When it comes to having fun with the game of golf, nothing embodies that spirit more than a par 3 golf course. They throw the usual rules out the window, they don’t take themselves too seriously, and they let the good times roll.
Evaluating par 3 courses for me is a little different than assessing a full 18 hole golf course. Here are the criteria that I used to create this list in order of importance.
Vibes / Fun Meter - How much fun are you gonna have? How hard does this course party?
Creativity - I want to hit unique shots into cool spots. Give me something that I won’t find everywhere.
Variety - Hitting 9, 75 yard pitch shots in a row gets boring.
Beauty - A good par 3 course should offer views at every turn.
On this list, I have omitted all private courses and focused places where anyone can play. This is by far the most robust and complete list of public par 3 courses on the internet and no golf course has compensated me for their inclusion on this list. Welcome to the first edition of the pjkoenig Par 3 Party list. You can click on any of the links to book a tee time and get the party started.
#17: Maggie Hathaway - Los Angeles, CA
When most people think of South Central Los Angeles, they do not think of world class par 3 golf courses. However, when Gil Hanse renovated the Maggie in 2026, that all changed. I was honored to be the official photographer for the new golf course and the results are beautiful and wildly fun. Be sure to read my full feature on every hole at Maggie Hathaway on the Golf Blog.
#16: The Nest - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
In the golf dense area of Palm Beach, there are several spots to get your par 3 party on. The first spot is wedged in between Panther National and Sand Hill Crane Golf Club. Water surrounds a good portion of the property and there is even an island green for golfers to enjoy.
#15: Mountain Shadows - Scottsdale, AZ
The vibes run deep at this par 3 hotel hot spot located in the middle of the Scottsdale scene. Events like the Grass Clippings Open have elevated the profile of this course over the years. Most notably, I recorded this legendary podcast with Paige Spiranac in the parking lot.
#14: The Links at Terranea - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
This southern California gem is not often talked about, but Terranea is one of the standouts in California when it comes to par 3 golf courses. This Todd Eckenrode Design features lush terrain and sweeping vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Fun fact: The punchbowl 7th hole was the site of the only hole in one on both RGV Tour 1.0 and RGV Tour 2.0
#13: Golden Gate Park Golf Course - San Francisco, CA
As a former resident of San Francisco, I had played the original Golden Gate Park Golf Course many times. It was beat up, ragged and pretty uninspiring. That was until Jay Blasi came around in 2023. While there wasn’t much land to work with, Jay and his team created a joyous little sandbox with 9 fun and creative golf holes. Even while I was setting the record for most 18 hole golf courses played in a single year, I still made time to visit Golden Gate Park during my RGV Tour 2.0. Sadly it was raining and I did not capture any photographs.
#12: The Chalkmine - Graniteville, SC
There are plenty of par 3 lists on the internet, but not a single one of them includes this gem in Graniteville, SC. According to the First Tee of Aiken staff that runs the golf course, it has only recently opened up for public play. Most of the golf holes are under 100 yards and you could easily play the golf course with just 1 golf club.
#11: The Hay - Pebble Beach, CA
This long standing par 3 golf course was reimagined by Tiger Woods and team in 2021. The results were so good that people actually started playing the par 3 instead of simply driving by it on the way into Pebble Beach Golf Links. All of the holes are under 106 yards and the 3rd is an exact replica of the famous 7th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Most importantly, the fine folks at Pure Insurance award their scholarship here during the Pure Insurance Championship every year.
#10: Palm Beach Par 3 - Palm Beach, FL
The Palm Beach Par 3 was originally designed in 1961 by Dick Wilson and renovated in 2009 by Raymond Floyd and it might jut be the most fun that you can have in the state of Florida. The course is a personal favorite as we like to take the family here on Thanksgiving. Even with 3 kiddos and a wife that doesn’t play golf, we always have an amazing time. The holes range from 81 to 221 yards long, the views are great, and the course is fun for beginners.
#9: The Horse Course - Valentine, NE
Things get serious as we crack the top 10 par 3 golf courses in America. The Horse Course at The Prairie Club isn’t easy to get to, but it is freaking glorious. When you pair it up with the rest of the great golf at The Prairie Club, the experience is well worth the drive. Designed by Gil Hanse, Geoff Shackelford, and Jim Wagner, Hanse has stated that the land on the Horse Course might just be some of the finest on the property.
#8: Top of The Rock - Ridgedale, MO
As we get deeper inside the top 10, we run into what was probably the most expensive par 3 course built on our list. The conditions and the views are big, dramatic and boldly manufactured. The Top of The Rock spared no expense in creating a grand short course experience. There are three other par 3 courses at Big Cedar, but this one is the original and the most spectacular. Be sure to check out my article on Big Cedar Resort here. It was so good that I cam back for some Bonus Big Cedar.
Shorty’s…. because there wasn’t enough great golf at Bandon Dunes already. This is the 3rd short course at Bandon Dunes and is named after Shorty Dow, the caretaker of the 1,250-acre property on the Oregon coast that Mike Keiser would eventually transform into the greatest golf resort in the world. Bandon’s newest par 3 course winds through troughs, valleys, mounds, and ridges right next door to Coore and Crenshaw’s Bandon Preserve.
#6: The Cradle - Pinehurst, NC
The Cradle at Pinehurst is another short course creation from Gil Hanse. Unveiled in 2017, the rugged sandy terrain transformed the atmosphere surrounding Pinehurst. Excitement and golf joy now fill the grounds just outside the back door of the iconic clubhouse. The course features holes from 56 to 127 yards and has a beverage station named “The Pinecone.” The nearby “Thistle Du” putting green pumps up the vibes even further. Pinehurst parties hard.
Things are getting serious as we head into the top 5 par 3 golf courses in America; every golf course from here on out gets 3 pictures instead of 1. We start things off with Sand Valley Golf Resort’s Sand Box. Brought to you by Coore and Crenshaw, this 17 hole course offers a handful of template holes ranging from 40-140 yards. Holes like Biarritz, Lion's Mouth, and Redan will thrill those seeking a little extra golf after a round or two on the resorts 5 other golf courses. This was one of my favorite stops during 2021’s WSGA internship road.
This David McLay Kidd short course was the second course added to Gamble Sands Golf Resort. The resort pumps music onto every hole and the fun factor is through the roof on all 14 holes that range from 60 to 180 yards. This party like atmosphere allows putting from the tee boxes, trick bank shots, and nearly guarantees that the good times are going to roll. The resort’s other two courses also share a similar fun vibe and the addition of The Scarecrow has brought Gamble Sands into the upper echelon of great American golf resorts.
Inspired by Herb Kohler’s favorite designs, The Baths is Kohler’s premier par 3 golf experience. Glorious ridges, bunkers and water hazards are all a part of a world class par 3 experience. There are 10 holes that range from 60 to 175 yards. Most importantly, there is a bath tub located next to the first hole, which is perfect for posing and bathing before and after your round.
#2: The Chain - Bowling Green, FL
In an effort to repopularize mid 1990’s slang, I would like to make the following statement. The Chain is simply off the chain. Coore and Crenshaw have specifically designed this 19 hole course to be used for match play. With no fixed tees or par, the golfers choose their own adventure and play away. During my visit in 2025, I was immediately impressed by the variety and challenge provided by the golf holes on The Chain. You can check out my favorites from my photography shoot that week right here.
#1: Bandon Preserve - Bandon, OR
It is impossible to find a ranking of the best par 3 golf courses in America where Bandon Preserve doesn’t take the title. I looked hard and a list with Bandon Preserve in the #2 spot does not exist. This is for good reason as Bandon Preserve is clearly the finest par 3 golf course in America. All 13 holes offer something unique and fun for the golfer. The views are outstanding and the fun meter is maxed out. Bandon Dunes will always play a special part in my golf adventure as it was the final stop on RGV Tour 1.0. At the time, I had no idea that a second and even more grand adventure awaited on 2.0. You can read the full story in my book, The United States of Golf.
