Par 3 Scoring – Key Takeaways
- Longer holes result in higher average scores.
- Roughly 1 out of every 7 golfers can’t reach a 200+ yard par 3 hole off the tee.
- 1 out of 3 golfers needs to hit a driver to reach a 200-224 yard par 3.
Improved Performance Through Data
Big data is a powerful tool. Not only does it allow golfers to assess individual parts of the game, but it provides an opportunity to examine performance from a variety of perspectives.
Golf stat-tracking and performance management companies like ShotScope help golfers better understand individual on-course performance. However, by aggregating data from golfers across the world, we get a more complete picture of the realities of amateur performance.
So, as we dive into a relatively straightforward topic, take a moment and think about the par 3 holes on your home course. What is the typical yardage? What strategy do you use to produce the highest probability of success?
As you look through the Shot Scope Par 3 performance data, keep in mind that the PGA Tour scoring average is 3.06 on all par 3 holes. Manage your expectations accordingly
Par 3 Scoring Average by Handicap (150-200 Yards)
Observations
- Even on short(er) par 3s, avoiding bogey beats the database average by nearly a full stroke.
- If you’re a “bogey” golfer, consider playing every par 3 as a short par 4 instead.
Par 3 Scoring Average by Handicap (200+ Yards)
Observations
- As expected, longer holes yield higher scores, though the Shot Scope database average score increased by only .21 strokes.
- Using a strategy that gives you the best opportunity to make par is a simple way to lower your score by 2-3 strokes/round.
Distribution of Driving Distance
We tend to only consider driving distance on holes designated as a par 4 or par 5.
The reality is, nearly 50% of golfers will use a driver on a 200-yard par 3. If the hole is longer than 224 yards, the percentage increases to over 70%.
How Do You Compare?
Do you score better or worse than the Shot Scope database averages?
What’s your biggest takeaway? How do you strategically attack the par 3 holes on your course?
Post a comment below!
Jay
4 years ago
How is it that tee box choice is still equated with masculinity?
Some of my best golfing partners (who play low single digits) and I play from every possible set of tees, basically whichever tees tickle our fancy for the day. It may be the most forward tees, but rarely is it the tips. Some of them can drive it around 280+, whereas I’m plonking em out to about 240-260 (~245 carry). However I can hit a lot of fairways, whereas they often dial it way back with their driver or hit 3 woods/hybrids off the tee to stay competitive. Playing from the more forward tees makes it a completely different game and forces us to play different shots on the course than from the same tees every round. It also makes some of the par 4s drivable and some of the par 3s sand, gap, even lob wedge in, and par 5s reachable in two with relative ease, or at least a wedge in hand to get on in three. It’s so much more fun than having to swing out of your shoes on every drive and then trying to get a wood, hybrid or long iron to stop on the greens. My regular courses play at about 6200, 6300, and 6400 for the men’s member tees. The most forward tees on all of them is about 5200. And, the intermediate tees range between 5900-6000. Playing 5200 really sharpens the short game and ups the golf IQ and it’s just fun – what a concept.
As often pointed out here, the majority of people (specifically Men) play from the wrong tees. I get so bummed waiting for most of the macho boys that I get paired up with to get to the green while I wait for them as they weave back and forth from one side of the fairway to the other, or drop a second or even third ball on the tee at every other hole. Look if you’re losing more than a ball or two on the course, or you’re hitting more bogeys (or worse) than pars, the.n you need to move forward! Get over it.
Or do the simple equation: 5 iron distance x 36. For me, it ends up right around 6300 (175×36). However, that’s my stock 5 iron, right on the screws, no wind, that’s not hooding the club for a draw or lofting it for a high fade.
It would be great if each course set up a launch monitor before the first tee and had each player hit their five iron, and based on that distance calculation put you on the appropriate tee box – or forward – no exceptions. And I agree, if you’re having to take a driver off the tee for a par 3, you need to move forward a couple tee boxes, champ.
And to answer your questions – my par 3 average is 3.09.
+2 HCP (Lowest HCP this year = +3.4),
81% FIR, and
67% GIR, with
28 putts per round average.
I’m in my early 60s and practice more hours than I play rounds and thats about 120 rounds/year . And yes, I’ve shot my age – Once.
Now stop whining and hit the damn ball already.