Best short par 3's

[William_G]

Phillip C.....Well, you might think the conversation starts with AGNC #12,  but I will maintain that it might very well start with Pacific Dunes #11, because at AGNC the club selections are from (I am assuming this from 40+ years of TV viewing) the club selection will vary from 7 to PW (+/-, of course, based on era and weather).  

At Pac #11, however, it is based on wind.....always variable, from day to day and season to season.  I have, to use my own game as an example, played everywhere from a PW to a 3W into that green!!  It is daunting to say the least, and all within the distance of 120 to 135 yds.

Anyway, it is formidable, beautiful, dauntiful!

Tom

#11 at Pacific is a great hole...semi blind green, a well struck shot is rewarded



#5 at Trails is also fantastic

[Philip Gawith]

Phil, is the 13th at Merion a great hole? I think to do that it has to engender a much greater sense of excitement/expectation - need to deliver your best shot etc. I don't think that hole does it for me.

Some of the other holes mentioned are maybe cheating a bit on the length side. Agree with Mark about 1st at Huntercombe, but that is generally around 130-140 yards and plays from wedge to 6-7 iron, depending on the wind. Dornoch 6 is also not short (though in that part of the world the 13th? at Brora is a great and short par 3).

By my criteria of being very short, meaning probably less than a full wedge in a steady state, and for having a sense of drama, I would favour the two 7's mentioned - Pebble Beach and Barnbougle Dunes (can't remember exact length, but pretty short?)

[Jim Franklin]

15 at Whispering Pines. Maybe Andy Troeger can post a picture.

[Chris DeToro]

How about the short 16th at Wolf Run outside of Indianapolis?  That tiny green surrounded by water especially on a course that is filled with brutes is such a great change of pace on an extremely tough golf course. 

[K. Krahenbuhl]

15 at Whispering Pines. Maybe Andy Troeger can post a picture.

Here you go Jim...

[Michael Wharton-Palmer]

Kingsley #2...friggin' tough.
I can agree on #15 at Whispering ,great littel n hole.
The par 3 course at Whispering is superb, the best short course I have ever seen.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Photos of some other favorites...

Cal Club

Maidstone

Myopia

Plainfield

Pebble Beach

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Streamsong

Shinnecock

Shoreacres

Pine Valley

Pine Valley Short

Old Sandwich

LACC

Fishers Island

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Dormie Club

FH

Kittansett

Ballyneal

Chicago

Diamante Dunes

[Thomas Dai]

Anyone going to mention the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, whoops, damn it, I just did!
All the best

PS - some great photos posted. More please.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Pasatiempo

Indian Creek

Yeamans Hall

Newport

CPC

TCC

Merion

and probably my favorite...


Prairie Dunes

[Tom Kelly]

The 7th at Sherwood Forest is one of my favourites. 114 yards severely downhill to a narrow almost 40 yard long green surrounded by bunkers. If the wind is up, it gets really interesting!

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42229.0.html

[Tim_Weiman]

Didn't see anyone mention #8 at Ballybunion.

[Ari Techner]

17 Sand Hills
2 Prairie Dunes
9 Sequatchie Valley
9 Franklin Hills  (white tee)

[Chris DeToro]

Have we ever defined what exactly constitutes a short par 3?  Some might consider a 160 yarder "short" because they might hit a short iron to the green.  Does it need to be generally defined as a wedge type shot?  Just curious...

[Sean_A]

Chris

I think of a proper short par 3 as certainly less than ~120 yards.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

Wasn't there another recent thread, maybe 2 months ago, on short par-3's? Seem to recall 150 yds as being some kinda discussed cut-off on that thread.
All the best

[Rich Goodale]

I'll reiterate my undying love for the architecture of the 10th at Dornoch, and not only because in certain conditions (fastest and firmest, downwind, pin up front) the wisest move is to play short and hope to either bounce onto the front plateau or end up in one of the front bunkers (with an easy up and down).  Golfers without any imagination just do not get it......

[Jason Topp]

Another one I like is the 11th at Wildhorse.  Gigantic green but contoured severely so that you need to be accurate.  It is a good one to mess with your mind.

[Jim Franklin]

Kyle -

Great work today. I look forward to getting back to Houston. The Needler looks amazing.

[Dan Kelly]

Another one I like is the 11th at Wildhorse.  Gigantic green but contoured severely so that you need to be accurate.  It is a good one to mess with your mind.

You've reminded me of the 4th at Midland Hills.

[Thomas Dai]

I'll reiterate my undying love for the architecture of the 10th at Dornoch, and not only because in certain conditions (fastest and firmest, downwind, pin up front) the wisest move is to play short and hope to either bounce onto the front plateau or end up in one of the front bunkers (with an easy up and down).  

Golfers without any imagination just do not get it......

This is a great comment and particularly last line from Rich, and to remind us of what awaits if you miss the 10th green at Royal Dornoch on the left hand side...........



Putt it up the slop? Lob it onto the green? Bump it into the bank and let it release onto the green? You choose, get it wrong and..........

[Phil Lipper]

I guess when I was thinking short part 3's , I was thinking less than 140ds. I know its certainly not a defined term but whe I think of a short par 3 I'm normally thinking about 130 and long is anything over 180 (a hole which the typical golfer is not hitting an iron).

[Michael Felton]

A couple I've not seen noted from England and Wales

7 at Royal Porthcawl is a devilish little hole and for me is too much for my sand wedge and not enough for a full wedge, so it's got that in betweenish thing going on.

4 at Brancaster is a tough one to hit it close on.

Both holes rely on the wind to a certain extent - certainly the Royal West Norfolk one.

[John Kirk]

Of all the pictures K. Krahenbuhl posted, I have Cypress Point's 15th hole winning the beauty contest.