There’s nothing hotter in architecture than the well-crafted short course. Once derided as something less than “real” golf, these layouts — mostly of the par-3 variety but occasionally sprinkled with a par-4 or two — entice for many reasons: they’re family-friendly, less pricey, and quicker to play. As a bonus, many of golf’s elite architects have now turned their talents to creating pint-sized spreads that entertain low- and high-handicappers alike, thanks to imaginative shaping and surprising variety. If you’re seeking maximum enjoyment from minimal acreage, Troon has you covered.
COMMUNITY GATHERING SPOTS
Elite short courses not only provide a fun challenge in a compressed time window but also serve as a social setting. Exemplifying the new breed is Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Ariz.
“We are the only golf course in Arizona with 18 fully lit holes, which allows guests to play golf until 2 a.m.,” says Jimmy Hoselton, co-founder of Grass Clippings. “We also allow groups to play sixsomes. We’re also the home of Grass League, the world’s first high-stakes par-3 golf league, broadcast live on Golf Channel, which gives the property a unique energy and identity.”
Toptracer range, an event lawn and elevated food and beverage offerings further set Grass Clippings apart. “The property attracts a very diverse audience — tourists, locals, families, college students, casual golfers, and even PGA Tour players,” says Hoselton. “It has really evolved into a social and entertainment hub as much as a golf facility.”
Also boasting illumination is the aptly named #miniDunes, the six-hole short course at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. Each hole is under 110 yards but it’s legitimate golf, with bunkers protecting all greens. Artificial tee pads ensure good teeing areas year-round. And you can tee off when it’s dark.
“#miniDunes is lighted with $1 million worth of stadium lights, so you can play at night, out of the sun,” says Brady Wilson, PGA General Manager of Ak-Chin Southern Dunes. “There is also music and a custom light show where the lights dance to the music, just like in sports stadiums when your team scores a touchdown.”
Amid the dancing lights, the course attracts a crowd. “The course is used by beginners, junior programs, and high school teams to practice their short games and to learn skills from 100 yards and in,” adds Wilson. “Kids play free with a paying adult, so it is great family time. We also host corporate events and gatherings for small groups that want to have an ‘advanced putt-putt’ experience.”
Wickenburg Ranch’s L’il Wick in Wickenburg, Ariz., is mostly a sunup to sundown affair, with nine desert-framed holes ranging from 62 to 187 yards. Plenty challenging with lake carries, big-time bunkers, and sloping greens, it’s also plenty fun. Music piped onto the tee boxes and a bar and restaurant in the middle of the course add to the merriment.
“L’il Wick has become a unique and energetic part of the overall Wickenburg Ranch experience,” says Steven Outlaw, PGA General Manager. “Members use it for short game practice, competitive games, evening loops, family golf, and introducing new players to the game. It’s also become a primary social gathering spot within the community. Members will come out even when they’re not necessarily planning to ‘play golf,’ in the traditional sense. They’ll grab a drink, walk a few holes, listen to music, spend time with neighbors, or bring visiting family and friends.”
GAME IMPROVEMENT
Some short courses thrive when it comes to incentivizing game improvement. If flying to paradise to partake in sharpening these shots appeals, consider Velaa Private Island in the Maldives. The resort includes 48-private villas and a golf facility designed by Jose Maria Olazabal that houses a par-3 layout with nine tees, six greens, seven bunkers, and a lake, as well as a high-tech swing studio and learning academy.
“The golf course at Velaa Private Island is a clever use of space,” says Director of Golf Gavin Campbell. “Guests can play our nine-hole par-3 course as per route or choose a tee and a flag that fits their eye. Outside of playing golf on the course, lessons can be taken along with an LED night golf experience available.”
Also emphasizing shotmaking is Panther National’s Panther 9 in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. When the club’s Championship course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas, opened late in 2023, it was immediately hailed for its beauty and challenge. The nine-hole, par-3 short course, with holes ranging from 90 to 150 yards, pays homage to the big course, but with smaller targets.
Whether you’ve won majors or are looking to break 90 for the first time, Panther 9 accommodates. “There is a short loop of either 4 or 5 holes with no forced carries, allowing new golfers to increase their skill without intimidation,” says Director of Golf Tom Dyer. “Experts and Panther PGA Tour Ambassadors use it to test and improve their approach shots and greenside skills. Members use it for fun ‘emergency nine’ matches before or after playing the Championship course. We do numerous events and golf training on the Panther 9 as well.”
ACCESSIBLE BONUS GOLF
Tacking on a short course to accompany an existing championship layout is a movement that continues unabated. Look no further than Gamble Sands’ QuickSands in Brewster, Wash.
Designed in 2021 by David McLay Kidd, who also designed the facility’s much admired first course, the Sands, QuickSands is a firm-and-fast, 14-hole, walking-only spread that features holes from 60 to 180 yards.
“QuickSands gives golfers a quick, approachable way to enjoy the Gamble Sands landscape,” says PGA General Manager Blake Froling. “It’s fun and accessible but still asks for creativity and shotmaking. It shares the same wide, sandy, strategic feel as our championship courses, but it’s shorter, more relaxed, and easier to fit into a day. The spirit is the same; the scale is different.”
New to the party is The Q School at Cobbs Creek in Philadelphia, which opened in April. Designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design, it will run side by side with its 110-year-old championship course, currently being redesigned by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner.
“The Q School is intentionally approachable, with holes ranging from 71 to 106 yards, making it an ideal entry point for new golfers,” explains General Manager Chris Parker. “At the same time, the challenging green complexes, strategic bunker placement, and a variety of shot requirements create an engaging experience for skilled players focused on improving their wedge play, creativity, and touch around the greens.”
Parker states that The Q School has attracted everyone from avid golfers to families. “It has also become an important community asset through events and community days that introduce golf-curious participants to the game in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.”
Beloved cult favorite Tobacco Road, designed by Mike Strantz, will soon have a little brother, The Matchbox at Tobacco Road, slated for an August 2026 debut. Located in the Carolina Sandhills town of Sanford, N.C., The Matchbox is a 12-hole, par-3 track designed by Carlton-Marshall, which teamed with Mark White, a shaper on the original crew that created Tobacco Road, under the auspices of facility co-owner Mark Stewart.
“Distinctive courses all start with distinctive property and the same is true at The Matchbox,” says Stewart. “The earthworks left over from constructing Tobacco Road combined with the beautiful pond and mature trees allowed for an enchanting routing through nature. The use of synthetic playing surfaces allowed us to maintain the shady serenity of the forest.
“Since The Matchbox will be operated as a separate, adjacent facility with its own parking and clubhouse, it’s a way for golfers to spend a couple of hours outside in nature with their buddies. You can play it before, after, or instead of a round at Tobacco Road.”
