Perspective from the 19^th Hole is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

The latest edition of Links Magazine came up with an interesting list this week – the longest par 3 holes in championship pro golf.

Based on the summary that appears below, I would not have remembered the extreme length of many of these holes, though I have seen them on TV over the years.

For me, an amateur golfer – perhaps better described as a “recreational golfer” – many of these holes should be par 4s, not par 3s.

The course where I play most of my golf, Illahe Hills Golf and Country Club in Salem, Oregon, has four par 3s, but none measure huge distances, though from deep tees, one gets to 221 yards (and a former pro at “my” course said he carried a special golf club just for that hole).

• Hole 5/155 yards-120, depending on the tee you choose to play
• Hole 9/221 yards-169
• Hole 13/172 yards-140
• Hole 17/182 yards-138

So, even for me, these distances are manageable, though, at my advanced age, I don’t often play the deep tees, choosing to abide by Jack Nicklaus’ advice, which is to “play it forward.”

For contrast to where I play most of my golf, consider these the following huge par 3s identified by Links Magazine, with, first, this introduction:

“Par 3 holes don’t have to be long to play tough.  Just look at the blood that was shed in the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon’s celebrated 8th hole, the Postage Stamp, where 123 yards and a necklace of deep pot bunkers were all that was needed to make the world’s top players dial 911.

“Or the annual drama at Golden Bell, the 12th hole at Augusta National, which only stretches to 155 yards, but has drowned the dreams of many a Green Jacket hopeful in Rae’s Creek.  Those holes, and others like them, are plenty difficult without being long.

“But there’s another species of par 3 — the kind where a combination of brute length and accuracy over distance are required to escape them unscathed.

“Nine of the 10 longest of these major championship holes are from U.S. Open venues — as if brutal rough and hardpan greens aren’t enough to identify the world’s best player.  The other top-10-longest par three plagued players at a PGA Championship.

“Across the pond, prospective Champion Golfers of the Year have had to face several long one-shotters, too.  Masters contestants have had to do battle with just one truly lengthy par 3, but as we all know, danger takes many forms at Augusta.

“It should be noted that along with length, each of the holes on this list have other features that add to their difficulty.  Dastardly bunkers.  Greens with false fronts and/or steep fall-offs.  Slick putting surfaces where saving par from 10 feet is a magician’s trick.”

Now, the list:

• Oakmont Country Club, 8th Hole—300 yards 
• Los Angeles Country Club (North), 11th Hole—297 yards
• Los Angeles Country Club (North), 7th Hole—284 yards
• Merion Golf Club (East), 3rd Hole—256 yards
• The Olympic Club (Lake), 3rd Hole—256 yards
• Valhalla Golf Club, 14th Hole—254 yards
• Merion Golf Club (East), 17th Hole—254 yards
• Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, 2nd Hole—252 yards
• Chambers Bay, 15th Hole—252 yards 
• Erin Hills, 6th Hole—252 yards
• Carnoustie Golf Links, 16th Hole—248 yards
• Royal Troon Golf Club, 17th Hole—242 yards
• Augusta National Golf Club, 4th Hole—240 yards 
• Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce), 16th Hole—236 yards

So, if you are a recreational golfer like me, take your driver to play these holes or others like them.  Or, just go to the forward tees.

Plus, this footnote.  When you hit a golf ball on a par 3, do you tee it up or play it off the ground?

Golf Digest says this:

“On a par 3 hole, using a tee provides an extra 5-12 yds depending, of course, on the club.”

And, no less an authority than Jack Nicklaus always advises using a tee when you can, on any drive.  That will guarantee you get a good lie.