The Open: Stats show the real hardest par-3 at Royal Troon

Think of a par-3 at Royal Troon and you think of the Postage Stamp. That’s only natural, but if you want a short hole that could be pivotal in deciding who lifts the Claret Jug, then it could come elsewhere.

We say short, but this one-shotter is anything but short. And it’s certainly not easy. We’re talking about the 17th, named Rabbit, which is playing at a scary length of 242 yards at the 152nd Open.

Long par-3s are nothing new to the pro golfers of today and at 242 yards, it’s not like this is anything wildly longer than standard.

But, if the Ayrshire weather Gods have a say in proceedings, then that number on the card could become irrelevant.

During Tuesday’s practice round, where the wind was straight into the players on the penultimate hole, some of the best ball strikers in the world were struggling to reach the putting surface with woods in their hands.

A brilliant spot to watch is behind the 17th tee. 242 yards, into the wind, with bunkers everywhere. Just watched Yannik Paul flush 2-iron and it’s not even close to the front edge. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/bb8Cre8S3D

— Lewis Fraser (@lewisfras98) July 16, 2024

Even on Wednesday, where the wind was coming off the left on the par-3, it was no walk in the park. Padraig Harrington hit three balls off this tee with his driving iron and not one of them found the green.

It’s no surprise then that for amateur golfers, this hole is the hardest of the par-3s at the Ayrshire venue.

Thanks to Shot Scope’s database, where the average handicap index is 8.2, we know that the 17th plays to an average score of 3.7. That makes it harder than the Postage Stamp, which has an average score of 3.5.

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In another key stat, greens in regulation, Rabbit ranks as the hardest par-3 at this year’s Open venue. Only 31% of amateur players in the Shot Scope database find the putting surface with their tee shot here.

And, with five bunkers ready to swallow up any loose tee shots, getting up and down is no easy task.

Also, it’s worth remembering that the tee the amateurs play from is a long way further forward than the championship tee in play this week. It’s unlikely that many amateurs are hitting woods from the member tees, but that’s a real possibility for this week’s contenders, especially if the wind blows.

Good luck to any Open hopeful with a one shot lead standing on this tee on Sunday afternoon, they might just need it.

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Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor