The modern game of golf is largely dominated by distance. But some of the most dramatic moments in the professional game come courtesy of short par-3s. Think of how many times The Masters or The Players Championship has been decided on the shortest hole on the course. The 7th at Pebble Beach is another great example. Although the hole rarely has an impact on the final outcome, the drama provided by its spectacular setting is impossible to ignore.
Across the pond, many of the great links golf courses feature short par-3s of their own. These holes are often wildly unpredictable. They’re also likely to be some of the most memorable holes of your trip.
If you’re planning a golf trip to Scotland, Ireland, or England, here are a few of our favorite short par-3s to look forward to, all of which are under 150-yards from the medal tee.
Royal Troon
8th Hole – 123 Yards
Better known as the “Postage Stamp,” the 8th hole at Royal Troon is one of the most famous holes on the Open Championship rota. The hole earns its nickname due to its small green, which is a challenge to find even on the calmest of days. Depending on the wind direction, the Postage Stamp could require everything from a small flick of a wedge to a mid-iron. Whatever the shot requires, avoid the Coffin Bunker at all costs. It has the potential to wreck your entire front-9 at Royal Troon.
Credit: Royal Troon Golf Club
Brora Golf Club
13th Hole – 125 Yards
Your round at Brora Golf Club is certain to be filled with delightful moments. The par-3 13th hole is likely to be one of them. The tee box is a frequent gathering place for the many sheep and other livestock that roam the course and help with mowing duties. The green is guarded by a ring of bunkers, and features the sea as backdrop in the distance. There’s also a small burn, which appears to be out of play short of the green, but swallows poorly struck tee shots with surprising regularity.
Royal Liverpool
17th Hole – 134 Yards
When the Open Championship returned to Royal Liverpool Golf Club in 2023, it featured a new 17th hole. This short par-3 – which plays as the 15th hole for members – is certain to add to the drama at the finish of the tournament. The small, elevated green is guarded on the front by a perilously deep bunker, severe runoffs on three sides, and the banks of the Dee Estuary beyond. If the wind is howling off the estuary, a future Open could be won or lost right here.
Credit: Royal Liverpool / Kevin Patrick Murray
Prince’s Golf Club Himalayas
5th Hole – 135 Yards
Over the last few years, Princes Golf Club – host of the 1932 Open Championship – has deployed a variety of updates to its 27-holes. The most notable of which might be the new 5th hole on the Himalayas nine. The wildly undulating green backs up to the English Channel and is protected by a wicked little pot bunker and severe runoffs on all sides. The hole is known as “Bloody Point” and has the potential to live up to its name as far as your round is concerned. And yet, with a short-iron in hand, it may also yield a brush with an ace, as your author found on a recent visit.
Credit: Prince’s Golf Club
Crail Golfing Society
14th Hole – 147 Yards
If you’ve ever read the book “Golf in the Kingdom” by Michael Murphy, the 14th hole at Crail Golfing Society may feel a bit familiar. After enjoying the spectacular view from the tee, and successfully avoiding the giant bunker short of the green, you then stroll past a small, ancient cave. Could this be the home of legendary teacher Seamus MacDuff? If you haven’t read the book, consider picking up a copy before your trip to Scotland. But even without it, the 14th at Crail is sure to offer an intriguing and memorable experience.
Royal County Down
7th Hole – 135 Yards
The par-3s at Royal County Down are truly spectacular. The 7th hole is the shortest among them, but might offer the sternest test. The tiny green is guarded by deep pot bunkers on the left, and are all but certain to collect anything spinning toward that side. Likewise, the right-side of the green is protected by perilous runoffs. If you miss the green here, getting up and down in two is no easy feat. Of course, the same could be said of up and down in three.
Lahinch Golf Club
5th Hole – 145 Yards
The Dell at Lahinch Golf Club is arguably the most famous par-3 in Ireland. As the name suggests, the green sits in a hollow between a set of enormous dunes. Only a tiny portion of the putting surface is visible from the tee. As a result, the majority of tee shots on the Dell are blind, with nothing more than a white stone on the dune to guide the way. It’s the kind of hole that would never be built today. Old Tom Morris designed it. Alister MacKenzie and Martin Hawtree left it untouched. It’s also the kind of hole that some professionals would decry as “unfair.” But when the Irish Open came to Lahinch in 2019, some of the best in the world discovered the joy of this great little hole.
Short par-3s often present some of the most memorable and unique holes across the pond. What they lack in yardage they almost always make up for in memories.
What is your favorite short par-3 across the pond?
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