The puttable par 3

[Anthony Gray]

 Who’s got one? Looks like you can ace Gullane3 No. 15 with a putter. I’ve seen a putter off the tee at Kingsbarns hole 8.


 Should there be a hazard placed to prevent it?


 Is it a design flaw?


Does it violate the integrity of the game to take a putter off the tee?


Anybody carry one of those chipper clubs in their bag?


Anthony

[Wade Whitehead]

It happened last August on 16 at Sheep Ranch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWhEfaRyr8

WW

[Andrew Harvie]

13 at Bandon Preserve is the obvious answer.

[BCrosby]

For Victorian golf architects the worst of several design sins was to build a hole that could be played with a putter.


Exhibit A-1 for that design sin was usually the Eden Hole at TOC.


Bob

[Thomas Dai]

Who’s got one? Looks like you can ace Gullane3 No. 15 with a putter. I’ve seen a putter off the tee at Kingsbarns hole 8.
 Should there be a hazard placed to prevent it?
 Is it a design flaw?
Does it violate the integrity of the game to take a putter off the tee?
Anybody carry one of those chipper clubs in their bag?
Anthony

Fine by me and no shame in doing so, quite the opposite, lower scores and course management come in many forms.
Sam Snead apparently once putted down the path onto the green on the 7th at Pebble Beach. And I’ve played a few holes in similar ways over the years, the 15th at Cruden Bay being one example of where I’ve done so.
I’d have no problem in having a chipper in my bag if I could find one I actually liked, and I’ve experimented with a few. Too many models have crooked necks or inserts for my liking. A plain, bland blade type putter with extra loft would be my preference.
Atb

[Tom_Doak]

You can putt from all but the back tee on the 5th at Streamsong (Blue) -- and it's actually not a bad play to the front pin.


So, no, I don't think it's a design flaw at all.  And you don't need to have a hazard to stop it, for the exact same reason it's okay to have a forced carry somewhere else . . . because golf is full of variety.


P.S.  I used to carry one of those chipper-type putters in my bag when I was a teenager.  I was pretty good with it.  But I can stand a 4-iron on its toe and chip that way just as well.

[Tim Martin]

How often is the putter used on a par three for players trying to shoot their lowest score? In most every case that I have witnessed it’s done with whimsy. Not knocking the practice as everyone can get to the hole as they choose.

[Garland Bayley]

...
Anybody carry one of those chipper clubs in their bag?


Anthony

Yes, but it is disguised with the inscription 5 hybrid.

[ward peyronnin]

I witnessed an ace on the home hole of the par three Bandon Course; what a blast

[Ken Moum]

I’d have no problem in having a chipper in my bag if I could find one I actually liked, and I’ve experimented with a few. Too many models have crooked necks or inserts for my liking. A plain, bland blade type putter with extra loft would be my preference.
Atb

You ought to look for a Beckley Ralston approach cleek...


https://www.ebay.com/itm/202879144208?hash=item2f3c8a1110:g:~v4AAOSwTvNeIFpH


Only a little offset. The only reason I don't use the one I have more often is that they have square grips and thus are no longer conforming.  I haven't been willing to regrip it...yet.

[Thomas Dai]

Thanks Ken. Looks an interesting example.
Atb

[Pete_Pittock]

The 6th at Cabot Links. 40+ tail wind only way to hold the green. From 130 tee I made 10 ft birdie putt