Most "Famous" holes usually Par 3s?

[Joe Schackman]

Semantics matter here so will try and choose my words carefully.

It feels to me like the most "famous" holes, the ones that every golfer knows, are almost always par 3's. I'm thinking (in no order) of #7 at Pebble, #12 at Augusta National and #17 at Sawgrass (16 at Cypress in there as well).

But this certainly could be my own confirmation bias as I can't exactly measure "famous-ness".

So I guess the question is two fold:

1) Are Par 3's generally the most "famous" holes?

If yes...

2) Why?   

My gut says because of photography and "simplicity". We on this forum may jump to the half-par holes (13 at Augusta or 17 at The Old Course) because of the strategy and nuances but the average golfer doesn't see it that way. Par 3's are one swing and everything is laid out pretty neatly in front of the player.

Curious to hear your thoughts.

[Tim Gavrich]

Joe--


I think the relative ease of good photography has a lot to do with it. Also, I think the fact that a single full swing is intended makes par 3s generally digestible as a good/bad hole for non-architecture nerds. Fewer variations on how the hole might be played.


--Tim

[Wade Whitehead]

Actually, I've always noticed that the best-known holes on "famous" golf courses are always on the back nine.

I'm talking about the recreational golfer, not GCAers.

For most people, #18 at Pebble is far better known than #7.

I think it's all about which holes appear the most on television.

WW

[David_Elvins]

Par 3s go on the most extreme land and have features that are too extreme for longer holes. 

These help to make them unique and memorable.

[Mike Schott]

I'd say 13 at AGNG and 18 at Pebble are better known to the general public than 12 and 7. Certainly the Postage Stamp at Troon is it's best known hole but conversely 17 at St. Andrews is it's most famous. At Oakland Hills, 16 is the best known hole and not the excellent (and far better) 17.

[Ronald Montesano]

Influential factors to support this hypothesis:


-Containment in one glance and swing;
-Television;
-Broken or useless land necessitates taking risk in design;
-Microcosm of something grander;

[Michael Felton]

Tough to take a photograph that encompasses the whole hole for lots of par 4s and par 5s.


That said, which holes do you think are the most famous at TOC? I would probably say 17 and 18. 17 because it's the hardest hole in the world and 18 because it's the finishing hole, with the clubhouse in the background, the buildings all down the right and of course, the bridge. Doesn't hurt that you can get the whole hole into a picture.


I also think that 13 is as famous and iconic as 12 at Augusta.