“In this era of obscene power, the likes of which the game has never witnessed, why not strive to induce a little fun into the mix and at the same time present a true test of delicacy and accuracy?” – Ben Crenshaw
This quote from an essay in Geoff Shackelford’s book Masters of the Links resonates with me. In the work I have been doing at Canal Shores (read more about it here), I am coming to appreciate short courses and short holes more and more – especially short par 3s.
Therefore, I would like to pay homage to short par 3s here by constructing an 18 hole course out of some of the best. Mr. Crenshaw provided a list of 11 in his article:
- Pine Valley #10
- National Golf Links #6
- Whitemarsh Valley #9
- Merion #13
- Royal Melbourne #7
- Pebble Beach #7
- Cypress Point #15
- Royal Troon #8
- Chicago Golf Club #10
- Augusta National #12
- Kingston Heath #15
I’ll round it out with 7 (plus a bonus) of my personal favorites to play:
- Bandon Trails #5
- Crystal Downs #14
- Kingsley Club #2
- Maidstone #8
- Shoreacres #12
- Streamsong Blue #5
- Old Macdonald #5
- Bonus Hole: Friar’s Head #17
Why do I love to play short par 3s? Because they are great at causing internal conflict. The shorter distance makes me think that I should be able to easily execute the shot. That expectation of success can cut both ways: it comes with a boost of confidence, and extra pressure. In much the same way that a 5-footer can break you down, so can a short par 3. I have to try extra hard to focus on execution, and stay off the result. Easier said than done when standing on the tee with a wedge or short iron. Good golf shots are rarely produced with one’s head twisted into a pretzel. I love taking on the mental challenge presented by short 3s.
I am working on concepts for several short par 3s for Canal Shores and they are great fun to contemplate and discuss. Removal of distance as the primary challenge also removes creative constraints. The player won’t be challenged by length, but there are so many other ways to interest and mentally torment – green size, contours, site lines, orientation, hazards, elevation change, etc. Let it not be said that a shorty can’t test skill and fortitude.
It is my hope that architects continue to find ways to incorporate devilish little par 3s, and short holes of all kinds, into their designs. In the age of the long ball (in every sense of the phrase), the shorties add so much to the game.
Do you have favorite short par 3s that I missed? Post them here in the comments, or on Twitter – tag me at @JasonWay1493 or #short3s.
ADDITIONS FROM FELLOW GOLF GEEKS
I enjoyed reading your blog post on shorts 3’s – thank you for sharing. You should look up the short 7th at Royal County Down – the best I have played….a remarkable green complex and inspiration in my work. Another good one is the short 12th at Durban Country Club….also lots at clubs you may never hear of across the globe with uber quirky and relatively short 3’s like the 13th at Palheiro in Madeira, some of the 3’s at Brancaster and most of the 3s at the Royal Bangkok sports club.
Thanks for visiting Paul, and for pitching in some of your favorites. I’m not that well traveled (yet), so I love hearing about these farther flung gems.
Love the list but the Royal Melbourne 7th hole photo is actually RM 5th (plays about 176 yards). Number 7 is shorter and plays uphill. It also wasn’t built by McKenzie, rather by the designer of the RM East course, Alex Russell. It is a wonderful par 3 around 148 yards, full of challenge and interest.
Thanks for the catch Peter, and the knowledge.
Was wondering if you had the link to the original article of Ben Crenshaw’s 11 favorite par 3’s?
Thanks!
The essay is in the book Masters of the Links by Geoff Shackelford.