4 ways the Masters Par 3 Contest can help transform your game

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.

The annual Masters Par 3 Contest is one of the more unique events in all of sports, not just golf. Not only does it bring players together with family, friends, and fans, but it provides a fun and relaxed atmosphere just a day before the real tournament begins — which is when the stakes are the highest.

While the tradition celebrates golf’s past, present, and future, it’s also a place where amateur golfers can learn a thing or two from the participants.

News

Sure, it’d be fun to skip a shot across a pond like we often see players do in the Masters Par 3 Contest, but, more realistically, the real lessons come from paying closer attention to their swing control and ball placement.

So while watching the event today, PGA Golf Professional Brendon R. Elliott says to take a few extra notes on the following — because it can actually help your game improve!

How the Masters Par 3 Contest can help you improve

Watching some of the best golfers in the world navigate a tricky par-3 course is always a fun way to officially kick off Masters week.

Although many golfers might assume they can’t learn much from the relaxed event, here are a few things you can do score lower during your next round of golf — all by simply watching the Masters Par 3 Contest.

Learn how to flight your wedges

Often overlooked by many amateur golfers, it’s so important to control your shot trajectory with a wedge in your hand. You rarely see a Tour player hit their 60-degree, 56-degree, 50-degree, or any other higher-lofted wedge full out. So take more club, choke down a bit, and smoothly control your pace and tempo with an accelerating swing.

Play to the contours of the green

Augusta National is known for its tricky sloped greens — and the putting surfaces on the shorter course are no different. As you watch the Masters Par 3 Contest, notice how the competitors often hit beyond the flagstick (or even left or right of it), which helps them ensure they’re leaving their ball cozied up to the pin.

The yardage to the flag is basically irrelevant, as the yardage to the spot where you want to land your tee shot matters more.

Don’t forget to factor in outside influences

When you’re hitting higher-lofted clubs into a green, factors such as the wind will play a significant role in what your golf ball does mid-flight. As mentioned previously, the actual yardage to the pin is merely a number on the card and tee sign, so playing your shot to a yardage in accordance with how the wind will affect your ball is most critical.

Instruction

There’s no telling how much wind may influence your ball, since it all depends on various strengths and directions. However, as a general rule of thumb, a 10-mile-per-hour wind can cause your shot to travel up to one club length farther or shorter than normal, while a 20-mile-per-hour wind can cause a change of two clubs.

Remember, it’s essential to consider the wind’s impact before taking your shot and make necessary adjustments to your aim and swing.

While watching today’s Par 3 Contest, listen for a hot mic moment between golfer and caddie. You might be surprised to hear which club a caddie suggests based on the wind, slope, and pin location.

Always have fun!

Golf is hard, no doubt, but it’s also fun — or should be! While the Masters Tournament is serious competition as players vie for the green jacket, the Masters Par 3 Contest allows participants to let loose around each another and their families.

So soak in the smiles and the laughs seen during the par 3 event, and have it serve as a reminder to always have fun and enjoy the special journey that golf takes us on every time we tee it up.

Titleist Vokey SM10 Raw Custom Wedge

$225

For every shot, every lie, every course, there’s a grind fit for your swing. Finding the right grind to match your swing and playing conditions will give you the best turf interaction, contact and shot performance. Master Craftsman Bob Vokey has spent decades crafting, developing and improving his tour proven grinds to fit players of all levels. Anyone can manufacture a wedge, but it takes a master to turn a piece of high-performance technology into an instrument of creative control. Bob’s six tour-proven grinds are designed to offer maximum creativity, versatility and consistency, all meticulously developed through years of working with the best players in the world. PROGRESSIVE CENTER OF GRAVITY SM9 features a progressive center of gravity (CG) throughout the lofts, which optimizes ball flight, accuracy and forgiveness. Using tapered top lines and varied hosel lengths, the Vokey R&D team has raised the height of the CG in the higher lofts, which promotes a lower, more controlled flight. The CG is also forward of the face, resulting in increased MOI, exceptional feel and a club face that simply wants to square up at impact. SPIN MILLED GROOVES SM9’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered through a new cutting process to maximize spin and durability. The process starts by cutting the face perfectly flat with a high-speed saw. Then every groove is individually cut based on loft and finish; low lofts (46°-54°) are designed with narrower, deeper grooves, while higher lofts (56°-62°) have wider, shallower grooves. Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area which doubles the durability of the groove without impacting feel, making it the most durable groove in golf. The process is only complete when every Vokey wedge is 100% inspected for utmost quality and performance.

Buy Now

View Product