Nominate your 10 best long par-3’s - ie 200-250 yd range

[Peter Pallotta]

This won't mean anything to almost anyone -- but Westview, a course north east of Toronto first laid out by owner and amateur gca enthusiast Pops Nisbit, has as the 2nd hole on its Homestead 9 a 234 yard Par 3 over level ground to what is vaguely a reverse Redan green. I thought way back then and I still think now: it says GOLF!

(Oh goodness, I just realized how 'way back then' it really was -- so way back then that I could use a Taylormade 2 iron hybrid to try to get there, back then.)

[Anthony Gray]

 One of the joys on these holes is to watch the ball chase. And maybe that is the way some are designed to play. Looks like a majority of the holes mentioned are across the pond where the conditions may favor the runner.

[Bill Gayne]

The fouth hole at ANGC.

[Jeff Evagues]

Mauna Kea #3

[Matt Kardash]

To me, the more pertinent question is, what is the BEST long par-3 that you would build somewhere else if you had a chance?


Because you're not going to build ten of them, and because if you think about the question that way, some of the holes nominated will be seen to be a bit hollow.


Personally, I love the idea of a par-3 where those who don't go for the green are better off aiming away from it.  The 16th at Cypress Point is the pinnacle of that, but of course you're never going to have a chance to build that hole anywhere else.  But, there are two holes I can think of where the same strategy is in play, neither of which has been mentioned yet:


the 6th at West Sussex
the 1st at The Berkshire (Blue)

Tom, could you not argue that 6 at PGA West from the back tees (especially in 1986) is a manmade version of 16 at Cypress Point? I would bet most people would do better on average of they layed-up to the left.

[Matt Kardash]

On keeping with the Dye thread, I think any serious list must have 17 at Whistling Straits.

[Niall C]

Personally, I love the idea of a par-3 where those who don't go for the green are better off aiming away from it.  The 16th at Cypress Point is the pinnacle of that, but of course you're never going to have a chance to build that hole anywhere else.

Another hole that has the same idea would be the 4th at Moray Old. One of the best on the course. Of course it was probably first designed as a short par 4 which would explain why the play is short left if you aren't going for the green.


Niall

[Niall C]

Another two to consider;


17th Littlestone


6th Covesea


Niall

[Tim_Weiman]

In a vaguely in order fashion:

5 at Pine Valley (this is the hardest par 3 I've ever seen)
9 at Brancepeth Castle
13 at the Addington
11 at RSG
11 at WHO
11 at the Creek
3 at RSG
14 at RCP
2 at Shinnecock
3 at BPB

Michael,


#5 at Pine Valley really isn’t that hard……as a Par 4!

[Bill Gayne]

The third at Merion is a beast with an obscenely deep bunker in front of the green.


It may not be quite 200 yards but it's awfully close and plays longer is the fourth at Cruden Bay.


#4 at Muirfield.


Not a scientific sample but based on this thread it seems the most common place to drop a long par three is holes 3 to 6.


I can't think of many courses with the second hole as a par three (of any length). The most high profile exception on top of mind being the 2nd hole at Old Mac.

[Garland Bayley]

 One of the joys on these holes is to watch the ball chase. And maybe that is the way some are designed to play. Looks like a majority of the holes mentioned are across the pond where the conditions may favor the runner.

Across the pond? Pshah.
People just aren't thinking enough.
Chambers Bay #9
Wine Valley #8 255 wildest green
Perhaps Juniper #8 love the course, but it's been a long time so I don't remember the hole.
Columbia Edgewater #8 gives the LPGA pros fits, and they play a significantly shorter tee.

[Pete_Pittock]

Uncle Bill's pride = Pensacola #7.  230ish to a reverse redan

[JLahrman]

Brandon Trails 12 is my favorite. It has movement around the green. Trouble left with the hazard but right may be a more difficult up and down because of the contours. Love slapping a driver there and watching it chase 100 yards. Outstanding architecture.

Let's go Brandon! LOL. I do love this hole, the mound short and right makes the hole.

[Garland Bayley]

OK, I withdraw Juniper #8 after some research, but no one mentioning Doak's two Redans at Bandon shows people just aren't trying hard on this side of the pond.

[Andy Shulman]

While it wouldn't make the consensus Top 10, #11 at Talking Stick-North/O'odham makes my personal list.


The best versions of these holes need to: (a) tempt me to go for it, despite the risk; (b) provide a reasonable bail-out option; and, (c) offer a ground game approach to help me (and my short-hitting brethren) get some extra distance on my best hybrid or 3-wood thwack.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Carne - 10th Wild Atlantic Dunes (7 Kilmore)

[Thomas Dai]

A strong selection of holes and as James B notes an interesting comparison to the thread I raised a day or two ago about very short par-3's. The relationship between the two threads is deliberate.


Now imagine if each of the holes mentioned were say 20%-30% longer, more akin to a short par-4 in length.
 
How would that effect a players mindset and thus the way folks played the hole?


Temptations?


Reactions too hoped for outcomes - both successful and failed?

Atb

[Brock Lynch]

6th @ Pinehurst #2


15th @ Crystalaire


Ira,

I believe its Crail #13...great par 3!

[Dan Boerger]

Surprised no one has yet mentioned #17 at Merion East. A beast of a par 3.

[Ronald Montesano]

Peter P: I've coached our girls team at Westview. The next time we return, I'll check out that hole. I remember that creek that you cross relentlessly. That architect was certainly an amateur, as he said to himself, the most efficient way to navigate this is...back and forth, ad nauseaum.


My contributions to the thread request. These are favorites, recents, that sort of thing:

#11 Yahnundasis from the tips


#3 Ralph Myhre from the tips


#17 Taconic from the tips


#15 Brookfield (Clarence, NY) from the tips


#2 Green Lakes (Fayetteville, NY...barely qualifies at 201) from the tips


#11 Kirtland from the tips


#3 The Golf Club (Ohio) from the tips


#3 Teugega from the tips


#12 Teugega from the tips


#12 Country Club of Troy from the tips


#15 Old Town Club from the tips

[Stewart Abramson]

I didn't see #10 Berkshire Red mentioned yet

[MCirba]

The new reverse redan par three 12th at U.S. Naval Academy.

[Ally Mcintosh]

A strong selection of holes and as James B notes an interesting comparison to the thread I raised a day or two ago about very short par-3's. The relationship between the two threads is deliberate.


Now imagine if each of the holes mentioned were say 20%-30% longer, more akin to a short par-4 in length.
 
How would that effect a players mindset and thus the way folks played the hole?


Temptations?


Reactions too hoped for outcomes - both successful and failed?

Atb

OK, using my Carne example, increasing the hole from 229 yards to 275 yards (20%) would detract from the hole somewhat.


Presently, some people are tempted to aim straight at the green (175 yard carry with danger left) as this is the visible line. The sensible line is to aim right to the blind offset fairway that feeds all balls down to the green. But it is hard to convince yourself to aim so far away from the green.


Add 46 yards and the straight option is no longer a viable temptation.

[Cal Seifert]

I like the 4th at Shennecosset. 205 yards from the back tee. Donald Ross design, volcano like green.

[Ira Fishman]

6th @ Pinehurst #2


15th @ Crystalaire


Ira,

I believe its Crail #13...great par 3!

Brock,


Thanks for the correction.


And agree about 6 at PH2.


I also realize that I missed Swinley Forest 10 on my list.


Ira