In terms of a variety of angles of play, not distance differentials.  Are there examples (especially of par 3s) where an individual class of golfers can tee off from multiple tees resulting in different angles of play or different shaped shots that need to be hit?

The most varied par 3 I know of is Tobacco Road's 6th.  I have no idea why this concept isn't used far more often - especially where tough terrain is encountered.

Ciao

Wayno,

# 17 at Boca Rio is a perfect example.

Visit via Ran's review and Google Earth.

Better yet, visit it this winter in person.

The 8th at Donald Ross's Manakiki outside Cleveland is a fine example.



From the "whites" it's a straight away par 4.  This is the large tee (nearly as large as the green) in the lower right with the cart path going out around it.  From this tee box, the water is out of play and the bunkers on the right will only catch a slice/push.  You can pick any line straight away and swing away.

From the "blues" it's a much more challenging hole (and made harder because they need to clear some trees).  This is the small tee, partially obscured by trees, in the bottom middle, just above the sand trap you see by the previous green.

Now choice of line is key.   Too far left and the trees catch you.  Too far right and any decent drive goes through the fairway and you're blocked by the huge tree by the fairway traps or you're in the fairway traps.

It would be a better hole once they clear some trees on the left. As it is, you've got to hit a nice draw to really get in key position.

But this is an example of an easy straight away par 4 from the member tees.  But a tough par 4 requiring committing to a line and shaping your shot, or else being penalized from the back tees.

The par 3 third hole at Royal New Kent has an extremely wide variety of tee angles and distances to a green that also presents a tremendous variety of looks.  

bandon dunes #2


http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/bandon_hole2.cfm

http://www.traditionalclubs.com/view.asp?id=356&page=9231

If you click on the link here and look at the 3rd hole, you see the tremendous diversity of number 3 at RNK.  

Phila cricket
par 4 # 6 has two different tees on the either side of the fifth green, which require diff shaped shots.

also the par 3 #15 has two sets of tees at different angles.  i much prefer the one closer to the 14th green, although they never put the back tees down there.  they should extend that tee back further.

Something related to this thread:  I had played a whole bunch of rounds at my friend's club where the primary tee box on a par 3 lines you up with the left side of the green.  One day, the teemarkers are on a teebox that I had never noticed before which had you playing from an angle where you were right of the green.  I get on the tee and I finally realized that the hole had many features of a redan but they just never came into play from the primary teebox - I guess I'm just not that bright.

I forget whether it's 3 or 6 but one of the early par-3s at Tobacco Road does that...one set of tees tests distance control, the other accuracy, based on the angle at which they are set to the green.

I will claim, that even though it might be gimmicaky, but Desmonds 360 degree par 3 hole on his course in Dubai.  How can it get much more diverse than that and create virtually a new hole every time one plays it.

JMorgan you are right about Black Mesa. Par 3's #4, 8 & 15 as well as  par 4's  #1, 5, 14 (driveable) & 18 have lateral options from the tees that change things up nicely.  It is one of my favorite design devices.

Kyle,

Nope, I didn't forget that one.  Others to consider:

Merion East 9th--there are two sets of tees on either side of the 8th green.  Given that the green is kidney shaped, this can lead to different shot shapes and shot demands.

Shinnecock Hills 3rd--the Flynn tee is on the left side of the 2nd green while the Macdonald tee was on the right side of the green.  Flynn moved the right tees slightly on the hole that is pretty close to the Macdonald hole with slightly different bunkering and a remodeled green.  The left tee is far superior to the right tee even though the overall angles of the hole were not altered.

Interestingly, the tees don't have to be too far apart to have significant differences in the type of shot to be played.  The 7th at Shinnecock Hills did not maintain the Flynn tee 7 steps to the left of the Macdonald tee (which remains in use).  The slightly different approach angle makes a large difference in the type of shot you have available to you.  A slight draw from the Flynn tee is into the side bolster and will typically hold the green.  A slight draw from the Macdonald tee leads to Trouble (with a capital T).