Titleist Instruction Video Tips Our Instructors

Strategy for Short Par-3s

From Trillium Rose On August 04, 2022

Some of the most famous golf courses in the world feature short par-3 holes. On the scorecard, the 7th hole at Pebble Beach, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and the Postage Stamp hole at Royal Troon all measure... under 150 yards in length. And yet these holes each strike fear in the hearts of golfers who have played them, relying on thoughtful design and natural elements like wind and elevation change as their armor.

Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, RI boasts one of these devilish par-3s. The 17th hole measures only 145 yards from the Championship tees, but the green is surrounded by deep bunkers, marsh grass and an unpredictable wind that blows off Narragansett Bay. Titleist staff member Trillium Rose recently visited RICC and as she demonstrates in this video, three is often a great score on a hole like this.

Follow Trillium's advice to make sure you avoid the big trouble on short par-3s.

• Always aim for the middle of the green. Greens are typically tiny on short par-3 holes, so there is no need to go flag hunting. Put your golf ball anywhere on the green surface and you're likely to have a reasonable birdie putt.
• Distance control is key. Play the ball back in your stance a bit and flight the ball lower, with a smooth, controlled swing. Resist swinging too hard! Carry distance is more predictable when you hit the ball lower, at less than full throttle.
• Wind is often the main defense of short par-3s. If the wind is strong, take extra club, play the ball even further back in your stance and knock the ball under the wind, aiming as always at the center of the green.

Some of the most famous golf courses in the world feature short par-3 holes. On the ... scorecard, the 7th hole at Pebble Beach, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and the Postage Stamp hole at Royal Troon all measure under 150 yards in length. And yet these holes each strike fear in the hearts of golfers who have played them, relying on thoughtful design and natural elements like wind and elevation change as their armor.

Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, RI boasts one of these devilish par-3s. The 17th hole measures only 145 yards from the Championship tees, but the green is surrounded by deep bunkers, marsh grass and an unpredictable wind that blows off Narragansett Bay. Titleist staff member Trillium Rose recently visited RICC and as she demonstrates in this video, three is often a great score on a hole like this.

Follow Trillium's advice to make sure you avoid the big trouble on short par-3s.

• Always aim for the middle of the green. Greens are typically tiny on short par-3 holes, so there is no need to go flag hunting. Put your golf ball anywhere on the green surface and you're likely to have a reasonable birdie putt.
• Distance control is key. Play the ball back in your stance a bit and flight the ball lower, with a smooth, controlled swing. Resist swinging too hard! Carry distance is more predictable when you hit the ball lower, at less than full throttle.
• Wind is often the main defense of short par-3s. If the wind is strong, take extra club, play the ball even further back in your stance and knock the ball under the wind, aiming as always at the center of the green.