Par 3's

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Fish

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I'm struggling on par 3's for some unknown reason, it doesn't matter what the distance is, unless long enough for my 4w and then it's no problem, but anything within an iron distance and anything can happen!

The strange thing is that those same distances presented to me on my approach to the green off the fairway are no problem, but stick me on a tee box and it all goes pear shaped.

I've looked back on cards & scores over the last month and there's definitely a pattern!

Confused 🤔
 
Par 3s are easily over complicated by trying to chase a 2. A 4 is still a good score.

If you play for a 4 and get a 3 great but if you play for a 2 and get a 5 it's not so good.

Look to play the tee shot to a place to a place where you can get down in 2 from easily, then you have a shot to play with either way.

Go for the biggest part it the middle of the green instead of the flag. Play towards the safe side or lay up for an easy pitch or chip on.
 
Same distances from the fairway no problem, on the tee box (perfect lie) problem - clearly a mental thing, not technical. The pressure/expectation (perhaps negative expectation, i.e. I always mess up here) is affecting your swing. Not so easy to know how to change a mental issue.
 
I had a similar problem a while back, i worked out on each par 3 what i needed for 2 points in stableford, on the holes i got a shot i played away from all the trouble, if the bunkers were short of the green i made sure i took plenty of club to hit the back of the green and this made a four easy every time with a few pars thrown in, once i got my confidence back i then became more aggressive from the tee shot.
 
Echo some of the above & almost learn to play to your handicap. You play off 17 for a reason, nobody is expecting (nor yourself should be) a blitz of birdies on par 3's. They are sometimes trickier in comparison to bog standard par 4's. Play the simple shot, not the one that hunts the flag. I used to struggle on longer Par 3's till i took the short & straight approch to leave a chip shot to reach the green (eg Instead of playing 5 iron which was the required disctance, I'd play 7 iron knowing I'd be straight and not too far short).
 
Tee the ball low or play it off the ground. many people tee the ball too high for an iron on Par 3s and hit too high on the face, this can make the ball balloon and do all kinds of nasty things.
 
Are you trying to play an iron off the tee in the same way that you would play a driver, IE just trying to hit it too hard?

or maybe try the tee shot without using a tee and pretend its an approach shot from the fairway.

many par 3 's are tricky little blighters with most of the danger being at the front/ front sides , so take the danger out of play by either laying up to your favourite chipping/ pitching distance or go longer and come back.

is there any pattern to your misses pushes/ pulls/ random?
 
I've been the same since joining my club. I'm happy to walk off with 4 but normally walk away with a 5. My long irons aren't the best at the moment but do need to work on my par 3's.
 
1. Become an expert bunker player
2. Simply aim at the centre of the green - don't hit it in the general direction of the middle of the green but focus and plan for the exact centre (unless as bob highlights there is a safer area, in which case go there).

Par 3s green surrounds on most courses are laid out harder than 4s (5s are similar to 3s on most).

Take advantage of the teeing options; make positive decisions as to which side to play from and how far back - all positive reinforcement for your swing. Tee it perfectly everytime.

But the easiest way to make 3 most times is step 1 above!
 
You have to ask why you are making the errors.


Should really be a 4 at worst.

Trouble at the front then take the extra club or 2 if needed. Chip back on if it doesn't hold.

If flag is close to edge of green either side and there is also a bunker then be aware of short siding yourself.

Identify where you simply cannot go (if there is any real danger) . Avoid at all costs.

Sharpen your short game. People miss greens. You then have to give yourself the best chance of getting up and down.
 
M
duncan mackie said:
1. Become an expert bunker player
2. Simply aim at the centre of the green - don't hit it in the general direction of the middle of the green but focus and plan for the exact centre (unless as bob highlights there is a safer area, in which case go there).

Par 3s green surrounds on most courses are laid out harder than 4s (5s are similar to 3s on most).

Take advantage of the teeing options; make positive decisions as to which side to play from and how far back - all positive reinforcement for your swing. Tee it perfectly everytime.

But the easiest way to make 3 most times is step 1 above!
Click to expand...

You seem to missing the point that he is a 18 handicap player so why would he want to put the time in to become an expoert bunker player ?

No one wants to be hitting in it the bunkers all day so wasting your time trying to be an expert bunker player its not going to ensure you get up & down all the time (is there even a tour player who considers themselves to be an expert bunker player ?)

Bob's advice is good try to hit the backj of the green if there is trouble sort and to the side, bail out to which ever side of the green leaves you with the best sort of chip/putt to try and get up and down or worst cases make 4.

Personally its in your head
 
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HankMarvin said:
M

You seem to missing the point that he is a 18 handicap player so why would he want to put the time in to become an expoert bunker player ?

No one wants to be hitting in it the bunkers all day so wasting your time trying to be an expert bunker player its not going to ensure you get up & down all the time (is there even a tour player who considers themselves to be an expert bunker player ?)

Bob's advice is good try to hit the backj of the green if there is trouble sort and to the side, bail out to which ever side of the green leaves you with the best sort of chip/putt to try and get up and down or worst cases make 4.

Personally its in your head
Click to expand...

There aren't many tour players who AREN'T expert bunker players. When I got to a lower handicap the first thing that happened was that I went in considerably more bunkers as my dispersion improved.
 
I certainly echo those that state play it on the deck. I have never understood why anyone tees it up on a par 3. We spend most of our time playing of the deck and therefore if you do this on par 3's no adjustment is needed. teeing up even half an inch must mean some adjustment compared to the same club on a level lie. I'm sure it works for many, just makes no sense to me.

Despite the previous post I would also echo get good at bunkers.
 
HankMarvin said:
M

You seem to missing the point that he is a 18 handicap player so why would he want to put the time in to become an expoert bunker player ?
Click to expand...

By that logic why would anyone put in the time to improve any part of their game?

As he's asked the question he has I assumed that he wishes to play to a lower handicap.

Maybe expert bunker player was a little strong (exaggerate to make a point etc) but most par 3s are well protected by bunkers and failure to perform well from the tee on a Par 3 is frequently related to a fear of bunkers - therefore anything that reduces this fear, or concern if fear is too stronger word, should help to improve his performance from the tee.

Simples
 
Too much to cut & paste from all the above replies, which I thank you all for, but, .....I'm very happy with my short game which people I've played with recently will lay testament to, my up & down ratio is very good, far better than my handicap suggests, bunkers are also not an issue, out first time and usually giving myself a good opportunity to make the putt, but, tee a ball up on a par 3 tee box and then at the exact same distance on the fairway and I could shank, knob, hook, slice the damn thing off the tee box whereas from the fairway the same distance I'll be on the green or very nearby for an up & down and par, bogey at worse!

I did read a couple of replies quickly before meeting Fabian at my club today, so other than the 200 yard par 3's which were OK and good scoring holes for me with my 4w, I lay my ball on the grass of the tee box for the 179yd & 148yd par 3's and I didn't get into any real trouble by knobbing, shanking, slicing or hooking the ball off the tee box and was unlucky not to make par on both of them after a delicate chip to the green.

So, for some reason, and I know it was mentioned above, mentally teeing the ball up on a par 3 when using an iron just doesn't suit me and so I'll continue to lay the ball on the grass and see how I get on now on Saturday and then at Gainsborough.

Thank you for all your replies, I'll keep you informed of any noticeable progress :thup:
 
Chin up Fish you aren't alone par threes are killing my scores but there again five off the tee as I was on one recently isn't going to help. We have two at 200+ yards and three around the 180 mark so no push overs but with a hybrid or long iron, wood for the longer ones, it's rare for me to find target. That means trying to scramble which is hard work if you are missing them regularly. Not sure what I can do other than keep working on my swing and hope I improve. At least the linear short game starting to help
 
HomerJSimpson said:
Chin up Fish you aren't alone par threes are killing my scores but there again five off the tee as I was on one recently isn't going to help. We have two at 200+ yards and three around the 180 mark so no push overs but with a hybrid or long iron, wood for the longer ones, it's rare for me to find target. That means trying to scramble which is hard work if you are missing them regularly. Not sure what I can do other than keep working on my swing and hope I improve. At least the linear short game starting to help
Click to expand...

Doesn't help when there is 6 of them either, 17 is just silly and pointless off the whites

Even 13 one of the supposedly easier ones is stealthy difficult, just think its a trait of RAGC where the par 3s are very tough with the exception of 8 and the par 5s are very scorable
 
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