Bill Amick, ASGCA Fellow

Affordable and environmentally friendly smaller courses can be challenging and pleasing to play - and can help attract people to the game of golf. When such courses are well designed, constructed, maintained, and operated, they can be rewarding for both golfers and course operators. Par 3 courses are one example of these shorter courses; though certainly not the only option, par 3 courses can be models of smaller and less expensive, yet interesting, courses.

Par 3 golf courses can be attractive options for developers for a number of reasons. All ages, from kids to seniors, can enjoy playing a par 3 golf course. A smaller course can accompany a full-length course or a hotel and provides opportunities for a healthful and enjoyable activity for local residents and visitors. Building such a course allows land to be used efficiently and generates income.

A smaller course typically includes nine holes, from 85 to 165 yards in length, and requires 20 to 25 acres. For the safety of golfers, holes must be separated sufficiently from each other and from property boundaries. A developer also needs to allow for space for parking, at least a small golf shop, and a maintenance area. The number of holes and their lengths are limited by the amount of land available for the course and how well the holes fit the site.

 Sites desirable for constructing a par 3 course have soil suitable for growing grass, are free of a lot of rocks or stones, and drain well. Open land is more conducive to golf hole construction than land that is heavily treed. Effective site location also entails proximity to good roads and to homes or vacation spots.

Opening a par 3 course involves a number of steps. Although an experienced contractor will likely finish construction sooner than a novice owner or developer, starting early always is best in case of delays. It takes time to obtain government permits and approvals; for the consultants and architect to prepare and coordinate their services; and to establish grass, depending on the climate and kind of grasses used. On most sites, actual construction can be done in less than one year.

In considering cost, owners and developers must evaluate the large variables and cost factors in building a par 3 course: the nature of the soil, the size of and method used to construct the greens, the type of irrigation system and water source, the terrain, drainage issues, and how high-end or simple the course will be. To explore the possibility of building a par 3 golf course, discuss options with an experienced and qualified golf course architect. Developers may engage civil engineers, surveyors, and knowledgeable water consultants for advice on permits, site boundaries, and affordable water supplies. Each golf course project must be evaluated on an individual basis. Good planning, practical decisions, and discipline during the entire process help to hold costs to a minimum.

The demographics of people who play smaller courses vary greatly. Shorter courses can appeal to almost everyone: beginners and experienced golfers short of time or needing practice; children and seniors; and singles, couples, and groups of friends. A good par 3 golf course can be a rewarding investment for owners that provides enjoyment for golfers for decades to come.

For further information about par 3 - or any other kind of -golf courses, please visit Bill Amick's website.

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