Hole 4 at Balboa Park Executive Golf Course

Par 3 • 175 Yards • San Diego, California

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Challenging

The 4th hole at Balboa Park stands as one of the most challenging tests on Frank Szarfinzky's century-old Golden Hill Golf Links design. This demanding par 3 has earned a reputation among local players as a true test of precision and club selection. Part of San Diego's historic municipal golf legacy, it exemplifies the thoughtful routing that has challenged golfers for over 100 years.

Tees:

175y135y

Green:19y × 18y

dogleg

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Balboa Park Executive Golf Course

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Hole Stats

Par: 3
Yardage: 175 yds
Green: 1996 sq ft

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Recommended Gear

Dial in your mid-irons — accuracy is everything on a short par 3.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

With no fairway landing zone available on this 175-yard par 3, club selection and accuracy are paramount. Choose a club that carries the full distance to the green rather than laying up, as there's no safe landing area short of the target.

green

Target the center of this compact 1,996 square foot green measuring just 19 by 18 yards. With such a small target area, focus on distance control over pin hunting to avoid missing the putting surface entirely.

approach

Take one extra club for this 175-yard shot to ensure you clear any trouble short of the green. Better to be long on this hole than come up short with no bailout area available.

tee shot

This hole demands precision over power - with fairway widths of 0 yards at both 200 and 250 yards, there's no room for error off the tee. Commit fully to your target line and swing within yourself for maximum accuracy.

green

Practice your lag putting before playing this hole. The relatively square green shape (19y x 18y) means you could face longer putts if you miss your approach to the wrong portion of the putting surface.

train this shot at home

This par 3 is ideal for working on your mid-iron. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

Short par 3s reward precision. Pick the right club for the front-center of the green and trust your swing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What club should I use on this par 3?

At 175 yards, most golfers will need a mid-iron (7-iron to 8-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.

How difficult is hole 4?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: small green.

How big is the green on hole 4?

The green is small and requires precision. Expect challenging pin positions with limited room for error.

What's a good score on hole 4?

This hole is a solid par with birdie chances for precise approach shots. Making par is a good result here. Focus on hitting the green and avoiding three-putts.

Can I practice hole 4 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Balboa Park Executive Golf Course. You can play this exact par 3 shot-by-shot at home. Entry-level options like the SkyTrak+ (around $2,500) and Garmin Approach R10 (around $600) support course play, while premium systems from Trackman and Foresight offer tour-level accuracy. Most systems pay for themselves in a season or two versus green fees and range balls. Shop home golf simulators →