Golf Glossary
Short course (par-3 course, pitch and putt)
In short
A short course is a golf course with much shorter holes than a standard 18-hole course. It includes par-3 courses, pitch and putt courses with very short holes, and executive courses made up mostly of par 3s with a few par 4s. Rounds take less time, and beginners find it an easy way into golf.
What is a short golf course?
A standard golf course has 18 holes with par 3s, par 4s and par 5s and often stretches for several kilometres. A round can easily take four hours or more. A short course condenses that experience: the holes are shorter, there are often fewer of them and you only need some of your clubs.
The term is not strictly defined. In everyday use it covers several course types:
- Par-3 course: every hole is a par 3, so the green can be reached in one shot.
- Pitch and putt: very short holes played almost entirely with a wedge and putter.
- Executive course: mostly par 3s plus a few par 4s and the occasional par 5.
What they share is the focus on the short game. Approach shots, chips and putts decide the score, and those same shots make up a large share of strokes on long courses too.
Pitch and putt: golf in a small space
Pitch and putt is the shortest type of short course, and the name says it all: a pitch onto the green, then one or two putts into the hole. Pitch and putt is especially popular in Ireland, for example, where it is also played as a competitive sport in its own right.
The international pitch and putt federations set fixed standards: a hole may be no longer than 90 metres and an 18-hole course no longer than 1,200 metres in total. Players may carry a maximum of three clubs, one of which must be a putter.
Many facilities outside these federations use the term more loosely, simply for very short holes where families, beginners and casual players can play without much fuss. For a first taste of golf that is ideal: distances are manageable and success comes after just a few holes.
Par-3 courses and executive courses
A par-3 course consists solely of par-3 holes. They are usually longer than on a pitch and putt course, so you need short and mid irons as well as wedges. You play straight from the tee to the green, with no long drives and no fairway in the classic sense, but often with bunkers, water or contoured greens that demand precision.
The executive course is a term from the English-speaking world. It describes a compact course with mostly par 3s and some par 4s, occasionally a par 5, so the total par is well below that of a standard course. The name is usually explained as a course that lets busy professionals fit in a full round in a short time.
Executive courses already feel like a ‘proper’ golf course and make a good stepping stone between a short course and a 9- or 18-hole course.
Benefits: who is a short course for?
Short courses are popular because they make golf easier and quicker. The main benefits:
- Time: a round often takes one to two hours, sometimes less.
- Getting started: short distances are manageable for beginners.
- Short game: you practise the very shots that save the most strokes on any course.
- Less equipment: a few irons, a wedge and a putter are enough.
- Togetherness: families, children and mixed groups can play together.
Experienced golfers like short courses too, for warming up before a longer round, a quick game in the evening or targeted work on approach shots. If shots inside 100 metres are your weakness, a short course is the ideal place to practise under real conditions.
Short courses, golf licence and handicap
Whether you need a golf licence (in Germany the DGV Platzreife) for a short course is up to each facility. Many short courses in Germany can be played without one and are aimed at newcomers. Basic etiquette and safety still matter, such as only hitting when nobody ahead is within range.
For your handicap, the key question is whether the course has an official rating. Only courses with a Course Rating and Slope Rating count for handicap. Since 2024 the minimum length for a rated course in Germany has been 688 metres per nine holes, down from 1,375 metres, so some short courses can now carry a Course Rating. Many par-3 and pitch and putt courses still have no such rating, so rounds there do not affect your Handicap Index but are excellent practice.
A sign on the first tee or the scorecard usually explains the rules that apply. The normal Rules of Golf apply in principle, and some facilities add their own Local Rules, for example a maximum number of strokes per hole.
Example: a round on a par-3 short course
Imagine a short course with six par-3 holes between 60 and 120 metres, a total par of 18. You play with a sand wedge, pitching wedge, 7-iron and putter.
On hole 1, at 75 metres, your pitch finds the green and you two-putt for par. On hole 2, at 115 metres, your 7-iron just misses the green; a chip and two putts make four, a bogey. On hole 3 your tee shot stops a metre from the flag and you hole it for a birdie.
After six holes you might have 22 strokes on the card, four over par. The example shows how much the score on a short course depends on approach shots, chips and putts. A round like this often takes under an hour.
Tips for your first round on a short course
A few simple tips make your first round relaxed:
- Clubs: bring only what you need; two to four clubs plus a putter is usually enough.
- Distances: check the scorecard or the signs on each tee so you know which club to use.
- Pace: play promptly. If you have to search or a hole is costing many strokes, pick up and move on to the next hole.
- Safety: shout ‘fore’ if a ball heads towards other people.
- Care: repair ball-marks on the green and replace divots.
Keep score, but do not put yourself under pressure. On a short course the main thing is to enjoy yourself and build a feel for the shots around the green.
Try it at Golf Lounge
At the Golf Lounge Hamburg, the 6-hole ‘Red’ short course is the ideal place to start. No golf licence is needed, a round usually takes under an hour and up to four players can book together. In winter, from January to March, it becomes a 9-hole winter course that can be played daily from sunrise to sunset. The courses follow a colour system: the ‘Blue’ Putt Course suits all ages, the ‘Red’ short course is for beginners, and with the Platzreife you can move on to the 9-hole ‘Black’ course.
Frequently asked questions
What is pitch and putt?
Pitch and putt is a very short form of golf: each hole is played with a pitch onto the green and one or two putts. Under the international pitch and putt federations’ standards, a hole is at most 90 metres long and players may carry at most three clubs. Many facilities use the term more loosely for very short holes.
What is an executive course?
An executive course is a compact golf course made up mostly of par 3s with some par 4s and occasionally a par 5. Its total par is well below that of a standard 18-hole course. The term comes from the English-speaking world and describes courses where a full round fits into a short time.
Do I need a golf licence for a short course?
Each facility decides for itself. Many short courses in Germany can be played without the Platzreife and are designed for beginners, while standard 9- and 18-hole courses usually require it. Check the facility’s website or ask at reception before booking, as the rules can differ even between short courses in the same region.
How long does a round on a short course take?
It depends on the number and length of holes and the pace of play. On small pitch and putt or 6-hole courses a round often takes under an hour. A 9- or 18-hole executive course takes longer but is still much quicker than a round on a standard 18-hole course.
Which clubs do I need on a short course?
Usually just a few. For pitch and putt a wedge and a putter are enough. On par-3 courses with longer holes you add one or two short or mid irons, such as a 7- or 9-iron. Many short courses offer hire clubs, so you need no equipment of your own for your first round.
As of: October 2026