Par-3s – Scorecard Killers

A common misconception amongst amateur golfers is that par-3s are easy but that could not be further from the truth.

Our on-course data partner, Shot Scope, has pulled the stats on mid- to long-range par-3s to reveal some interesting insights on how amateurs fare on these holes.

Many clubs will include a “Magic Twos” prize pot alongside the competition in their weekly medals to reward those that successfully birdie any par-3s, and for good reason, as we will soon find out.

From 150-200 yards, what can we expect on a par-3?

Immediately, we can see that the vast majority of golfers are more likely to miss the green than hit it from between 150 and 200 yards.

Let that sink in …

Even for scratch golfers, it is almost a coin flip as to whether or not they will find the dance floor at this distance.

But still, when we miss the green, we should be annoyed, right?

Wrong!

One thing that jumps out for all players (except for scratch players) is that they are more likely to bogey the hole than par it, based on shots to finish.

In terms of proximity, players may be surprised to see how far away, on average, their handicap benchmark hits their tee shot. 

For example, the 10-handicap golfer will typically hit their tee shot to 70 feet. Anything inside this will gain them strokes … 70 feet!

What happens if we move everyone back to over 200 yards?

Well, the importance of being able to hit the ball farther becomes very clear. The chances of mid to high handicappers hitting the green plummets while the shots to finish rise significantly.

Unfortunately for the 20-25 handicap player, chances are they will make a double bogey on long par-3s. This is because green success is next to zero so the players are required to get up and down.

And, as we have discovered in our previous articles on club selection around the green, amateur golfers struggle to get up and down, which we can see below:

So for the higher handicapper, on a longer par-3, their higher score is made up of a missed green in regulation, unsuccessful up-and-down attempt and a few putts depending on how close they hit their approach shot.

Of course, there can be exceptions to this but, for the most part, this is a scenario that we can typically expect. 

So what can golfers do?

Manage expectations. We are all guilty of expecting too much on the course and, often, without even realizing it.

It is easily done, especially when we watch the game’s elite on television and seldom see them hit a misplaced shot – they do. We just don’t usually see it on the coverage!

Likewise, playing high-risk shots around the green with lob wedges probably does not help. Aim to hit the green and give yourself a putt. If you hole it, superb, and, if not, then a two-putt is perfectly fine. 

Remember, most players won’t make a par so if you do, you are gaining strokes.

If you want data insights like this into your game, check out Shot Scope performance tracking products.

Shot Scope is the Official On-Course Data Partner of MyGolfSpy.

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