Saving Shots on a Par-3

By April 23, 2018Tips & Tutorials
saving shots

The aim of a round of golf is to get around the course in the fewest number of shots possible.  However, for something which sounds quite easy, it can seem a very complex game and dropped shots are common place, especially for beginners.

Par-3 holes are a great example of where beginner golfers often drop shots during a round.  Today, we have some great tips which will help you avoid dropping shots on the shortest holes on the golf course.

Most par-3 holes you play will be different but for ease of use, we are going to use one specific hole as an example.  Imagine a par-3 hole which is 160 yards long, with a green protected to the font by water, which also stretches down the right side of the fairway.  There is also a bunker on the left of the green and while this may seem like an overload on hazards, many par-3’s are well-protected.

Before playing a shot on this hole, you must make it clear in your mind what you are trying to achieve.  The two major objectives are to get the ball on the green and avoid seeing your ball finish in either the water or the bunker.

The shot starts when you place the ball in the tee box and if you place it on the left side of the box, you immediately make things more difficult for yourself because doing that brings the water into play.

If you tee the ball on the right side of the box, you will be aiming for the left side of the green and while this brings the bunker into play, it eliminates much of the water, making it the best way to approach the short.  If you can avoid hitting the ball over much of the water and still find the green, this is an option you should take.

When choosing which club to use, you must make sure you have enough club to clear the water hazard in-front of the green.

If the hole is 160 yards away and the full distance you can hit a 7-iron is 160 yards, why would you choose to go with this club?  You have placed pressure on yourself to hit the perfect 7-iron shot and if you do not, the ball has a big chance of landing in the water.

If the hole is at the front or middle of the green, you can afford to take an extra club and land the ball at the back of the green.  It may not be as close to the hole as you would like but its safely on the putting surface.

Always take a minute to carefully consider how to play par-3 holes and you will find yourself saving shots in no time.