How would you play Oakmont's 280 yard par 3?

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Jim Kobylinski

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Here's how i figure it: That hole a par is like a birdie, so really your goal is bogey or better imo, even for the pros. The likelyhood of getting it on the green in regulation is very slim and the price you pay for TRYING to do it is not good. It brings all the big numbers into play.

Here's what i'd do: I'd hit a 3 hybrid about which normally goes about 230 for me. On that course i'd get another 15 yards of run out, so you figure i'm at 245 with 35 yards to the pin. I'd hit a high spinning pitch as close to the hole as i could and have a putt for par. If i made it great, if not i'm pretty much going to make a bogey unless i do something really stupid.

Best play i've seen so far (with thinking like mine) was Adam Scott's 2 iron. He tried to run it up on the green almost ended up on the front fringe and but had a chance to 2 putt and leave with par. Furyk was in an ugly bunker and Phil tried to hook one in there (not sure what he was thinking there) and put his in a bunker too.

Furyk esacped with a bogey (couldn't been really bad from where he was). Phil ended up with a bogey and was a good play from his easier bunker shot and Scott ended up with the 2 putt par.

What would you do?
 
tongzilla

tongzilla

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I personally think par 3's should not be over 230-240 yards (average 3 iron distance).

I would hit 3 iron, pitch, putt. Could reach with 3 wood, but not worth it, as even if it does go dead straight, spin is too hard to control.
 
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zarro

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Depends on where the pin is and if the tees were actually in the 288 range. They were only about 260 the first 2 day. So, considering what they are actually playing/played I would hit 3 iron and putt. With the course as hard and as fast as it is, I'd be able to land 3 iron on the front(240+carry) have it roll on the green. Although, if I were to play a practice hole before hand, I would probably find that my 3 iron ran off the green, so I'd probably end up hitting a high cut 3 wood.
 
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protagonist

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It seems to me that in the big hitting game of today there is a style of play that's gone out of fashion, and that is the lay up to your perfect wedge distance. On this hole I'd look to hitting the same wedge in, from the same distance every day. That means a careful choice of club on the tee. If I was only playing the hole once, 4 iron is my baby, so I'm with tongzilla and self-mastery.
 
self-mastery

self-mastery

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Here's another angle:


Tee: 9 iron to 140 yards

App: 9 iron to 140 yards

And make a putt.


I played a par 5 today with 5I, 5I, Knockdwn 7, and 2 putted for par.
 
J

Jared Willerson

Super Moderator
I have been absolutely amazed at how damn far the guys hit the ball. Tiger hitting 3 iron from 275 is amazing, that is a good driver for me.

Also the 230 yard par 3 and everybody including Furyk is hitting 5 iron. That is a big 5 iron. I thought I was a pretty long mid iron player, but these guys are freakin powerful....wow.
 
J

Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
You also have to realize that these guys are hitting to spots on the green and not flying them to the hole.

I would bet you $1000 i could give Furyk 10 balls and he wouldn't fly ONE OF THEM 230 in the air.
 
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