...and requires a different basic strategy.
Par 3s: Add seven yards to the listed yardage and choose your club on that basis. If that puts you between clubs, choose the longer one. Get the ball on the green! However, on long par 3s that are surrounded by hazards, it might be wiser to play short of the green and chip on.
Par 5s: Most pars 5s are 480-500 yards from the white tees, and you’re allowed three shots to get there. Make them three easy shots. Tee off with a 3-wood, not the driver, to make sure the ball gets in the fairway. Play your second shot with enough club to get the ball past the 150-yard marker. That will leave a short iron into the green. There’s no sense in playing a 3-wood from the fairway unless you can hit the green with it. Play your third shot for the center of the green and walk off with your par.
Par 4s: These are the tough ones. It takes two good shots to get to the green for your par. You must get the ball in the fairway, so tee off with a club you know will get that done. Aim your approach for the center of the green. Go pin-hunting at your own risk. Par 4s are where your chipping skills pay off. Note: If you’re not hitting a 7-iron or less into half of the par 4s, you’re playing from tees that are to long for you.
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