Every golfer loves a great par-3 , and there ’ s something magical about hitting a crisp wedge close to the pin on a short hole , or a towering hybrid to the green on a long one . Par-3 ’ s are often the most picturesque holes on a course , and in many cases the most difficult ones . Whether it ’ s an elevated tee , a heart-pumping carry over water , a hidden green or one encircled by deep pot bunkers - it ’ s often tricky to make par . What follows are 25 memorable par-3 ’ s throughout the British Isles ( Scotland , England , Wales , Northern Ireland and Ireland ). Some have earned their reputation as original and influential holes , while others are just waiting to be played on your next golf trip away ...
HOLE 3 : SCOTLAND , Trump International , 205 yards . When it comes to picturesque par-3 ’ s , the 3rd hole at Trump International has to be up there with the very best . With its delightful green setting and backdrop of beach and ocean , the hole is sheltered by the surrounding dunes and the closest point of the course to the North Sea , as it laps against the sandy shoreline just a few feet from the green . www . trumpgolfscotland . com
HOLE 4 : SCOTLAND , Cruden Bay , 196 yards . This must-play Old Tom Morris design dating from 1899 , bursts into life at the enchanting 4th , named Port Erroll . Anything that reaches the putting surface is a triumph , as short tee shots are destined to be swallowed up by a steep false front that feeds into the hollow below . Anything long will require an awkward chip from the dunes . www . crudenbaygolfclub . co . uk
HOLE 4 : SCOTLAND , Castle Stuart , 191 yards . This top-drawer layout with links characteristics overlooking the Moray Firth is a delight to play , offering beautiful views and endless photo opportunities . You will be reaching for the camera rather than a club at the 4th , played towards beautiful Castle Stuart and the inspiration for the course name . It ’ s a really super par-3 whose glorious location just gets better as you approach the green . www . castlestuartgolf . com
HOLE 4 : SCOTLAND , Shiskine , 137 yards . Shiskine ’ s idiosyncratic 12-hole layout is located at Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran , a small island off the Ayrshire coast . Played from an elevated tee sitting amid a rocky outcrop , the 4th hole called The Shelf , is Shiskine ’ s top pick , with the green nestling underneath the Drumadoon Cliffs with amazing views across the Mull of Kintyre . www . shiskinegolf . com
HOLE 6 : SCOTLAND , Royal Dornoch , 161 yards . At 161 yards , Whinny Brae isn ’ t the longest , but it ’ s probably the most difficult of Royal Dornoch ’ s par-3 ’ s . While the others are all raised plateau greens , the left-hand side of the 6th has a steep hillside going up from the green that is covered in whin bushes . With this being the narrowest green on the course , finding the putting surface requires great control over distance and line , as missing on either side exacts a severe penalty . www . royaldornoch . com
HOLE 7 : IRELAND , Ballyliffin ( Glashedy ), 174 yards . It ’ s little wonder that the par-3 7th on Ballyliffin ’ s Glashedy Links drew so much attention when the Irish Open was held here in 2018 . Played from the course ’ s highest point to a green sited 100 feet below , with a marshy pond to the right of a green defended by four pot bunkers , one of Ireland ’ s finest short holes really sticks in the mind . www . ballyliffingolfclub . com
Shiskine - Par-3 , 4th . PHOTO CREDIT : Paul Marshall .
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