Pre-pandemic the explosion of interest and respect for the role of par-3 courses was incredible and there is little reason to think that’ll be changing. Designed properly, pitch and putts are fun for all, a great option for kids or older golfers no longer up for a full round and essential to the facilities that have done it right.

While not the first, Pinehurst’s The Cradle was arguably the most ambitious given the prime real estate devoted to the Hanse Design creation. The numbers are in after three years and they are staggering.

Check out this post for all of them, but from a pure news and business perspective the primary number is the rounds played total: over 115,000 rounds in three years means over 100 players a day, depending on whether replays are counted. That’s with a $50 green fee—kids under 17 are free with a paying adult—and many other golf options in the region. Incredibly eye-opening, one would hope, particularly given how little acreage and cost such a course requires compared to a full course.