10 standouts from public golf courses
Some of the most iconic holes in golf are par-3s.
The 12th at Augusta National. The seventh at Pebble Beach. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass. The 16th at Cypress Point.
Sure, the spectacular settings at each are a big part of the draw, but there is no requirement to make a memorable par-3.
Though they are the shortest holes in golf, nothing about those holes are easy, and they show par-3s come in a variety of ways.
The confluence of factors from elevation, wind and pin position, can completely change how a par-3 is played day-to-day, and adds to the intimidation. But when you execute the shot on a par-3, there are few greater satisfactions in golf.
“A good par-3 is a hole that requires you to stop and think before you grab your club and hit the ball,” Bill Hobson, longtime host and creator of “Michigan Golf Live”, said in early June. “It’s a hole that gives you a fair chance at a birdie, but not an easy chance. It’s one that you talk about after your round with your buddies. You relive what happened on that hole.”
With more than 650 public golf courses in Michigan, there are at least a few thousand par-3s to choose from.
We set out to find some of the standouts, landing on the 10 below with help and descriptions from Michiganders and Hobson.
Housekeeping notes: This is not scientific. It’s impossible to play every par-3 in the state. And we did not consider holes on par-3 only courses.
Honorable mentions: Bay Harbor (Links) No. 4, Greystone No. 16, Black Lake No. 5, Wild Bluff No. 15, and many others.
Eagle Eye 17th hole
Where: East Lansing.
Yardage: 146 Championship/Black, 126 Blue, 102 White, 83 Forward.
How to play it: “Commitment. That’s the number one thing you’ll need when taking on the intimidating 17th. The exact strategy can vary based on what tee box you’re playing, as the angles are quite different despite the distances between tees not being that great. But in general, aiming for the center of this green and accepting you may have a tough putt or two is usually the safest course of action. Beware of some gusts that occasionally arise around the green and don’t be afraid to club up a bit.” — Free Press sports writer Andrew Birkle
Why it’s great: “Save a trip to TPC Sawgrass and enjoy Michigan’s own island green here at fantastic Eagle Eye GC in East Lansing! Fun and memorable.” — Jackie in Rochester Hills
“It’s a true replica of #17 at TPC Sawgrass.” — Jim in South Haven
“Iconic hole for the course and most memorable par 3 in Michigan with great views before you even get near the tee box.” — Ryan from Romeo
Arcadia Bluffs 13th hole
Where: Arcadia Township.
Yardage: 190 Championship, 181 Blue, 160 White, 135 Gold, 98 Red.
How to play it: “Although this par 3 can be visually intimidating, remind yourself the carry across the abyss is only 120-140 yards depending on the tee box you’re hitting from, even though the optics tell you otherwise. Land your tee shot on the front part of the green and it will advance forward toward the middle every time. This green is subtle, so play a little less break than you think you see.” — Arcadia Bluffs
Why it’s great: “Challenging shot over a ravine with Lake Michigan along the left. Usually a strong wind in play as well. Just a beautiful golf hole.” — Chris in Canton
“It’s just a great hole but so difficult.” — Joe from Royal Oak
“The carry, the view, it’s pretty fantastic.” — Patrick Loftus
Treetops Masterpiece sixth hole
Where: Dover Township.
Yardage: 180 Black, 162 Blue, 150 White, 143 Gold, 128 Red.
How to play it: “You can’t count on it being a good shot until the ball lands. Once you’ve made the green, don’t fall victim to misreading your putt as this green slopes from front to back. Whatever you do ... DON’T MISS LONG” — Treetops
Why it’s great: “Stunning elevated tee with fabulous views.” — Jim in South Haven
“#6 at Masterpiece (Treetops) is my all-time favorite. Trees behind, bunkers short and left, huge drop in elevation, and figuring out the wind makes it a hair raising shot every time you play it. But when you knock it 5 feet from the pin, you feel like you actually know what you are doing.” — Brian LeFranc
Sweetgrass 15th hole
Where: Harris Township.
Yardage: 168 Black, 152 Blue, 141 White, 125 Gold, 107 Red.
How to play it: “Part of the history of that hole, they have this massive bridge next to it, and there’s five of those bridges on the course and they were all reclaimed from like ancient highway projects and brought there by Amish wagons or something, it’s just crazy. It really lends a lot of character to it, and there’s fish in there and all that. If it’s windy, that green even though it’s sizeable can be really, really tough to hit. It’s a beauty.” — Hobson
Why it’s great: “I like island holes, this one is fantastic! Plus you access it via a bridge that was made from reclaimed material from 5 area bridges.” — Jackie in Rochester Hills
Bay Harbor (Quarry) eighth hole
Where: Petoskey.
Yardage: 205 Brown, 172 Purple/Orange, 139 Blue, 117 Green, 82 Silver.
How to play it: “A downhill par 3 with nothing behind it but an indescribable panorama of Little Traverse Bay. Club selection can vary by up to 3 or 4 clubs more or less than normal depending on the wind. Any balls that miss short will splash straight into a boulder faced pond. Putting to hole locations toward the back of the green will probably have some nasty snap to it.” — Bay Harbor
Why it’s great: “The framing of it, it makes it look like there’s nowhere to put that ball except into the bay. There’s not, there’s plenty of green there. Golfers are visually influenced pretty easily, so architects that have a good approach to how they lay out a hole can kind of lead your eye to a different direction, and that’s what that one does. It’s a beautiful hole, but if you’re a little intimidated by it, you’re gonna have some real issues.” — Hobson
“If you see a picture of this hole you will know why. Better island green than 17 TPC Sawgrass.” — Colin Redman
Red Hawk third hole
Where:
Yardage:
Red.
How to play it: “The par 3 third hole has a number of factors that make it the signature hole. The elevation change of over 100 feet allows for a spectacular view of the Huron National Forest and is not typical to the area. It is especially beautiful when the leaves begin to change. The golfer must carry the wetland and a well positioned front bunker. Only to be met with one of the most challenging greens on the course. It is a true Arthur Hills classic.” — Red Hawk
Why it’s great: “Big elevation drop and a green that might even funnel you towards the hole.” — Joe in Royal Oak
Wilber Township.
211 Black, 193 Gold, 173 White, 127
Coyote Preserve 17th hole
Where: Tyrone Township.
Yardage: 221 Black, 206 Blue, 195 White, 162 Gold, 121 Red.
How to play it: “A gem with water from tee to green. At the end of the lake is a beautiful stone wall slightly angled to the right. A play to the front left of the green is best. To reach the center or the right side of the large, undulating green requires a solid stroke.” — Coyote Preserve
Why it’s great: “Long par 3 over water with a tight landing spot, puts a good finishing touch to your round.” — Ryan from Romeo
“Arnold Palmer gives you a chance at one of the most rewarding golf shots in southeast Michigan.” — Free Press sports writer Marlowe Alter
Greywalls sixth hole
Where: Marquette.
Yardage: 188 Championship, 178 Back, 151 Middle, 137 Forward.
How to play it: “It’s not very often we have par-3s that play steeply uphill. Even less often that you play them in what feels like a prehistoric, cave-like setting, where if you’re missing the shot, you’re careening off of a wall of rock, and never to see your ball again. That’s a hard hole. You can’t really see the ball land, so you hit a shot that you hope is good and then you get up there and you either discover that you were right or that you weren’t.” — Hobson
Why it’s great: “Tight uphill demanding short iron shot surrounded by rock walls. Most unique and most challenging course in the state.” — James Barclay
Lakes of Taylor 17th hole
Where: Taylor.
Yardage: 201 Black, 191 Blue, 177 White, 159 Gold, 120 Green.
How to play it: “It is an impressive peninsula green with no room to miss the green on three sides. There is a bailout area to the left of the green, but it is a tough up and down depending on the pin location. You can also miss short left and have an easier up and down remaining. If your tee shot finds the water, use the drop area the plays about 80 yards.” — Lakes of Taylor
Why it’s great: “It’s all water from tee to green.” — Josh Carter
The Jewel seventh hole
Where: Mackinac County.
Yardage: 245 Blue, 235 White, 176 Red. How to play it: “It’s stunning, spectacular, 230-yard downhill par-3 to the peninsula green overlooking the Great Lakes. There was a moment where we had a freighter coming in from the right, an actual Great Lakes cruise ship coming in from the left, and a parasailer off in the distance, and you’re like, ‘this is ridiculous, this looks like it’s staged.’ … That hole is maybe among the top-5 toughest par-3s in the state, but it’s also maybe the most beautiful.” — Hobson
Why it’s great: “The Jewel’s par-3 7th hole combines difficulty with breathtaking Pure Michigan scenery. Perhaps that’s why it’s ranked one of the top 18 holes in Michigan.” — The Jewel at the Grand Hotel