The total par at Memorial Park Golf Course is 70, a number that tells a story of strategic design and championship-level challenge. This article will break down what that Par 70 means, why the course is laid out this way, and provide actionable tips to help you understand and navigate this unique test of golf.
The best AI golf app: Caddie is your personal AI golf coach. Get expert-level golf advice instantly, 24/7 to help you play like a pro. Try it free →
Understanding Golf's "Par": A Quick Refresher
Before we look at Memorial Park specifically, let's quickly review what "par" means. In golf, par is the predetermined number of strokes a scratch golfer (a player with a zero handicap) is expected to need to complete a hole. It's the standard, the benchmark you measure your performance against on every hole and for the entire round.
This number isn't arbitrary. It’s calculated based on the distance from the tee to the green, with the assumption that a player will take two putts once on the putting surface. The logic generally breaks down like this:
Par-3: You're expected to hit the green on your first shot (the tee shot) and take two putts. Total: 3 strokes.
Par-4: You're expected to hit your tee shot into the fairway, your second shot onto the green, and then take two putts. Total: 4 strokes.
Par-5: You're expected to use three shots to reach the green (a tee shot, a second layup shot, and a third approach shot) and then take two putts. Total: 5 strokes.
Most regulation 18-hole golf courses add up to a par of 72, typically composed of four par-3s, ten par-4s, and four par-5s. This is why Memorial Park's Par 70 stands out - it signals a different kind of architectural challenge.
Get pro-level golf advice instantly, 24/7
Ask Caddie anything. From “what club should I use?” to “how do I play this shot?” and get instant answers.
The Official Par at Memorial Park: A Unique Par 70 Layout
Memorial Park Golf Course, especially from the championship tees used for the PGA Tour's Houston Open, plays to a stout Par 70. This score is a result of a layout intentionally designed by the famed golf course architect Tom Doak to test the best players in the world.
Here’s the composition that gets you to that Par 70 score:
Par-3s: 5 holes
Par-4s: 10 holes
Par-5s: 3 holes
Right away, you can see the differences from a "standard" Par 72 course. Memorial Park features one extra Par-3 and one fewer Par-5. This isn't an accident. It's a deliberate design choice that redefines the player's strategy and asks different questions of their game.
Essentially, the course trades away one of the traditional birdie opportunities (a Par-5) for demanding an iron shot into a complex green (a Par-3). This places a tremendous amount of pressure on ball-striking, forcing players to be precise with their irons rather than just overpowering the course with a driver.
The Tom Doak Philosophy: Why Memorial Park is a Par 70
"Muny" courses, or municipal courses, often get a reputation for being simple and straightforward. When Tom Doak and his team re-imagined Memorial Park in 2019, they shattered that stereotype. Doak's philosophy focuses on creating interesting, strategic golf holes that require thought and present players with options and consequences. The Par 70 layout is central to this vision.
The goal wasn't just to make the course hard, it was to make it interesting. It was about forcing players to make decisions. Should you try to drive the short Par-4 and risk bringing big numbers into play? Can you navigate the tight fairway to get the best angle into a cleverly guarded green? This mindset replaces the simple "bomb and gouge" strategy that can dominate modern golf.
Fewer Par-5s, More Pressure
By only having three Par-5s, Doak magnified their importance. On a typical Par-72 course, four Par-5s offer ample opportunity to score. At Memorial Park, you feel like you must take advantage of holes 3, 8, and 16. If you walk off one with a bogey, it feels like a double bogey because you know those opportunities are limited. This psychological pressure is part of the challenge.
Hole #8: A classic risk-reward Par-5. It's reachable in two for longer hitters, but the green complex is raised and protected by punishing runoff areas. Playing it as a three-shot hole requires a precise layup to avoid a huge, strategically placed bunker. Your decision on the tee changes everything.
More Par-3s, Sharper Iron Play Needed
The five Par-3s at Memorial are a brilliant test of mid-to-long iron play. They vary in length and require different shot shapes, making it impossible to get comfortable. The holes aren't just about distance, they're about controlling your ball flight and landing it on the correct portion of the green.
Hole #2: Plays anywhere from 155 to nearly 200 yards entirely over water to a shallow green. There's no bailout, nowhere to miss comfortably. It demands a purely-struck iron shot from the moment you step on the tee.
Hole #11: An uphill shot to a well-bunkered green. The elevation change makes club selection tricky, and missing left or right leaves a nearly impossible up-and-down.
This configuration means one-quarter of your full shots are approaches on Par-3s. A player with a weak iron game has nowhere to hide. You must be in control of your golf ball to score here.
Plan every shot like a pro
Describe your situation and Caddie AI helps you pick your target, shot shape, and club with confidence.
Playing Memorial Park: A Strategy Guide for Navigating its Par
Understanding a course's par is one thing, knowing how to play it is another. Instead of being intimidated by the Par 70, you can use it to build a smart game plan. Let's look at how you should approach this course from a coaching perspective.
1. Master Your Personal Par
Before you even step on the first tee, forget about the official Par 70. This number is for elite professionals. Your goal should be to play to your "Personal Par." If you are a 90s golfer (a handicap of around 18), your personal par is a bogey on every hole. An 18 handicapper shooting 90 is eighteen over par... or even par for their personal course. This simple mental shift is transformative:
It reduces pressure. There is no such thing as being "over par".
It promotes smarter decisions. Instead of trying to heroically save a par from the trees, playing for a safe bogey is a huge win. A bogey on a tough hole like #12, for a 20 HCP, is like stealing a birdie.
It helps you avoid "blow-up" holes. Aiming for bogey often takes double bogeys or worse out of the equation.
When you stand on a tee, ask yourself, "What's my personal par on this hole?" and then build a strategy to achieve that, not what the scorecard says.
2. Respect the Scoring Holes (The Par-5s)
With only three Par-5s, you need to approach them with a clear plan. Don't just pull out the driver and hit away. Decide your strategy right from the tee box.
How to Play the Par-5s: A Coach's Advice
Are you going for it in two? Be realistic. If it requires two perfect shots and has a lot of surrounding trouble, the smart play is almost always to lay up.
If you're laying up, where to? Don't just hit your second shot to "somewhere in the fairway." Pick an exact yardage for your third shot. Do you love your 90-yard wedge? Then leave yourself 90 yards. This disciplined approach turns a layup from a defensive move into an offensive setup for your next shot.
On Hole #16: With water running all the way down the right side, position is everything. For most amateur players, treating this as a three-shot hole is the only way to avoid a huge number. Aim your tee shot well left of the trouble, hit a second shot that leaves you a comfortable wedge in, and try to walk away with a par. Don't let one hole wreck the scorecard.
3. Plan for Two Putts on the Par-3s
The average golfer should not be "pin-seeking" on Memorial Park's tough Par-3s. The greens are large and sectioned, and a miss in the wrong spot can be a disaster.
How to Play the Par-3s: A Coach's Advice
Aim for the middle of the green. Always. Take the pin's location out of your thoughts entirely. A 30-foot putt from the center of the green is infinitely better than a tricky chip from thick rough or a deep bunker.
Consider the "miss." Where is the safe place to miss if you don't hit a perfect shot? For example, some green complexes have a bailout area to one side. Knowing your miss pattern (do you tend to miss left? short?), plan the shot so even a marginal strike will end up in a manageable spot.
Commit to yourclub selection. These holes require great distance control. The uphill 11th might require an extra club, while the exposed 15th might see the wind wreak havoc.
4. Find the Fairway on the Par-4s
The backbone of Memorial Park's challenge lies in its ten Par-4s. They vary wildly from the tantalizingly short 15th hole to the behemoth 18th. The common thread? Placement off the tee matters more than power most of the time.
How to Play the Par-4s: A Coach's Advice
Put away the driver. On holes with pinched fairways or strategically placed hazards, a 3-wood, hybrid, or even a long iron might be the better play. Leaving yourself 160 yards from the fairway is better than 120 yards from deep rough.
Think backward from the green. Before you tee off, look ahead. Where is the safest part of the green complex? Which side of the fairway gives you the best angle to attack that safe area? Let that be your driver's target.
Play Golf like a Pro with Caddie
Learn and improve your golf game as you play. Get pro-level tips, strategy and guidance anytime.
Memorial Park Golf Course’s Par 70 is more than just a number, it’s a brilliant reflection of a strategic design that values thought over force. Its unique layout - with five Par-3s and only three Par-5s - demands excellent iron play and smart course management, offering a genuine championship experience accessible to everyone.
Developing that course management skill, especially on a strategic layout like Memorial, is what separates a frustrating day from a rewarding one. With today's technology, I've seen how quickly players can improve this skill. For instance, players using Caddie AI can get instant, high-level strategic advice tailored for any hole, any lie. When you’re facing a tough decision like 'should I lay up on the 8th?' or figuring out the right play from a tricky bit of rough, you get a clear, simple recommendation in your pocket, helping you think like a pro and manage your way around the course more wisely.
Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. Caddie's mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.
Other posts you might like
What Is the Average Weight of a Golf Bag with Clubs?
A fully loaded golf bag tips the scales at an average of 25 to 35 pounds, but that number can swing wildly depending on what you carry. From the minimalist walker to the fully equipped tour professional, the weight difference can be enormous. This guide will break down exactly where that weight comes from - from the bag itself to every club and accessory inside - and give you actionable advice on how to lighten your load for a more enjoyable and less fatiguing round of golf.
The quest for a hole-in-one is one of golf’s ultimate dreams, yet it’s a feat that has eluded even some of the game's finest players for entire careers. While it's tough to find a top professional who has literally <em>never</em> had an ace in any round of golf, several big names have famously gone decades and tens of thousands of official competitive shots without one. This article will look at those surprising stories and, more importantly, break down what you can learn from them to increase your own chances of carding a 1.
What Is the Average Weight of a Professional Golfer's Bag?
A professional golfer’s bag typically weighs between 30 and 50 pounds, a figure that often surprises amateur players. This substantial C weight isn't accidental, it’s a direct result of being prepared for every single possibility over a five-hour competitive round. This article will break down exactly what contributes to that weight, why pros carry so much equipment, and what practical lessons you can apply to packing your own bag for your next round.
Ever signed up for a tournament and seen the word flights, only to wonder what cage your golf game was about to be put in? Don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Flighting is one of the best things about competitive golf for the average player. This article will walk you through exactly what flights are, why tournaments use them, and how they help you have a more competitive and enjoyable day on the course.
Of all the clubs in your golf bag, the putter is the one you'll use the most, yet it's often the most misunderstood. It's the club responsible for turning a great drive into a birdie or a mediocre approach into a saved par. This article will break down exactly what a putter is, explore the main types you'll encounter, and give you clear, practical advice on how to choose the one that will help you sink more putts.
Dustin Johnson, one of golf's most prodigious talents, uses Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips on his full-swing clubs and has most recently favored a Lamkin Deep-Etched pistol-style an's grip on his putter. This article will not only detail the specific models he uses but, more importantly, will explore the *how* and *why* behind his grip style - a crucial component that enables his signature power fade. We'll break down the mechanics of his grip, its relationship to his famous bowed wrist, and what you, the everyday golfer, can learn from his highly personalized setup.
