When I created my best short courses in America list, I knew that I would run into some trouble with the omission of Treetops Resort and the cleverly named Threetops par 3 course. My visit to the resort in 2026 was long overdue and fortunately, that gap in coverage has been closed. The list has been updated to reflect Threetops and its position as one of America’s finest par 3 golf courses.
Today, there is a lot more than just a short course at Treetops Resort. The resort started with the creation of the Robert Trent Jones Sr. Masterpiece course in 1989. Jones Sr. remarked that you could see nothing but "treetops" to the edge of the horizon and just like that the resort got its name. In the 1990’s the resort grew quickly with a course from Tom Fazio and several additions from Rick Smith.
Beginning in 1999, Treetops hit the national radar when it hosted ESPN’s Par 3 Shootout. Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Janzen and Raymond Floyd launched the inaugural event and high profile golfers like Fred Couples and Arnold Palmer competed in the shootout over the years. Mot notably, during the 2001 event, Lee Trevino made a hole-in-one on the 7th hole earning a $1 million prize.
It wasn’t until 2026, that I arrived on assignment to capture some photography for the resort. As part of my preparation, I played every single golf hole on the property. Please enjoy this ranking of my nine favorite golf holes at Treetops Golf Resort.
#9 - Hole 9 - Fazio Premier - 401 yards
We start off with one of the most difficult holes at Treetops. The drive takes off down a chute on this dog leg left. With trees on the right and left, an accurate drive is required in order to set up a reasonable approach shot into this tough green. Even with a good drive, there is plenty of challenge left on this golf hole, the approach shot plays uphill and requires distance and accuracy control. Bunkers await the wayward golf shot.
#8 - Hole 8 - Jones Masterpiece - 418 yards
There isn’t much room for error on this 90 degree dogleg left. The tee shot is downhill and even a well placed drive will still leave you something around 150 yards into the green. The approach shot also doesn’t give you any wiggle room. Anything left or right will splash down into the pond. Only the well struck golf shots will find a look at birdie.
#7 - Hole 13 - Smith Tradition - 319 yards
There is nothing that I like more than a short drivable par 4. This particular hole is very well done. The distance is very reachable but there are some hazards that make it difficult to do. The hazards aren’t penal enough to discourage most attempts but most golfers are far more likely to make a 6 instead of a 2. Only a perfect little draw onto the green will yield an opportunity for eagle.
#6 - Hole 14 - Jones Masterpiece - 430 yards
The 14th on the Masterpiece was my favorite hole to photograph in the morning. The light came right over the trees and lit up the green just right in order to satisfy my early morning ambitions. The hole itself is fairly challenging. The fairway runs out at around 130 yards and most golfers will lay well back and play a mid iron into this green that sits on top of a hill.
#5 - Hole 16 - Smith Signature - 368 yards
The Signature course at Treetops has a heathland vibe to it. Smith uses bunkers before the fairways to provide a spectacular visual from the tee box. There is no finer example than the view on 16 tee box. The hole isn’t particularly long, but there are plenty of bunkers to give the wayward golfer plenty of troubles. The fairway is sloped heavily from right to left giving it an extra smidge of difficulty.
#4 - Hole 7 - Fazio Premier - 367 yards
One of the best views on the Fazio course comes from the black tees on this scenic little par 4. The tee plays down to a bowl shaped fairway and then back up the slope to a green perched in the hillside. Its not a particularly difficult hole, but it is easily one of the most scenic and fun to play.
#3 - Hole 17 - Smith Signature - 199 yards
There are a plethora of massively downhill par 3’s at Treetops. In fact, I have never seen a resort with quite so many spectacular downhill par 3’s. There are 2 on Threetops, 1 on Fazio, 1 on the Masterpiece and 2 more on the Signature course. The 17th is bar far my favorite of the bunch. From the tee box there is a tremendous view of the course and the green is perched upon a particularly appealing apex on the topography of the land. The bunkering and surrounding vegetation is spectacular.
#2 - Hole 18 - Fazio Premier - 451 yards
Fazio does an excellent job of making sure that the final 3 golf holes on any course he designs are some of the best on the property. The 18th hole on the Premier course is an excellent example of a classic Fazio finishing hole. This beast features a monstrous cross fairway bunker that will make sure that keep most golfers well back with their approach shot. The golf hole gets more and more challenging as the pin location heads towards the back of the green. The 18th is equal parts beautiful and difficult.
#1 - Hole 15 - Fazio Premier - 337 yards
Like many other golf courses, the best hole at Treetops Resort also happens to be the most unique. At only 337 yards, length isn’t required in order to achieve challenge and interest here. The golf hole is potentially drivable but most golfers will try to find the fairway by navigating a series of bunkers. A well placed drive will leave a short wedge into the resort’s most interesting green. A bunker separates the front and back levels of the putting surface and the challenge varies from day to day. A pin in the back will make you look twice and one in the front will provide a great opportunity for birdie.
