Do You Score Well Enough on Par 3s

Par 3s are an integral part of any golf course and they come in all shapes and sizes. They can be brutally long, which is often simply more a test of execution, while the more fascinating among them tend to be considerably shorter and are both tantalising and devilish in nature.

Either way, they can often make or break your day, as just one good tee shot can create an opportunity for birdie, while a mistake can be punished in a severe manner that betrays the modest yardage of the hole. 

How good are you on these short holes? If you regularly play the same course, perhaps you have one in particular that catches you out. 

My favourite par 3 is the 11th on The Old Course at St Andrews, which is just about the perfect hole in terms of distance, hazards and intrigue. It might even be my number one hole on the venerable layout. Others will understandably point to the famous Postage Stamp at Royal Troon, the 8th, which is a mere flick of 123 yards, but it's a shot that is layered in peril as we approach The 152nd Open Championship in Ayrshire.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

If you're looking at the PGA Tour, this season, 17 players currently average under par on the short holes. These include names like Ludvig Aberg, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and, believe it not, Scottie Scheffler. 

Now, it's unlikely that you're going to match that scoring average, but what do everyday golfers like us typically score on par 3s?

Looking at the many thousands of rounds submitted into the Golfshake Score Tracker, which is a great place to keep track of your stats, we can reveal what golfers shoot on par 3s across different handicap categories.

Par 3 Scoring Average - Handicap Categories

• Handicaps 1-5: 3.32

• Handicaps 5-10: 3.50

• Handicaps 10-15: 3.72

• Handicaps 15-20: 3.88

• Handicaps 20-25: 4.15

• Handicaps 25-28: 4.40

Consider your numbers and how that compares to the data above. If you are averaging better than bogey on par 3s, then you should have a handicap below 20, while it's that crucial half shot over par average that is the threshold to reach single figures.

Obviously, you might buck a trend or two and find yourself with a scoring average on par 3s that is better than your overall ability.

If that is the case, then we recommend raising the stakes with friends when you're standing on the tee on short holes!

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