Hole 3 at Oakmont Country Club

Par 4 • 428 Yards • Oakmont, Pennsylvania

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Tough

The #1 handicap hole at Oakmont Country Club demands precision from the first swing, earning its reputation as one of the most challenging par 4s in championship golf. This 428-yard straight test of skill presents a deceptively simple layout that has humbled the world's best players during multiple U.S. Opens. The tee shot requires careful placement on a fairway that offers little margin for error, while the approach shot must navigate to a small, subtly contoured green that punishes anything less than perfect execution. Without traditional hazards to distract, this hole strips golf down to its purest elements—accuracy, distance control, and mental fortitude. At Oakmont Country Club hole 3, par feels like a victory against one of golf's most demanding venues.

Tees:

428y390y378y339y

Green:38y × 59y

Fairway @250y:36y wide

10 Bunkersright dogleg

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Oakmont Country Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 428 yds
Green: 14054 sq ft
Bunkers: 10
Course Slope: 147
Course Rating: 77.5

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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

Target a 200-yard tee shot to hit the narrowest part of the fairway at 24 yards wide, leaving you in perfect position for your approach while avoiding the longer carry to the wider 36-yard section at 250 yards.

hazard warning

Be aware of bunkers positioned at 243.7 yards from the tee - if you're a long hitter going for distance, make sure your line is precise to avoid these strategically placed hazards.

approach

After a 200-yard tee shot, you'll face a 228-yard approach to this par 4 - plan for a long iron or hybrid to cover the remaining distance to the pin on this 428-yard hole.

green

The large green measuring 38 yards by 59 yards gives you a generous target at 14,054 square feet - use this size advantage to be aggressive with your approach shot and aim for the center of the green.

tee shot

Consider laying up short of the 243.7-yard bunkers with a controlled tee shot, then use the wider 36-yard fairway section at 250 yards for your second shot positioning.

train this shot at home

This 428-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 428-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. Key challenges include: large green requiring good lag putting.

How big is the green on hole 3?

The green is large and can play quite long. The green is deeper than wide, so club selection is crucial. Three-putt territory if you don't manage your approach distance well.

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 Oakmont Country Club. You can play this exact 428-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 →