Short, But Sweet

Andrew Marshall takes a look at what he deems to be the most fun par-3s in the British Isles

The rather more modern London Golf Club and its 12th hole

The Twelfth at the London Golf Club

Two quality championship courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus make up the London Golf Club, which is located to the south of the English capital: the tougher parkland Heritage Course (that is reserved for members and their guests) and The International, an inland links that offers a good test for visitors. The course features several daunting shots over water, including the nerve-jangler from the elevated tee of the 190-yard par-3 12th. The hole plays over a lake onto an elongated slanted green held back with railroad ties. A deceptively tricky hole, this has claimed many a victim.

www.londongolf.co.uk

The Thirteenth at Dunstanburgh Castle

With the beautiful sweep of Embleton Bay and the ancient ruins of the 14th Century Dunstanburgh Castle always in view, no golfer could wish to play in better surroundings than this outstanding Northumberland links designed by James Braid in 1877. The best moment comes at the far end of the course on the 135-yard par-3 13th, aptly named Castle, where the ancient ruins of Dunstanburgh form an atmospheric backdrop, framed perfectly high up on a cliff teeming with birdlife. A sweetly struck 8 or 9-iron should do the trick here on what is surely one of the most evocative short holes in the British Isles.

www.dunstanburgh.com

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Written by Andrew Marshall

Click here to see the published article.

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