Course Management · Tip
Play Par 3s With a Plan
Part of our course management programs for big numbers, picking targets. Build a program with it
Par 3s give you birdie chances. They also produce easy double bogeys. Get more than one yardage. Front, middle and back, not just the pin. Factor in elevation. Is the tee above or below the green? Use a low tee. It helps you make clean contact. Don't get greedy. Let the strength of your chipping decide how bold to be. Remember, chipping and putting will still decide your score.
Step by step
- Get front, middle and back numbers.
- Factor in elevation and wind.
- Tee the ball up slightly.
- Pick a line that fits your short game.
- Lean on chipping and putting.
Why it works
A single pin yardage hides the room you have short and long of the target. Front, middle and back numbers show where a miss is safe and where it is trouble. Elevation and wind change how far the ball travels, so adjusting the club keeps your carry honest. A low tee lifts the ball just enough to help clean contact, and aiming at the safe side leaves you a short shot you can handle.
Common mistakes
- You only check the distance to the pin and ignore the depth of the green.Get front, middle and back numbers and pick the club that carries the front edge, then plan to finish near the middle.
- You ignore the height of the tee relative to the green.Decide if the shot plays longer (uphill) or shorter (downhill) and change your club before you set up.
- You aim at a tucked pin even when your chipping is shaky.Aim at the fat part of the green and accept a longer putt, so a miss leaves you an easy chip or putt.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball finishes on the green or in a spot where you have a simple chip, not in a hazard.
- You make clean contact off a low tee, with the ball starting on your chosen line.
- Your scores on par 3s show fewer doubles, and you save more pars with chipping and putting.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Play a hole where the green is large and open, and just choose the middle number every time.
Harder: Add a real target for each par 3, such as a specific side of the green, and write down whether you hit it after each shot.
Common questions
Should I aim at the pin on a par 3?
Only when the pin is in the open and you hit that club well. Otherwise aim at the middle of the green, which leaves you the biggest margin for error.
How high should I tee the ball on a par 3?
Tee it low, so the ball sits just above the grass. This helps you strike the ball cleanly without having to sweep it off the ground.
