In several threads we've discussed the fact that even for the pros, the lowest scoring average in relation to par is on the par 5 holes and the highest average is on par 3's.  Why are Executive courses considered to be so easy?

The course I play most frequently in Atlanta is Charlie Yates, an executive muni course that was built as part of the East Lake community redevelopment.  It is a par 58 (4 par 4's and 14 par 3's), with par 3's ranging from 107 to 205 yards.  I love playing there because it's convenient to my house, it's inexpensive, I can walk 9 in under 1.25 hours and 18 under 3 hours, and it has beautiful greens.

I mostly play there alone because most of my golf buddies won't play there regularly - they want to play "real" golf courses.  I played there a couple of weeks ago with a buddy that has a handicap within 1 or 2 strokes of mine.  I beat him by 14 strokes in our straight-up match.  When I suggested that we should play there more regularly (as a tactful way of saying he needs to work on his short game), he said he preferred playing on full-length courses because they were more challenging!?

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Because not only are people wrong, they are stupid.

The shorter the course is, the less shots are hit, and thus the less advantage the good player has.  Simple.  Want a fighting chance to beat a scratch player?  Take him to a pitch and putt.

TH

 The Montchanin course at DuPont C.C. is no piece of cake. Many of the approaches are narrow and  have demanding greens.

 The two Pitch and Putts I saw on the back of Lahinch and in Doolin looked frightening.

  Peco's course ,outside Philly, which claims both Flynn and Ross lineage is a blast and again has small and well protected greens. I'm not sure about the designer designation. Does anyone know?

  Maybe the "easy" label comes from the mistaken impression that because I shoot in the 70's versus the 80's it is easier.

I have always felt that this size and style of course is well suited to golf today. You can play it in a short period of time and have a great time of it. No 4 hour rounds on these tracks.

They have opened a course like this in Dublin CA called Dublin Ranch. It is a par 63 and measures 4880 from the gold or back tees and 4000 from the white's. Well maintained course and bring your gme this is a great test of all the clubs in your bag.

I have not played it but the Peter Hay Course at PB is said to be quite good. Those in the O club how is the 9 that you added?

RYD  

Mr. Huck

Thanks for the input on PH as I have not played it but had only heard about it.

On DR great place for me but I live in Danville I would not upset my marriage for it as there are better courses in the East Bay to enjoy.

If you do choose to play it let me know I would love to join you.

The Short Course at Cedarbrook Hill in Wyncote, PA is generally considered to be one of the better Par Three courses in the Philadelphia area.

Also, there are rumors and some evidence that Tillinghast may have had a hand in the design.

The par 3 course at Pine Valley would fit into this category and is great.
Unlike most par 3 courses,on some of the holes you do not get to use a tee, as the shot represents a corresponding approach shot to a par four or five from the main course..very clever actually and remarlably similar in appearence to teh actual "real thing"

It is a very good test of golf and like the others mentioned here, par is a pretty good score.

What do these good executive courses cost to build and maintain as compared with a full-length course of similar standard?  

A lot of people say that par-3 and executive courses allow players to work on their "short game".

Isn't this backwards?

On a short, easy golf course, you're going to hit many more greens than usual, right? Good players will hit most or nearly all of the greens. So you hit fewer chips, pitches, and sand shots than on a long course where you're missing most of the greens in regulation.

So your short game actually gets less of a workout on a par-3 or executive course. Right?

Great fun, they play quicker, are shorter with smaller greens and narrow as I said above. golf needs more of them.

Audubon Park in New Orleans was recently turned into an exec course - par 62 or thereabouts.  Tiger, have you gotten over there?

Jason

Wentworth, England has a par 3 executive course which I have played a number of times and that seems to be really difficult.  I cant even blame the greens as they are pretty good!  I used to practice there most summers and the amount of times I would be out playing a quick nine and you would see Nick Faldo with his shag bag around one of the greens or on a tee hitting approaches...  They clearly do hold some weight if they are good, and it definately puts the premium on your iron play for 9 holes..!