Opinion & Analysis
What’s your ideal 3-hole start to a round of golf?
I asked my friend and frequent golfing companion Sanders a few weeks ago if he would rather start bogey-birdie-par, or birdie-par-bogey. He gave me a very strange look like maybe I had sat in the sun for too long, or gone too long without making a birdie.
Then he answered, “Doesn’t matter, boss. I’m even par either way.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I tried to explain. “Don’t you think there’s a big difference between opening with a birdie and opening with a bogey? Even if you’re still at the same score after the first three holes.”
He again gave me a quizzical look – and suggested I take a drink of water or better yet, pour a little water over my head to cool down this fine desert morning.
“No, if you’re even par after three holes, that’s your score. It doesn’t matter how you get there,” he said.
“I started birdie, birdie once,” I told him.
“What’d you end up shooting?” Sanders asked.
“I honestly don’t remember,” I said, even though I did remember that I was way over nervous on the third tee and I think I pulled my driver into the trees and made a double there.
“Then you were even after three, so it’s still a good start.”
Tim and Jose were the others in our group that day and so I asked them how they’d like to start.
Tim said he’d like to open birdie, birdie, birdie.
“If you did,” Jose said, “you’d probably double, double, double from there and not even shoot 40 on the front nine.”
“You might be right, but I’d like to try it and find out.”
“I think I’d always rather start with a birdie than a bogey,” Jose said. “There’s never a guarantee if you open with a bogey that you’re ever going to make the birdie to get back to even.”
Finally Sanders seemed interested in the conversation.
“I think if you make about a six-foot bogey putt, maybe with a little break or something you really have to grind on, on No. 1, and then come right back and get a birdie, I think that’s the day you can have a really great round.”
“And if you miss that six-footer for bogey?” I let my voice trail off in the question.
“Don’t get the negative mojo going here,” he snapped, then gave me a look like maybe I needed a beer instead of the water I was chugging.
I thought Sanders maybe isn’t as obsessed about golf as I am, but then he told me:
“I remember my best round ever, a 71,” he said. “I missed a six-foot birdie putt on the first hole and almost three putted it into a bogey. Then I made a 20-footer on the second hole and played great all day. I think it was missing the first birdie putt and then almost missing the two-footer coming back on number one that helped me focus my concentration.”
On a different day at a different course I played with a 35-year-old flag-stick-thin guy who hit the elastomer off the ball. He opened all pars on the first five and I said to him, “You’re off to a good start.”
I guess he didn’t like my talent for understatement or he was just feeling ornery that day. Or maybe it was that he’d been on the first hole, a par-5, in two and three putted for par.
“It’s not how you start,“ he said, “it’s how you play the middle of the round. That’s the key for me, don’t hurt yourself too much in the beginning six holes, then settle into the round and play the next six holes solid. If I can do that, I’m in position, I’m in the mindset to finish strong the last six, and that’s where the round is won or lost.”
I asked him what his best start ever was.
“I eagled No. 1 and birdied No. 2 here a few weeks ago,” and now I realized why he wasn’t particularly happy about his even par open today. “I ended up giving a couple of strokes back but still played good. I wish it had been a skins game.”
While we waited on the No. 6 for the group ahead to putt out on the par-3, I asked if he always played his rounds in six-hole segments.
“No,” he said with a gleam in his eye and a sly smile. “I actually play the round in three-hole segments, six of them. When I play them all in even or one-over par, I’m in the mid-70s where I belong.”
“What happens if you’re two or three over for three holes?” I wondered.
“Then I play the next three holes like it’s its own group again. You have to forget about the bad things that happened and move on to the next opportunity.”
The group in front of us was walking off the green and back to their carts.
“It’s always about what you’re going to do next,” he said. And then he carved a little 6-iron in to about 15 feet.
Saturday I played with Sanders again, and his friends Jeremy and Brock. Brock birdied the first hole, parred the second and bogeyed the third.
I told him there’s nothing wrong with being even par after three.
“I’d rather par the first, bogey the second and then birdie the third,” he said.
What’s your best start ever? Let us know in the comments section below. And check out the inspirational story of one golfer trying to shoot the round of his life at 7-ironpress.com. The book is called A Perfect Lie – The Hole Truth and you can get free shipping on the paperback with the code GOLFWRX, or $4 off the e-book when you enter the code GOLFWRX1 at check-out.
Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.
Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.
First, meet Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.
Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter
The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.
Third, meet Martin Kaymer
Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.
Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler
Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.
Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger
Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!
On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.
I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.
To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.
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Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s
5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag
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Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
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Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
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Chuck Zirkle
Jan 13, 2016 at 7:55 pm
12/23/15: Birdie tap in putt, birdie chip in, long birdie putt. Three under. Capped it off with an ace on the fourth hole for five under after four holes. Had to pinch myself. Was up five skins. Shot four under on front nine. A dream three holes and early Christmas present.
Matthew Bacon
Jan 1, 2016 at 11:54 am
Bogey Birdie Par
I’m more likely on the home course for birdie-bogey-par
Patrick
Dec 31, 2015 at 10:05 am
The course I belong to has an interesting 3 hole start. The first hole is a 14 handicap hole, the second a 5 handicap and the third is the number one stroke hole. So, the goal is to go even par and one over at the worst. This course has a slope rating of 128 from the white tees so it’s got some forced carries and the wind is a challenge being near an ocean. Until I read the article, I didn’t understand the theme but it’s relevant for certain courses.
In a tournament my goal is just fairways and greens. Par is a good score and birdies are a bonus. If your a tournament player you’ll know that doubles are killers and sometimes bogeys are acceptable.
Bob Jones
Dec 30, 2015 at 6:43 pm
I never worry about a start. Last summer I double-bogied the first hole and shot a 36 for the nine. My best-ever score is a 75, that began at two over after four holes. Play one hole, forget it, and go on to the next one. Add ’em up when the round is over.
Courtney
Dec 30, 2015 at 1:14 pm
The ultimate start has to be Karen Stupples’ 2004 Women’s British Open win at Sunningdale. Her first round started Eagle – Double Eagle. Her caddy/husband said, “we might as well shoot 59” after those first two holes.
Aaron
Dec 30, 2015 at 10:58 am
So apparently not liking the article and commenting in such a fashion gets your comment pulled?! Hey WRX management what’s wrong with not liking your content at times? Shouldn’t that help you to understand your demographic and prepare articles that are more in line with your reader’s interests? My comment contained no vulgarity, or any level of inappropriateness but rather a statement that reflected my opinion that the premise and substance of this article is dumb. I stand by the statement that this is the dumbest article I have ever read on here and I am disappointed that commenting my view was “censored” by removal. This site is supposed to be about dialogue and at times disagreement on things “golf”. Instead of removing someone’s point of view maybe you could offer a counter point that could be used to have a discussion???
devilsadvocate
Jan 1, 2016 at 12:22 pm
Lol u mad bro? Why wouldn’t they let you say you thought the article was “stupid”?? Obviously that contributes so much insight and depth to the conversation!! These simple-minded editors have not the stomach for true philosophical analysis or debate!!
Double Mocha Man
Dec 29, 2015 at 11:42 am
I like to start off eagle, eagle, hole-in-one. Then I can relax, skate in and finish around 80.
Jeff*
Dec 28, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Really doesn’t matter, because the next shot is all I can control. So on the first tee, I’m just thinking how lucky I am to be playing golf, the only thing I can do is to focus on my routine, tempo, set up, and that gives me the best chance at hitting the best possible next shot. That’s what it’s all about for me.
Stickburn
Dec 28, 2015 at 4:57 pm
3 holes increments? I look at the game completely different.
I shoot 67 everytime I play. Once I hit 67 I am finished. So instead of seeing how low I can go for 18 holes I try to see how far I can get. Kind of like a pitch count for a pitcher coming off a rehab assignment.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 29, 2015 at 11:46 am
So Stickburn, if you played Pebble Beach from the back tees and achieved your 67 after hole #10 you’d walk in the full mile and a half?
Rob
Dec 29, 2015 at 2:24 pm
I’m sure the courses you play at love that you end your “round” after hole #13
Wreiman
Dec 28, 2015 at 2:21 pm
On my normal course I’m good with par, par, bogey. If I’m on top of my game, it could easily be par, bird, par, But the later is my normal. I find if I and in that mode , the round will be pretty good. The other week I was even par on the first holes… then doubled my way into the clubhouse before a few beers stopped the bleeding…
Jamie
Dec 28, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Started off Par-Par-Par just a few weeks ago…and thought that maybe it would be a great cold weather round. I proceeded to fall apart on hole # 6 after 3 putting and wrecked #7. Mentally I think 3 hole segments are a great idea…you try to win each segment as opposed to focusing on the round as a whole.
Jam
Dec 28, 2015 at 11:28 am
It completely depends on the golf course, especially if you play competitively. Each hole has to be played as an individual and separate golf tournament. Difficult to do, but the best way to be successful.
Jack
Dec 28, 2015 at 2:07 am
Yeah I like the 3 hole segments. The 1 hole segments just becomes a 9 hole torture fest. Going to try this next time.
ooffa
Dec 27, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Well that’s it. Golfwrx has finally run out of things to write about. They had a nice run though. I hate to see it end like this.
Progolfer
Dec 28, 2015 at 12:25 am
Hahaha! Exactly what I was thinking!
Tom
Dec 29, 2015 at 12:32 am
you weekend hacker ….you.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:12 pm
I play 18 holes in 1 hole segments.
jakeanderson
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:12 pm
i usually start with three birdies and close in with 15 birdies. if you play worse than that, you really should not even bother.
Hack lefty
Dec 27, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Best three hole start ever was birdie, eagle, par. Thought I was high on drugs or someone spiked my Gatorade, went on to shoot 86 haha
DK
Dec 27, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Uh, that would be BIRDIE – BIRDIE – BIRDIE
Ronald Montesano
Dec 27, 2015 at 12:28 pm
I’m a personal and professional fan of the three-hole increments. Even if you play one shot at a time, you should still be aware of how you stand. When I coach high school golfers (female and male) I follow the same procedure with them.
We came by this honestly because our boys used to play a three-hole, match-play formula (for a point each set) plus a nine-hole point: four points per match. The fellows were forced to go three by three by three. Some grasped the notion, while others struggled. Next season, we’ll switch scoring systems to a nine-hole, medal score, eliminating the head-to-head aspect. I’m hoping that the fellows will still focus on the three-hole segments.
Alfredo Smith
Dec 30, 2015 at 11:29 am
Ronald that scoring format sounds delicious! You can loose the first 2 segments by being down by two, then win three holes (7,8 &9) and be one up, for the 9 holes, thus splitting the match. With 4 ways to score it gives you multiple ways to get the juices flowing!