The Best Par 3’s in the Gaylord Golf Mecca
By GolfPRGuy
The Gaylord Golf Mecca is home to the No. 1 Par 3 course in America, Threetops, part of the nationally acclaimed Treetops Resort. When Threetops opened back in 1992, it was a new concept, especially at a resort destination. Golfers were not custom to playing a par 3 course on their golf vacation and in some instances had to be sold pretty hard on giving the new course a shot.
Well, 25-years later, a nationally televised Par 3 Shootout with the games greatest players, and over a thousand aces, Threetops has become one of the most popular golf experiences anywhere. If you are a golf group looking to add excitement to your trip, who would not want to take nine swings for a hole-in-one.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca is full of some great Par 3’s. Check out some of our favorites below.
No. 6 at Treetops Jones Course-Treetops
The 6th hole at Treetops Jones course is arguably the most iconic par 3 hole in all of northern Michigan. Measuring 180 yards with a 120 foot drop to the green, the views, which stretch for more than 40 miles, are the best in the Midwest. It is also the spot where the resorts name “Treetops” was first discovered.
No. 6 at Gaylord Country Club
This up hill par 3 plays to arguably the toughest green in northern Michigan. With two tiers and a slick surface, players need to make sure your shot ends up below the hole.
No. 10 at Elk Ridge
One of the iconic par 3’s in northern Michigan, it is only fitting that the owners of Honey Baked Hams would design a pig bunker to front the green. The down hill shot also offers great views of the northern hardwoods.
No. 4 at The Loon Golf Club
This short but challenging par 3 is reminiscent of an old Donald Ross designed classic with a small saucer shaped green that falls off on all four corners. It’s one of the toughest greens to hit.
No. 11 at Michawye Pines
As host to two Michigan Amateur championships, the 11th hole at Michawye has always proved to be a pivotal hole. Playing over 200 yards, the green is well guarded by bunkers.
No. 9 Otsego Club Tribute
One of the most beautiful par 3’s in the Gaylord Golf Mecca can be found on the Tribute course. This challenging par 3, which measures up to 200 yards, plays to a green setting that rests down near the headwaters of the Pigeon River.
No. 11 Tom Fazio Course-Treetops
This spectacular par 3 on Michigan’s only Tom Fazio course plays over 200-yards over a pond to a green set into a hillside. It is one of the more challenging shots in the area, especially if the wind is blowing in your face.
No. 11 Rick Smith Signature
One of the best designed par 3’s in all of northern Michigan. This medium length par 3 plays downhill through the pine forest to a challenging green well guarded on all sides by bunkers. This is also the most peaceful setting for a par 3, which is located on the farthest northern point of the Treetops property.
No. 9 The Natural Golf Course
This uphill par 3 is one of the more challenging holes in the Mecca. Playing over 180-yards over a beautiful wetland area, this shot requires pin point accuracy.
No. 5 at Black Lake Golf Club
One of the best par 3 holes in northern Michigan is the 5th hole at Black Lake. Known as Sahara, with its 200-yard long bunker that stretches from the tee all the way to the green is one of the most challenging shots, especially from the back tees where it measures 235 yards.
No. 12 The Lakes Course
One of the best short par 3’s in the Gaylord Golf Mecca. Measuring just over 150 yards, the hole plays over a lake to a well-guarded green site.
No. 19 Black Bear
You can’t talk about Par 3 holes in the Gaylord Golf Mecca without mentioning the areas only 19th hole. Measuring 160 yards, this hole offers the perfect warm up hole or final betting hole to settle any golf game.
