Par 3 strategy?

[mapa94]

I agree with Tomboys that most of us should be aiming for the center of the green on par threes. If it is a long par 3 and there are hazards such as water or difficult traps surrounding the green I will sometimes try to lay up short of the green to avoid trouble and that usually results in a bogey. Good course management is key in avoiding those doubles, triples, or worse.

[misty_mountainhop]

  firstcut said:

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

Absolutely on the money here. Another thing that's related (sort of) is a very good (sadly now passed away but good enough to lead The Open as an amateur in the '50s) member of my old club always used to say "aim at the top of the flag" on the par 3s and when pitching from the ~100 yard sort of range. Easily done with more than enough club rather than thrashing one that's borderline for distance.

How many times when hitting in to any green do you overclub as opposed to underclub? Problem with this sensible approach is it's at war with a golfers normal macho instincts when selecting a club; one of things that makes the game so good .

  TheLauncher said:

How would planning to shoot well short of the green require any less accuracy than going for the green itself?

If you combine this with plenty of club, you'll likely swing easier if you're aiming short and therefore almost always make a better contact. Make a great contact and you may end up on the green.

[mako224]

My strategy on par 3s is simple. Forget everything else and aim at the center of the green. Forget the pin, forget the bunkers, forget the water. All you want to do is hit the center of the green and 2-put from there. The only time I take dead aim at the stick on a par 3 is if its 140 or less.

[og512]

I was having the same problem for a while. I started going to par 3 courses to help with my iron play. It really helped me gauge distances. My biggest problem is wedge and putter play.

But par 3 are great way to practice the irons and the cost is a lot less.

[Aetsh]

I have a 18 Hole Par 3 course about a mile from my house.

It's only $7.00 for all 18, so I get plenty of par 3 practice!

[zeg]

Aetsh, you're lucky. The closest par 3 here is $13 or $14 for 18. On top of that, you have to tee off from mats...

[Prodigy]

club up swimg easy and go for the center of the green

hope this helps
..Chris

[Lange]

Sure there's many ways you can approach this problem, from my experience and a little tip from a tiger wood's book i read... play the club u favour the most, bring you the most confidence, of course it has to be within the range of the par 3 length. Your tatic is fairly good, try relaxing your swing for the par 3's but use the club u would normally use to reach the green.

[jermzkill]

What club does everyone use for 150 and 180 par 3's?

For me I use
150 - 3 hybrid
180 - 5 iron

[Prodigy]

  jermzkill said:

What club does everyone use for 150 and 180 par 3's?

150-Hard 9/soft 8

180-7/ iron