Most courses have at least four par 3 holes. Some will have five or six, but in general four is the normal number. Playing from the blues (furthest back tee box) most par 3s will play between 160 – 185 yards; challenging but not demoralizing. Personally, I consider par 3s scoring holes. I expect to birdie at least one per round and par the other three. This may sound a be ambitious, but given the general length of most par 3s, not unrealistic. Additionally, most par 3s are spread evenly throughout the course, which is an advantage because they help with the flow of each round.
Hole 1 halfway up the fairway.
Hole 3 from Tee Box.
Well, my confidence of conquering these short holes has taken a bit of hit as of late. My home course of Roundel Glen has a different course set up that challenges even the most experienced amateur. All but one of the par 3s are long, difficult to approach, and well guarded. Adding to the difficulty, when I play in the morning there is very little roll and the ball does not travel as far because it is cold. In addition to their length, the par 3s are placed in more challenging positions which disrupts the normal flow of a golf course. From the blues this is what it looks like:
- Hole 1 – Par 3 – 210 yards – 3 hybrid;
- Hole 3 – Par 3 – 205 yards – 3 hybrid;
- Hole 10 – Par 3 – 200 yards – 3 or 4 hybrid; and
- Hole 17 – Par 3 – 173 yards – 6 iron or 5 hybrid.
Roundel Glen’s course layout is actually very good. I like the course, but I need some help. I have racked my brain on ways to play these holes. In the middle of the day, I can easily reach the green with the clubs shown, but in the morning it is very difficult. My woods, even choked down, do not work – I have tried.
At this time, I play these holes by trying to hit as close to the green as possible (and sometimes on) and relying on my short game to eek out a par. Not sure there is any other way to play these holes. If you have any suggestions I am all ears!
I am a grateful golfer! Always willing to accept advice!
The Grateful Golfer 
Have no suggestions for you Jim, you are a far better golfer than I am, but have to say I dislike starting a round with a par three.
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Pete
Me too. We start the front and back nine with a par 3. Messes with my head! Great to hear from you.
Cheers
Jim
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Next time I play I will take some pics of our par 3’s. Frank Nobilo once carded a ten on one of them, as you can guess it’s not my favorite hole.
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Pete
Sounds Great. I look forward to seeing your pictures.
Cheers
Jim
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Adjusting your mindset is a great idea. Put it this way, if you were 200 yards for your second shot on a par 5 you would probably think, what a great opportunity to make birdie! Even if you miss the green, you have a chance to get it up and down for birdie. Getting it down in 3 shots from 200 yards on a par 5 seems like a very realistic opportunity. I’d suggest treating the par 3’s the same and dropping the labels of “birdie” or “par”. It only feels more challenging to get it down in 3 on a long par 3 because it’s for par, not for birdie. That one shot buffer on a par 5 relaxes you a bit. If you can block that out and pretend you’re going for a par 5 in two, it could help. In theory it should be easier, because on the par 3 you always start with a perfect lie! Play to the safe side of the hole and embrace the opportunity.
Cheers
Josh
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Josh
Very sage advice. I guess I should follow Norman Vincent Peale’s saying “Change your thoughts, Change your world” Looking differently at Par 3s will likely help!
Cheers
Jim
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Having a par 3 as the first hole of the day is a real challenge. Being over 200 yards makes it even worse. That hole 3 is a great score. You wouldn’t look at a par 4 as a birdie hole if your second shot was over 200 yards. So other than the last par 3 middle of the green 2 putts and get the hell out of there.
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Vet
I seem to be getting the same advice. I appreciate your input. On a side note, I expect to hit the green 6 times out of ten from 200 yards….but that is another article in the near future.
Cheers
Jimn
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Jim, I wouldn’t consider any hole with a 200+ approach shot a scoring opportunity. Hit for the fat part of the green or miss it short and on the approach for an easier chip, but don’t go flag hunting. Sounds like you are taking the right approach as is. But as you’ve often stressed to me, it’s about managing expectations. I’d focus my aggressive play on the par 5s and short par 4s. Good luck! Brian
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Brian
Great advice. Changing my mindset on what to expect is the right thing to do. Having always scored well on par 3s, I guess I was refusing to accept the obvious. Thanks for setting me straight!
Cheers
Jim
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