Jump to content
IGNORED

Par 3 strategy?

Fat Slice

By Fat Slice,
in Golf Talk

 Share
Note: This thread is 5616 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

Fat Slice Great Member

Fat Slice

I am a high handicapper (25). Par 3s have been killing me as I get into a lot of traps, pull into water, etc. Looking over my scorecards I average around a 5 for those holes. So I was thinking...until I am more accurate with my irons...why not plan to shoot well short of the green, chip up and try for a two-putt bogey? For most par-3 holes that would be a pretty safe play. When I get more accurate with the irons, then, sure, start going for the green again...but from a strict scoring perspective, does it make sense for me?

Driver: Nike Ignite 10.5 w/ Fujikura Motore F1
2H: King Cobra
4H: Nickent 4DX
5H: Adams A3
6I 7I 8I 9I PW: Mizuno mp-57Wedges: Mizuno MP T-10 50, 54, 58 Ball: random

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Smallville Great Member

Smallville

Seems like that strategy should work for any hole, not just Par 3's. Problem with it is the chips you're gonna chunk from time to time. (I know this from experience!). If you could do it every hole though, that's bogey golf.
My Equipment:
Northwestern 3-, 5-, 7- and 9-wood;
Goldwin AVDP Irons (5-10 plus PW);
U.S. Golf 60 degree wedge;
See-More Putter; Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000 Rangefinder;Golflogix GPS.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

firstcut Well Established Member

firstcut

I think that will help, but I would key in on one point. DO NOT club down to shoot short.

I would either use the correct club for the distance OR even club up one. Then shoot for about 10 yards short of the green with a nice easy swing. If you make good contact you'll end up on the green and if you make poor contact you'll leave your shot short anyway.

IMHO, most guys miss par3's because they are trying to overhit the correct club. Your strategy would probably help eliminate that. AND you'll get good at chipping.

Drivers:
FT-i Draw 9* W/Grafalloy Red
Sumo2 5900 9.5* W/Grafalloy Red

Irons: A3OS 3-PW Graphite/Steel regularWedges: A3OS GW, SW, LWPutter: Rossa Monza SpiderLittle round white thing:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

TheLauncher Well Established Member

TheLauncher

How would planning to shoot well short of the green require any less accuracy than going for the green itself? I would go with the 'blind squirrel theory,' that 'even a blind squirrel finds a nut in the forrest sometimes' and continue to aim right for the pin. You never know when you'll find yourself with a tap-in birdie. Try not to get yourself into a par three mental state that leads to overswinging and you'll be fine. Really, what is the sense of laying up on a 130 yd hole? Might as well yank one into the water going for the green than drown one laying up in hopes of a two-putt.

Launcher 2009 10.5º, S
Rescue Dual 16º
Rescue Dual 19º
Maltby MTF 4-pw, Rifle 5.5
Maltby M-Series 52.6, 58.8 2008 AnserOut of the bag: Big Bertha Fusion 15º, YS6+ R (for sale or trade)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

justinbaker Member

justinbaker

AND you'll get good at chipping.

i think your plan is great. and now just work really really hard on your short game. its the one area of golf that amatuers can become as nearly as good as pros (we all cant carry it 330 yards in the air like JB ) So get good at the short game and ill bet youll even par some of the par 3's you layup on
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never3putt Dedicated Member

Never3putt

Of course, the obvious answer is to figure out why you're not hitting the greens with your irons and work on that. Have you ever taken lessons from a professional or are you considering doing so?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1
1
1
1

cstorms Well Established Member

cstorms

I would recommend going to a par 3 course once in a while and get used to par 3s. I have one right down the road from my house and feel very comfortable on par 3s now. Before you know it, you will be trying to shoot par on the little course...hopefully there is one where you live, good luck.

Bag: Cheapo
Driver:983K
Woods: Steelhead
Irons-PW: X-12
SW: 56* CG14LW: 60* CG14Putter:Craz-E "I Series"BallNY, NY"Chinch Bugs"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

meenman Great Member

meenman

I am a high handicapper (25). Par 3s have been killing me as I get into a lot of traps, pull into water, etc. Looking over my scorecards I average around a 5 for those holes. So I was thinking...until I am more accurate with my irons...why not plan to shoot well short of the green, chip up and try for a two-putt bogey? For most par-3 holes that would be a pretty safe play. When I get more accurate with the irons, then, sure, start going for the green again...but from a strict scoring perspective, does it make sense for me?

My question would be - are you playing from the right tees?

I am not going to say I always hit 3 out of 4 greens on my par 3s but I do know if I move back a set of tees I have a great shot at making 0 of 4. But I would agree with the idea of clubbing up and taking an easy swing vs. trying to come up short.

Follow me on twitter

Chris, although my friends call me Mr.L

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Awards, Achievements, and Accolades
1

Stacey_E Great Member

Stacey_E

On par 3s I used to go with an idea like this....

If the green is narrow but deep, the line is more important than the distance. Add a club or 2 and hit a 3/4 shot just to stay in control and keep the ball on line. If the green is shallow but wide try going with the shortest club you can reach with and knock the hell out of it. This way the ball will set down quick. A wider green gives you more room to deal with on left/right errors.

Retief Goosen claimed in an article a while back that he never chased a pin with anything longer than a 6 iron. If he needed more club than a 6, he just went for the middle or front. Going for the middle of the green is a sound theory if you are scoring high on these holes. And maybe try pulling the club that when hit dead solid perfect will end up on the back of the green. This way you should be on the middle or front with a slight mishit.

Good Luck!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fat Slice Great Member

Fat Slice

  • Author
Thanks for the advice, all. BTW, yes I take lessons - though infrequently. I think some holes will be better with this strategy than others. Anyway, I'll put in a round or two like this and see how it goes.

Driver: Nike Ignite 10.5 w/ Fujikura Motore F1
2H: King Cobra
4H: Nickent 4DX
5H: Adams A3
6I 7I 8I 9I PW: Mizuno mp-57Wedges: Mizuno MP T-10 50, 54, 58 Ball: random

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Henry Established Member

Henry

I would recommend going to a par 3 course once in a while and get used to par 3s. I have one right down the road from my house and feel very comfortable on par 3s now. Before you know it, you will be trying to shoot par on the little course...hopefully there is one where you live, good luck.

never thought of that, i have one just down the road but its only 80 yards for each hole. Is it worth it?

In my ozone bag:

905r 10.5 Graphite Design YS-6+ R
909 F2 15.5 Aldila VooDoo Fairway S
Benross VeloCT Resuce 21 Grafalloy ProLaunch Platinum R MX300s 4-PW KBS Tour S MP-T10 50/8 Chrome 54/11 and 60/7 Studio Select Newport II 35"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Stacey_E Great Member

Stacey_E

never thought of that, i have one just down the road but its only 80 yards for each hole. Is it worth it?

I'd think if you are the type of guy that likes to play all his short game shots with one club, that a par 3 course like this would be awesome practice. That's assuming that each hole isn't exactly 80 yards. I'd guess some are 65,80,53,75 etc. But if I went for that purpose I'd play it down on the tee box without a tee.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

T.J.K. Well Established Member

T.J.K.

I don't know about the planning to go short on the greens. That doesn't seem like it work out all that well since I don't know why that would keep you from going right or left.

I will say not to focus on the pin. Think of the green as a body of water and you are just trying to land in it. If you do that you will focus on the center of the green the majority of the time.

In the
AMP Cart Bag
Driver : 3Dx Square Tour 8°
3 Wood : 4DX
2H : Edge CFT TitaniumIrons : M685 3-PWWedges : CG12 Satin 54° and 58°Putter : Odyssey White XG #9 33"Balls : Staff ZIP

Link to comment
Share on other sites

goblue107501 Great Member

goblue107501

I would agree with what some have mentioned here. Take an extra club and use a more controlled swing rather than swinging for the fences with a club that is maxed out. That is usually what leads to the pulls and pushes and eventually into the trouble.

Also, instead of just trying to come up short every time, just go for the bailout area. Most par-3's I can think of have some sort of 'safe' area to hit to if you are not on the green. If there is water behind the green and traps on the right, then more than likely there will be a bailout area short left. Just try and hit your shot between the bailout area and the middle of the green. More times than not, you will stay out of trouble and have a chance at par.

I will judge my rounds much more by the quality of my best shots than the acceptability of my worse ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
ks8829 Great Member

ks8829

Hit the green.

take enought club and if you have trouble in front aim for the back of the green, 95% of the golfer come up short on par 3's.

I actually have been hitting my driver choked to near the shaft with a slight fade and have had great results.

control your misses, and shoot away from trouble and take enought club

Titleist 910 D2 9.5 Driver
Titleist 910 F15 & 21 degree fairway wood
Titleist 910 hybrid 24 degree
Mizuno Mp33 5 - PW
52/1056/1160/5

"Yonex ADX Blade putter, odyssey two ball blade putter, both  33"

ProV-1

Link to comment
Share on other sites

golf_junkie27 Great Member

golf_junkie27

There is a good article in Golf Digest regarding this very subject. It was referring to David Toms and what approach he used. He'll look at the pin placement, any hazards, slope of green and get yardage. He'll then hit a ball in a radius where he'll be in little trouble and give him an easy par. It's practical, easy advice.

Titleist 905T Accra SC75 M4 Shaft

Nike SQ 4W Accra T70 M4 Shaft
HB001 17* Hybrid with Mitsubishi Diamana Thump X Stiff Flex
Baffler Pro 20* Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Taylor Made 24* Burner Accra Axiv 105 Tour Hybrid Shaft

Mizuno MP-32 5-PW Black Oxide Finish Project X 6.0 Shafts

Vokey 52* Oil Can Finish TTDG S400 Shaft

Cleveland 588 60* TTDG S400 Shaft

Rife Bimini Blade Putter

 

Ball-White and Round

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

bogeyhitter25 Great Member

bogeyhitter25

I'm a fairly straight hitter. So all I really need to know is the yardage. Once I get the yardage I'll just try to make good contact and put the ball on the green. I have to make up my mind 100% though. I can't be backing out of shots when I'm about to hit. If it's 155 to the hole I've got to completely be 100% sure whether or not I want to hit a strong 7 or an easy 6.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tomboys Dedicated Member

Tomboys

I am a high handicapper (25). Par 3s have been killing me as I get into a lot of traps, pull into water, etc. Looking over my scorecards I average around a 5 for those holes. So I was thinking...until I am more accurate with my irons...why not plan to shoot well short of the green, chip up and try for a two-putt bogey? For most par-3 holes that would be a pretty safe play. When I get more accurate with the irons, then, sure, start going for the green again...but from a strict scoring perspective, does it make sense for me?

There's been a lot of great advice posted so far, so I'll just add my 2-cents worth. IMO, get the yardage to the center or the fattest part of the green. Go up one more club than you think you need. Aim for the center or the fattest part and hit it there regardless of where the flag is. By playing to the center or to the fattest part you end up giving yourself the greatest margin for error because you have the entire green to work with.

The reason I suggest the above is because if you can land a ball short of a green to an area that doesn't require you to pitch over water or sand for your next shot, then you are certainly capable of hitting the green. After all, the entire green is going to be much larger than these smaller "safe" landing areas. From there, once you get better and more accurate with you irons, then you can go "pin hunting".

:titleist: :scotty_cameron:
915D3 / 712 AP2 / SC Mont 1.5

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Note: This thread is 5616 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.

  • Posts

    • Archie Bunker
      How to Remove Verdigris From Black Burner 2.0 Irons....

      By Archie Bunker ·

      You might want to try a can of Bar Keepers Friend. Yes, it is abrasive, so just wet a sponge and dab it on. It has oxalic acid (no bleach like "Comet" kitchen cleanser), and it works wonders on stainless steel and other metals. Try it on a small area first to see what happens.
    • 4zim
      My Swing (billchao)

      By 4zim ·

      Fair   My uneducated thought: the big miss is the penalty area. If you want to optimize score, missing into the bunker (likely 5) is better than missing right into the penalty (possible 6). With that, your strategy seems sound and if you hit a committed shot, you get a bunker 5% of the time, take your medicine and hopefully get a putt for par but accept bogey. You may find yourself in a penalty situation 2-3% of the time and accept the associated outcome. The vast majority of the time though you are giving yourself a good approach shot into the green. 
    • Elmer
      How Much do You Exercise?

      By Elmer ·

      I walk 30 mins a day on my lunch break. It is not very intense (since i dont want to get sweaty in my work clothes), so just a touch above leisurely. 3 days a week I walk on the treadmill for 60 mins. I alternate the incline from 4 to 10 for a couple minutes, once every ten minutes. I lift my kettlebells nearly everyday. I have a couple complex routines. I find just 15 minutes and my heart rates is elevated 
    • coachjimsc
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By coachjimsc ·

      Wordle 1,034 3/6 ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    • DeadMan
      Wordle Daily Puzzle

      By DeadMan ·

      Wordle 1,034 4/6 ⬜⬜🟨🟨🟨 ⬜🟩🟨🟩⬜ 🟨🟩⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...