Hole 3 at Colonial Country Club

Par 4 • 467 Yards • Fort Worth, Texas

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Brutal

The third hole at Colonial Country Club begins the infamous "Horrible Horseshoe," a brutally demanding three-hole stretch that has tested the world's best players since Perry Maxwell designed it for the 1941 U.S. Open. This opening salvo of Colonial's most feared sequence immediately announces the championship pedigree that has made this Fort Worth classic a PGA Tour staple.

Tees:

467y450y438y426y

Green:27y × 25y

Fairway @250y:41y wide

6 Bunkers dogleg

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Colonial Country Club

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Hole Stats

Par: 4
Yardage: 467 yds
Green: 3948 sq ft
Bunkers: 6
Course Slope: 136
Course Rating: 74.7

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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 between 200-250 yards, where the fairway widens from 28 yards to 41 yards. This gives you the best angle and room for error on this demanding hole that concludes the infamous 'Horrible Horseshoe.'

hazard warning

Three bunkers guard the landing area at 248, 264, and 285 yards from the tee. Long hitters must be particularly careful of the bunker at 284.7 yards, which sits right in the prime landing zone for aggressive drives.

approach

With 467 yards total length, most players will face a mid-to-long iron approach into this compact green. The small target of just 3,948 square feet demands precision over power.

green

The green measures only 27 yards by 25 yards, making it one of the smaller targets you'll face. Club selection and accuracy are crucial - favor the center of this tight target rather than attacking pins.

tee shot

Consider laying up short of the bunkers around 240 yards if conditions are tough. This strategic play keeps you in the narrower 28-yard fairway width at 200 yards but avoids the bunker complex entirely.

train this shot at home

This 467-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 467-yard par 4, most players will hit driver to set up a comfortable approach.

How difficult is hole 3?

This hole is one of the tougher holes on the course for most golfers. Key challenges include: long par 4, heavily bunkered, small green.

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

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 Colonial Country Club. You can play this exact 467-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 →