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Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« on: April 28, 2021, 05:52:10 PM »
. . . from scratch, which one existing hole would you take as inspiration?


For this exercise, assume we are building something like The Lido, starting with a flat sandy site.  You can move as much dirt as you want, within limits [don't give me a 60-foot drop shot], but you can't create an ocean backdrop or anything like that.  There is plenty of scope to have multiple tees / alternate tees at right angles.


I think the best example from my own work is probably the 7th at Barnbougle, but I don't really like to repeat myself.

JESII

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2021, 06:02:21 PM »
The 4th at LuLu has the potential to be an all-world short par 3. Green about 10 feet above the tee and 90-115 yards is a pretty cool combination. The sort of quarry setting is a gift. The green could use a little more interest for the hole to really shine.


It could have been played backwards just as easy and the fact that Ross chose the low tee to high green is very commendable...(although there was a conversation here a few weeks ago I need to revisit about these first 7 holes).

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2021, 06:08:48 PM »
The 9th at Covesea. Of course the green is probably too small for a "conventional" course but that is the one I'd pick. Also it doesn't have a bunker and doesn't need one.


Niall

Clyde Johnson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2021, 06:09:55 PM »
The Postage Stamp is the first hole that comes to mind, though that is perhaps too similar to the 7th at Barnbougle in playing characteristics?


Skinny, perched target with varying amounts of death to either flank. Deep enough, so that good distance judgment is important to give a chance of making a two. Importantly, the front is well protected too, limit the low running shot in.


You could probably class the 6th at Dornoch in this category too. Both of those examples hold onto a bigger landform. Without that, they would likely be more intimidating, but less beautiful?




I struggle to think of any great short par-threes that sit at grade...!?



Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2021, 06:19:49 PM »

I struggle to think of any great short par-threes that sit at grade...!?


15 at Cypress Point sits pretty much at grade; the bunkers around it are fairly shallow.  But it's got a nice setting!

Tommy Williamsen

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2021, 06:38:18 PM »
15 at Cypress dame to mind as well, but I think 13 at Merion is one of the best.
Where there is no love, put love; there you will find love.
St. John of the Cross

"Deep within your soul-space is a magnificent cathedral where you are sweet beyond telling." Rumi

Mike_Clayton

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2021, 06:44:13 PM »
15 at Commonwealth. 13 Royal Melbourne West.

Tom_Doak

  • Karma: +3/-1
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #7 on: April 28, 2021, 06:59:57 PM »
15 at Commonwealth. 13 Royal Melbourne West.


13 West is a tough little hole.  Every time I play it, it's downwind, and someone dumps it in the bunkers short and has no chance, and someone else goes through the green and over 14 tee into the bushes!

Dónal Ó Ceallaigh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #8 on: April 28, 2021, 07:09:08 PM »
The 9th at Silloth is a wicked little hole, especially into a strong breeze.

Jim_Coleman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2021, 07:11:58 PM »
  #5 Teeth of the Dog.  #13 Merion.  # 10 Pine Valley
« Last Edit: April 28, 2021, 08:59:29 PM by Jim_Coleman »

Tom Bacsanyi

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2021, 07:15:46 PM »
Mine would be a pretty severe double plateau. Front of the green would be a high cuppable knob/plateau on the right, front left would be a bowl (the birdie/ace pin), directly behind that would be the other plateau section. The front right knob section would have a bunker in front and a fallaway or bunker behind it. The bowl section front left would have a closely mown tongue or approach off the front, and the back plateau would fall away to rough or whatever.


The green would be fairly large in terms of square footage. One of the problems of the tiny green short par 3 is the surface gets beat to shit from concentrated traffic and ballmarks and such. This idea would be like 3 tiny greens in one.


Inspired by my home track.
Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.

--Harry Vardon

Adam G

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2021, 07:16:19 PM »
15 LA North. So much variety with the hole location.

V. Kmetz

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2021, 07:23:18 PM »


#13 WFE - an object of fascination from that Perfect Hole series
#9 Quaker - elegant, demanding and fun to play
"The tee shot must first be hit straight and long between a vast bunker on the left which whispers 'slice' in the player's ear, and a wilderness on the right which induces a hurried hook." -

Cal Seifert

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2021, 07:39:55 PM »
Though I have never played it, I have always liked the semi-blind look of the 10th at Friars head. Could have a part of the green funnel towards a pin behind the mound to allow the ground game too.

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2021, 07:47:18 PM »
What about the short par-3 at Wilshire that the LPGA was playing as the 18th hole in their tournament last week?

Peter Pallotta

Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #15 on: April 28, 2021, 07:56:53 PM »
When I read about a sandy site and a Par 3 not next to the ocean I think of a short hole at a place like Streamsong or Sand Valley. But the fact that even someone like me thinks of those places/holes probably means they've become ubiquitous. So too have template holes I suppose, but if I were to build a short Par 3 tomorrow I think I'd model it on the one at Fishers Island, not despite but precisely because mine wouldn't be near the water; as such, it would remind me of a hole I might see in one of Sean Arble's profiles.

« Last Edit: April 28, 2021, 08:00:08 PM by Peter Pallotta »

Brian Ross

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #16 on: April 28, 2021, 07:58:13 PM »
I built a shortie at Park Mammoth in Kentucky last fall that I'm absolutely in love with. If golfers think it's even half as good as I do then we will be in pretty good shape. It will play from 112-to-90 yards and is pretty much level from tee to green but plays over a deep swale to a 9,500 square foot green. The concept for the green is based on the Seven Deadly Sins which is an idea I had been toying around with in my head for awhile.


In addition to the ones already mentioned, I also love #12 at Dormie and #8 at Manufacturers.
Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.

http://www.rossgolfarchitects.com

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2021, 08:06:01 PM »
9 at Myopia
Photo credit Jon Cavalier
Myopia9-Teezoom-JC.jpg
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Eric Smith

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2021, 08:09:54 PM »
I think a hole like 10 at Friar’s Head would be fun to replicate.

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #19 on: April 28, 2021, 08:13:11 PM »
16 at Northwest GC, Ireland 93 yards from the tips-a very good hole
and of course the Postage Stamp
a shortish par 3 with an Augusta shape and depth green would work well anywhere(devilish for right handers)
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Mark Mammel

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #20 on: April 28, 2021, 08:13:37 PM »
18 at Pasatiempo is a great example. The green is large and severe, the baranca looms off the tee, the distance is a challenge from the different areas for all players.
So much golf to play, so little time....

Mark

Peter Pallotta

Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #21 on: April 28, 2021, 08:14:44 PM »
Jeff W - Myopia No. 9 seems perfect!!

Mike_Trenham

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #22 on: April 28, 2021, 08:19:32 PM »
15th at Lu Lu could be built anywhere, even Florida, 140 yards and difficult recoveries.


There is also a slightly uphill hole at Carolina CC in Charlotte that I’ve only seen in pictures that fits this equation.  Paging Brian Finn!
Proud member of a Doak 3.

Mark_Fine

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2021, 08:30:03 PM »
Tom,
Not sure if it has been mentioned but one of my favorite par threes that you could build on a flat sandy site with enough earth movement is #2 at Somerset Hills. The hole plays slightly downhill but I think you could make build it to make it work. 

Dan Delaney 🐮

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: If You Could Build a Short Par 3 . . .
« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2021, 08:40:21 PM »
That’s >200 yards.
Or is that short now?  [size=78%]Asking for a friend. [/size] ;)