Drop shot par 3s

[Ryan Admussen]

Took this one last night, 4th at Innisfail near Calgary

Seasons almost over here 

[Patrick Kiser]

Was going to say Pebble's 7th and Spyglass's 3rd as well.  So good to see those mentioned already.

I'll throw in Clear Creek's 17th as a pretty good drop shot par 3.

[Alex Miller]

One of my favorites:

Palos Verdes golf club hole 4. 230 yards from the tips but plays about 190. I've never hit more than 5 iron.

[Jim Nugent]

Here is the 2nd hole from Waterfall Country Club.

Mark, how long is that hole, and what club do you usually hit into it?  Is that really how the hole looks? 

[Martin Toal]

I played one the other day, 17th at Manor House Golf Club in Wiltshire, UK. This course is built on two levels and has a number of holes with steep elevation changes. They also recommend carts, which is unusual in the UK, but probably fairly necessary unless you bring a sherpa.

Anyway, 17 is a par 3 of 154 yards, with a 120 foot drop. Playing off the black tees, I hit a crisp pitching wedge and the ball was still climbing as it passed the top of the flag. For that reason, I thought it was a stupid hole.

Can't put in the scan I made of the course planner.

Martin,
If I interpret your statement correctly, then your crisp pitching wedge would still be climbing at 154 yds. The amount of drop is irrelevant. Why aren't you on tour?

I don't think the yardage was accurate! But it did hit the tree behind the green on the fly. And my 36 degree wedge is surprisingly long.

[Cristian]

Here is the 2nd hole from Waterfall Country Club.

I presume the course is easily walkable? 

[Jim_Coleman]

    Possibly the worst hole in the world  -  #5 at Inniscrone.  At least the the worst hole I've ever played, and I've probably played 350 courses.  Just a guess.

[David_Elvins]

Here's how not to design a drop shot par 3.

Front tee:



Back Tee:

[Mark Pearce]

I played one the other day, 17th at Manor House Golf Club in Wiltshire, UK. This course is built on two levels and has a number of holes with steep elevation changes. They also recommend carts, which is unusual in the UK, but probably fairly necessary unless you bring a sherpa.

Anyway, 17 is a par 3 of 154 yards, with a 120 foot drop. Playing off the black tees, I hit a crisp pitching wedge and the ball was still climbing as it passed the top of the flag. For that reason, I thought it was a stupid hole.

Can't put in the scan I made of the course planner.

I used to be a country member there when I lived in the South East (and before I really got GCA).  All I can say is that if your wedge was still climbing when it passed the flag then you've thinned it.  But I was surprised to see you say the hole was 150 yds+.  It's 15 years since I played there but I recall it being more like 130 yards.  Which for me was, and still would be, an easy wedge.  Remember, with a wedge, the ball isn't travelling vary much forwards at all by the time it gets back to the same altitude it started at.

[Tim Leahy]

Is that PV or Rolling Hills?

[Mark Pritchett]

Here is the 2nd hole from Waterfall Country Club.

Mark, how long is that hole, and what club do you usually hit into it?  Is that really how the hole looks? 

As I recall the hole is about 185 yards or so from the back tees, I believe I hit a 52 degree wedge.  I have only played the course once, but that is pretty much how it looks. 

[Alex Miller]

Is that PV or Rolling Hills?

Is that a question for me? PV would be the answer.

[Dan Boerger]

Great topic. The most memorable short drop shots I've played are Merion West and Leatherstocking. The "all or nothing" moment after the tee shot is something that golfers of all skill levels [IMO at least] can appreciate.

Another really fine one is #6 at Fieldstone in Delaware. That course doesn't generate a lot of discussion, but some very interesting holes.