Greatest Par 3s in the world are 130 yards

[Nick Asbrock]

I enjoy number 6 at Bear Creek in Murieta Ca (one of the first Nicklaus course where they held the original skins game in the 80's I think). It's around 120 yrds with a very small green and tricky swirling wind. Anyone else have general comments on this course?

[Matthew Rose]

I like it best when you get an 80-100 yard range amongst your four par-threes. Like a 140 yarder and a 225 yarder with a couple in between. I don't mind the long 230 yarder as long as it is balanced by a shorter one somewhere.

What I really don't like is when all four are the same length, usually around 195-210. This is more common than anything else, it seems.

I would strongly encourage archies to space 'em out more if they can... I always find it goes hand-in-hand with a course's fun factor.

[Jim Nugent]

16 at CPC
4 at NGLA
15 at N. Berwick
9 at Yale
4 at Banff
16 at ANGC

I disagree with Campbell.  He seems to love wedge shots on par 3's.  I think at least sometimes they should demand more. 

[Matt Day]

From Australia (other than Barnbougle)

Joondalup (Quarry)                    3
The Cut                                   16
Thirteenth Beach (Beach)   16
NSW                                         19

would the 10th at Kingston Heath get a run? shame its not being used for the Aussie Masters

[Donnie Beck]

How about the Shortest Par 5 in the world....
#11 at Shinnecock

[Philippe Binette]

10th at Kingston Heath

[Steve Lapper]

And America's best Postage Stamp: Myopia #9

[Andy Silis]

PV #10.........Nuff said!

[Tim Gerrish]

#2 Whitinsville.  At one time GOLF Magazine almost included it on their top 100 holes in America.  But 2 holes from a 9 hole course seemed unfair.

[Chris Buie]

The third at Pine Needles is a great 130 yard par-3.  Regarding long par-3's, I've always found it curious that Ross put some monsters on his shorter courses.  13 at Mid Pines is over 220 yards.  The 11th on the very short #1 course is the same.  The 14th on #3 course is almost 200 uphill from the tips.  I think they are all very fine holes, just a sharp contrast to the rest of the holes on these courses.

The 14th on #3 Course


By the way, some of the best very short par-3's I've ever seen are on the executive course at Grandfather Golf & CC.  Some are as short as 80 yards but are challenging and drop dead gorgeous.  If that is not the best executive course around I'd like to know what is.  That might deserve a thread of it's own. 

[Tom Huckaby]

How about the Shortest Par 5 in the world....
#11 at Shinnecock

DING DING DING

And I am three over lifetime.

But it's stretching to put this hole in with the real shorties, isn't it?  155 uphill... that's not short to me.

Tom "snowman in my one play" Huckaby

ps - while I dig the GREAT shorty holes like those mentioned so far in here... there is nothing MORE annoying than a throwaway boring shorty hole.  Can't think of any good examples right now, but they do exist.. whoops... there's a great one at THE RANCH.. great in terms of being stupid... 120 yard semi-dogleg par three on the back nine...

[Nick Asbrock]

Matt Day,

Why are they not using number 10 at Kingston Heath for the Austalian Masters?

[Will MacEwen]

It appears that the longest par 3 at Hazeltine is 248 yards.  Is that too long for the pros - they will be hitting 3 irons or 5 woods into the green.  Is that so hard - most of us hit these clubs into par 3s on a very regular basis.

But I still love some shorter par 3s.

Wayne - I don't think it is too long, but most players will just go for the fat of the green or favour the safe bailout, and look to make three.  A short par 3 where they can stick it close for a 2 or make 4 or 5 despite having hit a 9 iron or wedge is more exciting.

Mickelson made an interesting comment yesterday (I know most people think  of him as a bit of a space cadet) - make the hard holes harder and the easy holes easier to have more varied scoring.  I think a good short 3 does that more than a long 3.

[Bob_Huntley]

Spglass has two, the 3rd and 15th.

Bob

[David_Elvins]

Matt Day,

Why are they not using number 10 at Kingston Heath for the Austalian Masters?

Crowd flow apparently. Removing it makes it easier to get around the course, removing a big bottleneck, provides a big entertainment hub in the middle of the course and moves the 10th tee closer to the clubhouse for two tee starts.

[Mike Wagner]

Pac Dunes - #11.

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

#13 Merion

Chip, Tim,


I would be interested to know whether anyone really thinks that it is a great hole.  No doubt it is a short par 3 on a great course but I don't see the quality of the hole as being close to the other holes listed on this thread in any way .  Next to 8,  the weakest hole on the course IMO. Am I missing anything?

Couldn't disagree more.  I loved that hole and thought it was a perfect setup for a short par 3.  The green is wonderful as are the fronting hazards.  It was one of my favorite holes out there.

I agree with Kyle.  Again, this has been discussed a kazillion times here in terms of short holes, especially 3’s and 4’s, where the dominant thought is a hole must have length to be relevant. 

Unless you’re playing the course by yourself, then this doesn’t matter.  But since most of the time there’s something on the line (i.e. tournament, club championship, $2 Nassau, etc.) standing on the tee at a short hole (e.g. Merion #13, Olympic #8 [RIP]) and everyone’s thinking, “ok, I got a Wedge (maybe a 9Iron) in my hand… I’m going to make birdie”, and then POW!!!!  You bury it in the lip. Or, BLAMMO, you tug it left… and next thing you know you’re scurrying to make bogey and you’ve lost the hole.

Plus, with 125-140 yds. nearly everyone is going to have some sort of wedge (maybe 9I) in their hand, whether they be a +1 or an 18.  So, it’s about the one time length is negated.

[Dean Stokes]

Friars Head #17. Also known as a short par 5.

[Anthony Gray]

   Lookout Mountain has a nice one with the elivated tee on top of a rock.

  Anthony