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"Why We Need More Par 3 Courses", Jeff Neuman, Wall St Journal


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Here are some of the reasons he gives in his article of July 24/25:

o Baby boomers are aging and less willing to play a regular round. Demand is growing in this sector.
o Golf as a business is suffering because rounds take too long (for many working people/younger players with families, etc), maintenance budgets are rising, there aren't enough good places for beginners to play.
o 2-3 hrs on a par 3 is better than "whaling away with your driver on the range".
Amen to that!
o For beginners, par 3s are less frustrating, and are more rewarding of the occasional good shot.

Interestingly, short courses make up 9% of the nation's courses but accounted for 22% of course closures in 2009. Neuman clearly doesn't think this a good trend. Why do you suppose this is happening? Do par 3 courses tend to be in areas that have more commercial value (e.g. to big box developers ...)?

Some history: short courses were much more common in the 50s and 60s, mainly because fewer full length courses were built after the depression. Then when golf carts became widely used, par 3s lost their appeal.

What do others think about the desirability of building more par 3 courses. Personally I think it's a good idea, within reason. If I'm a bit short of time I sometimes play on an "Executive course" that has 3 X 9 hole sections, each having 2 par 4's and the rest par 3's. It's a fairly challenging course in places, with some longish par 3's e.g. a 210 yarder with a fairly protected green that isn't easy to hold. I've learned more on that course than just about anywhere else.

Driver: Cobra 460SZ 9.0, med.
3 Wood: Taylor stiff
3-hybrid: Nike 18 deg stiff
4-hybrid:
Taylor RBZ 22 deg regular
Irons:5-9, Mizuno MP30, steel
Wedges: PW, 52, 56, 60 Mizuno MP30
Putter: Odyssey 2-ball

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I grew up playing a par 3 course, have played 2 rounds on par 3's this year, and I think they are a really good place you hone in your iron shots. Not as good as the range for working on the swing, but good for management and things like that.

Not sure if I buy the "baby boomers are aging less willing to play a regular round". At par 3 courses I mainly see young people, which really makes me agree with the "no good places for beginners" and "for beginners, par 3's are less frustrating" points.

I understand the thing about how they only account for 9% of course but 22% of course closures. I have played 3 par 3 courses. One was at a full size championship course, and the par 3 course acted as the beginner course. That is sort of the perfect place for a par 3 course, because it is available to the public for 412, but the course has members, and a lot of the members' kids play the par 3 course, where they learn the game. In addition they keep up the par 3 course as well as the full course, which is to say they keep it up very well. Another course I player was always in poor shape. By that I mean spotty greens that stimped about 4, ponds that were total breeding grounds for bugs, and just a general poor upkeep. They also didn't know their audience, as you had to be 17 to play by yourself. And last year they sold the course and they are now building houses on the property. The third par 3 course (where I learned the game) has dirt tee boxes, overgrown marsh-y ponds, and very slow greens. But it was a great place to learn the game.

In my bag:

Driver: Titleist TSi3 | 15º 3-Wood: Ping G410 | 17º 2-Hybrid: Ping G410 | 19º 3-Iron: TaylorMade GAPR Lo |4-PW Irons: Nike VR Pro Combo | 54º SW, 60º LW: Titleist Vokey SM8 | Putter: Odyssey Toulon Las Vegas H7

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I played par 3 courses when I first started playing golf and I still play them from time to time. IMO, they are just as much fun as a regular course and are less expensive to play.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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Maybe a good compromise would be "executive" courses ... I play 2 different ones in my area - one a 9 hole (par 31), the other an 18 hole (par 62). Each of the 3 nine hole layouts feature 1 par 5, 2 par 4's and 6 par 3's. These are NOT easy courses in my opinion ... they are challenging and fun to play.
That is the key I think ... to make these "short courses" a good challenge to golfers as well as a good place to hone their game.

Mark Boyd of the Clan Boyd
"Retired in my Dreams"

 

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Maybe a good compromise would be "executive" courses ... I play 2 different ones in my area - one a 9 hole (par 31), the other an 18 hole (par 62). Each of the 3 nine hole layouts feature 1 par 5, 2 par 4's and 6 par 3's. These are NOT easy courses in my opinion ... they are challenging and fun to play.

Executive courses are fun too. Theres one I play in Madison a lot. Its a 9-hole course that has 2 par 3 holes and 7 par 4s (that are each about 350 yards). I actually find those to be more challenging that a normal big course because you dont have the par 5s.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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The par 3 pitch/putt is the only course I've gotten the confidence to play at just yet (sans water and sand), since I really don't want to start losing a bunch of balls... with the exception of two pulls that sent both balls off into deep woods (shhh!). Maybe sometime I'll get the courage to hit a larger course, but not for a while. I'd probably move to a more challenging par 3 with hazards, where I usually do range work.

What's in my Tartan Precise TS-869 Bag:
Woods: Northwestern 1W, 3W, stock grip
Hybrids: 855 Graphite shaft 3H, 4H, Golf Pride Tour Wrap midsize grips
Irons: 855 R flex steel shaft 5-PW, Golf Pride Tour Wrap midsize grips
Wedges: PureSpin Tour Series Diamond Face 52* AW, 56* SW, 60* LW, Golf Pride...

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I'm guessing that a significant percentage of a golf course's revenue comes from cart fees, membership dues, beverage/food, event hosting, and merchandise sales. As the number of rounds across the US has decreased, par 3 courses were unable to supplement their revenue and adapt.

I played my local par 3 course twice last week, and usually play it once a month. Really helps with the short game. I enjoy just carrying a SW, GW, and putter.

HiBore XLS Tour 9.5*
Adams Fast10 15* 3W
A2OS 3H-7iron 60* LW
8iron Precept Tour Premium cb
9iron and 45* PW 50* GW 56* SW m565 and 455 VfoilPutter Anser Belly Putter Ball in order of preference TPblack e5 V2  AD333

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I agree that part 3s are generally more challenging than par 5s on a regulation course. But when I was learning the game I was a bit intimidated by par 5s - such a long way to contemplate having to move the ball when you're standing on the tee! Now I get down in par or birdie more often on a par 5 than anything else. You hit a poor shot you've still got a decent chance of a par.

Just remembered that the course I first played regular golf on about ten years ago was an "executive" course in San Diego (Tecolote Canyon) - but not the one I referred to earlier. I found Tecolote difficult because many greens are tight but I really enjoyed playing there and it made me work on my short game and focus on accuracy. Also it's a very beautiful place, like a nature reserve really. I wouldn't like to think how many balls I left in ponds or exotic desert shrubs/bushes on that little course .......

So yes, Par 3 or executive course are indeed a good place to learn. Also a duffer is less likely to do serious damage to the pace of play on a shorter course.

Good point about the lack of cart fees and other revenue sources on par 3 courses, never thought of that. A lot of people do use carts on the executive course I sometimes play (par 62), even I do if it's 90+ in the shade on a summer's afternoon. Also I notice that they have a lot of company events and other group sessions on that executive course, which helps to keep it very busy. As a single I hardly ever have to wait more than 30 min to get on though. Maybe exec courses, with a few par 4s thrown in, are a good compromise - enough like full length course to bring in the revenue but short enough to attract learners or those without 4 or 5 hours on their hands.

Driver: Cobra 460SZ 9.0, med.
3 Wood: Taylor stiff
3-hybrid: Nike 18 deg stiff
4-hybrid:
Taylor RBZ 22 deg regular
Irons:5-9, Mizuno MP30, steel
Wedges: PW, 52, 56, 60 Mizuno MP30
Putter: Odyssey 2-ball

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I love Par 3s and executive courses. I cut my teeth at Countryway in Tampa. It was a par 62 with tight fairways and some of the greens were about the size of our family room. A course like that is perfect for kids to learn the game on because the par fours on the course maxed out at around 325 yards, so they could be played as a par 5.

:ping:

  • G400 - 9° /Alta CB 55 Stiff / G410-SFT - 16° /Project X 6.0S 85G / G410 - 20.5° /Tensei Orange 75S
  • G710 - 4 iron/SteelFiber i110cw Stiff • / i210 - 5 iron - UW / AWT 2.0 Stiff
  • Glide SS - 54° / CFS Wedge / Glide 2.0 SS - 58°/10 / KBS 120S / Hoofer - Black

:scotty_cameron: - Select Squareback / 35"  -  :titleist: - Pro V1 / White  -  :clicgear: - 3.5+ / White

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The only Par 3 course within 30 miles of me closed down this year, so I feel the pain. It was a lot of fun, and was very well taken care of. Cheap too, it was $6 to play 9 holes and it was a challenging little course. I wish it was still open, since I'm spending so much time working on my irons and short game, it would be perfect to go practice on.
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hmmm, maybe it was a little too cheap for its own good ....

Anyway, sorry to hear about that.

Driver: Cobra 460SZ 9.0, med.
3 Wood: Taylor stiff
3-hybrid: Nike 18 deg stiff
4-hybrid:
Taylor RBZ 22 deg regular
Irons:5-9, Mizuno MP30, steel
Wedges: PW, 52, 56, 60 Mizuno MP30
Putter: Odyssey 2-ball

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I can't speak largely about these closures but I can tell you what happened in my town, Ft. Lauderdale.

American Golfers Club (public) shut down about 5 years ago. It was a great place right in the middle of town where I learned to play golf at 9 years old. Driving range, 9 hole pitch and putt, 18 hole executive course. Generally in good condition. It was owned and maintained by the Coral Ridge Country Club next door. Robert Trent Jones and his family owned Coral Ridge/American until his death. The place was sold to local businessmen/developers who planned on developing American into Single Family homes and using the proceeds to redo Coral Ridge. The nearby homeowners rejected the plan and the local housing market fall apart.

American now sits as vacant and dilapidated and our town is worse off as a result. There are no driving ranges in the East Fort Lauderdale area. Very sad.

In my bag:

Driver: SQ 9.5, Graphite Stiff Shaft
3 Wood: Diablo 13 degree, Stiff Shaft
2 Hybrid: SQ 18 degree, Steel Stiff ShaftIrons: MP-30, 3-PWSW: 56* Vokey Copper spin-milledFW 52* VokeyFlat Stick Zing 2Ball: Pro V1x

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There was a pitch and putt near me in Oxford, AL that has recently closed down. It's a city owned recreational facility, and they are planning to build more baseball fields on the site.

:ping:

  • G400 - 9° /Alta CB 55 Stiff / G410-SFT - 16° /Project X 6.0S 85G / G410 - 20.5° /Tensei Orange 75S
  • G710 - 4 iron/SteelFiber i110cw Stiff • / i210 - 5 iron - UW / AWT 2.0 Stiff
  • Glide SS - 54° / CFS Wedge / Glide 2.0 SS - 58°/10 / KBS 120S / Hoofer - Black

:scotty_cameron: - Select Squareback / 35"  -  :titleist: - Pro V1 / White  -  :clicgear: - 3.5+ / White

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I have a nice menu of Par-3s and Executive courses near me which suits me fine.

I'm one of those baby boomers with little spare time, and even less spare money. A health issue or two can also make a Par 3 a more doable option some days, than 4-to-5 hours in 90 degrees of sun and humidity.

........................................
McGolf-Doggie's stand bag & new and used club emporium:
Putter :ping: 1/2Craz-e | Irons :TaylorMade: RAC MB, 4i-PW (DG S300) |Wedges :Cleveland: SW&LW 56*DSG+RTG; 60*/4* DSG+RTG |Woods :Cobra: S1 5W; Adams TIght Lies 3W |Driver :TaylorMade: Burner 9.5 Fujikura Reax S | Maxfli Practice

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There is a short par 3 course at my local golf superstore. The shortest hole is 59 yards and the longest is 136 yards. Bunkers on every hole and the greens don't get any bigger than 20x20 in yards. The greens are soft which makes them easy to hold. $5 to play 9. It's very fun.

Whats in my Nike Xtreme Stand Bag:
Driver-Nike SQ SUMO 5000 10.5* w/ SQ Diamana R Flex
Fairway-Nike SQ DYMO 19*w/ UST Wide Body R Flex
Irons- Nike SQ SUMO 4-P w/ True Temper SpeedStep SuperLite R flex
Wedges- Adams Golf Tom Watson Classic Grind 52.08, 56.12, 60.08 w/ Adams Golf TW Wdg FlexPutter-...

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Another reason for 9-holers shutting down I think is less efficient use of personnel and equipment. If a crappy cheap 9 was next to a solid 18 and shared workers and equipment, that would be more efficient, assuming enough people lived nearby to fill both courses.
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Neuman's article is rather interesting. As someone who started golf by playing on short executive and par 3 courses, I certainly agree that these types of courses are not only fun but also help to bring new golfers into the game.

What I find a bit odd is his assertion that we actually need more of them, especially in light of the fact that par 3s are closing at a higher rate than standard courses. If they were in such demand, I really don't think they would be closing up shop.

Here in my little corner of the Midwest, the general "problem" seems to be that there are too many golf courses competing for too few golfers' dollars. When you can often get discounted greens fees at one of the top courses in the state for $25 with cart for 18 holes on a weekday, it is hardly surprising that little par 3s can't hang with the big boys. The fact that some of you were paying under $10 for 9 holes speaks to this fact. There is simply no way to make money by charging those prices.

Certainly this enviable situation for many golfers in the Midwest sounds rather wacky to those of you living in areas like New England, where I am originally from. Perhaps there is demand for more short courses in other parts of the country but if the recent crisis has revealed anything, it is that golf is a sport that suffers when the economy hits the skids.

In my Ogio Grom bag:

Driver: Hi-Bore XLS Tour 9.5° / Fujikura Fit-On M Red / S
3W: G15 15.5° / Serrano 75 / S
Hybrid: G15 20° / TFC 149 H / SIrons: R7 4i-PW / T-Step 90 / SWedges: R7 AW 50° | Spin Milled Tour Chrome 54°-08, 58°-12Putter: Classic #2Ball: Gamer V2

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Note: This thread is 4966 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!

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