Best Set of Par 3s on a Public Golf Course?

[Tim Bert]

I played Banff Springs for the first time about a week and a half ago, and I really enjoyed the course.  I was surprised by how little elevation change there was throughout the course (relatively speaking given that it is in the Rocky Mountains.)  The terrain is quite rolling, but there are really only two shots on the course that I would consider to be drop shots.  One is the famous Devil's Cauldron par 3 and the other is the par 4 15th tee shot.

In particular, I walked away from the course thinking what a great set of par 3s.  I had high expectations for the Devil's Cauldron because I had seen pictures and read a good deal about the hole, but I had very limited of the other 4 par 3s on the course.  They were all quite scenic, and I thought that they provided a great mix in terms of distance, elevation changes, with/wthout water, variety of bunkering, and what I'm going to call personal fun factor.

Only two courses I've played come to mind that can rival the par 3s at Banff Springs.  One is Whistling Straits, and I'm going to give Banff the edge.  I really enjoyed the par 3s at Whistling Straits, but I also couldn't help feeling like there was less variety among those holes when compared to the ones at Banff Springs.  Also, the Rockies make for a slightly more scenic backdrop than Lake Michigan in my mind.  The other course I've played with great par 3s is Pacific Dunes, and I think I give it the edge over Banff Springs.  Pacific Dunes, like Banff Springs, offers an outstanding mix, and at the end of the day, I'd rather play the 5 par 3s (as a set) at Pacific Dunes more than any other holes I've encountered, even it it means I can't take the woods out of the golf bag (unless the wind is blowing really hard at 17.)  The other courses at Bandon Dunes resort also have some great par 3s, but I don't match them up against Pacific or Banff (although the ones at Bandon Trails could grow on me!)

Here's my summary:
1. Pacific Dunes
2. Banff Springs
3. Whistling Straits

I'm limiting this discussion to public courses because I've played very few private courses.  While I have some book knowledge of them, I will likely never see or play Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Augusta, etc.  I'm interested in courses that I can jump on a plane or in a car and go play in order to compare it to my favorites.

I'm also interested in everyone's opinion on my favorites.  I can post pictures of any of the ones mentioned above if people are interested, though I'm guessing many of you are familiar with the courses listed here.

[Brian Cenci]

My top 5 (public):

Far and away #1 - Arcadia Bluffs - perfect variety, all completely different.
#2 - Bandon Trails - liked #2 a lot and the green for #5 was so challenging for such a short hole.
#3 - Pacific Dunes - approach @ #17 into a stiff wind I love.  Not to mention the two next to the ocean.
#4 - Tullymore
#5 - Harvester Golf Club

If we're going for best overall "non-normal" course then then Threetops course at Treetops resort in Northern Michigan (hold par 3 shootout there everyyear) is the best.

[Ben Voelker]

I would agree with Whistling Straits and Harvester.

It's been a few years, but I'd add Wild Horse somewhere on that list, the 9th and the 11th were awesome, and I think the 13th was similar to a redan, all different clubs.  I remember really enjoying the 3's there.

[Tom_Doak]

Harbour Town has a really good set of short holes, despite zero elevation change.  Pebble Beach's aren't bad either, although the 12th doesn't do it any justice.

The par threes at Riverfront in Virginia are a sleeper pick from our portfolio.  The fourth and thirteenth are both terrific holes over the marsh, two of the best short holes I've built; and there is a tough long one (number two) and a shortish par-3 out to a big lake at the 11th.

[Paul_Turner]

The Eden circa 1990?

[John Foley]

Rustic Canyon's are solid. I liked the old #4 a lot (haven't seen the new one yet) and also liked 15 which I know many did not.

Bandon Dunes 3's are very, very good.

[mike_malone]

 Glen Mills , outside of Philadelphia, has an interesting set of five.

    #5 is 160 ish. It is downhill with a huge bunker built up to create a blind approach.  There is a slight view to the front right of the green.The green is flattish;it is wide but not  as deep.

     #7 is 200 ish , uphill with a huge green -front to back--there are  at least four levels to the green. There is a helping hill on the left and a row of deep bunkers right.

     #10 has one of the most interesteing greens I have seen. It has a ridge through the middle, but the ridge is front to back.  The shape of the green is trapizoidal.It is a drop shot 200 yard over an environmental area.


       #14 is gently uphill -145 ish. Somewhat "redanish". There
     is death left and a pot bunker right. The ridge in the green goes front left to middle right.


    #16--is 150 over water. The carry gets longer as you go right. There is a hazard left and a bunker in the back -middle.


    I usually like any course with five par threes, but this course has an "eclectic" set that rivals any I have seen.

     

[Allan Long]

 - Harbour Town
 - Golden Horseshoe (Gold)

[Matt_Ward]

Among the more recently opened new public courses I would say Black Mesa -- just outside of Santa Fe qualifies IMHO.

The first par-3 (4th) plays into a bowl-like canyon with the green slightly angled away from the tee box. The player has to gauge the wind properly -- generally it plays downwind and the yardage from the tips is roughly 210.

The second par-3 (8th) is one of the most demanding long par-3's one can play. It maxes out at 238 yards and you tee from a high bluff that has been neatly carved out. The green is set on a plateau that falls-off on all sides. The approach has to be letter perfect and often the hole plays directly into the wind. I have had as little as 6-iron to as much as a 3-metal to get to the target.

The 11th hole (172) is well done by architect Baxter Spann. The hole plays uphill -- one of the least used techniques for par-3 holes -- and the added club selction will be no less than 1-2 clubs than what one would normally use.

The green falls from back-to-front and if memory serves, it also move slightly from back left to front left on a diagonal. The approach needs to be placed correctly because an easy three-putt awaits for the careless player. One other thing that makes the 11th so special -- it sits in a boxed canyon that frames the hole so well.

The final par-3 is the 15th -- a 215 yard downhill hole with water to the right. The key to the hole is handling the rib cage contour on the green that divides the upper half from the lower half. The rib runs from north to south and if the pin is cut on the far left side you have to fit your approach to not only handle the yardage but settle down quietly before bounding away. The green is also affected by a hillside that pushes in from the left. If you aim too far away from the green it's possible the hillside will propel your ball further away from the target. A grand concluding par-3 to set of holes that call for all types of shots.

[tlavin]

As a set (of five), I was most impressed by Pacific Dunes.  LA North has a great set, including a skyline reverse redan.  Hard to argue with Augusta National.  How's that for a firm opinion!

[Jerry Kluger]

I second the Golden Horseshoe - Gold in Williamsburg, VA.  What a great group of holes.  

[Craig_Rokke]

I'd concur w/ Mayday that Glen Mills has a nice mix of 1 shotters--certainly amongst the best in the Phila. public course realm.

Amongst the other favorite groupings I've enjoyed:

Ocean Course @ Kiawah
Cascades
Rustic Canyon

An eclectic  SE PA grouping belongs to Galen Hall, near Reading.

Among the group you have a couple of steep, partially blind
uphill shots. There's a nice downhill 190 yd hole, w/ a creek running diagonal, in front of the green. The island green
hole is reputed to be the first in the states. As a group, they
hold your interest for sure.

[Tim Bert]

Tom Doak,
Do you think that Harbor Town's par 3s are better than Pacific Dunes, or were you just throwing out some other great options that hadn't already been listed?

To Everyone that has responded,
Have you played Pacifiic Dunes?  If so, then do you prefer the par threes at those courses to Pacific Dunes or were you listing additional options?  Also, have any of you played Banff Springs?  What do you think of that selection as a top tier choice?

John,  I agree that Bandon Dunes par 3s are very, very good.  Not sure if you are talking about the resort or the specific course.  If you are talking the course, I think they are the weakest (as a set) of the entire resort, but still very strong.  I'm sure we could all debate which of the three courses there has the best par 3s and never get a concensus agreement.  In my book, there are 11 great par 3s at that resort and 2 pretty good ones.  Not really a bad one in the bunch which is a pretty good track record.

Thanks for all the responses so far.  Keep them coming.

[Gerry B]

the thread was public course -or did i miss something? LACC?

[Jay Cox]

I disagree re: Ocean Course at Kiawah.  I liked 14 a lot; 8 is a pretty good hole but not that exciting; 17 is exciting but doesn't fit at all with the rest of the course; and 5 looks needlessly manufactured to me, especially the green and the bunker short of it.  Doesn't make my personal top 5 -- I liked the par 4s as a group MUCH better there.

I also disagree re: Harbour Town:  I like 7 and 17, but just didn't see the interest in 4 and 14 -- seemed like just straight-up water holes.  But I only played it once, so I probably should keep my mouth shut.

I do agree with Pac Dunes, Banff, and Pebble, the best three sets of public 3s I've played. I would rank them Pac, Banff, Pebble based on what I played, but I haven't played Pebble since they built the new 5th hole; that might change my ranking.

Other picks I would throw in:  Jasper Park, Bandon Dunes, Taconic (love #17), and a course I doubt many (any?) of you have played, Sandy Burr in Wayland, MA -- a pretty mediocre (and well-butchered) Ross with a very nicely balanced set of short holes, especially the short 3rd with short and left and the green tilted to penalize a bailout right and the uphill 10th (my favorite), a great-looking hole with a very interesting green.

[Jeff Goldman]

Banff and Jasper's 3s are terrific, with the possible exceptions of 8 at Banff and 7 at Jasper, just ok. Lawsonia should be tossed in the ring. 4 is a terrific redan like 3, the boxcar hole is great, 10 and 14 are also excellent and 12 is on average ground but has a wild green.

[Wayne Freeman]

I'd vote for Pacific and Whistling on the whole. I can also think of several courses that have at least 2 excellent par 3's.  In Calif. I'd go with Torrey, Pebble, and Pelican Hill (Ocean).   I did want to say that when I was in St. Louis recently I had an extra day and went to the muni course Forest Park.  I was pleasantly surprised that they had 2 terrific par 3's-  a great Redan and a more than adequate Biarritz.  Thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

[Craig Van Egmond]

I'll pile on the Black Mesa, Rustic Canyon and Pacific Dunes bandwagons. The 8th at Rustic will always have a special place in my heart.

From Arizona I'll add the par 3's at Apache Stronghold and Talking Stick North.

From Washington I would add the par 3's at Druids Glen and from The Classic.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Pebble Beach 5,7,12,17, TOC and Pacific Dunes are hard to beat.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pebble Beach 5,7,12,17, TOC and Pacific Dunes are hard to beat.

Tiger,

It'd be difficult to top Pebble Beach and Pacific Dunes.
I'd throw Bandon Dunes in as well.
I haven't played Bandon Trails so I can't comment.

Tlavin,

The topic was "public" golf courses [/color]

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

How about Pasatiempo's?

#3 and #5 both strong uphill shots.
#8 is tough green to read
#15 is good short hole
#18 over the barranca

[Jimmy Muratt]

Cabo del Sol's Ocean course has a wonderful set of Par 3's.  They all play in different directions and to varying yardages.  Jack's team did a great job with this place.
Below are some pics:

#6


#7


#13


#17

[Adam_F_Collins]

I love the par threes at Digby Pines.
#2 mid to long iron downhill over angled pond
#5 long iron, slightly uphill into the wind
#8 short to mid iron downhill over deep ravine
#14 Long iron to fairway wood straight across the wind to a raised green
#16 Very short, plummeting downhill over a beautiful, still water pool to a green which hugs its edge. Is it a LW? SW? PW? Punch 9?

Fun.

[Craig_Rokke]

I almost overlooked the scintillating set of par thees, three of them on the water, if my memory serves, at Teeth of the Dog.