Why no Par 3 closing 18th holes

14handicap

I was speaking with a guy over the weekend that was looking to purchase/buy/re-develop a golf course in Ireland and we got talking about the final hole on a golf course never being a Par 3.

My question is I assume we all love a good par 3 as it is great & easy to watch other players finishing if its a par 3 rather than trying to follow a par 4.

The course he is looking at has only a very limited amount of space to re-position the final hole and a par 3 would be perfect.

So do you think that finishing with an all or nothing par 3 where everyone else on the course can easily view the finishing players and also create more pressure as it is one shot for glory would work?
Personally I cant think of one reason why it would not work but yet you never see a final hole being a par 3?

Thoughts and comments...!!!

soundsham

Final hole of fed ex cup is a par 3

sofireland

18 at knights Brook is a par 3 also.
At the end of a tough 4 hole closing stretch.

14handicap

But would you enjoy the 18th to be a Par 3? Kind of one shot glory?
And also the drama of it and easy of viewing...!!!

PARlance

14handicap wrote: »

But would you enjoy the 18th to be a Par 3? Kind of one shot glory?
And also the drama of it and easy of viewing...!!!

Imagine a hole in one, to win by one, One in One Million kinda stuff!!!!!

14handicap

PARlance wrote: »

Imagine a hole in one, to win by one, One in One Million kinda stuff!!!!!

I think a par on a good par 3 would be good enough!!!
I hate par 4's as too many shots to go wrong. A par 3 at least its only one good swing of a club.

scrubber72

Two courses in galway finish with a par 3. Bearna and portumna but not a fan of the idea myself.

C.O.Y.B.I.B

Castleknock finishes with a Par 3 and so does Killeen (nice little Par 3)

shaneon77

+1 for knightsbrook. Its a card wrecker. Its index 11 or so but all carry over water. Its been the toughest hole in the medals & scratch cups, off the blues, for years.

Benny Cake

Not a fan at all. Hate par 3 closing holes, knightsbrooks 18th is a fantastic par 3 but it's ruined by having it as the closing hole...

Running Balance

One of the courses I play in the UK with our society has a par 3 for the 18th. Its good as we play the last par 3 as closest to the hole prize, so at least keeps the interest going even if you are out of the overall comp..
the only issue on that course is the 18th green is a distance from the clubhouse, so you don't get people in the clubhouse looking out and therefore adding to the fictional pressure in the players mind!!!

Innish_Rebel

Bandon in west cork has a par 3 closing hole down hill towards clubhouse, great for viewing from bar and a pretty tough hole as well with water in play. Off top of my head ~ 180/190y off back tees down hill into prevailing wind - Index 9.

Mallow also has a par 3 closing hole, not as good from a viewing point of view though...

djemba djemba

Coollattin also has a par 3 18th hole

Wichita Lineman

I would have no objection whatsoever to the final hole being a Par 3.

RoadRunner

See castleknockgolfclub.ie website. The wide green is actually shared for two finishing par 3's. Both the 9th and the 18th approach shots come in over the lake. Great holes.

denishurley

Innish_Rebel wrote: »

Bandon in west cork has a par 3 closing hole down hill towards clubhouse, great for viewing from bar and a pretty tough hole as well with water in play. Off top of my head ~ 180/190y off back tees down hill into prevailing wind - Index 9.

Mallow also has a par 3 closing hole, not as good from a viewing point of view though...

It seems to have its own micro-climate, it'll be calm everywhere else and then you get to the 18th and there's a wind into your face. Great to watch everyone else from the clubhouse then though.

BigChap1759

I prefer a good par 5 to finish, especially watching tour events as it keeps it exciting with eagle on the last a possibility

Ascii

14handicap wrote: »

I was speaking with a guy over the weekend that was looking to purchase/buy/re-develop a golf course in Ireland and we got talking about the final hole on a golf course never being a Par 3.

Thoughts and comments...!!!

If I was speaking to someone that had that much money, I would be getting him to invest in my latest invention... floating gold balls

14handicap

Ascii wrote: »

If I was speaking to someone that had that much money, I would be getting him to invest in my latest invention... floating gold balls

Go see Titleist my advice.

BoardsMember

Ascii wrote: »

If I was speaking to someone that had that much money, I would be getting him to invest in my latest invention... floating gold balls

Sorry to burst your bubble, but they exist! In a driving range spec anyhow. I was in a driving range in Holland years ago where you hit out over water. Clever kind of approach really, they had a gently current on the water so that the balls would all filter towards the collection point, where they were processed for collection. No collection via tractor etc, no cleaning. Bloody Dutch, they think of everything!

ShriekingSheet

Courtown finishes with a good par 3.

Doesn't Killeen (not Castle) finish with one too? I've heard a couple of guys complaining that finishing with that hole lets the course down.

In general, there seems to be some kind of vague opinion among moat players that the preference is to let one rip up the last, not be playing an iron to a par 3. Similar goes for the 1st - generally people like to open their shoulders, rather than having a tricky opening.

This is all just totally subjective, unsubstantiated sentement based largely on bar-talk, but at the same time, if you're designing a course, you have to take that sort of opinion on board. New courses are the mercy of public opinion and word of mouth - x course is too hilly, y course is in financial trouble, z course is too hard for anyone other than single figure players. Reality / truth can be very different, but the perception is actually what matters. Unfortunately.

thewobbler

Two of the finer parklands in Ulster, Lough Erne and Lisburn, finish up with a par 3.

I'd honestly be lying if I said it doesn't spoil the experience a little; the worst part being that both courses have splendid 16th and 17th holes, making the closing hole seem like an anticlimax.

The best finishing holes are either par 5s or short par 4s. On those occasions when a match comes down to the wire, a risk or reward finish just makes it all the more special.

Alternatively, if you've had an off day, it's genuinely pleasing to give it a mighty thump from the last tee box.

If your mate has room for a par 3, see if he can make a 270 yard par 4, with the last part of it all carry over water.

14handicap

thewobbler wrote: »

Two of the finer parklands in Ulster, Lough Erne and Lisburn, finish up with a par 3.

I'd honestly be lying if I said it doesn't spoil the experience a little; the worst part being that both courses have splendid 16th and 17th holes, making the closing hole seem like an anticlimax.

The best finishing holes are either par 5s or short par 4s. On those occasions when a match comes down to the wire, a risk or reward finish just makes it all the more special.

Alternatively, if you've had an off day, it's genuinely pleasing to give it a mighty thump from the last tee box.

If your mate has room for a par 3, see if he can make a 270 yard par 4, with the last part of it all carry over water.

Great idea of a Par 4 270 over a water guarded green (and bunkers at the back so if you go over you are playing back out of the bunker towards the water). Would love to know what the top Pro's would do on such a hole.
Maybe extend back the blue tee another 30yrds.

ShriekingSheet

Agree with the par 5 finishing comment - the two courses at the K Club in particular stand out as great finishes. Same with Carton Monty which isnt a beast of a par 5 a good test, and the last at Woodenbridge is a brilliant finishing hole.

The last par 5s at Castlewarden, Newlands, Naas and Clontarf aren't amazing or anything, but still very decent closing holes.

Definitely a pattern there anyway.

Dr_Colossus

I think the best finishing holes are long, tough and treacherous par 4s with water in play. Particularly like the finishing holes at Mount Julliet, Druid's Glen, The Heritage and Tulfarris.

Par 5s are a nice finish but they're easier to play smart and play as a 3 shooter and rely on your wedge play to try and eek out the birdie.
For professional events they offer more of thrill as the pros can often reach them in 2 in pursuit of the eagle. The finishing hole of the 2012 Honda Classic is a great example offering a great risk reward as per below:

MisterAnarchy

Innish_Rebel wrote: »

Mallow also has a par 3 closing hole, not as good from a viewing point of view though...

Its a great viewing hole from the balcony on the bar .

200-210 yards off the back sticks ,which usually plays straight into a Westerly wind ,great finishing hole .

First Up

East Lake in Atlanta (where they hold the final big money event on the US Tour) has a par 3 18th. Congressional (where Rory win his US Open) finished with a par 3 for years but has been reconfigured.

Benny Cake

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Doesn't Killeen (not Castle) finish with one too? I've heard a couple of guys complaining that finishing with that hole lets the course down.

Ignore! Misread sheets post....

Dr_Colossus

Benny Cake wrote: »

No. Kileen finishes with a cracking dogleg right par 4, OB down the right & second shot plays into an elevated green well protected by bunkers front and back.

That sounds like Killeen Castle, never played Killeen so can't comment on that.

First Up

soundsham wrote: »

Final hole of fed ex cup is a par 3

Sorry, repeated that further down.

FixdePitchmark

Wouldn't be a fan,

But the way Castle knock is done is good.

Would be good for a society event with crowd in bar.

RoadRunner

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Would be good for a society event with crowd in bar.

A great closest-to-the-pin hole.

blue note

Depending on which course is in play Tramore either finishes with either a par 5 or a par 3. I like both finishing holes to be honest.

The par 5 is all about the decision on the tee. It's a fairly high index, but if you take driver you have a genuine birdie opportunity ... or a scratch.

The par 3 finish is actually the best hole of the 27. A par is very possible, I've had a few birdies on it, but it can also be a disaster hole.

Overall, it just depends on the finishing hole, not the par of it. I think the last hole should always give you the opportunity to win or lose a competition.

coleen

Mahoney,s point course in Killarney finishes with a very tight par 3 not a lot of room for error but is a very good finishing hole.

superhooper

Mahon in Cork. Par 3 with a hedge to go over to finish:rolleyes:. Not to my liking.
However if the course lends itself to a tough but fair Par 3 go for it. Does it have to be exciting for spectators?

bobwilliams

Think its a bit of an anti climax myself,last in Courtown is nice but I prefer under pressure going down the last needing to hit a good drive and approch.
One of my fav final holes is Woodbrook for me.