33 on a 9 hole par 3 course

[Tim Poole]

Hi all,

I started playing golf properly in September 2015, although I'd played on a small pitch and putt many times in the past. Due to time/cost and geography, I currently only play on 9-hole par-3 pitch & putts or PlayGolf London in Northwick Park (an executive golf course, Par 29, two par 4s and rest par 3s).

My best on Northwick Park is a 48 over nine holes. However, Harrow on the Hill Pitch & Putt, I've gone round 18 holes in 70 (+16) and done the back nine in 33 (+6). Naturally, I was delighted with the latter and my score gets lower every week. Before that, I got a +9 on the back nine and I genuinely feel like I can get a birdie or par on every hole.

I'm aware every course is different and also aware opinions generally shouldn't affect anyone's game! That said, I've read a lot from golfers/on the internet questioning short par-3 courses or dismissing them as something just to practice your chipping on.

So I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on short par 3 9-hole courses? I'm aware my long game lags far behind and, due to my driving and the cost of a membership fee, I wouldn't even attempt a long course right now.

I would be delighted to see myself as a short-game specialist and ultimately secure an even par or below par round on a 9-hole par 3 course (or even over 18 holes on that course). But would that be considered a good achievement or would most golfers frown upon this as something only beginners would be interested in?

Appreciate any feedback!

 

[garyinderry]

They are a great place for people to start off on. Also good to go round if you are tight for time.

My course in Ireland has a great little par 3 course across the road. I took a few guys there to show them the ropes. They stayed till they were happy enough with their games before taking on the 'big course'.


I started playing golf on a little par 3 course in the grounds of my fathers work. After that it was onto 9 holes courses that included longer par 4s but still short in total distance. Finally full size courses that I play today.


The par 3 course is a gold mine for my old club. Packed in the good weather.

 

[backwoodsman]

Hi - and welcome.

If you only started playing in September last year, then it sounds to me like your game is coming on ok stick with the par3 course for a bit longer. You'll want to progress up to a "big course in time" but you'll "know" when the time feels right to you. But you'll not need to be "expert" on the short course before you do it..

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I played a par three course at the weekend with some non-golfer mates.

It made me realise how things change as you improve at golf. Starting out, long holes are the most challenging as hitting a driver, or any other long club is hard. Then as you get better that switches over. Par 5s become easier and par 3s relatively harder. I lose more shots on par 3s than par 5s typically.

Keep practicing on the par three, it will stand you in good stead in due course when you transition (assuming you do) to the full course.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Level par or below par on a par 3 course? I'd be delighted with it! They aren't as easy as people may think. Still very easy to drop shots like confetti

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Good shooting and welcome along. I wouldn't worry too much as you'll get that itch to play a longer course soon enough and from there you'll be hooked. Don't worry about the longer game lagging behind. As long as you keep it in play off the tee, the short game skills you've developed will help and plenty of time to get a driving lesson when time and money allows

 

[Jimbop90]

When I first started playing again I played a local course to me in Worcestershire which was a par 61, 11 par 3's and the rest 4's, but the longest of the 4's was 400 yards and the rest were more like 280. I don't think if I went back there again now I could beat my best score round there, which was something ridiculous like 9 over. My short irons (9 of the 11 par 3's were pitching wedge or less) had to be a lot better than they are now, only 3 holes you could actually hit driver, and on those 3 holes they were all parallel so going wild meant nothing, you'd be on an adjacent fairway.

Since playing that course I've fixed major flaws in my swing / grip that makes my long game and future all round game have a higher ceiling, but that 130 yards and in accuracy still isn't there yet. So really, I think you should start spending a bit of time at the range too, making sure you've not got flaws that show up on the long clubs.

 

[Tim Poole]

Thanks for all the responses so far

 

[ScienceBoy]

My main course is our local 9 hole par 3.

Last summer I tried to do 18 holes in level gross, lipped out twice for the goal on the last from about 15 feet.

I usually go round in +4 for 9 holes, good rounds being 1 or 2 over.

It's very easy to drop a shot, all the holes are 90-140 yards with tiny slopey greens.

I love the place, great for new golfers, families but also decent-ish players like myself.

My best for 9 is still only 26 and 18 is 55.

One day I will string 2 good 9s together and go level or under.

I'm also a huge fan of short courses, 5000 yards or less for 18 holes. Great test of golf and usually a lot of fun. Much better than a poorly kept overly difficult 18 hole full course.

 

[Tongo]

Par 3 courses are great and i wish there were more of em!

 

[NorfolkShaun]

Great place to start par 3 courses.

Biggest difference i noticed (other than the length) when i went on a full course was how much better the greens are.

33 on par 27 i think is pretty dam good, you wont have many problems on the full course.

 

[larmen]

I still only play a par 3 course an shooting between 41 and 52. At some point we all want to upgrade I think, but I have to feel confident enough to actually get around it.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

I still only play a par 3 course an shooting between 41 and 52. At some point we all want to upgrade I think, but I have to feel confident enough to actually get around it.

You would be fine i'm sure, it is a big change i remember my first round.

One thing i used to think was everyone on a golf course is really good, they aint.

 

[Ian_Bristol]

Par 3 are great for the short game, it is no good hitting the ball 279 yrds toward the flag if you can't get it down the hole, not meaning to make you feel bad but @ the Kendleshire a 6yr old lad shot 1 over https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDygvONLY3U

 

[Tim Poole]

Doesn't make me feel bad. He'll probably be posting similar scores at some of the world's best courses soon

 

[garyinderry]

If you check his videos his current best score is -3. :lol:



Great little chipper.

 

[jdpjamesp]

My course in Ireland has a great little par 3 course across the road.

Where would that be mate? Finding myself in Ireland more and more at the moment due to work.

 

[garyinderry]

Foyle golf in Derry. there is a short course at city of Derry golf club too but the condtion isn't great.


Where are you working? could recommend a few courses in the west.

 

[jdpjamesp]

Mainly in and around Dublin at the moment unfortunately as the golf isn't so accessible there from my experience.

 

[garyinderry]

Damn, that's no where near any of the courses I frequent.