Portstewart Golf Club, Strand Course, 6th hole / 143 Yards / Par-3 “Five Penny Piece”
Strand course by Willie Park, Sr. (1894)
Nine holes added by Des Giffin (1990)
Portstewart / County Londonderry / Northern Ireland

by M. James Ward

The most bedevilling of holes is the short par-3. The lack of length seduces golfers into believing such holes are easy fodder to pluck upon and place a magical “2” on the scorecard. 

However, the greatest of short par-3’s are ever quick to inflict serious pain on the scorecard with such hubris.

A few come to mind quickly. They include the 7th at Pebble Beach, the famed postage stamp 8th at Royal Troon, Augusta National’s 12th and the 6th at Royal Dornoch’s championship course. Joining such elite company is the 6th from Portstewart’s Strand Course.

Upon reaching the tee you see an inviting green and the shot seems ever so elementary. Guess again. The fluctuating wind pattern can mean a major range of clubs to play. Downwind is just as challenging as into one’s face. And heaven will need to help players encountering a serious crosswind.

The green sits on a rise and while the target seems to provide sufficient space the effective landing area that can secure one’s golf ball is far less as closely mown area engulf the putting surface. Once a ball begins to slide to the sides you can fully expect it will continue a path far away from where the flagstick is located.

Being able to play a crisp shot when the elements are ever changing can prove to be a daunting task. Birdies are possible – so are double bogeys for those greedy or failing to execute with precision

The outward half of holes at Portstewart are simply magical In 2017 the club hosted the Dubai Duty Free championship won by Spaniard Jon Rahm with a 22-under-par 264 total. The par-72 course can play to max of 7,118 yards.

The 6th is aptly named “Five Penny Piece” because it emulates a small coin. The hole is wonderfully sandwiched between two stellar holes with the long par-4 5th immediately before it and the risk/reward par-5 7th that follows.

Great golf holes need not be endless slogs where brute strength is the calling card for success. The 6th is an honest judge. State your case and realise no bribes will be accepted. 

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Photos courtesy: Airswing Media

Schematic rendering: courtesy Portstewart Golf Club