Hole 3 at Links at Spanish Bay, The

Par 4407 Yards • Pebble Beach, California

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Challenging

The 3rd hole at Spanish Bay may not carry the fame of its sister courses' celebrated short par-3s, but this strategic par-5 embodies the course's reputation for demanding wind-judging decisions and tricky strategic choices. Like the rest of Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s design, it rewards thoughtful course management over pure power in the ever-present coastal conditions.

Tees:
407y340y334y305y
Green:27y × 32y
Fairway @250y:80y wide
5 Bunkers dogleg

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Hole Stats

Par
4
Yardage
407 yds
Green
4890 sq ft
Bunkers
5
Course Slope
142
Course Rating
74.2

Recommended Gear

Bunkers everywhere — a versatile wedge is your scoring club on this hole.

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

This 407-yard par-5 offers a strategic advantage off the tee - the fairway dramatically widens from 42 yards at the 200-yard mark to 80 yards at 250 yards. Longer hitters should take advantage of this generous landing area by hitting driver to set up the shortest possible approach to the green.

hazard warning

Three bunkers guard the fairway and approach areas at 203.8, 223.7, and 320.6 yards from the tee. The bunker at 223.7 yards is particularly dangerous for moderate hitters, while the greenside bunker at 320.6 yards will catch aggressive second shots that come up short.

approach

With the green measuring a compact 4,890 square feet (27 yards by 32 yards), precision is crucial on your approach shot. This relatively small target demands accurate distance control, especially given Spanish Bay's notorious coastal winds that can dramatically affect ball flight.

tee shot

Conservative players should aim for the 200-yard mark where the fairway is 42 yards wide, providing a safe landing area while avoiding the fairway bunker at 203.8 yards. This strategy leaves a manageable approach distance of approximately 207 yards to the center of the green.

green

The green's dimensions of 27 yards wide by 32 yards deep create specific target zones for approach shots. Aim for the center of this compact green rather than attacking pins, as the small surface area leaves little margin for error in Spanish Bay's challenging coastal conditions.

train this shot at home

This 407-yard par 4 is ideal for working on your driver accuracy. Launch monitors from $600 let you practice this exact shot with real course data from home.

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Scoring Tip

With bunkers guarding the green, pick the side with the most room and let the slope feed the ball toward the pin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can this par 5 be reached in two?

At 407 yards, Reachable in two for longer hitters. Consider laying up short of hazards if going for it is risky.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers. Key challenges include: heavily bunkered.

How big is the green on hole 3?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 3?

This hole is a reachable par 5 with eagle chances for longer hitters. Birdie is very much in play here if you can set up a good approach.

Can I practice hole 3 on a golf simulator at home?

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Links at Spanish Bay, The. You can play this exact 407-yard par 4 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

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