Diabolical par threes

[daveh]

I'm almost as likely to post a 5 on one or more of these as I am to post 5 on a par 5 on my course.

GIR? Yeah, right.

Hole 1 - 153 yards - Left side of green partially obscured by tree, right side protected by bunker. Overshoot or bounce off the back and you're OB.

Hole 3 - 243 yards. Sure, I can reach it with my driver once in awhile, but of course it will roll off the back when I do.

Hole 7 (not bad) - 149 yards. Actually not too bad. 9 iron will pop it over the trees that are right in front of you.

Hole 10 (not bad) - 110 - Big tree between you and the green. Sand wedge will pop it up high enough to go over the tree... or at least high enough for the branches to be sparse.

Hole 12 - 187 yards - fairly narrow gap between the trees low, or hit it high and hope it gets through the branches. Hit left and you're in the trees, right and you're dangerously close to innocent bystanders.

Hole 13 - Same as 12 basically.

Hole 18 - (not bad) - 110 - Uphill enough that you can't see the green. Bunkers front left and right. Not too hard to hit the green, but you're OB if you shoot long or roll off the back hard (there's a 1 foot burm to help you not go off the back but it can still happen).

It's not as if I never par these, and they ARE fun.

I'm sure these are very mild compared to "real" golf courses (mine's a humble city park) but they can definitely be among the hardest holes on my 103 slope course. Hell, on the par 4's and 5's I can hit it onto the next fairway and still have a chance at par.

Is it common for par threes to be amongst the hardest? I would imagine so, but I've only played a few courses and it seems to vary.

[ks8829]

Sounds like a boogie on these par 3s is a good score. think outside of the box and layup to a comfortable distance and trying chipping to save par and no more than a boogie.

[shankapotamus]

Sounds like a boogie on these par 3s is a good score. think outside of the box and layup to a comfortable distance and trying chipping to save par and no more than a boogie.

What'sa boogie? Lol, but yeah these par 3's seem to make the player try to be creative.

[Shindig]

First of all, what set of tees are you playing that gives you a 243 yard par-3? Are they appropriate for your skill level? Are you a member at Oakmont or something?

At one course I enjoy, Balboa, there's a par-3 that is 200 or so yards from the white tees, and about 220 from the blues. I hit that GIR once - and that was by accident (I was aiming for the bailout zone that runs up to the green). But I've made par many times, by leaving my tee shot on short grass and without obstacles between me and the flag, and when I'm not playing stupid, I manage to keep it at no-worse-than-bogey. And that hole is hcp2, so I'm net par on those.

Furthermore, if you're a 30 handicap, bogey is a good score on any hole. It seems like each of these holes has some way you can hit to a safe area and get to the middle of the green in two. Plus, with a half or quarter wedge for your second shot, you might even get closer to the pin than that. This leaves you with a possible par and, most likely, worst-case bogey. There aren't many situations now where I, allegedly 13.x shots better than you, wouldn't take a route for a nearly guaranteed worst-case bogey.

Look at it this way: bogeying every par-3 and par-5 in a normal 4-10-4 course, and making double bogey at every par-4, gives you a 100. Throw in a random par or two, or a few par-4 bogeys, and you've got a double digit score. You can't tell me you'd be upset with those at the moment.

[right handed phil mickelson]

From the back tees where I play at my course, theres a 246 yard par 3, over water the whole way. Its intense.

[daveh]

First of all, what set of tees are you playing that gives you a 243 yard par-3? Are they appropriate for your skill level? Are you a member at Oakmont or something?

This is my municipal course with a modest par 68 slope 103. There is only one set of tees, white, for all but the par 5s and one par 4 (444 yards) on which there are also red tees.

Furthermore, if you're a 30 handicap, bogey is a good score on any hole. It seems like each of these holes has some way you can hit to a safe area and get to the middle of the green in two. Plus, with a half or quarter wedge for your second shot, you might even get closer to the pin than that. This leaves you with a possible par and, most likely, worst-case bogey. There aren't many situations now where I, allegedly 13.x shots better than you, wouldn't take a route for a nearly guaranteed worst-case bogey. Look at it this way: bogeying every par-3 and par-5 in a normal 4-10-4 course, and making double bogey at every par-4, gives you a 100. Throw in a random par or two, or a few par-4 bogeys, and you've got a double digit score. You can't tell me you'd be upset with those at the moment.

I'm probably a bit better than 30 at this point, but yeah, I'm ok with bogeys on these. Doubles I have a bit of a problem with, but as long as it's only 1-2 I'm pretty ok. I'm not complaining about these holes. They're fun to play and I always look forward to them. Thanks for confirming that 243 is a long par 3... I kind of thought that was the case.

[daveh]

From the back tees where I play at my course, theres a 246 yard par 3, over water the whole way. Its intense.

Now

that is diabolical.

[Shindig]

I'm probably a bit better than 30 at this point, but yeah, I'm ok with bogeys on these. Doubles I have a bit of a problem with, but as long as it's only 1-2 I'm pretty ok.

I'm in your boat too, and I was in that boat when I was a bit better than 30, too. There was a time when bogey was considered an excellent score for the amateur golfer.

I'm not complaining about these holes. They're fun to play and I always look forward to them.

They do look like fun. And that's a fantastic attitude to have. You're going to be better than "a bit better than 30" before you know it with that attitude

Thanks for confirming that 243 is a long par 3... I kind of thought that was the case.

Yeah. Put it this way: without some luck, or unless that is seriously downhill, I

cannot be on that green in regulation. My best drives (that aren't outliers) are 225. The expected 250 yard club for big hitting professionals is a wood of some sort. It's a long par-3, but if you're comfortable with a bogey there, that shouldn't be too bad a hole for you. In fact, if your club hosts a match play, and you can usually get a comfortable bogey without being shaken, you're going to give some otherwise decent players a scare on that hole.

[Zeph]

At about 30 in hcp it's supposed to be difficult. It'll come in time when you get more precise with both distance and aim. Holes you can reach with 7i-9i are usually ok as you can land it pretty soft and not roll all the way off.

If you struggle with the holes, pretend they are par 4's. Lay up and try getting up and down. To get better at this, you need a better and more consistent swing. Hazards may play mind games, but are really not that big of a problem for players that know their distances. Your swing will get better in time, what you should do now is work on your short game. That is where you can improve in a very short time and see immediate results. I'm still working on my aim and distance control, but I've gotted way better at chipping and pitching the ball close and saving par. Nobody wants to play pitch and putt, but you'll have to know your limitations. Being good on and around the green is useful for everyone. It can also help you understand the swing. Practicing chipping and full wedge shots are good practice, it's recommended you practice most with them.

I agree that the 243 yard par 3 is diabolical, but don't worry about that as much as you should the rest of the par 3s. It's a hole you'll rarely make par, it also involves being either very precise with the driver or some wood. Work on your shorter irons and finding the green on the shorter holes.

[n8ron]

240 yards could also be two pitching wedges. doesn't sound so hard that way.

[BirdIsTheWord]

Par 3's are do or die. I you don't green it, birdie is gone (assuming no chip/pitch hole out). Par is now in peril. If you don't green it, you have to mentally let birdie go, immediately. Bye. New task at hand: get it close enough for a reasonable par putt. You may even hole out, and by all means try, but that shouldn't be your main objective... I sometimes play an all par-3 course, quick 9 under lights at night. Fun, but hectic.

[Zeph]

Going for birdie is maybe part of the problem. Even with a green hit, you're likely to have a difficult putt for birdie. Look at the stats of the PGA players, they hardly ever birdie a par 3. At a hcp of 30, your goal should be par or bogie, depending on how well you hit off the tee. If it's outside the green with good lie, a good chip can easily save the par.

[shortstop20]

For a high handicapper making par on a par 3 is a great score and the elusive birdie feels like an eagle.

Shoot for bogey as if it was par. It will pay dividends as you get better.

Par 3's are not typically considerd birdie holes, even for professionals.

[daveh]

Going for birdie is maybe part of the problem. Even with a green hit, you're likely to have a difficult putt for birdie. Look at the stats of the PGA players, they hardly ever birdie a par 3. At a hcp of 30, your goal should be par or bogie, depending on how well you hit off the tee. If it's outside the green with good lie, a good chip can easily save the par.

Actually I have birdied some of these but I play every day so I'm bound to get lucky sometimes

. (It wasn't me who said something about going for birdie btw). I've played the front 9 with only bogey-par - no doubles, no birdies either. That is my biggest achievement in golf. I've probably parred most holes once (again with the luck) so I know par is within my reach. My goal is ALWAYS par. Even at my level bogey usually (but not always) means I hit at least one poor shot. Keep in mind that this is a slope 103 course that I play almost every day. I would certainly have different expectations on a more difficult course. Actually I should restate that. My goal is ALWAYS to play at the level I know I'm capable of and to continue to learn and improve. On most holes on this particular course I am capable of par, and on a few bogey is more reasonable.

[flopdarock]

yikes thats alot of par3's on one course...
i havent played a course like that in forever... thank god... cuz recently par3's have been kicking me in the teeth