Southern California's No. 1 Source for Golf
STROKE OF THE DAY |
"Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing." |
-Ben Hogan |
SITE
SEARCH
GOLF
CALENDAR
Courses
|
||||
 Orange County golf courses have some great par 3s, and we've taken the liberty of choosing some of the shortest and sweetest. Bunkers, canyons, lakes, arroyos, multi-tiered greens and other challenges can make them tough, but the risk-reward elements of all the holes also make them great mental tests: you can choose to go for broke and attack the pin, or play it safe and ensure par. Whatever you decide, we're betting you won't forget the experience of playing any of these holes, which proves that great things can come in small packages. ANAHEIM HILLS GOLF COURSE Where: Anaheim Designer: Richard Bigler Hole: 13th Length: 207 yards Description: Ball flight is key on this hole. A shot hit too high might get caught in the wind and land short of the green or in a bunker. A low shot runs the risk of rolling through the green and into the water hazard. Quotable: "The water over the back and bunker in the front make this the toughest par 3 on the golf course," said Michael Lautenbach, Anaheim's director of golf. BLACK GOLD GOLF CLUB Where: Yorba Linda Designer: Arthur Hills Hole: 8th Length: 220 yards Description: The all-carry tee shot is made more difficult in windy conditions. A pot bunker to the right of the green also comes into play for players who take an aggressive line to the hole. A small bail-out area is available to the left, but the undulating surface can make a chip shot more difficult. Quotable: "Anyone aiming at the pin on this hole is a sucker," advised general manager Eric Lohman. TUSTIN RANCH GOLF CLUB Where: Tustin Designer: Ted Robinson, Sr. Hole: 11th Length: 170 yards Description: This hole is visually stimulating and intimidating. Water in front and on the sides of the green and palms trees and flowers that flank the putting surface put an emphasis on accuracy. The safe play to the two-tiered green is to hit one extra club, aim for the middle and hope your ball carries the water. Quotable: "It's one of those holes if you par it, you think it's one of the most beautiful golf holes," said director of golf operations James Spadoni. "If you happen to get anything worse than a bogey, you walk away thinking it's the worst hole ever designed." DAD MILLER GOLF COURSE Where: Anaheim Designer: Dick Miller Hole: 16th Length: 208 yards Description: This hole has no hazards but the green slopes severely from right to left. The green hasn't fully matured since the course was tweaked to accommodate the Tiger Woods Learning Center, so some shots might slide off the green toward the cart path or roll through the green toward the 17th tee box. Quotable: "This is the newest par 3 on the course," said Michael Lautenbach, Anaheim's director of golf. "The elevated green makes it all carry, yet it's hard to stop the ball because of the new green." NAVY GOLF COURSE Where: Seal Beach Designer: Joe Williams Hole: 9th Length: 182 yards Description: A scale replica of the U.S.S. Los Angeles in the middle of the water in front of the green is one of the special traits of the Navy Golf Course. Players must hit shots over the water hazard to a large green that is fortified with bunkers. The undulated putting surface requires a direct hit on the proper portion of the green to have a chance for a two-putt par. Quotable: "There are many golfers who forget to breathe as they wait to see if their shot has successfully made it over the beautiful but treacherous water hazard," said golf course manager Michael Clary. ALTA VISTA COUNTRY CLUB Where: Placentia Designer: David Rainville Hole: 14th Length: 167 yards Description: An accurate downhill shot must be played because the green is guarded by water in front and on the right. Left of the green is a bunker, and players finding their ball in the sand will have a nerve-rattling shot because the green slopes toward the water. Quotable: "Making par is an excellent score on this first part of Alta Vista's version of Amen Corner," said general manager Karl Reul. ALISO VIEJO COUNTRY CLUB Where: Aliso Viejo Designer: Nicklaus Design Hole: 5th Length: 186 yards Description: From the tee, players can't see the collection area that is 8 feet below and left of the two-tiered green. Any shot that settles on the wrong tier could easily lead to a three-putt. Quotable: "This is a difficult par 3 where onshore cross winds push shots to the right," said general manager Jim Goss. "Even Jack Nicklaus had a hard time scrambling for par when he missed a shot to the right during his round christening the course." ARROYO TRABUCO GOLF CLUB WHERE: Mission Viejo Designer: Casey O' Callaghan Hole: 13th Length: 188 yards Description: This hole typically plays into the wind and requires players to hit shots over the water. Players who hit their shot to the left of the green are faced with a bunker and must chip to a green that slopes back to the water. Quotable: "It's one of the prettiest holes on the golf course and is as hard of a golf hole as you want to make it," said general manager Matt Donovan. "There is an easy bail out to the left or you can aim at the hole and carry the water." SAN JUAN HILLS GOLF CLUB Where: San Juan Capistrano Designer: David Rainville Hole: 14th Length: 142 yards Description: The elevated tee box makes this hole play shorter, which isn't necessarily a good thing because of swirling winds. A water hazard to the left and in front of the green and three bunkers provide visual intimidation. The front bunker will catch shots long enough to carry the water but not long enough to reach the green, and a shot that comes to rest in one of the two right bunkers makes for a difficult up and down. Quotable: "It's a hole that requires you to visualize your shot, then trust your feel before you hit your shot," said head professional Ray Ricardo. NEWPORT BEACH COUNTRY CLUB Designer: William F. Bell and Ted Robinson, Sr. Hole: 17th Length: 185 yards Description: A two-tiered green, palm trees and grassy amphitheater behind the putting surface give this hole a Southern California vibe. Water and two bunkers guard the right side of the green, but the most challenging part might be judging the swirling wind from the elevated tee box. Quotable: "This hole not only gives our members a challenge but it has been a challenging hole for many pros at the Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic," said general manager Perry Dickey. |
||||
RSS Subscribe
Digg This Article
