Play the million
dollar hole.
The "baddest" par-3 golf course in America.
Threetops
Don't let its size fool you, Threetops is an experience that you won't want to miss. Challenging elevations from every tee box will satisfy even the most skilled golfers. Established in 1992, Threetops is the first of three Rick Smith-designed courses at Treetops Resort and is widely considered among the nation's best par-3 courses. Links Magazine proclaims Threetops is one of the "Baddest Par 3 Courses in the US." For a period of eight years, Threetops was the venue for the ESPN Par-3 Shootout. Hole #7 is where Lee Trevino made an ace in 2001 and won the million-dollar prize. And he came back in 2021 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of what is widely considered the richest shot in golf.
Awards
Voted one of the best par-3 courses in the U.S. by several publications.
Book Your Golf Trip. Tee Times are Filling Up.
Explore Threetops.
Experience a birds-eye view of the course.
Hole 1 - Par 3
- 143
- 125
- 100
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Plateau".
- In the 2000 Par 3 Shootout, Lee Janzen hit it to 2 feet which stands as the closest shot on this hole in Shootout History.
- You won't know it from the tee box but you absolutely cannot go long on this hole and for some reason many do.
- The green sits up on a plateau and falls off on all sides except for the right side. With a right pin, you can feed your shot in from the right.
Hole 2 - Par 3
- 156
- 139
- 114
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Double Cross" (left to right green).
- In the 2003 Par 3 Shootout, Lee Trevino hit it to 1 fee 7 inches which stands as the closest shot on this hole in Shootout History.
- The green has a distinct shelf back left and shots that are moving right to left almost never stay on that shelf.
- To get it close to a right pin, you have to challenge the bunker on the right side. You can feed the ball to a left pin so keep the ball right of the pin when it is on the left.
Hole 3 - Par 3
- 219
- 207
- 137
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Devil's Drop".
- In the 2003 Par 3 Shootout, Phil Mickelson hit it to 1 feet 4 inches which stands at the closest shot on this hole in Shootout history…that baby almost went in.
- Toughest hole on this course…people make a myriad of mistakes on this hole but it sure is beautiful. Once you get to the green, the challenge continues as the slopes are hard to read.
- Your guess is as good as mine on club selection. In calm conditions, you can subtract about 50 yards from the back tee yardage…..but it's rarely calm.
- Quite possibly the most dramatic par 3 in all of Michigan with a 145 foot drop from tee to green.
Hole 4 - Par 3
- 168
- 140
- 86
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Deception".
- In the 2000 Par 3 Shootout, Phil Mickelson hit it to 1 fee 2 inches which stands as the slosest shot on thishole in Shootout History.
- The hole is aptly named deception due to the bunker short of the green because it is a good 25 yards short of the green and makes it look shorter.
- The green slopes way more from right to left than you think and many a golfer has blown their first putt by when putting that way.
Hole 5 - Par 3
- 150
- 135
- 105
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Valley Lo".
- In the 2005 Par 3 Shootout, Fred Couples spun one back and lipped out before his shot stopped 10 inches away and this shot stands as the closest shot on this hole in shootout history.
- There is a huge slope in the green that bisects the green from front to back. If your ball's on the back with a front pin, you may want to bring a wedge for your second putt.
- The target is very narrow from right to left. Miss right and end up in the weeds, miss left and you may end up in the bunker.
Hole 6 - Par 3
- 169
- 150
- 78
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Harry's Way"
- In the 2004 Par 3 Shootout, Fuzzy Zoeller hit it to 3 feet 5 inches which stands as the closest shot on this hole in Shootout History.
- A ridge runs through the middle of the green and putts from one side of the ridge to the other are very difficult to get close enough to 2 putt.
- Many will go pin hunting when the pin is on the right side but a ball missing the green right will often careen down the bank and into the drink.
- When Harry Melling gave the ok for Rick Smith to build Threetops, he had one stipulation. "I want a hole with water." Little did Rick know that Harry would choose the 6th which sits atop of a ridge and maybe isn't quite the best spot for a pond. However, when Harry speaks, people listen and Harry got his way.
Hole 7 - Par 3
- 150
- 135
- 130
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "High Five".
- Do I even have to mention this one….The shot heard round the world was struck in 2001 by Lee Trevino when he hit his shot over the green and spun it back into the hole to win a cool $1,090,000 in one swing of the club.
- You won't know if your shot is a good one until it lands. A severe slope on the green will make putting difficult if you hit your shot to the wrong level.
- Club selection is the biggest challenge on this hole as the severe tee to green slope and the pin location can lead to a club selection swing of up to 4 or 5 clubs.
- If it wasn't for hole #3, this would be quite possibly the most dramatic hole in northern Michigan…it drops 90 feet from tee to green.
Hole 8 - Par 3
- 140
- 124
- 103
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Hang Time".
- In the 2002 Par 3 Shootout, Fred Couples hit it to 4 feet 4 inches which stands as the closest shot on this hole in Shootout History.
- A deceptive green that sits on a diagonal to the tee box. Thus, balls missing right often end up short too.
- This green slopes significantly from left to right so you need to be careful when you get to the green. Shots hit long are very tough up and downs.
Hole 9 - Par 3
- 140
- 135
- 125
Hole Tips
- Nicknamed "Upward Home".
- In the 2000 Par 3 Shootout, Raymond Floyd hit it to 2 feet 5 inches which stands as the closest shot on this hole in Shootout history.
- This green slopes off on the front right and front left and up and downs are tough no matter where you miss the green…just don't miss the green.
- One of only 2 holes on Threetops that go uphill. The green is not very deep and there's a valley of sin on the back of the green that collect all balls that get 2/3 of the way back on the green. A put from the Valley of Sin is really tough.
- Don't forget to take your photo from the green back to the tee.
Accolades
For a full Treetops experience, be sure to check out our Pro Shop. And ship those sticks!
Visit our Pro Shop
Treetops has something in store for all golfers' taste, style and needs. With two Pro Shops on the property, we carry a wide selection of brand name shoes and equipment.
Ship your sticks
Your clubs delivered. Ship Sticks provides a hassle-free travel experience backed by an on-time guarantee. Traveling to your golf destination just got easier!
Visit our Pro Shop
Treetops has something in store for all golfers' taste, style and needs. With two Pro Shops on the property, we carry a wide selection of brand name shoes and equipment.
Ship your sticks
Your clubs delivered. Ship Sticks provides a hassle-free travel experience backed by an on-time guarantee. Traveling to your golf destination just got easier!
