Long par 3's - Are they fair?

[Driven2Distraction]

If people can't reach a 220yd par 3 then they probably can't reach 400+ yd par 4s in regulation either so what's the difference. The key point you make is the size and shape of the green. Both our long ones have long greens which allow a ball to run up to them if you hit it straight. I quite like them and would rather have what we have than a noddy par 4 or too many short par 3s

^+1

unless you play at a course that's over 7000 yards long you're likely to get the "extra" yards on your par 3's back by way of sub 400 par 4s

although, on the flip side - there's a nasty rumour circulating that the "powers that be" are considering extending our 3rd hole to take it from 140ish to over 200 to make it harder for the pros when the course is used for open quals... not super impressed (not because of the length, but because it's a nice hole)
why is the answer always to make holes longer? why not make the green smaller/more difficult to hold, or reprofile the green and the bunkers and make the pin positions hard to get at?

 

[Iaing]

Our second is 230 yards, uphill with OOB hard down the right. The field over the OOB fence is a great hunting ground for barely used golf balls.

Is it fair? It's the same for everyone is the way I look at it.

 

[G1BB0]

see, its all crap. My course is made up of mostly seniors. They wanted to extend some of the holes by moving the tee's back upto 40 yards on a couple. The seniors would have no chance off the teeof even making the fairway on some holes.

Its a bloody hobby, instead of length make the layout more challenging via obstacles and so forth.

 

[rosecott]

a par 3 that requires a wood from an average length player is bollox!!!!

for any senior or shorter player its a driver = no chance, most par 3's have tree's, bunkers, water and so forth as protection also.

Whats the point? Oooooh this course is par 73, 7000yds long and 4 200+ par 3's.... Enjoy, I will play somewhere that I actually have a small chance as opposed to no chance tyvm.

We arent all 5 & under h/c hitting 250+ drives and 180+ 7irons.

Remember you're not a 28 handicap any more - man up.

 

[G1BB0]

but seriously. Only low handicappers are even going to have a chance of making par let alone bogey. Whats the point?

You par it one in 50 so feel great until next week when you get to the tee and think 'crap, I hope I middle this and get it close ish'

 

[jdchelsea]

I think par 3's over 200 yards are a bit unfair even though I quite enjoy the challenge then again I can hit my 5 iron around 200 yards.

On the same hand I really dislike very short par 3's. They just feel like nothing holes-if I par or even birdie them I think well I should have got that score. If I make bogey or worse I'm cursing myself. So there's no joy with success.

 

[Scadge]

[Its a bloody hobby, instead of length make the layout more challenging via obstacles and so forth.[/QUOTE]

yes they could install windmills or a clowns face - of course you can use a wood on a par three - it should be a test of all the clubs in the bag (and the ball goes further these days)

 

[Neddy]

If people can't reach a 220yd par 3 then they probably can't reach 400+ yd par 4s in regulation either so what's the difference.

Difference is on a 400 yard par 4 i can lay up on a lovely bit of fairway and hit a nice comfortable pitch.

On all of the 200+ par 3's I have played, i may have the option to lay up but the overwhelming chances are my lie will not be good.

 

[ash01]

Agree with G1BBO.

The best par3's I have played are all under 160 yards.

I find long par 3's boring and unimaginative.

My favourite par3 is the 7th at Royal Porthcawl.

http://royalporthcawl.com/pages.php/course_hole.html/76838414-5ad7-102c-9079-001ec9b331b2/7.html

With a good selection of pin its a fantastic short par 3.

However I dont think its a case of fairness with the longer par 3's.

Ash!!

 

[G1BB0]

Scadge, thats a pretty poor reply tbh. Yes if your a pro, can shape the ball either way, have spot on distances and so forth but for a handicap golfer (of which most clubs cover from 0 - 36 with women included in mixed comps) it should be challenging but not mission impossible

 

[Val]

I'll take a par 3 of over 200 yards before a par 4 of over 450 yards every week.

 

[JustOne]

You par it one in 50 so feel great until next week when you get to the tee and think 'crap, I hope I middle this and get it close ish'

I think that on every shot mate is there a time when I should hope NOT to middle one or get it close(ish) to where I'm aiming?

 

[G1BB0]

apols, that was from my own personal perspective

 

[JustOne]

apols, that was from my own personal perspective

LOL...

REAL issues are when you're thinking "don't miss the ball, don't miss the ball, don't miss th......"

As a low h/cap golfer that you now are you needen't worry about those thoughts any more :thup:

 

[duncan mackie]

Our longest is 241yds and you simply take a 3 if possible and go to the next. The long par 3's generally make up (score wise) for a few short par 4's or par 5's elsewhere in the round where you should be looking at birdie.

Learning where to miss a par 3 is the skill, for example short at Homer's gaff is a good call as left, right or long are awkward to say the least (depending on pin position).

agreed - although it's not only knowing where to 'miss' but then missing there!

I find a strange situation with both par 3 and par 5 holes; for some reason handicap golfers that seem comfortable that they can't reach par 4's in 2 shots aren't happy if they can't reach the 3's and 5's in 'regulation'. Strange.

 

[Scadge]

Gibbo - just don't think it makes a good golf course to only reach for the wedge to 8 iron range for the par threes. I like pretty par threes but also a "let's have a rip" at this one par threes.

I can't hit the fiddly little shots which is why I have the handicap I do (and so I don't want courses to be reduced to pitch and putt and let's reduce the carry for the old guys) and presumably why people who can't hit 200yds have the handicap they do (and I understand the argument about not wanting everything to be lengthened to 7,000 yards).

I want a course that provides the variety for us both to enjoy at least some part.

 

[splashtryagain]

They are certainly not my favourite type of hole but:
It is the same for everyone on comp days so do the best you can. My course has 5 par 3's 140, 2 at @170 and 2 at @190. These are the holes that tend to sort the scores out.

 

[USER1999]

Ours are 200, 220, 130, 190, off the blocks. The short one is never easy. But then neither are the long ones. I'd like one at 160, or seven iron distance, as it is known. Any where else on the course I'm not expected to hit the green from 200+.

I only get. Shot on one of them too.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Difference is on a 400 yard par 4 i can lay up on a lovely bit of fairway and hit a nice comfortable pitch.

On all of the 200+ par 3's I have played, i may have the option to lay up but the overwhelming chances are my lie will not be good.

As I said it's not about the length, it's about the design, but if I'm honest, if I'm giving away a shot in a match I don't want my oppo having the option to lay up on fairway on a par 3

 

[G1BB0]

Actually I concede as after playing the Arden at FoA the last can be seen as an absolute git, I was on the green in 1 so not too shabby (hybrid done the business) and it was a peach of a hole to play

All holes whether par 3/4/5 have their pluses and minuses. I guess on par 3's you just have less shots to play with from the off