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Par 3's - How Long is Too Long?

ken419

ken419

Return of the Hack
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A local course I enjoy playing has two long par 3 holes, one at 235yds and the other at 240yds.

With your average amateur only hitting 195-205 with their driver*, should it still be considered a par 3, and how long would you consider to be too long?




*SOURCE: Golf Digest 2/9/17
 
Any par 3 approaching 200 yards is too long for me. I really prefer the longest to be around 170. Then 150 to 160 and maybe one 130 or 140.

But as long as I don't need more than a hybrid, that's good enough.

At 235-240 in the OP, I am probably not getting there with the driver most of the time. Conditions have to be just right or I make the perfect swing if I am going to be close to the green. I might bounce it up there if it's been hot and dry!

To the OP: are those distances from the tips or are they from the regular mens tees? Because that makes a difference.
 
I don't know the number. But when I was in Ireland there was a very long par 3 and the wind was in our face. I asked one of the caddies what the number was and he said "driver". That is too long.
 
210 is too long in my book. Move up a set of tees.
 
Par 3's should be no more then 85% in length compared to your total driving distance.
 
Scrap Iron said:
210 is too long in my book. Move up a set of tees.
Click to expand...

This would be my cut off point as well. With no wind in my face, I would have to pure a 5 wood to get there.
 
If I have to pull 3W or driver it's too long. 190+ is too long for me.

JM
 
Scrap Iron said:
210 is too long in my book. Move up a set of tees.
Click to expand...

I normally do on those holes. There's a set of gold tees not on the scorecard that are slightly behind the red (ladies) tees, so I usually play both at ~165/180...I can almost get there with a 3h; 3w is too inconsistent most days to even try it.
 
I think anything over 190 is too long.

Par 3s are challenging for what they are anyway, tight greens, lots of hazards - why make it stupid long?
 
Par 3's - How Long is Too Long?

Any time a par 3 takes an iron/iron replacement out your hand I feel that a Golfer is playing the wrong tees.


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Smallville said:
To the OP: are those distances from the tips or are they from the regular mens tees? Because that makes a difference.
Click to expand...

Yes...those distances are from the tips (white tees). The red (ladies) tees on those holes are 180 and 170.
This course also has a set of gold tees behind the reds that aren't on the scorecard.
 
I am okay for a par 3 out to 210. We have one on the home course that long.. Depending on wind it could be 4 iron to 3wood.
 
230, particularly if it's mostly carry


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While 200+ par 3s are not my favorite, I do think they have a place, just as a driveable par 4 does. The longest I have played was at Stockton sea view baycourse just outside of AC. Was 210+ from the standard tees into the wind. It was something different which I appreciated.
 
My favorite "beginner's" course by me has a 202 yard Par 3. I hate that hole. It is a Driver for me, so very small chance of ever parring that hole. For now.
 
If I am having to hit 3 wood , the hole would be too long


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My old home course had a par 3 that was 200(downhill) from the white tees and 220(flat) from the blues. Big green, just bunkers no water, it was a fair but tough hole.
 
I play a course that has a 195 to 210 par 3 depending on pin placement. The difficulty really is that the green sits up on a hill. If your ball hits the front of that hill it ain't gonna get up there. Can be anywhere from a 4 iron to #3 hybrid. Still a fun hole.
 
Beyond 215 now is probably when it becomes less than comfortable for me now. I can hit my hybrid 235-240 or so, but I'd rather not for anything other than a tee shot on a shorter par 4.

Home course has one par 3 that's 225, 235 to a back pin. A bear into the wind.

Longest I played prior was in Myrtle Beach, the legends courses. Moorland has one at 245 and Heathland, 235. Although longer, Moorland played easier for me. Tee is elevated a bit whereas Heathland's is flat and the Moorland hole is more generous with a large bailout short and right. Water left, don't go there like my buddy did four times in a row. He's stubborn, re-tee'd every time rather take a closer drop (with better angle hitting away from water!).
 
A local course we used to play had some weird holes.
There was a par 3 @ 235 yards.
A few holes later, they have a 185 yd par 4, and a 212 yd par 4.
It's a new course (5 years old). We asked the owner why he didn't switch and call the 185 yd a par 3, and the 235 yd a par 4.
He said this messes people up.
They think they "have" to reach the par 3@ 235yd with an iron.??????????
I usually hit a 4 or 5 wood. No problem.
 
SunnyWalker said:
My old home course had a par 3 that was 200(downhill) from the white tees and 220(flat) from the blues. Big green, just bunkers no water, it was a fair but tough hole.
Click to expand...

Were the tees on completely different lines? I have a hard time imagining on a normal setup, how the blues weren't also downhill.
 
230+. I have plenty of club to get there but hardly ever hot the green because I don't swing in tempo.


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I'm not so sure the total length of the hole is as much of an issue as the carry distance is. Anything with a 200 yard forced carry is probably a bit harsh on the majority of amateur golfers.
 
I like to think in terms of iron distance. Anything more than a 5-iron to me (160-170) is too long for me. My game is not that good that I can get on those longer par 3's in regulation. That is why my buddies and I, all in our 70's play the forward tees.
 
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