Pitch & Putt, Par-3 or Short Course? The Best Golf Courses for Beginners
You want to play golf, but you do not have an official handicap yet.
Where should you start?
Searching for a “golf course” often leads straight to traditional 18-hole clubs, where visitor requirements can include a Handicap Index, club membership or proof that you are an experienced player.
But that is only one part of golf.
Across Europe you can also find Pitch & Putt courses, Par-3 courses, short courses and academy courses. These are often much easier places to start playing — and in many cases they have fewer entry requirements.
So what is the difference?
And which type of course is right for you?
Pitch & Putt: probably the easiest way to start
Pitch & Putt is one of the most accessible forms of golf.
The holes are short, usually designed to be played primarily with wedges and a putter. A round is much quicker than traditional golf, and you do not need to hit 250-yard drives to enjoy it.
That makes Pitch & Putt ideal if you:
- have never played golf before;
- do not have a Handicap Index;
- want to play with children or family;
- only have a few hours available;
- are travelling and do not have your full set of clubs;
- simply want a relaxed round of golf.
Many Pitch & Putt facilities are designed specifically to welcome beginners.
But there is an important rule:
“Pitch & Putt” does not automatically mean “no handicap required.”
Every facility can still set its own access rules.
That is why GolfFreely checks the actual playing conditions of individual courses rather than assuming access based only on course type.
What is a Par-3 course?
A Par-3 course consists primarily — or entirely — of par-3 holes.
On a traditional golf course, par-3 holes are usually the shortest holes. Instead of needing several shots to reach the green, the idea is that an experienced golfer should be able to reach it with their tee shot.
A complete Par-3 course puts those shorter holes together into a full round.
Distances vary enormously.
Some holes may be very short and beginner-friendly, while others can be well over 180 yards and surprisingly difficult.
Par-3 courses are excellent for practising:
- iron shots;
- wedges;
- putting;
- distance control;
- course management.
And because the holes are shorter, they usually take less time to play.
Do you need a handicap for a Par-3 course?
Sometimes yes. Often no.
This is where things become confusing.
One golf club may have an 18-hole championship course requiring a handicap, while its separate Par-3 course is open to everybody.
Another facility may require local course permission even for the Par-3.
And another may simply allow anyone to book and play.
The physical course type and the access rules are two different things.
So never assume that a Par-3 course is automatically open — but it is certainly one of the best categories to investigate if you do not yet have a handicap.
What is a short course?
A short course sits somewhere between a Par-3 course and a traditional golf course.
There is no universal definition.
A short course may include:
- par-3 holes;
- shorter par-4 holes;
- occasionally a short par-5;
- six, nine, twelve or eighteen holes.
The main characteristic is simply that it is shorter than a conventional full-length golf course.
This can make short courses particularly attractive for new golfers.
You still experience many of the things that make traditional golf interesting — different clubs, strategy, bunkers, greens and sometimes even longer shots — without spending four or five hours playing a full course.
Germany’s Kurzplatz
If you are searching for golf in Germany, you will regularly encounter the term Kurzplatz.
It literally means “short course.”
A Kurzplatz can be an excellent option for golfers who do not yet have a German Platzreife or an official handicap.
Some German golf clubs deliberately use their Kurzplatz as the first course beginners play before moving to the main course.
Others still require a local form of playing permission.
Again, check the individual course.
What is an academy course?
An academy course is usually a smaller golf course connected to a golf club or training facility.
These courses are often designed for:
- lessons;
- new golfers;
- junior players;
- practising course skills;
- players who are not yet ready for the main course.
An academy course may technically also be a Par-3 or short course.
The name describes its purpose more than its exact layout.
For golfers without a handicap, academy courses can be among the most useful places to look.
And what about a normal 9-hole golf course?
A 9-hole course is not necessarily a beginner course.
This is a common misunderstanding.
Nine holes simply describes the number of holes.
A 9-hole golf course can be:
- a very easy public course;
- a short beginner course;
- a demanding championship-quality layout;
- a private club with strict handicap requirements.
So 9 holes does not mean no handicap required.
You still need to check the access conditions.
Which type of course is easiest for a complete beginner?
For someone who has never played before, a rough order is often:
Pitch & Putt → beginner Par-3 → academy/short course → regular golf course
But this is not a rule.
A welcoming public 9-hole course can be much easier to access than a private Par-3 course attached to an exclusive club.
The most important factor is always the course’s own admission policy.
Which course type feels most like “real golf”?
They all are real golf.
Pitch & Putt uses the same fundamental skills: striking the ball, choosing a target, putting, scoring and navigating a course.
Par-3 golf develops one of the most important parts of the game: approach shots and putting.
Short courses add more distance and club selection.
You do not need an 18-hole championship course for golf to count as golf.
In fact, shorter formats are often a much better introduction.
Shorter golf can also be more fun
Traditional golf can take four hours or more.
That is perfect when you have the time.
But it is not always what people want.
A shorter course can make it possible to play:
- after work;
- during a city trip;
- on a family vacation;
- before dinner;
- as part of a day out;
- while learning the game.
You can often complete a round in one or two hours rather than dedicating most of a day to it.
For many people, that makes golf far easier to fit into everyday life.
Do shorter courses count toward your handicap?
Sometimes.
Whether a course can be used for official handicap scores depends on whether it has been officially rated under the relevant handicap system and whether you are eligible to submit a score.
Do not assume that every Pitch & Putt, Par-3 or short course can be used for handicap purposes.
But if your main goal is simply to play golf, that may not matter at all.
The best course for a golf vacation
Shorter courses are particularly useful when travelling.
Imagine you are visiting Amsterdam, Berlin, Barcelona or the French countryside.
You might enjoy playing golf, but you do not necessarily want to:
- bring a full golf bag;
- join a golf club;
- spend five hours on a championship course;
- deal with unfamiliar handicap requirements.
A nearby Pitch & Putt or short course may be exactly what you need.
And it can still give you the chance to experience golf in a completely different country.
What should you check before visiting?
Before going to any course, check a few basic things:
- Is a Handicap Index required?
- Is local course permission required?
- Can beginners play?
- Can you rent clubs?
- Do you need to reserve a tee time?
- Are golf shoes required?
- Are lessons available?
- Are there country-specific licence or insurance requirements?
The shorter the course, the more relaxed the rules often are — but never assume.
The best golf course is the one you can actually play
For beginners, casual golfers and travellers, the biggest and most famous golf course is not always the best choice.
Sometimes a six-hole short course or a small Pitch & Putt is exactly what makes golf enjoyable.
Less pressure.
Less time.
Fewer barriers.
More golf.
Find Pitch & Putt, Par-3 and short courses near you
GolfFreely helps you discover Pitch & Putt courses, Par-3 courses, short courses and regular golf courses where an official handicap is not required or where local course permission is enough.
Search by location, country and course type to find somewhere that fits the way you want to play.