Go for par: 10 par 3 golf courses to check out in Massachusetts

It's summertime, which means golf season is in full swing at links all across the Bay State.

Whether you're a newcomer to the game or a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in between, golfing provides a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the weather by yourself or with a group of friends or family.

While there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to golfing in Massachusetts, from country clubs to municipal courses and from driving ranges to mini golf, a par-3 course can be an intriguing choice for a variety of reasons.

Why a Par 3 course?

A Par 3 course is usually smaller than a traditional course, with all or almost all holes being considered reachable in three strokes or less. The smaller size can be beneficial both to youth and older golfers, as well as provide a faster pace of play. For the more experienced golfer, a par-3 course offers ample opportunity to work on your short game with a heavy emphasis on iron and wedge shots. Whether nine holes or a full 18, par-3 courses tend to run cheaper than some of their larger counterparts as well, making them great options for a family golf outing.

Here are some Par 3 courses across the state that are worth checking out this summer and beyond.

The Links at Mass Golf, Norton

Address- 300 West Main Street

Rates (9 holes/18 holes)- $21/$29 Adults 18-65; $11/$19 Juniors under 18; $19/$24 Seniors 65+/College/Military

Located in the heart of Norton, tucked away off Route 123 and a few minutes drive off 495, this 18-hole course is quiet and well-maintained. With a wide open front nine and a largely wooded back nine, it offers a variety of straight-forward and more challenging courses. While the course itself is open through Dec. 15, The Links at Mass Golf also offers indoor golf simulators ($35/hour or $20/half hour Monday-Friday, $40 hour/$205 half hour Saturdays and Sundays) that are open year-round. To book a tee time, call (508) 222-0555

Swansea Country Club Par 3 Executive Course, Swansea

Address- 299 Market Street

Rates- $21 for weekdays, $25 for weekends. Save $3 by booking a tee time online.

Separate from the standard 18-hole course at the club, the Par 3 Executive Course was built in 1999 to provide golfers with a quick but fulfilling golf experience. Each hole was designed to require a different club from each box, challenging both new and experienced golfers alike to sharpen their skills. With a 1½ acre pond in the middle and tall hardwood trees lining the course, it provides for a scenic environment that both relaxes as well as challenges those who play it. Open year round, tee times can be booked online or by calling (508) 379-9886.

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Rockland Golf Course, Rockland

Address- 276 Plain Street

Rates (9/18)- Juniors (under 18): $15-25 (walking); Adults: $23-28/$32-40 (walking), $39-46/$50-58 (cart); Seniors (65+): $21-26/$28-36 (walking), $37-44/$46-54 (cart); Twilight $18-27 (walking)

The 18-hole course at Rockland Golf Course, the Challenge Course’s claim to fame is being the “longest par 3 east of the Mississippi,” measuring 3,190/3,062/2,764/2,057 from the blue, yellow, white and red tees respectively. One of the more challenging par 3s in the area, with the course record being a -4, it promises to test the skills of even the most experienced golfers. Tee times can be made either on their website or by calling the pro shop at (781) 871-0480.

Fore Kicks' Golf Course, Norfolk

Address- 10 Pine Street

Rates- Juniors (14 and under) and Seniors (65+): $18 Monday-Friday, $20 Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays; Adults (15-64): $20 Monday-Friday, $25 Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays; Family Special Packs (Group of four): $70 weekdays, $80 weekends. Carts are an additional $15 and available for senior and handicap golfers only.

This nine-hole course at the Fore Kicks complex is short, coming in at just over 1,000 yards combined, with wide-open holes making it a great option for families or those looking to play a quick round. If you're feeling nine holes isn't enough, you can play a second round for $8 more. In addition to a standard round of golf, visitors can also also try their hand, or rather foot, at a round of Footgolf ($20), a combination of soccer and golf where players try to get the ball in the hole in as few kicks as possible. Tee times for can be made on their website or by calling (508) 384-4433.

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Heritage Hill, Lakeville

Address- 1 Heritage Hill Drive

Rates (9/18)- Juniors (16 and under): $20/$25 Monday-Friday; Adults (17+): $26/$32 Monday-Friday, $28/$36 Weekends and Holidays. Carts are an additional $10/$15 per person while push carts are available for $6 for either nine or 18 holes.

This 18-hole course, formerly known as The Back Nine Club, is nestled in between tall pines and waterways, with water hazards in play on 11 of its holes. Picturesque yet challenging, this course promises a playtime of roughly three hours while six holes (2, 3, 7, 9, 11 and 16) can be played as par 4s from the women's', junior's and senior's tee boxes. Tee times can be booked on their website or by calling (508) 947-9993.

Red Farm Golf, Upton

Address- 119 Fowler Street

Rates- $16

This nine hole, farm-style golf course located in the Upton State Forest is wide open with some beautiful scenery, making it an ideal place for those learning the game or looking to sharpen their skills. Billed as "a great place to work on your short game," the course also offers Footgolf ($10 or $5 for current Mendon Upton Youth Soccer Association players). Tee times can be booked on their website. For more information, call (774) 431-0860.

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Cyprian Keyes Golf Club Par 3 Course, Boylston

Address- 284 East Temple Street

Rates- $16 weekdays, $20 weekends

This nine-hole course at Cyprian Keyes, featured in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette last month, is carved out of the woods of Central Mass. and is described as a "fun, yet thought-provoking" challenge for those wanting to sharpen their short game. To book a tee time, visit their website or call (508) 869-9900 for more information.

Murphy's Garrison Golf Center, Haverhill

Address- 654 Hilldale Ave

Rates- Juniors (16 and under) Seniors (65+): $13 weekdays, $14 weekends; Adults (17-64): $14 weekdays, $15 weekends; Additional Rounds: $11 weekdays, $12 weekends

This nine-hole course, affiliated with Bradford Country Club, sits just south of the New Hampshire border and was designed with both beginners and more experienced players in mind. Push carts are also available for all golfers, as well as a driving range. Tee times can be booked on site and for more information, visit their website or call (978) 374-9380.

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Holly Ridge Golf Club, Sandwich

Address- 121 Country Club Road

Rates (9/18)- Juniors (16 and under): $18, or free on weekends with a paid adult; Adults (17+): $28/$36 (off-season)/$44 (in-season)/$28 (winter); Twilight (after 3 p.m.): $28; Carts per person: $11/$16 + tax; Push carts: $5

Nestled inland in the woods of Cape Cod, this course has earned a wide variety of accolades over the years for its picturesque environment as well as it's promise to "challenge the more advanced player and relax the new golfer." To book a tee time, visit their website or call (508) 42-5577.

Village Links Golf Club, Plymouth

Address- 265 South Meadow Road

Rates (9/18)- Walking: $23/$30; Cart: $31/$45: Walking Only (after 5 p.m.): $20 Monday-Friday, $23 Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays; Frequent Player Card: $89 (then $20/$25 walking and $28/$40 with cart)

Another award-winning local course, this one bills itself as great for families and golfers of all levels of play. Largely open with some waterways and tree lines, it also hosts both the Top 25 PGA Junior League and PGA Family Cup. To book a tee time, visit their website or call (508) 830-4653.

Cameron Merritt is the Massachusetts Outdoors Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Primarily a sports reporter and photographer for the Taunton Daily Gazette, he can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com.