Course Management · Tip
A Plan for Tough Par 3s
Part of our course management programs for picking targets, wind and weather. Build a program with it
Par 3s are often the hardest holes on the course. Have a plan. Pick your club based on distance, wind and elevation. Look at the green. Where are the slopes and hazards? Where should the ball land? Picture the shot, including that landing spot. Rehearse the swing you need once or twice. Then swing smoothly. Don't try to hit harder. And stay positive if it isn't perfect.
Step by step
- Factor distance, wind and elevation.
- Study the green's slopes and hazards.
- Picture your landing spot.
- Rehearse the swing.
- Swing smoothly and stay positive.
Why it works
A par 3 gives you one full shot to reach the green, so a poor club choice or a vague target costs you more than it does on other holes. Working out distance, wind and elevation gives you the club that matches the real yardage, not the number on the marker. Picking a landing spot gives your swing one clear target, and a smooth, rehearsed swing keeps contact and face angle more consistent than a hard swing does.
Common mistakes
- You choose a club from the yardage alone and ignore wind and elevation.Adjust the number first: add distance for uphill or a headwind, subtract for downhill or a tailwind, then pick the club.
- You aim at the flag when a hazard sits right beside it.Pick a landing spot on the safe side of the green and aim there, even if it leaves a longer putt.
- You swing harder to make up for a long shot and lose balance and contact.Take one more club if you need the distance and make the same smooth swing you rehearsed.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on the line you picked and lands near the spot you pictured.
- You make solid contact on most swings, with the divot or turf mark in the usual place after the ball.
- You finish balanced and can hold your finish until the ball lands.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice the routine on a short par 3 or at the range with a mid-iron and a clear, flat target.
Harder: Run the full routine on a long par 3 with wind, a sloped green and a hazard close to the pin, and play just one ball with no second try.
Common questions
What club should I use on a par 3?
Start with the distance to the spot you want to land on, then adjust for wind and elevation. Choose the club that carries that adjusted number, and take the longer club if you are unsure.
Should I aim at the flag on a par 3?
Only when the green around the flag is open and safe. If there is a hazard or a steep slope near the pin, aim at the larger, safer part of the green.
