Pitch and Putt
Pitch and putt is a short form of golf played on a compact course where every hole is a par 3, usually no longer than 90 metres (about 100 yards), and players carry just a wedge and a putter.
What is a pitch and putt?
Pitch and putt takes the two shortest parts of golf, the pitch onto the green and the putt into the hole, and builds an entire game around them. The holes are short enough that a player can reach the green from the tee with a single lofted shot, then hole out with a putt or two. That is where the name comes from.
The term describes both a style of course and the game played on it. A pitch and putt course has only short holes, generally between 40 and 100 yards, and most facilities keep every hole under that 100-yard mark. Because the distances are so modest, a full bag of clubs is unnecessary. A wedge and a putter cover almost every shot.
The game grew out of golf but has become its own recognised sport. The European Golf Association classified pitch and putt as a distinct sport in 2002, and today it is played in dozens of countries, including Ireland, Spain, the United States, and Australia. It appeals to complete beginners and families as much as to low-handicap golfers sharpening their short game.
How a round of pitch and putt works
Play starts on a small teeing area, often a raised mat or a low tee, which every player uses. From there, the goal is simple: pitch the ball onto the green, then putt it into the hole. With holes playing as par 3s, the expectation is one shot to reach the green and two putts to finish, though a good player will often do better.
Scoring follows regular golf. Each stroke counts, and the player with the fewest strokes over the round wins. A nine-hole round can be over in under an hour, and eighteen holes rarely takes more than two, which is part of the appeal for anyone short on time.
The competitive game has its own rulebook and its own handicap system. Governing bodies such as the International Pitch and Putt Association cap the equipment at three clubs, one of which must be a putter, and set limits on how long a course can be. Under IPPA competition rules, no hole may exceed 90 metres, and an 18-hole course must total no more than 1,200 metres. National bodies vary: Pitch and Putt Ireland, for instance, sets a shorter maximum of 70 metres from tee to green.
| Element | Typical pitch and putt |
|---|---|
| Hole length | 40 to 100 yards (up to about 90 metres) |
| Holes per round | 9 or 18 |
| Par per hole | 3 |
| Clubs allowed | Up to 3, including a putter |
| Round time | Under 1 hour (9 holes) to about 2 hours (18) |
Pitch and putt vs par-3 courses and mini golf
Most people searching for this term have run into it alongside two others, the par-3 course and mini golf, and want to know how they differ. They are not the same thing.
A par-3 course, sometimes called an executive course, is longer. Every hole is still a par 3, but the distances stretch well past what a pitch and putt allows, sometimes up to around 200 yards, which means a golfer needs mid-irons and a fuller set rather than just a wedge and putter. Mini golf, also known as putt-putt, is a different activity altogether. It is played entirely with a putter on artificial surfaces dotted with obstacles like ramps and tunnels, with no pitching involved at all.
| Feature | Pitch and putt | Par-3 course | Mini golf / putt-putt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hole length | Up to ~100 yards | Longer, up to ~200 yards | Very short, putting only |
| Clubs used | Wedge and putter | Near-full set | Putter only |
| Shots played | Pitch and putt | Full short-to-mid game | Putt only |
| Surface | Real grass greens | Real grass greens | Artificial, with obstacles |
| Recognised sport | Yes | No (course type) | No |
The quick way to remember it: pitch and putt is real golf shrunk down to its shortest holes. A par-3 course is a fuller game on a smaller footprint, while mini golf is closer to a putting-only amusement than to golf itself.
Where pitch and putt came from
The organised game developed in Ireland, with Cork widely credited as its birthplace in the late 1920s. It spread through Irish clubs during the 1940s and then travelled across Europe and beyond over the following decades. Governing bodies now organise the sport internationally, chiefly the Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations and the International Pitch and Putt Association. In January 2024, the sport received a public show of support from golf’s rule-makers when the R&A backed its continued growth as part of the wider golf family.
Related Golf Terms
- Regulation course — A standard full-length course, typically par 70 to 72.
- Coastal course — A seaside layout shaped by ocean wind and terrain.
- Nine-hole course — A shorter layout of nine holes, often played twice for eighteen.
- Mountain course — A course routed through mountainous, elevation-rich terrain.
- Country club — A private club offering golf alongside social amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many clubs do you need for pitch and putt?
In casual play, a wedge and a putter are enough. In competition, most governing bodies allow a maximum of three clubs, one of which must be a putter.
What is the par on a pitch and putt hole?
Every hole is a par 3, meaning a golfer is expected to reach the green in one shot and take two putts to hole out.
Is pitch and putt the same as mini golf?
No. Mini golf is a putter-only game on artificial surfaces, built around obstacles rather than golf shots. Pitch and putt is real golf played on grass greens, where players pitch onto the green before putting.
Is pitch and putt good for beginners?
Yes. The short holes, small club set, and quick rounds make it one of the easiest ways to try golf without the cost or time of a full course.
How long does a round take?
A nine-hole round usually takes under an hour, while eighteen holes is typically finished within two hours.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “Pitch and putt.” Accessed August 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_and_putt - International Pitch and Putt Association. “P & P and Golf rules.” Accessed August 2026.
https://ippa.cloud/rules/pp-golf-rules/ - Golf Compendium. “What Is a ‘Pitch and Putt’ Golf Course?” Accessed August 2026.
https://www.golfcompendium.com/2020/09/pitch-and-putt-golf-course.html - Pitch and Putt Ireland. “Rules of Play.” Accessed August 2026.
https://www.irishpitchandputt.ie/media/rules_U8Ptzob.pdf - MyGolfSpy. “Golf’s Forgotten Sibling: Pitch and Putt.” Accessed August 2026.
https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/golfs-forgotten-sibling-pitch-and-putt/ - The Golf School. “Pitch and Putt Guide.” Accessed August 2026.
https://thegolfschool.co.uk/pitch-and-putt-guide/
