Hole 3 at Riviera Country Club, The

Par 4 • 434 Yards • Pacific Palisades, California

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Tough

The third hole at Riviera showcases the artistic and strategic design philosophy that defines this storied venue. This demanding par 4 exemplifies the course's reputation for creating holes that challenge golfers with subtle complexity rather than overwhelming length. It's a testament to the thoughtful architecture that has made Riviera one of golf's most respected tournament venues.

Tees:

434y434y405y371y

Green:37y × 28y

Fairway @250y:61y wide

4 Bunkers dogleg

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Riviera Country Club, The

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 434 yds
Green: 5983 sq ft
Bunkers: 4
Course Slope: 141
Course Rating: 73.9

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Recommended Gear

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

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Strategy Tips

tee shot

Position your tee shot carefully on this 434-yard par 4, as the fairway narrows significantly from 69 yards wide at the 200-yard mark to just 61 yards at 250 yards. This 8-yard reduction in width makes accuracy more critical for longer hitters.

approach

With bunkers positioned at 422.3 yards from the tee, your approach shot will likely play over or very near these hazards. Plan your tee shot distance accordingly to leave yourself the best angle into the green.

green

The green measures 37 yards deep by 28 yards wide (5,982 sq ft), providing a reasonably sized target. However, given the historical significance of Riviera's challenging greens, focus on hitting to the correct tier and avoiding three-putts on this substantial putting surface.

tee shot

The absence of a defined landing zone (0 yards from tee) suggests this hole requires strategic placement rather than maximum distance. Focus on finding the optimal position in the fairway to set up your approach, especially considering the fairway's narrowing pattern.

hazard warning

At 434 yards total length with bunkers at 422.3 yards, you'll have very little room between the hazards and the green. Ensure your approach shot carries these bunkers with enough club to avoid coming up short in the sand.

train this shot at home

This 434-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

What's the best strategy off the tee?

For this 434-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is a good scoring opportunity for most golfers.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 3?

Key hazards include: 1 greenside bunker. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 3?

The green is medium-sized with moderate targets. The green is wider than it is deep, rewarding shots that find the correct tier. Pay attention to pin placement when selecting your approach club.

What's a good score on hole 3?

This hole is a demanding hole where bogey is not unusual. This longer par 4 will test most golfers. Focus on position over distance.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Riviera Country Club, The. You can play this exact 434-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 →