Par-3 and Par-5 Strategy
Also known as: how to play a par 5, par 5 strategy, how to play a par 3, par 3 strategy, playing par 3s and par 5s
On a par 3, pick the club that reaches the middle of the green rather than the flag, and aim away from short-sided misses. On a par 5, plan backward from your favorite wedge distance and keep the ball in play. Three solid shots usually beat forcing a long second.
On a one-shot hole, check the yardage to the middle of the green rather than the flag. Allow for wind and elevation. Take more club when the trouble is short, since many amateur misses come up short. Tee the ball low. The Rules let you tee it anywhere in the teeing area, and a tee gives a cleaner lie than the turf. Aim to the wide side of a tucked flag so a miss leaves an easy chip.
Play a three-shot hole backward. Decide which distance you want for your third shot, then pick the second-shot club that leaves it. Off the tee, a playable lie matters more than maximum distance on tight holes. If you can reach in two, weigh the miss before you go for it.
Short and long holes reward different strengths. Solid, accurate iron play wins on the short ones. The long ones give you a spare shot. Use it to recover from a miss rather than to chase a long second over trouble. A bogey on a long hole does little damage. A triple usually starts with a forced shot.
Tips by skill level
On short holes, pick the club for the middle of the green and tee the ball low. On long holes, aim to hit three clean shots.
Keep scoring stats by hole length. If the long holes cost you strokes, check whether second-shot choices or wedge play are the cause and fix that one first.
Example
On a 165-yard par 3 with a bunker short and right, a golfer picks the club that carries to the middle and aims at the left-center of the green. She finds the green 30 feet away and two-putts for par.
Why it matters
One-shot and three-shot holes each have a simple plan that saves strokes. Following it turns them from danger holes into steady pars and bogeys.
Common mistakes
- Aiming at a tucked flag on a short hole and short-siding yourself
- Hitting driver and fairway wood on a long hole just to get close, whatever the risk
- Choosing the club for the flag yardage instead of the middle of the green
- Laying up to an awkward distance on long holes
Frequently asked questions
How should I play a par 5?
Plan backward from your favorite wedge distance. Hit a tee shot that stays in play, a second shot to that yardage and a full wedge to the green. Go for it in two only when a miss is safe.
How do I play a par 3?
Aim at the middle of the green, pick the club that carries there and tee the ball low. Allow for wind and elevation, and take more club if the trouble is short.
Should I tee up my iron on a par 3?
Yes. You may tee the ball anywhere inside the teeing area under Rule 6.2b. A low tee gives a clean lie for an iron shot.
Sources
Related terms
- Laying Up (Going for the Green vs Laying Up)Lay up when going for the green brings big trouble into play and you rarely reach it from that distance. Hit to your favorite full-wedge distance on the safe side of the fairway instead. Go for it when a miss still leaves an easy recovery or the reward clearly outweighs the risk.
- Course ManagementCourse management is your strategy for where to aim, which club to hit, and how to play each hole. The goal is to limit risk and score well for your skill level.
- Club SelectionClub selection is picking the right club for each shot from real carry distance, lie, wind, elevation, and hazard placement. It is one of the biggest scoring decisions.
- Understanding ParPar is the number of strokes an accomplished golfer is expected to need to complete a hole, including two putts. Most holes are par 3, 4, or 5, based primarily on the hole's length.
- Greens in Regulation (GIR)Greens in Regulation (GIR) counts how often a golfer reaches the green in two strokes fewer than par. It is golf's most common ball-striking measure.
- Approach ShotAn approach shot is any shot hit toward the green to reach or set up the putting surface. It is usually a par 4's second shot, or a par 5's second or third.
Related guides & benchmarks
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