What Is a Par 3 Golf Course?
Shorter holes. Faster rounds. More fun. And yes — it still counts as real golf.
The definition (no fluff)
A par 3 golf course is a course where every hole is designed as a par 3. The distances are shorter, which puts the focus on the shots that decide scores: wedges, short irons, chips, and putts.
How long are par 3 holes?
Most par 3 holes fall roughly in this range:
- 70–120 yards: pitch/wedge territory
- 120–160 yards: short iron / “real par 3” feel
- 160–200 yards: longer par 3s (still not a death march)
What clubs do you hit on a par 3 course?
Most par 3 courses are basically a greatest-hits album of scoring clubs. Depending on the yardage, you’ll typically see lob/sand wedge on the short ones, pitching wedge / 9-iron in the middle, and 8-iron through 5-iron on the longer holes. A few courses sneak in one “stretch” hole where hybrids show up, but the whole point is that you’re practicing the shots you actually use on real courses.
Wind and elevation still matter, of course. It’s golf — the universe refuses to let it be simple.
How long does it take to play?
- 9 holes: about 45–75 minutes
- 18 holes: about 1.5–2.5 hours
That’s why “par 3 near me” is such a common search. Use the near-me finder to see nearby courses sorted by distance.
Par 3 vs. executive golf course
People mix these terms up constantly, so here’s the clean version:
- Par 3 course: all holes are par 3 (shortest + fastest)
- Executive course: usually a mix of par 3s and short par 4s (a little more variety)
If you want more variety, executive courses are great. If you want pure short-game scoring shots all day, par 3 is the move. Want the full breakdown? Read par 3 vs executive.
Are par 3 courses good for beginners?
Absolutely. Par 3 courses are beginner-friendly because they’re shorter, faster, and less intimidating. You get real scoring shots without needing long drives. If you’re brand new (or bringing someone new), this is where golf makes sense. Here’s the beginner guide.
Do experienced golfers play par 3 courses?
Yep. Par 3 golf is great for wedge distance control, short iron accuracy, and putting — the stuff that lowers scores. It’s also a brutally honest reminder that “I would’ve shot 74 if I could just putt” is not a personality trait.
What makes a par 3 course worth playing?
A good par 3 course doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be playable.
- Greens that aren’t a disaster (they don’t have to be perfect — just not a minefield)
- Clear yardages (tee markers, signage, or a readable scorecard)
- Variety (not every hole the same distance and direction)
- Reasonable pace (par 3 golf should be quick, not a four-hour group project)
- Basic scorecard info (helps when you’re comparing courses)
How to find a good par 3 course near you
Start with location, then drill down. If you want something close, use Near Me. If you’re planning a trip (or you’re a browser by nature), start at Browse by state. If you’re wondering about time, we also broke down typical pace: par 3 round times.