Best Par 3 Holes in the World
from the Experts in Golf Holidays
⏱ 8 min read
from the Experts in Golf Holidays
⏱ 8 min read
The Waste Management Phoenix Open and THE PLAYERS Championship feature two of the most famous tournament holes in the golf.
The 16th hole on the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is the only fully enclosed hole on the PGA Tour, it can be challenging to define what makes a great par 3 hole, given the wide range of preferences among golfers.
The island green on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is arguably the most famous hole in golf, those playing here are sure to enjoy life long memories.
Each of these par 3 holes offers a unique and memorable golfing experience, showcasing the diversity and beauty of golf courses around the world. Whether you prefer a short and sweet par 3 or a long and challenging one, there is something for every golfer on our list of the top ten par 3 holes worldwide.
The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is the most iconic hole on the Stadium Course when it comes to the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The grandstand for the tournament completely surrounds the 163 yard par 3 and so it has been nicknamed “The Coliseum”.
With or without the raucous fans, this hole will test your nerves. The tee has a slight elevation and the green is dutifully guarded by three bunkers.
Hole 16 Yardage | |
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Championship | 163 yards |
Players | 140 yards |
Resort | 119 yards |
Forward | 98 yards |
More info on TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) >>
TPC Scottsdale (Stadium) facts | |
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Location | Scottsdale, Arizona, USA |
Length | 7,261 yards |
Par | 71 |
Designed by | Tom Weiskopf, Jay Morrish |
Established | 1986 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Scottsdale
Rated 9.8 by 9 golfers (Read reviews of TPC Scottsdale)
Flights, 7 Nights, 4 Rounds
No par 3 golf hole guide would be complete without a picture of the famous 17th hole at Sawgrass. If it weren’t for an intrepid group of divers the lake would surely be overflowing with golf balls by now!
Hole 17 Yardage | |
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The Players | 137 yards |
Blue | 128 yards |
White | 115 yards |
Green | 92 yards |
More info on TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) >>
TPC Sawgrass (Stadium) facts | |
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Location | Florida, USA |
Length | 7,245 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Pete Dye & Deane Beman |
Established | 1982 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Jacksonville - North East
Rated 9.8 by 39 golfers (Read reviews of TPC Sawgrass)
Flights, 5 Nights, 3 Rounds
Royal Troon's 8th hole, the "Postage Stamp," is one of the most iconic and intimidating short holes in golf. Measuring a mere 123 yards, it demands absolute precision due to its minuscule green. This green is fiercely protected by cavernous bunkers, punishing rough, and the ever-present coastal winds.
Hole 8 Yardage | |
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Blue | 123 yards |
White | 123 yards |
Yellow | 114 yards |
Red | 118 yards |
More info on Royal Troon (Old) >>
Royal Troon (Old) facts | |
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Location | Ayrshire, Scotland |
Length | 7,208 yards |
Par | 71 |
Designed by | George Strath, Willie Fernie & James Braid |
Established | 1878 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.8 by 15 golfers (Read reviews of Royal Troon Golf Club)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
The 12th hole on the world famous Augusta is widely regarded as one of the finest par 3s in golf. The green is unbelievably shallow and those slopes that lead to the water are deceptively steep…club selection is important then!
Hole 12 Yardage | |
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Masters Tee | 155 yards |
Members Tee | 145 yards |
Augusta National facts | |
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Location | Georgia, USA |
Length | 7,768 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Bobby Jones, Alister MacKenzie |
Established | 1933 |
The Sandy Lane Green Monkey Course in Barbados is home to some stunning holes; least of which is this par 3 with a ‘you know what’ in the greenside bunker. Monkeys can be mischievous at times and this one is no different if you find the wrong part of this vast bunker.
Hole 16 Yardage | |
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Masters | 226 yards |
Open | 205 yards |
Challenge | 205 yards |
Seniors | 187 yards |
Ladies | 146 yards |
Sandy Lane (Green Monkey) facts | |
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Location | St James, Barbados |
Length | 7,343 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Tom Fazio |
Established | 2004 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
St James
Rated 9.6 by 11 golfers (Read reviews of Sandy Lane)
Flights, 7 Nights, 4 Rounds
The seventh hole at Pebble Beach is only 107 yards, sometimes under 100 during the US Open, with a drop of 40 feet from tee to green. Wind conditions along the Pacific coastline mean that everything from lob wedges to 3-irons and putters have been used to try and find the green.
Hole 7 Yardage | |
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Blue | 107 yards |
Gold | 98 yards |
White | 94 yards |
Green | 90 yards |
Red | 87 yards |
More info on Pebble Beach Golf Links >>
Pebble Beach Golf Links facts | |
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Location | California, USA |
Length | 7,080 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Jack Neville & Douglas Grant |
Established | 1919 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
San Francisco & Monterey
Rated 9.4 by 12 golfers (Read reviews of Pebble Beach Golf Links)
Flights, 4 Nights, 3 Rounds
Rugged bunkering, towering pines and a stunning backdrop await golfers who visit Bear Mountain in Canada. As the name would suggest there are probably some hazardous critters nearby as well!
Hole 14 Yardage | |
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Golden | 165 yards |
Grizzly | 138 yards |
Black | 116 yards |
Spirit | 99 yards |
Cinnamon | 64 yards |
Bear Mountain facts | |
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Location | British Columbia, Canada |
Length | 6,810 yards |
Par | 71 |
Designed by | Jack & Steve Nicklaus |
Established | 2003 |
As with many links courses the weather is a constant factor at Kingsbarns. When the wind is howling the par 3 15th can play from anything from a wedge to a long iron and the crashing waves can be quite intimidating!
Hole 15 Yardage | |
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Black | 212 yards |
White | 185 yards |
Green | 161 yards |
Blue | 151 yards |
Red | 110 yards |
More info on Kingsbarns Golf Links >>
Kingsbarns Golf Links facts | |
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Location | St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
Length | 7,224 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Kyle Phillips |
Established | 2000 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
St Andrews & Fife
Rated 9.8 by 31 golfers (Read reviews of Kingsbarns Golf Links)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Throughout its more than one hundred years of existence, Royal County Down has built an impressive legacy and is often regards as the finest golf course in the world.
The elevated tee on the 4th hole presents awe-inspiring vistas that may divert golfers' attention from the demanding tee shot they encounter. Featuring substantial precipices on both sides of the green and at the back, amidst a vast expanse of gorse and numerous bunkers.
Hole 4 Yardage | |
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Blue | 229 yards |
White | 215 yards |
Yellow | 202 yards |
Red | 159 yards |
More info on Royal County Down (Championship) >>
Royal County Down (Championship) facts | |
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Location | Northern Ireland |
Length | 7,186 yards |
Par | 71 |
Designed by | George L. Ballie, Old Tom Morris, Harry Vardon, Harry Colt |
Established | 1890 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Down
Rated 10 by 4 golfers (Read reviews of Royal County Down)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Turnberry’s star attraction has long been recognised as one of the world’s most spectacular courses as well as one of the best the UK has to offer.
The recent upgrades to the 9th hole have enhanced its status as a truly breathtaking par 3, with golfers taking on the challenge of playing across the Ayrshire bay, providing an exciting test of skill. The iconic Turnberry Lighthouse can be seen clearly from the Ailsa course, along with the ruins of Robert the Bruce’s Castle, creating a picturesque and dramatic par 3.
Hole 9 Yardage | |
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Black | 248 yards |
White | 187 yards |
Yellow | 168 yards |
Red | 143 yards |
More info on Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) >>
Trump Turnberry (Ailsa) facts | |
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Location | Ayrshire, Scotland |
Length | 7,357 yards |
Par | 70 |
Designed by | James Miller, Mackenzie Ross, Mackenzie & Ebert |
Established | 1902 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Glasgow & Ayrshire
Rated 9.6 by 207 golfers (Read reviews of Trump Turnberry Golf Resort 5*)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
The 16th hole on the Royal Course at Vale do Lobo is arguably one of the most captured holes in Europe, owing to its renowned tee shot over the majestic, orange cliffs. Experiencing this hole during sunset promises a delightful experience.
Hole 16 Yardage | |
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White | 224 metres |
Yellow | 190 metres |
Red | 133 metres |
More info on Vale do Lobo (Royal Course) >>
Vale do Lobo (Royal Course) facts | |
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Location | Algarve, Portugal |
Length | 6,626 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Sir H. Cotton/R. Roquemore |
Established | 1997 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Central Algarve
Rated 9 by 590 golfers (Read reviews of Vale Do Lobo Golf Resort)
3 Nights, Unlimited Rounds
Designed by Gil Hanse and opened by golf course developer Mark Parsinen who had also created Kingsbarns Golf Links, Cabot Highlands is a course that utilises modern design with the traditional links experiences you'll get at some of the best links courses.
The short 11th hole is quite challenging. If you hit your tee shot too long or to the left, your ball will end up in the water. On the other hand, if you hit it too long and to the right, your ball will find itself in thick rough or possibly in the large bunker that lies ahead.
Hole 11 Yardage | |
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Black | 144 yards |
White | 130 yards |
Green | 115 yards |
Blue | 115 yards |
Red | 91 yards |
More info on Cabot Highlands (Castle Stuart) >>
Cabot Highlands facts | |
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Location | Inverness, Scotland |
Length | 7,009 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Mark Parsinen and Gil Hanse |
Established | 2009 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Highlands & Inverness
Rated 9.6 by 18 golfers (Read reviews of Cabot Highlands)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
You don’t have to go to an exotic paradise to come across a great par 3. Here in England, we have gems like the 10th at Old Thorns. Water... check... towering pines... check... minuscule green... check... bogey... check!
Hole 10 Yardage | |
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White | 216 yards |
Yellow | 193 yards |
Red | 129 yards |
Old Thorns facts | |
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Location | Hampshire, England |
Length | 6,461 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas |
Established | 1982 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
Hampshire
Rated 8.6 by 443 golfers (Read reviews of Old Thorns Hotel & Resort)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
The daunting 14th hole at the magnificent Doonbeg proves that par 3s dont have to stretch to silly lengths to provide a challenge to low handicappers. Despite the yardage of 138 yards this is a scary tee shot; especially when the wind is rolling in from the Atlantic.
Hole 14 Yardage | |
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Black | 138 yards |
Gold | 126 yards |
White | 132 yards |
Red | 121 yards |
Green | 96 yards |
More info on Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg >>
Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg facts | |
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Location | County Clare, Ireland |
Length | 7,026 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Greg Norman & Dr Martin Hawtree |
Established | 2002 |
Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to our Golf Experts about playing this course.
County Clare
Rated 9 by 11 golfers (Read reviews of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg)
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Hole 3B on the Pacifico Course at Punta Mita is one of the world’s greatest par 3s and a hole that Jack Nicklaus says is the best he has ever designed.
Hole 3B Yardage | |
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Black | 181 yards |
Gold | 158 yards |
Blue | 134 yards |
White | 122 yards |
Green | 122 yards |
Red | 112 yards |
Punta Mita (Pacifico Course) facts | |
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Location | Punta Mita, Mexico |
Length | 7,014 yards |
Par | 72 |
Designed by | Jack Nicklaus |
Established | 1999 |