Hole 3 at Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course)

Par 4 • 451 Yards • Springfield, New Jersey

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Tough

The 3rd hole at Baltusrol's Lower Course is believed to be one of the few surviving remnants from the original 1895 design, predating A.W. Tillinghast's famous reconstruction. This historic par-4 presents a deceptively challenging test with thick rough and trees guarding both sides of the fairway. Strategic positioning is crucial to avoid the ditch that protects the ridged green, where pin placement can dramatically alter the hole's difficulty.

Tees:

451y436y405y402y

Green:33y × 34y

3 Bunkers dogleg

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Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course)

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 451 yds
Green: 6664 sq ft
Bunkers: 3
Course Slope: 139
Course Rating: 73.9

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Recommended Gear

This long par 4 demands distance off the tee — the right driver matters.

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Strategy Tips

hazard warning

This hole presents an extremely narrow playing corridor with no measurable fairway width at both 200 and 250 yards from the tee. The landing zone starts at 0 yards from the tee, indicating immediate hazards or obstacles that severely restrict driving options.

tee shot

With fairway widths of 0 yards at key distances, this hole likely requires a strategic layup or precision placement rather than a full driver. Consider hitting a shorter iron or hybrid to find the safest landing area and avoid the severe penalties that narrow corridors typically impose.

approach

Three bunkers positioned at 444.3, 427.8, and 432.4 yards create a defensive cluster around the green area. From 451 yards total length, these hazards guard the final 20-25 yards of the hole, demanding precise distance control on your approach shot.

green

The generous green measures 6,664 square feet (33x34 yards), providing a large target that can help offset the challenging approach. Use this size advantage by aiming for the center of the green rather than attacking tight pin positions, especially given the surrounding bunkers.

approach

At 451 yards, this lengthy par-4 will test your course management skills. Given the restricted fairway and greenside bunkers, focus on positioning over distance - two well-placed shots will score better than one aggressive drive followed by a difficult recovery.

train this shot at home

This 451-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 451-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is a moderate challenge for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4.

What hazards should I watch out for on hole 3?

Key hazards include: 3 greenside bunkers. Plan your shots to avoid these trouble spots.

How big is the green on hole 3?

The green is fairly large with multiple pin positions. Lag putting becomes important on longer putts.

What's a good score on hole 3?

This hole is one of the tougher holes where par feels like birdie. A challenging par 4. Accept that bogey happens and avoid big numbers.

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

Yes — many modern launch monitors and simulators include real course data for Baltusrol Golf Club (Lower Course). You can play this exact 451-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 →