Short and Sweet: The Appeal of Par 3 Courses
- Alice Watson
- 8 hours ago
- 7 min read
Does golf have to be played over 18 holes of varying lengths and pars to be deemed a legitimate round?
The purists might argue ‘yes’, pointing to the history of the Old Course at St Andrews which became the standard bearer for 18-hole routings in 1764. This followed a decision by the Society of St Andrews Golfers, the predecessor to The Royal & Ancient Golf Club, to fold 22 holes into 18.
But 9-hole loops and Par 3 courses are growing in popularity, posing a challenge to the status quo and raising interesting questions about what counts as golf and the different ways in which the game can be played, and by whom.
One only needs to look to some of the most coveted golf destinations in the world to recognise that golf played in shorter and more creative formats is an increasingly vital asset to attract visitors, encourage them to stay for longer periods, and leave them with lasting memories.
Pinehurst in North Carolina added The Cradle to its offering in 2017, a 9-hole Par 3 course described by the Golf Channel as “the most fun 10 acres in all of golf” [1]. The resort highlights its twisting fairways, deep bunkers, and undulating greens as crucial features that will test any golfer’s short game acumen. The dress code is relaxed, the emphasis is on enjoyment, and music even drifts across the course from hidden speakers embedded in the native sand areas.
This is golf on hallowed turf, but not as you know it.
Other resorts have quickly followed suit.
The Sandbox is a 17-hole Par 3 course at Sand Valley in Wisconsin which plays through a restored sand prairie. It opened in 2018 and promises innovative shot-making opportunities together with unique green complexes, including a biarritz, double plateau, and redan.
The Nest is a 10-hole Par 3 course which was added to the acclaimed Cabot resort in Nova Scotia in 2020. Situated on scenic clifftops, it is characterised by dramatic dips, ridges, and angles which combine to “offer all the challenge of a traditional round, on a course that can be played with just a handful of clubs in a fraction of the usual time” [2].
Meanwhile Shorty’s is the latest innovation at the fabled Bandon Dunes in Oregon, a 19-hole Par 3 course nestled in the sand dunes between the ocean and opening holes of Bandon Trails. It debuted in 2024 on the resort’s 25th anniversary and has been heralded by some as “the finest short course in America” [3].
All three are positioned as complementary additions to multi-course resorts. They are part of the growing ‘Dream Golf’ portfolio of Mike Keiser, the award-winning American course designer behind destinations that seek to provide “soul-stirring golf built in harmony with the land” [4]. Part of this soul-stirring can be attributed to innovative Par 3 layouts which encourage creative and imaginative play across classic linksland terrain.
And golf developments on this side of the pond are starting to sit up and take notice.
Royal Dornoch, one of the world's premier golfing destinations in Scotland, recently revealed plans to not only renovate the Struie, their second 18-hole layout, and construct a new clubhouse and practice facility, but also develop a brand new Par 3 course [5]. Notably, Dornoch’s general manager, Neil Hampton, reflected, “Golf has long been the key economic driver in this part of the country and additional, high quality, eco-friendly championship courses created by highly regarded designers can only enhance our reputation as a golfing destination and encourage visitors to extend their stay in the Highlands.”
Traditional 18- or 36-hole offerings can therefore be enhanced by providing quirky layouts that invite guests to prolong their visit and play in more playful ways.
This is not to say that short courses are a novel or modern invention in Scotland. On the contrary, the country has a long and established history across its length and breadth, from Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders to Durness in Sutherland on its northerly tip [6].
Moreover, St Andrews in Fife is home to the Balgove, a 9-hole links course made up of seven par 3s and two par 4s, while North Berwick in East Lothian and Gleneagles in Perthshire both boast 9-hole Wee Courses catering for golfers of all abilities in the local and tourist communities.
It is nevertheless striking that non-traditional courses are being increasingly framed as instrumental parts of world-class golf destinations and their continuous improvement strategies, and a key way to expand participation and ‘grow’ the game.
It’s not hard to see why.
Par 3 courses offer beginners the perfect setting in which to transition from the driving range to the golf course. Swapping synthetic mats for grass tees, novices can get a feel for golf played on the turf and start to hone their pitching, chipping, and putting. They are ideal places to learn the game, develop a broad skillset, and build confidence before hitting the main course, which can be a daunting next step.
There are important accessibility and inclusivity points to be made too. Shorter courses usually offer more affordable green fees, allow players to squeeze in a quick round when short of time, and promote physical activity without the demands of a full 18-hole routing. Players can enjoy the benefits of being in nature and breathing in the fresh air, without feeling obliged to be on the golf course for multiple hours.
As the Keiser family attests, their Par 3 innovations also stem from a recognition that golf is a game, first and foremost, which should be savoured and enjoyed. In its advertisements, The Cradle cites the infamous quotation of Donald Ross - one of American's legendary course architects who hailed from Scotland - that golf “should be a pleasure, not a penance” [7]. This underscores Pinehurst’s intention to balance Tradition and History with a healthy dose of Fun. After all, Par 3s lend themselves to sociality and entertainment, and most short courses are far more casual and relaxed than their neighbouring championship layouts.
But for elite golfers, too, Par 3 courses offer considerable challenges and opportunities, enabling players to put their skills to the test, sharpen their short games, and develop that all important feel and touch around, and on, the greens. Taking a half set of clubs, rather than the complete 14, promotes shot-making artistry and reduced reliance on standard, full-length, metronomic swings.
Let's face it, the majority of us do not play at resorts in the upper echelons of exclusive golf destinations, but many of us do have short courses nearby that foster our love of the game.
I am a country member at Beedles Lake GC in Leicestershire, England the club closest to my parents’ home. In 2014, they added the Little Owl to its existing 18-hole offering - a 9-hole Par 3 course that is integral to the club’s “Golf for Everyone” philosophy [8].
Holes vary from 95 to 156 yards and are named after the feature that best defines them. After an industrial start on Hole 1, aptly named 'Railway' after the train line which runs parallel to it, the course meanders around a pretty stream and mature woodland, building to a standout moment on Hole 8 - 'Lake View' - which provides glimpses of the large fishing lake.
It’s fair to say that the narrow greens are not for the faint of heart. Tight targets mean the Little Owl is a real test for the seasoned golfer, demanding accuracy and crisp strikes, as well as a nifty short game to get up and down.
My favourite holes are both a modest 95 yards with two-tier greens. Hole 3 - 'Fly Over' - demands a well-struck wedge over the stream, while Hole 7 - 'Waterfall' - requires nerves of steel to navigate a narrow 10-yard opening between towering trees and lurking water. They are equally picturesque and always make me think that this is our miniature, and considerably more humble, version of Augusta National’s - arguably the most famous Par 3 course in all of golf.
The Par 3 contest at the Masters seems to divide opinion among ardent golf fans, but I am an enthusiast and look forward to seeing its beautifully-manicured surfaces before the main event. It was built in 1958 and put into use in competition two years later, and its memorable routing around two large ponds fosters drama, excitement, and theatrics every April.
Famously, no one has won the Par 3 Contest and then gone on to clinch the Masters in the same year, and so out of superstition, some who are leading the way will purposely fail to finish their rounds, or let their families take over, so as not to hand in an official or low score.
Although we mere mortals may not have a Green Jacket within our grasp, there is still plenty to be played for and savoured on our shorter and perfectly formed golf courses.
[5] One of the top-ranked golf clubs in the world announces massive overhaul and new courses | Golf News and Tour Information | GolfDigest.com
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