The best par-3s on the Open rota

There’s nothing like a good par-3 for drama and excitement at the Open.

They may look easy, but all kinds of carnage has unfolded on the oldest major’s shortest holes.

Over the years, they have thrown up some of the most iconic moments in the championship’s history – and there’s plenty more to come, too.

Here, we run the rule over our favourites currently on the rota…

Carnoustie – 16th

Our list gets up and running with an absolute beast: Barry Burn. At 248 yards, even the pros have a long club in – and that’s before you take into account the fact it’s often played into a fearsome wind. Despite winning the 1975 Open, Tom Watson failed to make par once. You can’t win it at the 16th, but you can certainly lose it.

Royal Portrush – 16th

It’s called Calamity Corner. Need we say any more? There are no bunkers, but your tee shot is across a chasm of thick rough right up to the front of the green, with anything short and right leaving a nigh-on-impossible up-and-down. In 1951, Bobby Locke opted to bail out short and left during all four rounds, with the area he played into becoming known as Locke’s Hollow.

Royal St George’s – 16th

It was here in 2003 that Thomas Bjorn’s hopes of hoisting the Claret Jug went up in smoke after he took three to escape the sand. It’s also where Tony Jacklin made the first televised hole-in-one at the 1967 Dunlop Masters. Ringed by treacherous bunkers, the vast green means even getting down in two is a mission.

Royal Troon – 8th

The most iconic par-3 in the world. At just 123 yards, Postage Stamp is the shortest hole on the rota but comes with a tiny green surrounded by hellish bunkers. It’s seen more than a few big names come unstuck – but the game’s top stars love it. Phil Mickelson described it as a “perfect example of how to challenge the best players in the world”.

Royal Lytham & St Anne’s – 1st

The only opening par-3 on the rota, it’s not a gentle introduction. On the tee you’re protected from the wind by the trees to the right, making club selection hard – especially as the front of the green is guarded by five nasty sand traps. That didn’t stop Lanny Wadkins making a hole-in-one here at the 1988 Open.

Royal Liverpool – 17th

The newest hole on the Open rota, which saw its first round of competitive action in 2023. And this is an absolute stunner. It’s just 139 yards long, but it provides a stern test thanks to the elevated green, abundance of sand and thick rough. It also offers amazing views over the Dee Estuary.

Muirfield – 13th

At 191 yards, on paper it’s not the most testing of par-3s. However, playing uphill adds a huge degree of difficulty, while the green is never more than 15 yards wide. Bunkers guard both sides, while it is sharply angled from back to front and falls off to the right. Missing it simply is not an option.

Royal Birkdale – 12th

Royal Birkdale’s 12th is an absolute gem. At 183 yards long it might appear straightforward, but it involves a tee shot into a tiny target with bunkers left and right, while the green is also protected by thick rough. The subtle contours of the green mean even if you do find the dancefloor, putting is a tough ask.

Old Course – 11th

You didn’t think we’d left the Old Course out, did you? Locals call it the “shortest par-5 in golf” – and with good reason. The Hill and Strath bunkers are in play, and if you find them you can kiss your chances of making par goodbye. Going long isn’t an option either, with a steep run-off area at the back.