How To Play The Par Three's

It pays to plan carefully for playing par 3 holes. Most courses have four par 3’s which the average golfer can reach with tee shot. Threes on these holes can do a lot for your score and give you a psychological lift. So make the most of the opportunity.

Club Selection Forget your ego. Take as much club as you will need to carry the ball to the pin. A check at one event showed 90 percent of tee shots stopping short of the hole; 40 percent short of the green. So consider taking longer club than you might expect to use.

Consider distance to the pin, not green. It can vary one or two clubs, depending on pin, not green. It can vary one or two clubs, depending on pin placement and position of tee markers. Remember; Distance on card is from middle of tee to middle of green. So check pin placement and the tee markers before selecting a club.

Consider also the wind. Tossing some grass on the tee is not enough. The wind may be blowing differently at the green, where its effect is greatest. So check the flag and tops of trees near the green.

Another distance factor is green elevation. If it’s elevated, better add 10 yards; lower, deduct 10.

Knowing you have correct club will increase confidence, help you make a smooth swing. You don’t want to force the swing. That would affect your rhythm and swing arc. This should be a control shot.

AIM- Study the green carefully to plan where you want to aim. Since there’s small margin for error on a par 3, play for the safe part. You’ll be putting for a birdie. Adjust aim to allow for crosswind.

TEE- Always use a tee, but keep the ball close to turf so you can take divot and get backspin with iron. Once someone asked Gene Sarazen why he used a tee when most place the ball on the turf, he replied: “I play for money.”

TIP TO REMEMBER – Swing well within yourself.