After reading the headline of this article, you’d be right to assume I’m a slightly pedantic character. Normally, I can let things slide, but I’ve reached a point on this subject where I feel compelled to say something. Enough with par-70 golf courses!
I don’t understand why they’re so prevalent, both on tour and at golf clubs all round the world. If it were up to me, all golf courses would have six par 3s, six par 4s and six par 5s, like the Red at The Berkshire.
I’ve long been confused as to why layouts generally have far more par 4s than one- and three-shotters.
While there’s “no written formula”, the 10-4-4 principle is seen as a good starting point when designing a course, but the site often dictates the routing.
If the four par 5s and par 3s are orientated north, south, east and west – another generally agreed principle – the par 4s can knit them all together. In the design world, having back-to-back par 3s or par 5s is often seen as lacking in imagination.
Another school of thought is par 4s have more scope for variety – one hole can be 260 yards and the next can be 440 yards, for example.
The 18th hole on the Red course at The Berkshire
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Strategy and enjoyment
From a playing perspective, I’d have par 5s just below par 3s in my order of enjoyment. Par 3s are generally picturesque and they’re exciting, because you only have to hit one good long-game shot to give yourself a presentable birdie chance.
Par 5s also get the juices flowing. You stand on the tee with wind at your back knowing the hole is reachable in two if you strike two good shots. Even if you don’t and you’re wayward off the tee, there’s often an opportunity to get yourself back in play and in a position to reach the green in regulation.
Even if you lose a…
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