Hole 3 at PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course)

Par 3 • 192 Yards • La Quinta, California

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Tough

The third hole at PGA West's Nicklaus Tournament course presents a deceptively challenging par 3 that demands precision over power. At 192 yards, this straight-forward design requires golfers to navigate to a small, well-protected green that punishes anything less than a committed swing. The lack of significant hazards might suggest an easier hole, but the compact target and desert surroundings create their own intimidation factor. Club selection becomes critical as the small green offers little margin for error, making distance control paramount. This hole exemplifies Jack Nicklaus's design philosophy of rewarding accuracy and course management, serving as a strategic test that can quietly derail a round if approached carelessly.

Tees:

192y163y155y133y120y

Green:25y × 32y

6 Bunkers dogleg

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PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 3
Yardage: 192 yds
Green: 4014 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 143
Course Rating: 75.3

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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

Club selection is critical on this 192-yard par 3 - choose a club that ensures you can clear the bunkers positioned at 185.9 yards while still reaching the green.

hazard warning

Beware of the bunker complex at 185.9 yards - falling short by even a few yards will leave you in sand just 6 yards from the green, requiring a precise recovery shot.

approach

Target the center of the generous 4,014 square foot green rather than pin-hunting - the green's 25x32 yard dimensions provide plenty of room for a safe approach.

green

With a compact 25-yard width, lateral misses are more costly than being long or short - focus on accurate line over the bunkers to find the putting surface.

tee shot

Take one extra club to ensure you carry the 185.9-yard bunkers with confidence - better to be pin-high on the back portion of the 32-yard deep green than short in sand.

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 192 yards, most golfers will need a long iron or hybrid (5-iron to 6-iron) to reach this green. Adjust for elevation, wind, and pin position.

How difficult is hole 3?

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

How big is the green on hole 3?

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

What's a good score on hole 3?

This hole is a challenging par where bogey is acceptable. This longer par 3 will test your long iron or hybrid game. Par is a good score.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for PGA West (Nicklaus Tournament 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 →