Should an uphill 600+ ft hole be a par 3?

[StoneWallKid]

I just found out my hometown built a course! I was looking through the photo's and saw a massive uphill par 3 thats 639 feet! That just seemed a bit long to me, but I'm no expert on the par 3/4 divide.

There is also an 800+ ft hole thats a par 3, but it looks like its down a pretty good sized hill.

What do ya'll think?

http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=5523

 

[General Scales]

Well according to what I just looked at, the 638 foot hole 4 is a par 4 from that specific tee and the other tee is a par 3 at 325 feet. The 836 foot hole 8 is a par 4 as well. So I'm going to have to go with no, they shouldn't be par 3's.

 

[RUSSELL]

easier to play every hole par 3, regardless of length/difficulty/course par...

 

[whiz]

"easier to play every hole par 3" if you're either a professional level player or playing really, really easy courses.

 

[StoneWallKid]

Well according to what I just looked at, the 638 foot hole 4 is a par 4 from that specific tee and the other tee is a par 3 at 325 feet. The 836 foot hole 8 is a par 4 as well. So I'm going to have to go with no, they shouldn't be par 3's.

Lol, I guess I'd have to agree, good catch.

 

[HarkeyPuck]

Here we go again.

 

[Brall]

par means nothing to the group i play with and myself.

only your total score and what your personal best for that course matters.

 

[AndyJB]

For me it should be a par 6. Everyone else, par 3.

 

[DavidSauls]

Here we go again.

:clap:

 

[DSCJNKY]

par means nothing to the group i play with and myself.

only your total score and what your personal best for that course matters.

That all sounds fine and dandy... but what happens when the "Par" ranges by several strokes based on pin positions.

For example, my home course Richmond Hill can range between a 54-58.

Let's pretend my personal best score is a 44... and my friends personal best is a 45. However my round was shot when the course was set up as a 54 and his round was shot when the course was set up as a 58.

Who's round was better?
According to you and your friends method... my round was better???

Explain how that makes sense... Thanks.

DSCJNKY

 

[Mr. America]

Your friends round was better, don't be so feeble minded. Par is a an arbitrary number, least amount of throws wins.

 

[slowRoll]

opcorn:

 

[GLong]

That all sounds fine and dandy... but what happens when the "Par" ranges by several strokes based on pin positions.

For example, my home course Richmond Hill can range between a 54-58.

Let's pretend my personal best score is a 44... and my friends personal best is a 45. However my round was shot when the course was set up as a 54 and his round was shot when the course was set up as a 58.

Who's round was better?
According to you and your friends method... my round was better???

Explain how that makes sense... Thanks.

DSCJNKY

there's no point in arguing with the 'par 3'ers. it's like trying to convince someone that dinosaurs actually existed.

 

[DSCJNKY]

^I know. I just wanted to introduce some logic... maybe it will rub off.
DSCJNKY

 

[sisyphus]

Yes folks, this seems to be a monthly discussion topic. I've only been on here this year, but...
1) your score is your score
2) comparisons should only be made on identical setups, tees, etc.
3) for competitive players, it's easiest to keep score by counting over or under 3 for each hole
4) there are many resources for comparing dissimilar courses, holes, and results (scratch scoring averages, pdga round ratings, and par guidelines)

I usually just like to go out and play, but I do keep my score. I list them here in my score book using the closest approximation to the tee I played.

On almost every course, I look for (or change) the 'par' to 3, but not when a course is competition level (Idlewild, Mt. Airy). I also have looked at par guidelines, and made myself a little chart of the local courses, rating them as 'novice' through 'pro', so, when my daughter expresses an interest in going out for a round, I choose one that's close to her skill level, so she stays encouraged.

My advice: use whatever keeps you motivated and having fun!

 

[denny ritner]

Repost:

 

[Rol6566]

Par doesn't matter. It could be a par 17. At the end of the day the least amount of throws wins.

 

[tistoude]

Par doesn't matter. It could be a par 17. At the end of the day the least amount of throws wins.

Agreed with a slight addendum. Par doesn't matter when you are playing but I think it is important when designing a hole.

Everything as a Par 3 is just easier for keeping score. I personally don't measure how good my round was against what the course par is but against what my competitors shot, my historical scores and how I felt I played (did I miss any putts, shank a drive etc.)

 

[Axx3d]

Everything as a Par 3 is just easier for keeping score. I personally don't measure how good my round was against what the course par is but against what my competitors shot, my historical scores and how I felt I played (did I miss any putts, shank a drive etc.)

This..

 

[Animal_Muther]

What you must realize is that there is no Par, and it is you who bends to the course's will.