Why the long par-3 STILL matters ?

[Matt_Ward]

It's good to see the boys being tested by the 17th at Olympia Fields North Course -- a slightly uphill 247 yard par-3!

I've said this countless times before the long par-3 has a clear role in golf -- especially championship golf and having such a hole at a critical juncture in the Open will be a major factor in determining who carried home the trophy this week.

I can remember how important long par-3's have played in other venues that have held the Open -- the two at Oakmont, the 8th at 245 and the 16th at 235 yards are both firsr rate holes. Let's not also forget the 17th at PB when they use the REAL championship tee.

If you want to make the big boys hit long irons and even woods the long par-3 can STILL make them sweat.

[BCrosby]

Add to your list no 18 at East Lake. 230 yards uphill to a severely conoured green with surrounds that drop off left and front. A brute, you would think.

A couple of years ago I stood on the tee during the Tour Championship and watched a number of players hit 4 and 5 irons. And these were guys like Chris DiMarco. On a chilly, wet day. I couldn't believe my eyes.

It may be that these long par 3's need to be 260+ before the pros have to hit fairway woods. No. 17 at Olympia may not be quite long enough. We'll see.

But, yes, I love the concept. They are a test the pros don't get very often these days.

Bob

[Paul Richards]

Matt:

Great point.  The 17th at OFCC is a really great test of golf.  Plenty of distance and deep and nasty bunkering surrounding a very tough green.  This is a GREAT hole.!

[SPDB]

the long par 3 has never gone anywhere, in fact its more en vogue than ever due to the obsession with length.

Be more worried about the survival of the short par 3.

[Mark_F]

BCrosby:

I thought you tested the pros by giving them a Chevy Nova instead of a Cadillac as their courtesy car for the week?

I seem to remember at last year's US Open watching Sergio Garcia use a 5-iron to some 240-odd yard par three.   Surely 260 yards then is too tame?  I vote for 275.  

[BCrosby]

OK, you win. I'll vote for 275+ yards. And even that might not be long enough given today's distances.

If the design objective of these long par 3's built in the Golden Age was to require the use of a driver or a brassie from the tee, to achieve the same design objectives today that par 3 needs to be 280 or 290 yards. Minimum.

Remember, it is supposed to be a par three that is at the distance limits of stronger players and unreachable by weaker players.

That's what Tillie, Ross and others of the "Classic Era" had in mind.

Bob    

[Matt_Ward]

It's important to set the record straight -- there are times when the big boys do hit a mid-iron 230 or more yards WHEN conditions permit or they are favorable. HOWEVER --

the 17th at Olympia Fields, among other holes of this type, have required the world's best to hit long irons and even woods into them. Let me also point out that holes of this are needed because too often that part of a golfer's game (at that level) is rarely tested in the throes of high level competition.

SPDB:

You're right -- the short par-3 does have a place. But, unless such a hole features a daily possibility of wind bursts (i.e. 7th at PB, 12th at ANGC, to name just two) or has some unique setting / green configuration, these type of holes are really easy prey for the big name players.