tepper]

#8 at Royal Aberdeen (147 yards) is also a contender.

[Jon Wiggett]

Niall,


a good set of questions.


I will stick to Highland 9 holers and not include any of mine to exclude bias though would say that both the 3rd and 8th at mine are up there.


Best Short is probably the second at Nethy Bridge
Best medium has to be the 7th at Tobermory
Best long Probably the 4th at Carrbridge.
Best overall for just being spectacular, difficult and so unique would have to be the 1st at Lochcarron.


One par3 to mention on Scottish 18 holers that I doubt many have played or even heard of is the first at the Municiple in Dunbar which must be the most spectacular setting and most difficult par three in Scotland.


Jon

Jon,


I played Winterfield a few times as a junior. I couldn’t fathom how someone could reach the green on the opening hole. I was happy to play it as a two shotter and even that wasn’t a given. You’re right in saying that there can’t be many people on GCA that have heard of, let alone played the course.

Michael,


indeed I doubt more than a handful have and even less will have played it which is a shame. The course is slightly unbalanced having some very bland holes but also some very good holes but it does have a spectacular setting and the clubhouse could have one of the best views around if it were to have the public rooms looking out to sea and not back at the town.


You are correct that about the par 3 first being no certain four either. I could never figure out how you could hold the green unless it were winter and from the back bunker it was more than likely that you would end up at the base of the cliff.


Tom,


if you are back in that area you should have a look just for the uniqueness of the place. I think given the site and a reasonable budget a fantastic par 66/67 course could be realised. It certainly has much to offer.


Jon

[Adrian_Stiff]

P.S.  Cancel the above, I would go with Prestwick #5 to complete the foursome.

5 at Prestwick?  Really?  To me its a fairly dull blind shot.  Make it over the top and no worries. Bury one into the hill and its a shit fest.

This isnt easy! I'm going to avoid some obvious ones in the interest of diversity... 

Medium...
6 at Brora

Si

Some that haven't been brought up yet:

3 @ Dunbar
5 @ Gleneagles

5 Gleneagles...Si

To me, Dunbar's 3rd is the weakest short hole on the course  I nearly selected 5.

Ciao

5th at Prestwick is total *****

[Adam Lawrence]

The new eleventh at Turnberry

[Jeremy Blumberg]

From those that I have played--[/size]15 at KingsbarnsThe Postage Stamp (#8) at Royal Troon.16 at Carnoustie.I have not played The Redan and so I cannot add to my list.

[Jon Wiggett]

From those that I have played--15 at KingsbarnsThe Postage Stamp (#8) at Royal Troon.16 at Carnoustie.I have not played The Redan and so I cannot add to my list.

[Sean_A]

P.S.  Cancel the above, I would go with Prestwick #5 to complete the foursome.

5 at Prestwick?  Really?  To me its a fairly dull blind shot.  Make it over the top and no worries. Bury one into the hill and its a shit fest.

This isnt easy! I'm going to avoid some obvious ones in the interest of diversity... 

Medium...
6 at Brora

Si

Some that haven't been brought up yet:

3 @ Dunbar
5 @ Gleneagles

5 Gleneagles...Si

To me, Dunbar's 3rd is the weakest short hole on the course  I nearly selected 5.

Ciao

5th at Prestwick is total *****

If a hole like this is a must, I would go with Cruden Bay's 15th because of the bail area right which is handy in bad weather of for less than capable golfers.


Ciao

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